Origin
Big Lake, TX
Late night in Big Lake on Sunday
Local time
1:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Lake, TX to Arlington, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 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
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
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.
Big Lake, TX
Thilina Alagiyawanna
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
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Lake, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 67
18 mi
·
19 min
·
East 2nd Street
2
Continue on US 67
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 67
3
Continue on US 67
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
United States Highway 67
4
Continue on US 67
23 mi
·
25 min
·
South Broadway Street
5
Continue on US 67
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Sherwood Way
6
Take the exit onto US 67
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
US 67
Toward US 67 North: Ballinger, Abilene
7
Take the exit onto US 277
80 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 North: Bronte, Abilene
8
Turn left onto US 277
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Danville Drive
9
Take the ramp onto US 277
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 277
10
Merge onto US 83; US 84; US 277
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Winters Freeway
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
12
Merge onto I 20
137 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Continue on I 30
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cooper Street
17
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Center Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
20
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
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 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.
5
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
8
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
8
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
6
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.
6
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
$49.33 one way
$98.67 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
114 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $54.00 | $108.00 |
| premium | $4.54 | $58.29 | $116.59 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.09 | $144.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
1:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
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
28 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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.
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 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.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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