Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to West Lake Hills, 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
3h 43m
Distance
201.9 mi
325 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 31m
★
6 AM
3h 43m
8 AM
4h 9m
10 AM
3h 52m
12 PM
3h 50m
3 PM
3h 53m
5 PM
4h 7m
8 PM
3h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
West Lake Hills, TX
Tea with Jesus By Mirna
Trip Overview
Spanning 201.9 miles, this straightforward journey from Arlington to West Lake Hills typically takes about 3 hours and 43 minutes. Because the route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $31 on fuel, making it a budget-friendly option for a weekend getaway or a necessary commute. You will primarily rely on the South Freeway, I-35, and the Purple Heart Trail to reach your destination. While the drive is efficient, keeping this one-day timeframe in mind allows for maximum flexibility once you arrive in the hills.
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
101 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Freeway | 78 mi | 1h 20m |
| I 35 | 42.1 mi | 43m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| North Mopac Expressway | 8.9 mi | 9m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Express 1 Toll | 5.4 mi | 5m |
| South Cooper Street | 2.4 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
South Freeway
— 78 mi, about 1h 20m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,878 veh/hr typical · worst 3,569
Quietest
2 AM
~440 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
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 West Lake Hills, 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
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
42 mi
·
43 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 250
Toward TX 45 Toll, TX 1 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 45 Toll West, TX 1 Toll South: Round Rock, Austin
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto TX 45 Toll
0.5 mi
·
30 sec
·
State Highway 45 North
18
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward Loop 1 Toll South
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on Loop 1 Toll
4.2 mi
·
4 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Express 1 Toll
5.4 mi
·
5 min
·
Express 1 Toll
Use the slight left lane.
21
Take the exit
210 ft
·
5 sec
Use the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto Loop 1
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Lake Austin Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto Winsted Lane
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Winsted Lane
25
Continue on Atlanta Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Atlanta Street
26
Turn right onto Lake Austin Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Lake Austin Boulevard
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto Redbud Trail
1.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Redbud Trail
28
Arrive at destination
Redbud Trail
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3 hour and 43 minute drive, aim to depart early to avoid peak traffic congestion often found on major corridors like I-35. Since the itinerary includes a single recommended stop, plan your break strategically to coincide with the conclusion of the 78-mile South Freeway stretch to keep your energy levels consistent. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $31 estimate can fluctuate depending on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time in transit. Because you are tackling this in one day, having a clear plan for your stop will help you maintain a comfortable pace. Always double-check your navigation before hitting the Purple Heart Trail to ensure you stay on the most direct path to West Lake Hills.
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 101 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 78 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 44 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101 miles or 1h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near West Lake Hills, 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 201.9 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 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 South Freeway for about 78 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 78 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
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
Rest Area
2.3 mi from route
Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
Cultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Final third
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteBarton Creek Greenbelt
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+15129746700
Visit websiteBotanical Gates of Paradise
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
Austin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Final third
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 182.1 — 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.
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
8
181.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
Take the exit toward TX 45 Toll, TX 1 Toll
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 250
Toward TX 45 Toll, TX 1 Toll
8
182.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 45 Toll West, TX 1 Toll South: Round Rock, Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 45 Toll West, TX 1 Toll South: Round...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.65 one way
$55.31 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $30.89 | $61.78 |
| premium | $4.23 | $33.58 | $67.17 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.12 | $76.25 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.6 | 0 | $21.20 | $9.69 |
| Efficient EV | 50.5 | 0 | $17.67 | $8.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.8 | 1 | $28.27 | $12.92 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Monday
Local time
1:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:33PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:30PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
West Lake Hills, TX
Late night in West Lake Hills on Monday
Local time
1:44 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:33PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:30PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 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
3h 43m on the road
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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 97.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused route is designed for efficiency rather than leisurely wandering, with 68% of your time spent on major thoroughfares. You will face a significant initial stretch of 78 miles on the South Freeway, which sets the pace for the remainder of the trip. Transitioning between these high-speed segments and the subsequent highway portions requires consistent attention to shifting traffic patterns. The road maintains a functional, interstate-heavy personality throughout the duration, prioritizing directness over winding backroads. Prepare for a steady, rhythmic drive that moves you quickly from the Arlington area toward the terrain of West Lake Hills.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 78 mi on South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Freeway and I 35. 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
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 21 significant decision points across 201.9 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 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
896 ft
557 ft
Total Climb
588 ft
Total Descent
432 ft
Highest Point
896 ft
~158.6 mi in
Elevation Range
338 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.
Between Arlington, TX and West Lake Hills, TX, road signs point toward Denton, Austin and Loop 1 Toll South.
Denton
15.9 mi in
|
~21m
Austin
182.1 mi in
|
~3h 15m
Loop 1 Toll South
183.3 mi in
|
~3h 17m
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 West Lake Hills, TX
Full guide →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 3h 43m. Total distance: 201.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 78 miles on South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 23 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 West Lake Hills, 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 23 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 15.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 16.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.4 hours — manageable with a long break at West Lake Hills, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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