Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to Plains, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 36m
Distance
295.5 mi
476 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 23m
★
6 AM
5h 37m
8 AM
6h 3m
10 AM
5h 46m
12 PM
5h 43m
3 PM
5h 47m
5 PM
6h 2m
8 PM
5h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Plains, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Arlington, TX to Plains, TX is 295.5 miles and takes about 5h 36m via I 20, US 84, and US Highway 180, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within the Great Plains region, traversing Texas for its entirety. Given the highway-heavy nature and single-day duration, it's a straightforward drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, making it a practical choice for a quick transit.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
147.7 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 182.3 mi | 3h 4m |
| US 84 | 28.9 mi | 29m |
| US Highway 180 | 23.2 mi | 34m |
| West Freeway | 15.5 mi | 17m |
| West Highway 180 | 13.6 mi | 20m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 12 mi | 15m |
| Farm to Market Road 1054 | 11.6 mi | 20m |
| East Coliseum Drive | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 182.3 mi, about 3h 4m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,599 veh/hr typical · worst 2,068
Quietest
2 AM
~199 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 105 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Plains, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Abram Street
2
Turn right onto FM 157
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the right lane.
3
Turn left onto West Lamar Boulevard
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
West Lamar Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 30 West
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 30
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 30; US 377
15 mi
·
17 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
182 mi
·
3 hr 4 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
8
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
29 mi
·
28 min
·
US 84
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Toward US 180: Lamesa, Roby
11
Turn left onto US 180
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
East US Highway 180
12
Continue on US 180
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Roby Highway
13
Continue on US 180; US 84 Bus; TX 208
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
East Coliseum Drive
14
Continue on US 180; US 84 Bus; TX 208
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
25th Street
15
Continue on US 180
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamesa Highway
16
Continue on US 180
14 mi
·
20 min
·
West Highway 180
17
Continue on US 180
16 mi
·
23 min
·
US Highway 180
18
Continue on US 180
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
East Wasson Avenue
19
Continue on US 180
7.4 mi
·
11 min
·
US Highway 180
20
Turn right onto FM 1054
12 mi
·
20 min
·
Farm to Market Road 1054
21
Turn left onto County Road 139
105 ft
·
4 sec
·
County Road 139
22
Arrive at destination
County Road 139
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5.5-hour drive, consider leaving Arlington, TX, in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. With only one recommended stop and a 93% highway profile, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. The longest stretch without a major road change is 182.3 miles on I 20, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before you embark on that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to US 84 and US Highway 180, where services might be less frequent than on the interstate.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.7 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 65 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.7 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plains, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Arlington, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, TX
This is one driving day of about 295.5 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Arlington, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 182.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 147.7 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Play Street Museum - Fort Worth
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–8 pm
+18179302577
Visit websiteWhite Settlement Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
White Settlement, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+18172469719
Visit websiteParamount Theatre
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit websiteAdamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit website12th Armored Division Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
3.8 mi from route
~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteThe Discovery Center & Truth Bookstore
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13256735050
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 212.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Turn right onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
2.3 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Turn left toward I 30 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 30 West
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge onto I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
30.1 mi into trip
|
~39m in
|
I 20
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
6
212.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
|
US 84
Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.24 one way
$90.49 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $49.93 | $99.87 |
| premium | $4.64 | $53.96 | $107.92 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $71.89 | $143.77 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.7 | 1 | $31.03 | $14.18 |
| Efficient EV | 73.9 | 0 | $25.86 | $11.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.2 | 1 | $41.37 | $18.91 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Mostly Clear
N 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Plains, TX
Late night in Plains on Sunday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
36°F
Mostly Clear
N 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
66°F
Albany, TX
148 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 36m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 93% of the 295.5 miles on major roads like I 20. You'll encounter a long stretch of 182.3 miles on I 20 before transitioning to US 84 and US Highway 180. The majority of your time will be spent on high-speed, limited-access highways, offering a consistent driving experience. Once you leave I 20, expect a change to more rural cruising on the U.S. highways.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.3 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 84. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near FM 157 / South Cooper Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 295.5 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,955 ft
604 ft
Total Climb
2,894 ft
Total Descent
543 ft
Highest Point
2,955 ft
~295.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,352 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Arlington, TX and Plains, TX, road signs point toward Lubbock and Roby.
Lubbock
212.4 mi in
|
~3h 43m
|
via US 84
Roby
241.4 mi in
|
~4h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in Arlington, TX
Full guide →Founded 1876
Arlington is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex metropolitan area, in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of almost 400,000 (2019), it is Texas' seventh largest, and the third largest in the Metroplex. Arlington is south of the sprawling DFW International Airport.
Top landmarks
- • Six Flags Over Texas — amusement park
- • Mini Mine Train — Steel roller coaster
- • Arlington Museum of Art — art museum in Texas, United States
Arriving in Plains, TX
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 36m. Total distance: 295.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 182.3 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Plains, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.4 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 2.6 miles (I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Plains, TX before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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