Trip from Big Lake, TX to Arlington, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 54m

Distance

326.5 mi

526 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 41m ★

6 AM

5h 55m

8 AM

6h 21m

10 AM

6h 4m

12 PM

6h 1m

3 PM

6h 5m

5 PM

6h 19m

8 PM

5h 47m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Big Lake, TX

Thilina Alagiyawanna

suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 326.5-mile drive from Big Lake, TX to Arlington, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect the trip to take approximately 5 hours and 54 minutes, with an estimated fuel cost of $49. You'll be spending most of your time on major arteries like I-20, US 277, and US 67, making it a practical option for getting from the Great Plains region of West Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one recommended stop, this route is designed for efficient travel, allowing you to reach your destination with minimal fuss.

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

163.3 miles from Big Lake, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	137.1 mi	2h 19m
US 277	79.8 mi	1h 26m
US 67	28.9 mi	33m
South Broadway Street	22.7 mi	25m
East 2nd Street	18.2 mi	19m
West Freeway	15.2 mi	17m
Tom Landry Freeway	12.3 mi	15m
United States Highway 67	4.5 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 137.1 mi, about 2h 19m

Traffic on I-20

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,819 veh/hr typical · worst 2,291

Quietest

2 AM

~200 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

9.1×

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 Big Lake, TX and Arlington, TX.

Start on US 67

18 mi · 19 min · East 2nd Street

Continue on US 67

19 mi · 21 min · US 67

Continue on US 67

4.5 mi · 5 min · United States Highway 67

Continue on US 67

23 mi · 25 min · South Broadway Street

Continue on US 67

1.2 mi · 1 min · Sherwood Way

Take the exit onto US 67

9.9 mi · 11 min · US 67

Toward US 67 North: Ballinger, Abilene

Take the exit onto US 277

80 mi · 1 hr 26 min · US 277

Toward US 277 North: Bronte, Abilene

Turn left onto US 277

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Danville Drive

Take the ramp onto US 277

0.2 mi · 22 sec · US 277

Merge onto US 83; US 84; US 277

2.9 mi · 3 min · Winters Freeway

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 50 sec

Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth

Merge onto I 20

137 mi · 2 hr 19 min · I 20

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30

15 mi · 17 min · West Freeway

Exit 421 Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 30

12 mi · 15 min · Tom Landry Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec

Exit 27A Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto North Cooper Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Cooper Street

Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road

0.4 mi · 49 sec · West Randol Mill Road

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto North Center Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Center Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto West Abram Street

297 ft · 8 sec · West Abram Street

Arrive at destination

West Abram Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour and 54-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Big Lake to avoid potential traffic as you approach Arlington. With a total distance of 326.5 miles, you'll want to plan for at least one brief stop to stretch your legs and refuel, especially given the 137.1-mile longest stretch on I-20. Your estimated fuel cost is around $49, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Big Lake. The highway-focused nature of this trip means you can maintain a good pace, but always be aware of changing speed limits as you move between interstates and US highways.

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 163.3 miles from Big Lake, TX, or about 3h into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.1 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 72 miles or 1h 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 163.3 miles or 3h 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 46m

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 Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, TX

This is one driving day of about 326.5 miles and 5h 54m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Big Lake, 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 137.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Abilene, TX

163 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

San Angelo, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Abilene, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 163.3 miles from Big Lake, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

0.5 mi from route

C&D Olfield Services

+13255000035

Visit website

Kirby Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

San Angelo, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+13256574279

Visit website

Angelo Axe House

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Angelo, Texas

Hours: 6–10 pm

+13255008093

Visit website

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 65.6 and 325.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

65.6 mi into trip | ~1h 12m in | US 67

Take the exit onto US 67 toward US 67 North: Ballinger, Abilene

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 67 North: Ballinger, Abilene

296.6 mi into trip | ~5h 16m 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

324.1 mi into trip | ~5h 49m 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

325.1 mi into trip | ~5h 51m in | West Randol Mill Road

Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

325.5 mi into trip | ~5h 52m in | North Center Street

Turn right onto North Center Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.72 one way

$89.44 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$49.95	$99.90
premium	$4.23	$54.31	$108.62
diesel	$4.80	$61.65	$123.30

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 114.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	98	1	$34.28	$15.67
Efficient EV	81.6	0	$28.57	$13.06
EV Truck/SUV	130.6	1	$45.71	$20.90

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 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

Big Lake, TX

Morning in Big Lake on Sunday

Local time

9:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 15 to 20 mph 58% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:06AM CDT until July 17 at 1:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Arlington, TX

Morning in Arlington on Sunday

Local time

9:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

91°F

Mostly Sunny

S 10 mph 8% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:06AM CDT until July 17 at 1:15PM 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

7 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

5h 54m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Primarily a highway-focused drive, this route features an 86% share on major roads, meaning you'll experience a good amount of consistent speed. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 137.1 miles, predominantly on I-20. This suggests a significant portion of the journey will involve steady, predictable driving conditions. While the profile is highway-centric, keep in mind that transitions between I-20, US 277, and US 67 will naturally alter the immediate surroundings and speed limits.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 137.1 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 277. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 65.6 miles in near US 67.

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 11 significant decision points across 326.5 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 65.6 miles (US 67): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 296.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 324.1 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

2,690 ft 604 ft

Total Climb

561 ft

Total Descent

2,647 ft

Highest Point

2,690 ft

Elevation Range

2,086 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 Big Lake, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Abilene along the way.

Abilene

65.6 mi in | ~1h 12m | via US 67

About the Cities

Starting in Big Lake, TX

Full guide →

Big Lake is a city in the West Hill Country of Texas.

Arriving 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

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 54m. Total distance: 326.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 137.1 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 30 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 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. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 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.

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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Big Lake, TX to Arlington, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-20

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rest Area

Picnic Area

I-20 Westbound Picnic Area

I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area

Eastland County Westbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

WTU Electric Service Yard

Petro Stopping Centers

Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area

Callahan County Westbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Picnic Area

Waterfall Overlook

Rest Area

Hill Arbor

Rest Area

Rest Area

Gran Lago Services, LLC

C&D Olfield Services

Service Plaza

International Waterlily Collection

San Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau

Think In A Box - Escape Room

Kids Kingdom

Pop Art Museum

The Bosque along the Concho River

Kirby Park

Angelo Axe House

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Big Lake, TX

Arlington, TX

Same local time

7 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 54m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Big Lake, TX

Arriving in Arlington, 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?

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

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Arlington, TX

More from Big Lake, TX

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