Spanning 314.5 miles, this journey from Arlington to Stowell is a straightforward highway-focused drive that typically takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes. Because the route stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout the trip. Budget approximately $48 for fuel to cover the distance, which is entirely feasible as a single-day excursion. While you could easily complete this in one go, planning for at least one stop is recommended to break up the drive. This trip is best suited for those looking for an efficient, no-nonsense path between these two Texas locations.
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
157.3 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway
202.3 mi
3h 27m
North Grand Parkway East
50.2 mi
53m
East Freeway
27.9 mi
32m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
15.4 mi
16m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
5.9 mi
6m
South Collins Street
4.1 mi
7m
Gulfway Drive
2.6 mi
4m
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 202.3 mi, about 3h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Arlington, TX and Stowell, 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
202 mi·3 hr 27 min·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Exit 72AToward Grand ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.1 mi·3 min·Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Turn left onto North Grand Parkway West
382 ft·8 sec·North Grand Parkway West
Use the left lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll East
15
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
50 mi·53 min·North Grand Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 10: Langston Drive, Old Needlepoint Road
17
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 99 Toll
0.6 mi·1 min·East Grand Parkway North
18
Turn left onto East Freeway Frontage Road
0.2 mi·23 sec·East Freeway Frontage Road
19
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 10 East
20
Merge onto I 10
28 mi·32 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto TX 73
0.4 mi·27 sec·TX 73
Exit 828Toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
22
Keep slight right at fork
511 ft·12 sec
Toward TX 124 South: Winnie
23
Turn straight onto State Highway 73
0.2 mi·29 sec·State Highway 73
24
Turn right onto TX 124
2.5 mi·4 min·Gulfway Drive
25
Continue on TX 124
63 ft·5 sec·Gulfway Drive
26
Arrive at destination
TX 124
Trip Plan
To make the most of your time, plan for at least one planned stop during your 5-hour and 40-minute transit to stay refreshed. Since the route is heavily concentrated on high-speed freeways, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before entering the longest 202.3-mile stretch on the Julius Schepps Freeway to avoid unnecessary detours. Leaving early in the day is your best strategy to navigate the transition between these major highway systems before peak traffic sets in. Because the drive is manageable within a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your personal comfort. Staying alert is key when spending such a large percentage of your time on these high-traffic regional highways.
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 157.3 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 202.3 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 69 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 157.3 miles or 2h 47m 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 34m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stowell, 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 314.5 miles and 5h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 202.3 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.8 and 311.3 — 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.
6
5.1 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the ramp toward I 20 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 20 East
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
229.3 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 72A
Toward Grand Parkway
6
311.3 mi into trip|~5h 35m in|TX 73
Take the exit onto TX 73 toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 828
Toward TX 73, TX 124: Winnie, Port Arthur
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.52 one way
$95.04 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg110 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$52.02
$104.03
premium
$4.54
$56.15
$112.30
diesel
$5.61
$69.44
$138.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
94.4
1
$33.02
$15.10
Efficient EV
78.6
0
$27.52
$12.58
EV Truck/SUV
125.8
1
$44.03
$20.13
Gas CO2
110 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
2:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph51% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 12 at 10:46PM CDT until April 12 at 11:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 10:40PM CDT until April 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Stowell, TX
Late night
in Stowell on Sunday
Local time
2:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
76°F
Madisonville, TX
157 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
11 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 40m 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?
Expect a highly efficient transit experience, as 95% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Julius Schepps Freeway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 202.3 miles. The character of the road is heavily dominated by major arteries, including the North Grand Parkway East and the East Freeway, making for a fast-paced environment. Since you will be on high-capacity roads for nearly the entire duration, the drive feels consistent and focused rather than winding or technical. You can rely on a smooth, predictable flow of traffic as you navigate these primary Texas corridors.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 202.3 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 North Grand Parkway East. 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 19 significant decision points across 314.5 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 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 40m. Total distance: 314.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 202.3 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 Stowell, 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 5.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 26.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stowell, TX before the return drive.
