Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Arlington, TX to Woodsboro, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 28m
Distance
356.5 mi
574 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 17m
★
6 AM
6h 29m
8 AM
6h 53m
10 AM
6h 37m
12 PM
6h 35m
3 PM
6h 39m
5 PM
6h 52m
8 PM
6h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Woodsboro, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Arlington, TX to Woodsboro, TX is 356.5 miles and takes about 6h 28m via South Freeway, TX 130 Toll, and North United States Highway 183, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive for a single day. You'll be covering a good amount of ground, so planning for a timely departure is key to enjoying the full day's drive. It's a practical route that gets you from point A to point B efficiently, with most of the mileage on major roadways.
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
178.3 miles from Arlington, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Freeway | 78 mi | 1h 20m |
| TX 130 Toll | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| North United States Highway 183 | 43.5 mi | 47m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| South US Highway 183/ US 87 | 26.7 mi | 28m |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
| South US Highway 183 | 24.6 mi | 27m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
South Freeway
— 78 mi, about 1h 20m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,461 veh/hr typical · worst 3,169
Quietest
2 AM
~387 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
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 Woodsboro, 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
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
16
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
19
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
20
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
21
Continue on US 183
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 90; US 183
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
East Pierce Street
23
Continue on US 183
43 mi
·
47 min
·
North United States Highway 183
24
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Esplanade Street
25
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South US Highway 183
26
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
27 mi
·
28 min
·
South US Highway 183/ US 87
27
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
North Jefferson Street
28
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
23 mi
·
24 min
·
South US Highway 183
29
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Alamo Street
30
Continue on US 77
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
North Alamo Street
31
Turn left onto FM 136
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Woods Avenue
Use the left lane.
32
At end of road, turn right onto FM 136
137 ft
·
9 sec
·
1st Street
33
Turn left onto FM 136
308 ft
·
13 sec
·
Woods Avenue
34
Turn left onto FM 136
143 ft
·
6 sec
·
2nd Street
35
Turn right onto FM 136
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Woods Avenue
36
Arrive at destination
FM 136
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hour 28 minute estimated drive time, starting your trip in Arlington, TX early in the morning is your best bet for completing the 356.5-mile journey to Woodsboro, TX before evening. With only one recommended stop, consider making it about halfway through to stretch your legs and refuel. The route has a fuel cost estimate of $52, so ensure your tank is full before leaving and keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 78-mile stretch on South Freeway. Since it's a single-day drive, you have flexibility, but don't underestimate the time needed for rest breaks.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.3 miles from Arlington, TX, or about 3h 10m 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 78 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.3 miles or 3h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodsboro, 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 356.5 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 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
178 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 78 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 178.3 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.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Love's Travel Stop
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
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
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.5 mi from route
Cultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteBicentennial Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Crowley, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18172972201
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Halfway reset
4.6 mi from route
~12 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 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 225.2 — 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
7
166 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
7
225.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.12 one way
$108.24 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $59.65 | $119.30 |
| premium | $4.58 | $64.28 | $128.56 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $75.09 | $150.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 124.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107 | 1 | $37.43 | $17.11 |
| Efficient EV | 89.1 | 1 | $31.19 | $14.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 142.6 | 1 | $49.91 | $22.82 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Origin
Arlington, TX
Afternoon in Arlington on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 0 to 5 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 8:06PM CDT until June 1 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 8:06PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Woodsboro, TX
Afternoon in Woodsboro on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
ESE 2 to 8 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued June 1 at 8:06PM CDT until June 1 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 1 at 8:06PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 28m 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.
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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 98.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 77% of the 356.5 miles on major roads like the South Freeway, TX 130 Toll, and North United States Highway 183. You'll experience a longest stretch of 78 miles on the South Freeway, indicating a solid period of consistent cruising before you eventually transition to surface roads. Expect a noticeable increase in exit density as you approach destinations and depart urban areas, which is typical for this type of route.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Freeway and TX 130 Toll. 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
9/10
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 356.5 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 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
776 ft
40 ft
Total Climb
430 ft
Total Descent
993 ft
Highest Point
776 ft
~152.8 mi in
Elevation Range
736 ft
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 Woodsboro, 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 6h 28m. Total distance: 356.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 28 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 Woodsboro, 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 28 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Woodsboro, 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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