Arlington, TX to Seabrook, TX is 287 miles and takes about 5h 12m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that's easy to manage in a single day. You'll encounter a significant portion on the highway, making it a quick transit between these two locations. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to the Houston coast.
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
143.5 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway
203.2 mi
3h 28m
HTR
21.9 mi
25m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
15.4 mi
16m
North Loop East
10.5 mi
13m
La Porte Freeway
8.9 mi
10m
TX 146
7.8 mi
9m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
5.9 mi
6m
Pasadena Freeway
5.1 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 203.2 mi, about 3h 28m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,496 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,185
Quietest
1 AM
~238 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 45 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 Seabrook, TX.
1
Start on West Abram Street
93 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
2
Continue on West Abram Street
0.6 mi·1 min·West Abram Street
3
Turn right
153 ft·6 sec
Use the right lane.
4
Turn slight right onto South Collins Street
4.1 mi·7 min·South Collins Street
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
0.3 mi·28 sec·East Interstate 20
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·29 sec
Toward I 20 EastUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto I 20
5.9 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 20
15 mi·16 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
Exit 473CToward I 45 South: HoustonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 45
203 mi·3 hr 28 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto HTR
22 mi·25 min·HTR
Exit 72BToward Hardy Toll Road SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 610 East
13
Merge onto I 610
11 mi·13 min·North Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 30BToward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La PorteUse the straight / right lanes.
15
Merge onto TX 225
2.1 mi·2 min·La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 225
5.1 mi·5 min·Pasadena Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 225
6.8 mi·7 min·La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward TX 146 South: La PorteUse the slight right lane.
19
Merge onto TX 146
7.8 mi·9 min·TX 146
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
21
Turn straight onto TX 146
104 ft·5 sec·Bayport Boulevard
22
Turn left onto NASA 1
280 ft·14 sec·East NASA Parkway
23
Turn left onto Anders Avenue
120 ft·10 sec·Anders Avenue
24
Turn left
109 ft·8 sec
25
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 12m duration and 287-mile distance, departing in the morning is your best bet to arrive with ample daylight. You only need one stop, so consider timing it around the halfway point for a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $42, so plan accordingly. Since this is a single-day drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time slightly if needed. Keep an eye out for the transition from the main highway to your final destination as you get closer to Seabrook.
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 143.5 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.2 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 63 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.5 miles or 2h 33m 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 8m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seabrook, 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 287 miles and 5h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 203.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 278 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
4.8 mi into trip|~9m in|East Interstate 20
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
26.7 mi into trip|~33m in
Take the exit toward I 45 South: Houston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 473C
Toward I 45 South: Houston
7
230.2 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|HTR
Take the exit onto HTR toward Hardy Toll Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
8
263.4 mi into trip|~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 30B
Toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
7
278 mi into trip|~5h in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 146 South: La Porte
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 146 South: La Porte
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.31 one way
$78.62 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$43.91
$87.82
premium
$4.23
$47.74
$95.48
diesel
$4.80
$54.19
$108.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.1
1
$30.14
$13.78
Efficient EV
71.8
0
$25.11
$11.48
EV Truck/SUV
114.8
1
$40.18
$18.37
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Monday
Local time
1:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 7:13AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Seabrook, TX
Late night
in Seabrook on Monday
Local time
1:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 7:13AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 12m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features 84% highway driving, with the longest continuous stretch being 203.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. You'll likely spend the majority of your time on high-speed roads. Expect a dense pattern of exits for much of the drive, especially during the initial highway segments. The transition from highway to other roads will occur later in the trip, as you approach your destination.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.2 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and HTR. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.8 miles in near East Interstate 20.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 287 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 4.8 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 230.2 miles (HTR): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
636 ft9 ft
Total Climb
230 ft
Total Descent
824 ft
Highest Point
636 ft
~20.5 mi in
Elevation Range
626 ft
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 Seabrook, TX, road signs point toward Hardy Toll Road South and La Porte.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 12m. Total distance: 287 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 203.2 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Seabrook, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.8 miles (East Interstate 20): Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 230.2 miles (HTR): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Seabrook, TX before the return drive.
