Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Cinco Ranch, TX to Arlington, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 52m
Distance
264.1 mi
425 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 39m
★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cinco Ranch, TX
Iván Hernández-Cuevas
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cinco Ranch to Arlington is 264.1 miles and takes about 4h 52m via TX 6 and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, primarily traversing Texas. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward connection between these two Texas cities. Given the relatively short duration, it's an easy day trip for most travelers.
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
132.1 miles from Cinco Ranch, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 6 | 69 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 35W | 45.1 mi | 47m |
| North State Highway 6 | 43.3 mi | 43m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| Northwest Freeway | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| West Grand Parkway South | 17.2 mi | 20m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| East State Highway 6 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
TX 6
— 69 mi, about 1h 15m
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 2,757
Quietest
2 AM
~304 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 78 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 Cinco Ranch, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on Crystal Bay Drive
174 ft
·
13 sec
·
Crystal Bay Drive
2
Turn left onto Cinco Lakes Drive
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
Cinco Lakes Drive
3
Turn left onto Cinco Ranch Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Cinco Ranch Boulevard
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
Toward TX 99 North
5
Merge onto TX 99
17 mi
·
20 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto US 290; TX 6
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
TX 6
Toward College Station, Bryan
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Continue on TX 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto TX 6
58 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
15
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
16
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
17
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
18
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
19
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
20
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
21
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
22
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
23
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi
·
47 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the right lane.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the slight left lane.
27
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 449A
Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Interstate 20
31
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
34
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Center Street
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Mesquite Street
36
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Abram Street
37
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Leaving Cinco Ranch in the morning should allow you to arrive in Arlington with plenty of daylight. With a drive of under 5 hours, a single stop for fuel or a quick break is likely sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major town is 69 miles on TX 6. Planning to depart mid-morning can help you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic around Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth.
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 132.1 miles from Cinco Ranch, TX, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 69 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.1 miles or 2h 28m 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 56m
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 Cinco Ranch, 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 Cinco Ranch, TX
This is one driving day of about 264.1 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Cinco Ranch, 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 TX 6 for about 69 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.1 miles from Cinco Ranch, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 6 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 69 miles.
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
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Zube Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Hockley, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12813538100
Visit websitePlay Street Museum - Katy
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–6 pm
+12816664217
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteBicentennial Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Crowley, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18172972201
Visit websiteAndretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+18329742201
Visit websiteHouston Area Live Steamers
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
Hockley, Texas
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 18.6 and 258.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
18.6 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Houston
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.
Toward US 290 West, US 290 East: Austin, Housto...
7
18.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
7
39.3 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
TX 6
Take the exit onto TX 6 toward College Station, Bryan
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward College Station, Bryan
7
39.5 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
258.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m 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
$39.65 one way
$79.29 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $43.87 | $87.74 |
| premium | $4.57 | $47.47 | $94.93 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $65.26 | $130.51 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.2 | 0 | $27.73 | $12.68 |
| Efficient EV | 66 | 0 | $23.11 | $10.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.6 | 1 | $36.97 | $16.90 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 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
Cinco Ranch, TX
Late night in Cinco Ranch on Sunday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
59°F
Groesbeck, TX
132 mi in
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
4 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
4h 52m 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 173.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 77% of the route on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 69 miles on TX 6 before transitioning to other roadways. Expect a high number of exits and merges as you navigate the urban and suburban areas, particularly as you approach your destination.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 69 mi on TX 6.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 6 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.6 miles in.
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 264.1 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 18.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.3 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
735 ft
107 ft
Total Climb
698 ft
Total Descent
201 ft
Highest Point
735 ft
~245.3 mi in
Elevation Range
629 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.
Between Cinco Ranch, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Houston, College Station and Bryan.
Houston
18.6 mi in
|
~23m
College Station
39.3 mi in
|
~48m
|
via TX 6
Bryan
39.3 mi in
|
~48m
|
via TX 6
About the Cities
Starting in Cinco Ranch, TX
Full guide →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 52m. Total distance: 264.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 69 miles on TX 6. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 39.3 miles (TX 6): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 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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