Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Brenham, TX to Arlington, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 13m
Distance
221 mi
356 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 13m
8 AM
4h 40m
10 AM
4h 22m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 38m
8 PM
4h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brenham, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 221-mile drive from Brenham to Arlington, Texas, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 13 minutes. You'll primarily navigate North State Highway 6 and I-35W, with a portion on Purple Heart Trail, covering 65% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $33. This route focuses on efficient travel through the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a straightforward option for a day trip. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B without excessive detours.
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
110.5 miles from Brenham, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North State Highway 6 | 57.3 mi | 58m |
| I 35W | 45.1 mi | 47m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| TX 36 | 16.5 mi | 24m |
| Farm to Market Road 60 East | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| East State Highway 6 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| North Harvey Mitchell Parkway | 7.4 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
North State Highway 6
— 57.3 mi, about 58m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~1,924 veh/hr typical · worst 2,733
Quietest
2 AM
~303 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
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 Brenham, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 290 Bus
162 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Alamo Street
2
Turn left onto South Baylor Street
231 ft
·
15 sec
·
South Baylor Street
3
Turn left onto US 290 Bus
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Main Street
4
Turn right onto TX 36 Bus
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Austin Parkway
Use the right lane.
5
Continue on TX 36 Bus
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
North Park Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on TX 36
11 mi
·
17 min
·
TX 36
7
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 36
5.1 mi
·
7 min
·
TX 36
8
Turn right onto FM 60
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Farm to Market Road 60 East
9
Continue on FM 60
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
Raymond Stotzer Parkway
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward FM 2818
Use the left lane.
11
Merge onto FM 2818
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Harvey Mitchell Parkway South
12
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 2818
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
North Harvey Mitchell Parkway
13
At end of road, turn left onto North Earl Rudder Freeway
459 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Earl Rudder Freeway
14
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
this road
15
Merge onto US 190; TX 6
14 mi
·
14 min
·
North State Highway 6
16
Continue on US 190; TX 6
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Market Street
17
Continue on US 79; TX 6
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
North State Highway 6
18
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
19
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
20
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
21
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
22
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
23
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
24
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
25
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
27
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi
·
47 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the right lane.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the slight left lane.
31
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 449A
Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Interstate 20
35
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
38
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Center Street
Use the left lane.
39
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Mesquite Street
40
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Abram Street
41
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour, 13-minute duration, this route is comfortably manageable as a single-day trip. Consider an early morning departure from Brenham to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Arlington with time to spare. With only one planned stop suggested, you have flexibility to adjust your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 57.3-mile stretch on North State Highway 6, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. This drive is efficient, so focus on a smooth journey rather than extensive sightseeing.
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 110.5 miles from Brenham, TX, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 57.3 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 49 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.5 miles or 2h 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 3h 25m
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 Brenham, 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 Brenham, TX
This is one driving day of about 221 miles and 4h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Brenham, 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 North State Highway 6 for about 57.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
111 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.5 miles from Brenham, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Doris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 215.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 36 Bus / North Austin Parkway
Turn right onto TX 36 Bus / North Austin Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
159 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m 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
204.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 49m 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
7
204.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
8
215.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 2m 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
$30.27 one way
$60.54 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $33.81 | $67.62 |
| premium | $4.23 | $36.76 | $73.52 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $41.73 | $83.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.3 | 0 | $23.21 | $10.61 |
| Efficient EV | 55.3 | 0 | $19.34 | $8.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.4 | 1 | $30.94 | $14.14 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Brenham, TX
Late night in Brenham on Monday
Local time
1:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:47PM CDT until July 18 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:39PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Monday
Local time
1:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:47PM CDT until July 18 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:39PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
5 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
4h 13m 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.
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 129.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive with a significant portion, 65%, spent on major roads like North State Highway 6 and I-35W. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 57.3 miles on North State Highway 6, offering a consistent pace. While largely highway, the blend of state highway and interstate provides a varied driving experience without becoming overly monotonous. This route is about covering ground efficiently, with the road primarily serving as a conduit through the landscape.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 57.3 mi on North State Highway 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North State Highway 6 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near TX 36 Bus / North Austin Parkway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 26 significant decision points across 221 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 0.2 miles (TX 36 Bus / North Austin Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 159 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
865 ft
229 ft
Total Climb
719 ft
Total Descent
454 ft
Highest Point
865 ft
~189.4 mi in
Elevation Range
636 ft
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 Brenham, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fm 2818 along the way.
Fm 2818
38.6 mi in
|
~51m
About the Cities
Starting in Brenham, TX
Full guide →Founded 1844
Brenham is a city in the Post Oak Savannah region of Texas. It is the county seat of Washington, County and is about halfway between Houston and Austin on U.S. Highway 290. Brenham is largely known throughout Texas for its proximity to the Birthplace of Texas (Washington, Texas) and its largest employer, Blue Bell Creameries. Brenham has a humid subtropical climate so expect very hot, humid summers. Conversely, the winters are very mild, and the coldest temperatures of the year rarely get below freezing.
Top landmarks
- • F. W. Schuerenberg House — historic place in Brenham, Washington County, Texas
- • Washington County Courthouse — historic courthouse in Brenham, Washington County, Texas
- • Brenham Downtown Historic District — historic district in Brenham, Washington County, 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 4h 13m. Total distance: 221 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 57.3 miles on North State Highway 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (TX 36 Bus / North Austin Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 159 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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