This 409.4-mile journey from Asherton, TX, to Arlington, TX, is estimated to take about 6 hours and 24 minutes of driving time. Covering ground within the Great Plains region of Texas, this route is best tackled in a single day, though you'll want to budget for a full day of travel. The primary roads include FM 190 and I-35, with Purple Heart Trail also designated along the way. With a projected fuel cost of around $63 and a single recommended stop, this drive offers a straightforward path. The profile suggests a 'turn-heavy local drive,' so be prepared for a more engaging navigation experience than a pure interstate cruise.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
196.1 miles from Asherton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 48m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 124 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,080 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,594
Quietest
2 AM
~519 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Asherton, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on FM 190
0.5 mi·46 sec·Carter Street
2
Continue on FM 190; FM 1557
0.2 mi·19 sec·FM 190; FM 1557
3
Turn left onto FM 190
11 mi·14 min·FM 190
4
At end of road, turn right onto TX 85
32 mi·47 min·TX 85
5
Turn left onto I-35 Access Road East
0.1 mi·18 sec·I-35 Access Road East
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
7
Merge onto I 35
60 mi·1 hr·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
9.3 mi·11 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
1.7 mi·2 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
10 mi·13 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson CityUse the straight lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: AustinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi·2 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
48 mi·52 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi·1 hr 40 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
25
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
27
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
30
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
31
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 24-minute estimated duration, starting your drive from Asherton early in the morning is advisable to reach Arlington with daylight to spare. The route's 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll need to stay particularly vigilant with your GPS or maps, as the 409.4 miles will involve frequent adjustments. Plan for your single recommended stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel and stretch your legs. The $63 fuel cost is an estimate, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before departing Asherton, as services might be more spaced out on local roads compared to interstates. Keep an eye out for the Purple Heart Trail designation, which may offer a subtle acknowledgment of the route's history.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 196.1 miles from Asherton, TX, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 248.7 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 86 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 196.1 miles or 3h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Arlington, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Asherton, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Asherton, TX
This is one driving day of about 392.1 miles and 7h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Asherton, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 248.7 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 115.5 and 386.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
115.5 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christ...
7
126 mi into trip|~2h 31m in|North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
330.2 mi into trip|~6h 8m in|I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
375.3 mi into trip|~6h 55m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
8
386.4 mi into trip|~7h 7m in
Take the exit toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
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 449A
Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.71 one way
$107.41 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg137 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$59.99
$119.98
premium
$4.23
$65.22
$130.44
diesel
$4.80
$74.04
$148.07
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: 137.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
117.6
1
$41.17
$18.82
Efficient EV
98
1
$34.31
$15.68
EV Truck/SUV
156.8
1
$54.89
$25.09
Gas CO2
137 kg
EV CO2
46 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Asherton, TX
Late night
in Asherton on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
100°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:25PM CDT until July 21 at 12:08AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:23PM CDT until July 22 at 11:17AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny
S 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:25PM CDT until July 21 at 12:08AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:23PM CDT until July 22 at 11:17AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
7h 18m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 297.5
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 108.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for much of this 409.4-mile trip, with a 0% highway share. This means you'll be navigating a series of local roads and state routes, rather than high-speed interstates. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy' nature indicates frequent changes in direction and potentially lower average speeds. This style of driving is more engaging and might offer a closer look at the Texas landscape, but it also requires constant attention to your navigation and surroundings. The route progresses through various local road systems as you make your way north.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 248.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
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 115.5 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.
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 19 significant decision points across 392.1 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 115.5 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
742 ft541 ft
Total Climb
538 ft
Total Descent
475 ft
Highest Point
742 ft
~224.1 mi in
Elevation Range
202 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Asherton, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
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 7h 18m. Total distance: 392.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 248.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Arlington, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.5 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Arlington, TX before the return drive.
