Trip from Arlington, TX to Wharton, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 35m

Distance

290.7 mi

468 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 22m ★

6 AM

5h 36m

8 AM

6h 2m

10 AM

5h 45m

12 PM

5h 42m

3 PM

5h 46m

5 PM

6h 1m

8 PM

5h 28m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Wharton, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Arlington, TX to Wharton, TX is 290.7 miles and takes about 5h 35m via South Freeway/East State Highway 6/North Earl Rudder Freeway, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. With 80% of the route on highways, expect a generally efficient transit. It's a manageable one-day drive, so you can depart when you're ready and arrive with plenty of time to spare.

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

145.3 miles from Arlington, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South Freeway	78 mi	1h 20m
East State Highway 6	46.6 mi	46m
North Earl Rudder Freeway	30.1 mi	31m
TX 60	23.2 mi	34m
State Highway 6	22.4 mi	25m
13th Street	15.1 mi	22m
North Meyer Street	14.1 mi	17m
South State Highway 6	13.7 mi	14m

Longest stretch: South Freeway — 78 mi, about 1h 20m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~1,924 veh/hr typical · worst 2,733

Quietest

2 AM

~303 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.3×

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 Wharton, TX.

Start on West Abram Street

93 ft · 8 sec · West Abram Street

Continue on West Abram Street

417 ft · 21 sec · West Abram Street

Turn right onto South Center Street

2.0 mi · 4 min · South Center Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto Spur 303

0.5 mi · 48 sec · West Pioneer Parkway

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto FM 157

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street

Use the left lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Cooper Street

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth

Merge onto I 20

10 mi · 11 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 35W South: Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35W

78 mi · 1 hr 20 min · South Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

0.1 mi · 8 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 53 sec

Exit 337 Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway

0.1 mi · 16 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Turn left onto US 77 Bus

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Loop Drive

Continue on Loop 484

2.7 mi · 3 min · Marlin Highway

Continue on TX 6

9.1 mi · 9 min · East State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Memorial Street

Continue on TX 6

37 mi · 37 min · East State Highway 6

Continue on TX 6

2.2 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

Continue on TX 6

6.2 mi · 6 min · North State Highway 6

Continue on US 79; TX 6

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Market Street

Continue on US 190; TX 6

14 mi · 14 min · South State Highway 6

Continue on US 190; TX 6

30 mi · 31 min · North Earl Rudder Freeway

Continue on TX 6

22 mi · 25 min · State Highway 6

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 290 Business

1.3 mi · 1 min · US 290 Business

Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto TX 159

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Austin Street

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn left onto TX 159

15 mi · 22 min · 13th Street

Continue on TX 159

0.1 mi · 18 sec · East Main Street

Turn sharp left onto TX 36

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Front Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on TX 36

9.9 mi · 10 min · State Highway 36

Continue on TX 36

14 mi · 17 min · North Meyer Street

Turn right onto Legion Street

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Legion Street

Turn right onto TX 60

23 mi · 34 min · TX 60

Turn left onto West Caney Street

264 ft · 13 sec · West Caney Street

Turn right onto Polk Street

364 ft · 18 sec · Polk Street

Turn right onto TX 60

156 ft · 2 sec · West Milam Street

Arrive at destination

TX 60

Trip Plan

This is a one-day drive, so you have flexibility with your departure time. Leaving Arlington in the morning should get you to Wharton with ample daylight. The longest stretch without a significant break is 78 miles on South Freeway, so keep that in mind for fuel and rest stops. You'll want to ensure you have enough fuel before heading into longer highway segments. Consider stopping for a break around the halfway point to stretch your legs.

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 145.3 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 37m 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 64 miles or 1h 12m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 145.3 miles or 2h 37m 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 24m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wharton, 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 290.7 miles and 5h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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.

city in and county seat of Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Waxahachie, TX

145 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

Italy, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waxahachie, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 145.3 miles from Arlington, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

1.7 mi from route

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

East Bernard, Texas

+17137322095

Visit website

Cowboy Up Hang Gliding

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 5 mi from route ~12 min detour

Wharton, Texas

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18327402004

Visit website

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 0.1 and 241.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.1 mi into trip | ~0m in | South Center Street

Turn right onto South Center Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

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

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

95.1 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in

Take the exit toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 337 Toward US 77 Business: Elm Avenue

241.6 mi into trip | ~4h 29m in | TX 36 / South Front Street

Turn sharp left onto TX 36 / South Front Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.82 one way

$79.63 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 102 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$44.47	$88.95
premium	$4.23	$48.35	$96.71
diesel	$4.80	$54.89	$109.78

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 101.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	87.2	1	$30.52	$13.95
Efficient EV	72.7	0	$25.44	$11.63
EV Truck/SUV	116.3	1	$40.70	$18.60

Gas CO2

102 kg

EV CO2

34 kg (67% 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 17, 2026

Origin

Arlington, TX

Evening in Arlington on Monday

Local time

6:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

92°F

Mostly Sunny

S 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:41PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:23PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Destination

Wharton, TX

Evening in Wharton on Monday

Local time

6:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 5 to 10 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:41PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:23PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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

16 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

5h 35m 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.

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...

6 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 90.2

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect to spend about 80% of your time on highways, covering a significant portion of the 290.7 miles in this mode. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 78 miles on South Freeway. You'll transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. The route features a good deal of highway driving, so plan for typical freeway conditions with merging and higher speeds for much of the way.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

38 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?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Freeway and East State Highway 6. 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 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 290.7 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

738 ft 102 ft

Total Climb

135 ft

Total Descent

636 ft

Highest Point

738 ft

~41.5 mi in

Elevation Range

636 ft

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 Wharton, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Denton along the way.

Denton

15.9 mi in | ~21m

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 Wharton, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1846

Top landmarks

• Wharton County Courthouse Historic Commercial District — historic district in Wharton, Wharton County, Texas

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 5h 35m. Total distance: 290.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

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 13 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 Wharton, 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wharton, 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, 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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Explore more options from Arlington, TX or browse trips ending in Wharton, TX.

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Trip from Arlington, TX to Wharton, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Love's Travel Stop

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

TA

Buc-ee's

Pilot Travel Center

Dinosaur Park

Riverfront Park

Bicentennial Park

20th Century Technology Museum

Circle of Seven Ranch

Cowboy Up Hang Gliding

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Arlington, TX

Wharton, TX

Same local time

16 degrees cooler at arrival

5h 35m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Arlington, TX

Arriving in Wharton, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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