Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
4:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Arlington, TX to Spearman, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 32m
Distance
409.6 mi
659 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 22m
★
6 AM
7h 32m
8 AM
7h 53m
10 AM
7h 39m
12 PM
7h 37m
3 PM
7h 40m
5 PM
7h 52m
8 PM
7h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Spearman, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Arlington, TX to Spearman, TX is 409.6 miles and takes about 7h 32m via US 81, TX 70, and US Highway 287 East, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Expect a predominantly highway experience, making it a straightforward drive. Given the duration and distance, it's a feasible same-day trip if you start early, but consider if you prefer a more relaxed pace.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
204.8 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 81 | 103.4 mi | 1h 49m |
| TX 70 | 47 mi | 47m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| State Highway 70 | 38.9 mi | 51m |
| East 11th Street | 28.7 mi | 32m |
| US Highway 287 | 27.3 mi | 28m |
| Boykin Drive | 26.2 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 287 West | 25.7 mi | 26m |
Longest stretch:
US 81
— 103.4 mi, about 1h 49m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Spearman, 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
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 21B
Toward I 820 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 820
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 820
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 820
Toward I 820 West
Use the slight left lane.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 820 Express West
Use the left lane.
10
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
3.5 mi
·
3 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35W Express: Fort Worth, Denton
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
14
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 81 North, US 287 North: Decatur
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 81; US 287
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 81; US 287
102 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
18
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
20
Continue on US 287
40 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
21
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
23
Continue on US 287
29 mi
·
32 min
·
East 11th Street
24
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northeast
25
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
26
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Burnett Street
27
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
28
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Boykin Drive
29
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
30
Turn right onto TX 70
17 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 70
31
Continue on TX 70
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 40 Service Road
32
Take the ramp onto TX 70
2.7 mi
·
2 min
·
TX 70
Toward I 40 West: Amarillo
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 121
Toward TX 70 North: Pampa
34
Continue on TX 70
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
I 40 Service Road
35
Turn right onto TX 70
22 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 70
36
Turn right onto Loop 171
2.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 171
37
Continue on TX 273; Loop 171
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
State Highway 273
38
Turn left onto Loop 171
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Loop 171
39
At end of road, turn right onto TX 70
44 mi
·
44 min
·
TX 70
40
Turn left onto FM 759
9.8 mi
·
10 min
·
FM 759
41
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 759
12 mi
·
12 min
·
FM 759
42
Turn right onto FM 759; FM 760
340 ft
·
11 sec
·
Northeast Court Street
43
Turn left onto FM 759; FM 760
177 ft
·
3 sec
·
Northwest Court
44
Arrive at destination
FM 759; FM 760
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Arlington to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 409.6 miles effectively, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move into more rural stretches of the Great Plains, and utilize the estimated $62 fuel cost for planning. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, sticking to the main roads like US Highway 287 East will ensure the most efficient travel.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 204.8 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.4 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 90 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 204.8 miles or 3h 43m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Spearman, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Arlington, TX
This is one driving day of about 409.6 miles and 7h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from Arlington, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 81 for about 103.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
205 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 90 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 204.8 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 81 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 103.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 129.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
7
7.5 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 21B
Toward I 820 North
7
12.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 820
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 toward I 820 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 820 West
7
18.7 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W Express North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35W Express North: Denton
9
129.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 24m in
|
US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$61.89 one way
$123.78 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
143 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $67.75 | $135.49 |
| premium | $4.54 | $73.13 | $146.26 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $90.43 | $180.87 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 143.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 122.9 | 1 | $43.01 | $19.66 |
| Efficient EV | 102.4 | 1 | $35.84 | $16.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 163.8 | 2 | $57.34 | $26.21 |
Gas CO2
143 kg
EV CO2
48 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.
Destination
Spearman, TX
Late night in Spearman on Tuesday
Local time
4:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
14 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
7h 32m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is on the highway for 81% of its length, meaning you'll encounter a significant amount of high-speed cruising. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 103.4 miles, occurring on US 81. You'll notice the transition from more urban-adjacent areas to the open plains as you head northwest. The route is mostly profile highway, indicating a consistent driving environment for much of the trip.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.4 mi on US 81.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 81 and TX 70. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 409.6 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 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 820): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Spearman, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
Amarillo
129.2 mi in
|
~2h 24m
|
via US 287
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
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 7h 32m. Total distance: 409.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 103.4 miles on US 81. 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 Spearman, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 7.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.5 miles (I 820): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Spearman, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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