Traveling from Ballinger to Arlington covers 217 miles across the Texas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 56 minutes. Because this is a highway-focused drive, it is easily manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $33 for fuel to complete the trek. By utilizing US 83 and I-20, you will experience a direct route that transitions from the rural landscapes of West Texas toward the more developed urban corridors of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. It is a straightforward trip ideal for those looking to reach their destination efficiently while maintaining a predictable schedule.
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
108.5 miles from Ballinger, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
128.2 mi
2h 10m
US 83
49.2 mi
54m
West Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
Tom Landry Freeway
12.3 mi
15m
Jake Roberts Freeway
5 mi
5m
East Highway 80
2.7 mi
3m
North Center Street
1 mi
2m
Hutchings Avenue
0.9 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 128.2 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ballinger, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 67; US 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Hutchings Avenue
2
Turn straight onto US 83
49 mi·54 min·US 83
Toward US 83 North
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 83 Business North, Loop 322 East: Treadaway Boulevard, Abilene Airport
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Loop 322 East: Abilene Airport
5
Merge onto Loop 322
5.0 mi·5 min·Jake Roberts Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 20 Business
7
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
2.7 mi·3 min·East Highway 80
8
Take the ramp
363 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 East: Fort Worth
9
Merge onto I 20
128 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 30
12 mi·15 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 27AToward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Cooper Street
14
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Center Street
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
17
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this drive, aim to depart early to avoid potential traffic congestion as you approach the Arlington area. Since the entire trip is only one stop away from being a non-stop haul, you have the flexibility to plan your break based on your personal comfort rather than necessity. Keep in mind that the 128.2-mile stretch on I-20 is the backbone of your journey, so ensure your vehicle is fueled and ready before merging onto the interstate. Given the $33 fuel estimate, it is wise to monitor your gas levels while still in the more rural sections of the route. Use the single recommended stop to stretch your legs, as the remainder of the trip will keep you focused on the highway flow.
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 108.5 miles from Ballinger, TX, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.2 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 48 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.5 miles or 1h 58m 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 9m
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 Ballinger, 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 Ballinger, TX
This is one driving day of about 217 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Ballinger, 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 I 20 for about 128.2 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.1 and 216 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
50.1 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward US 83 Business North, Loop 322 East: Treadaway Boulevard, Abilene Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 83 Business North, Loop 322 East: Tre...
8
187.1 mi into trip|~3h 18m in|I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
8
214.6 mi into trip|~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
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 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
6
215.6 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|West Randol Mill Road
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
216 mi into trip|~3h 54m in|North Center Street
Turn right onto North Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.79 one way
$65.58 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$35.89
$71.78
premium
$4.54
$38.74
$77.49
diesel
$5.61
$47.91
$95.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65.1
0
$22.78
$10.42
Efficient EV
54.3
0
$18.99
$8.68
EV Truck/SUV
86.8
1
$30.38
$13.89
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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 Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Ballinger, TX
Late night
in Ballinger on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:13AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:02AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph36% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:13AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:02AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 56m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highly efficient commute, as 98% of this route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time on I-20, which features a long, uninterrupted stretch of 128.2 miles that allows for steady cruising. While the initial segments involve connecting through local roads, the drive quickly transitions into an interstate grind designed for speed and consistency. The character of the road is purely functional, prioritizing rapid transit over winding scenery. You can anticipate a consistent pace throughout the journey as you navigate toward the West Freeway, marking the final approach into Arlington.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.2 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 83. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.1 miles in.
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 11 significant decision points across 217 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 50.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.1 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,066 ft604 ft
Total Climb
657 ft
Total Descent
1,679 ft
Highest Point
2,066 ft
~31 mi in
Elevation Range
1,462 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ballinger, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Abilene Airport and Loop 322 East: Abilene Airport.
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 3h 56m. Total distance: 217 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.2 miles on I 20. 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 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 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 50.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 187.1 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
