Arlington, TX to Wimberley, TX is 235.7 miles and takes about 4h 23m via South Freeway, Purple Heart Trail, and I-35, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same region, offering a straightforward drive south. With a recommended one-day trip, you'll spend most of your time on major highways before transitioning to surface roads closer to your destination. It's a manageable drive for a single day, perfect if you want to get on the road and arrive without needing an overnight stop.
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
117.9 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 8m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Freeway
78 mi
1h 20m
Purple Heart Trail
58.2 mi
1h 2m
I 35
55.8 mi
58m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
10.3 mi
11m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
Ranch Road 150 West
6.5 mi
8m
Ranch Road 3237
5.2 mi
6m
Ranch to Market Road 3237
3.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
South Freeway
— 78 mi, about 1h 20m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,342 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,080
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Wimberley, 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 437Toward I 35W South, I 35W North: Waco, DentonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 35W South: WacoUse 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
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
20 mi·23 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Exit 215Toward FM 1626: Kyle ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto South Interstate 35
0.2 mi·24 sec·South Interstate 35
18
Turn right onto CR 171
2.3 mi·4 min·Kohlers Crossing
19
Turn left onto FM 2770
1.1 mi·1 min·Jack C Hays Trail
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto RM 150
6.5 mi·8 min·Ranch Road 150 West
21
Enter roundabout onto RM 3237
210 ft·4 sec·Ranch Road 3237
22
Continue on RM 3237
5.2 mi·6 min·Ranch Road 3237
23
Continue on RM 3237
3.8 mi·6 min·Ranch to Market Road 3237
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto Old Kyle Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Old Kyle Road
25
Continue on RM 12
0.2 mi·22 sec·Ranch Road 12
26
Arrive at destination
RM 12
Trip Plan
For this single-day trip covering 235.7 miles, consider leaving Arlington early in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential midday traffic. The drive is estimated at 4h 23m, but factor in a stop or two, perhaps around the halfway point, to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $34, and it's always wise to top off before heading into less populated areas. Since the drive is relatively short, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time, but a morning start is generally best for a smooth arrival in Wimberley.
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 117.9 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 2h 8m 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 52 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.9 miles or 2h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wimberley, 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 235.7 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 215.7 — 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
195.3 mi into trip|~3h 30m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
7
215.7 mi into trip|~3h 53m in
Take the exit toward FM 1626: Kyle Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 215
Toward FM 1626: Kyle Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.09 one way
$72.18 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg83 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$39.83
$79.66
premium
$4.64
$43.04
$86.08
diesel
$6.18
$57.34
$114.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.7
0
$24.75
$11.31
Efficient EV
58.9
0
$20.62
$9.43
EV Truck/SUV
94.3
1
$33.00
$15.08
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Arlington, TX
Morning
in Arlington on Monday
Local time
7:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 0 to 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Wimberley, TX
Morning
in Wimberley on Monday
Local time
7:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
86°F
Troy, TX
118 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
1 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
4h 23m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 97.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 60% of this 235.7-mile route is on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 78 miles on South Freeway. You'll experience a mixed profile, starting with significant highway driving before transitioning to surface roads. Expect to merge with urban traffic at times, especially in the initial stages of the drive. The latter portion will feel more like cruising on surface streets as you approach Wimberley.
60% 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: 78 mi on South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 235.7 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
853 ft486 ft
Total Climb
809 ft
Total Descent
560 ft
Highest Point
853 ft
~235.7 mi in
Elevation Range
367 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 Wimberley, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Denton along the way.
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
San Marcos is a college town in the Central Hill Country region of Texas in the United States of America, about half an hour's drive south of the state's capital, Austin. The site of human habitation for over 10,000 years, it was settled in 1808 by Mexican families, and is now the home to Texas State University-San Marcos. In 2020, it had a population of 58,000 people.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 23m. Total distance: 235.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m 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.
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 Wimberley, 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 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 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Wimberley, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
