Forest Park Miniature Railroad
Near the start, short detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 47m
Distance
215.5 mi
347 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Roscoe, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX to Roscoe, TX is 215.5 miles and takes about 3h 47m via I 20, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, so expect a consistent pace. With just one recommended stop and a drive under four hours, this route is ideal for a quick transit or a day trip with plenty of flexibility.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
107.7 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 182.3 mi | 3h 4m |
| West Freeway | 15.5 mi | 17m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 12 mi | 15m |
| US 84 | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| South Cooper Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| North Cypress Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| West Abram Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| West Lamar Boulevard | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,680 veh/hr typical · worst 2,135
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Roscoe, TX.
Start on West Abram Street
Turn right onto FM 157
Turn left onto West Lamar Boulevard
Turn left
Merge onto I 30
Continue on I 30; US 377
Merge onto I 20
Take the exit onto US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
Turn left onto FM 608
Arrive at destination
Given the relatively short duration of under four hours, you can depart anytime and still arrive before dark. It's best to start with a full tank of gas from Arlington, as the longest stretch without a significant break is over 180 miles. While there's only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to add more if needed, perhaps for a quick meal or stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach Roscoe, to ensure a smooth arrival.
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.
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 47 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.7 miles or 1h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Roscoe, TX than in the middle of the route.
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 215.5 miles and 3h 47m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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.
A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 107.7 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.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Near the start, short detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~11 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~10 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~11 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13256735050
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 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.
Turn right onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left toward I 30 West
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 30 / Tom Landry Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 20
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$29.52 one way
$59.03 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $32.97 | $65.94 |
| premium | $4.23 | $35.85 | $71.69 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.69 | $81.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.63 | $10.34 |
| Efficient EV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.86 | $8.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.2 | 1 | $30.17 | $13.79 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Arlington on Monday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:33PM CDT until July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:31PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Late night in Roscoe on Monday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:33PM CDT until July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:31PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This drive is predominantly highway, with 98% of the 215.5 miles on major roads like I 20 and West Freeway. You'll encounter a long stretch of 182.3 miles on I 20, meaning extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will be minimal, occurring near the end of your trip in Roscoe.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and West Freeway. You will hit about 8 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.
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 215.5 miles you will encounter 8 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.
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
2,375 ft
Total Descent
593 ft
Highest Point
2,385 ft
~215.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,782 ft
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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 47m. Total distance: 215.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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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