Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to Port Lavaca, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 15m
Distance
325 mi
523 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 3m
★
6 AM
6h 16m
8 AM
6h 41m
10 AM
6h 24m
12 PM
6h 22m
3 PM
6h 26m
5 PM
6h 40m
8 PM
6h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Port Lavaca, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 325-mile journey from Arlington, Texas, to Port Lavaca, Texas, is a straightforward highway-focused drive that can comfortably be completed in about 6 hours and 15 minutes. With 78% of the route on main roads like US 77 and the South Freeway, it’s well-suited for a single-day trip. Your estimated fuel cost for this approximately 120-mile stretch on US 77 is around $50. This drive remains within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent travel experience. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive detours.
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
162.5 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 77 | 120.2 mi | 2h 20m |
| South Freeway | 78 mi | 1h 20m |
| United States Highway 77 | 44.5 mi | 53m |
| Robinson Drive | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| Port Lavaca Drive | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| US 87 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US 77
— 120.2 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,924 veh/hr typical · worst 2,733
Quietest
2 AM
~303 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Port Lavaca, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
93 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
2
Continue on West Abram Street
417 ft
·
21 sec
·
West Abram Street
3
Turn right onto South Center Street
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
South Center Street
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
West Pioneer Parkway
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto FM 157
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
8
Merge onto I 20
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35W South: Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35W
78 mi
·
1 hr 20 min
·
South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35; US 77
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 333A
Toward Loop 396
14
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
15
Turn left onto Loop 396
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Valley Mills Drive
16
Enter roundabout onto Robinson Drive
125 ft
·
5 sec
·
Robinson Drive
17
Continue on Robinson Drive
29 mi
·
33 min
·
Robinson Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Continue on US 77
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 77
19
Turn left onto US 77; US 190; TX 36
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
East 4th Street
20
Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Kemp Street
21
Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
22
Take the exit onto US 77
101 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
US 77
23
Turn right onto US 77; US 90 Alt
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
West 4th Street
24
Continue on US 77; US 90 Alt
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Fairwinds Street
25
Turn left onto US 77
45 mi
·
53 min
·
United States Highway 77
Use the straight / left lanes.
26
Turn left onto US 87
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Goodwin Avenue
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on US 87
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Port Lavaca Drive
28
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 87
29
Arrive at destination
US 87
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 15-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Arlington, TX, to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 120.2 miles on US 77, you have flexibility in pacing. Plan for your single stop around the halfway point or when you feel the need for a break. The estimated fuel cost is $50, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Arlington, as finding services might be less frequent on longer stretches of US 77.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.5 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.2 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 72 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 162.5 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Lavaca, 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 325 miles and 6h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 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 US 77 for about 120.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
163 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 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 162.5 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.2 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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
1 mi from route
290 Travel Plaza
1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.5 mi from route
Bicentennial Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Crowley, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18172972201
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Early stretch
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 298 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Center Street
Turn right onto South Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
4.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
15.9 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 437
Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, Denton
7
16.1 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W South: Waco
6
298 mi into trip
|
~5h 42m in
|
US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Turn left onto US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.51 one way
$89.03 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $49.72 | $99.44 |
| premium | $4.23 | $54.06 | $108.12 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $61.37 | $122.73 |
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: 113.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 97.5 | 1 | $34.13 | $15.60 |
| Efficient EV | 81.3 | 0 | $28.44 | $13.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 130 | 1 | $45.50 | $20.80 |
Gas CO2
114 kg
EV CO2
38 kg (67% 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 Monday
Local time
1:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:31AM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Port Lavaca, TX
Late night in Port Lavaca on Monday
Local time
1:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 14 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:31AM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
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
1 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
6h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 89.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The character of this drive is predominantly highway-focused, with a significant 78% of the miles covered on main roads, including US 77. You'll encounter one of the longest uninterrupted stretches at 120.2 miles on US 77, suggesting a period of consistent travel without frequent exits. While the data doesn't specify dramatic landscape changes, the profile indicates a steady progression rather than a winding, scenic byway. Expect a predictable driving experience, ideal for covering distance efficiently.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120.2 mi on US 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 77 and South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Center Street.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 325 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
712 ft
18 ft
Total Climb
184 ft
Total Descent
770 ft
Highest Point
712 ft
~23.2 mi in
Elevation Range
694 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.
On the drive from Arlington, TX to Port Lavaca, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 396 along the way.
Loop 396
99.2 mi in
|
~1h 49m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Arlington, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Th 07:00-20:00; Fr 07:00-17:00
Visit websiteiCafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: japanese
Hours: Su-Fr 11:00-15:00,16:00-21:00
Visit websiteConnection Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa,Su 11:00-13:30,17:...
Anchored in Love
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
The Sanity Mug
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 05:30-18:00; Sa 06:00-14:00
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Port Lavaca, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Taqueria Y Tienda Mexicana Los Primos
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.1 mi from route
Hallettsville, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-Sa 09:00-21:00, Su 09:00-16:00
Visit websiteDQ Grill & Chill
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.2 mi from route
Hallettsville, TX
Cuisine: ice_cream;burger
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Arlington, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 07:00-02:00
Visit websiteWendy's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Arlington, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Sa 06:30-22:00; Su 08:00-22:00
Visit websitePie Five Pizza Co
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Arlington, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00
Visit websiteJ. Gilligan's Bar & Grill
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Arlington, TX
Cuisine: american
Visit websiteFishing Pier Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Esports Stadium Arlington
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hours: Mo-Fr 14:00-02:00; Sa-Su 12:00-02:00
Visit websiteDive Bomber
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Das Stuka
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Geronimo
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Surf Rider
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Calhoun County Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Port Lavaca, TX
Hours: Tu,We 10:30-16:30; Th,Fr 10:30-17:00; Sa...
Visit websiteSan Antonio and Mexican Gulf Railroad
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Alma Male and Female Institute, Site of
Memorial
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.1 mi from route
Lavaca County Courthouse
Memorial
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.1 mi from route
Howard Gallemore Hartzog, Sr.
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Calhoun County Participation in World War II
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Royal Inn
Hotel
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Quality Inn & Suites
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Dallas / Arlington KOA
Camp_site
Near the start, short detour
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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 Port Lavaca, TX
Full guide →Port Lavaca is a city on the South Barrier Coast of Texas and is the county seat of Calhoun County.
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 6h 15m. Total distance: 325 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 120.2 miles on US 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Port Lavaca, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Center Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles (FM 157 / South Cooper Street): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Lavaca, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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