Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Clarendon, 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
5h 19m
Distance
291.5 mi
469 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 6m
★
6 AM
5h 19m
8 AM
5h 46m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 26m
3 PM
5h 30m
5 PM
5h 45m
8 PM
5h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarendon, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Clarendon, TX to Arlington, TX is 291.5 miles and takes about 5h 19m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. It's a straightforward, single-day drive that should feel familiar to anyone who has traveled across the state. You'll be on the highway for the vast majority of the time, making it a quick connection between these two points.
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
145.8 miles from Clarendon, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central East Freeway | 99.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| US Highway 287 | 81.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| East 2nd Street | 27.1 mi | 29m |
| Northwest Freeway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 4.8 mi | 6m |
| US 81 | 4.6 mi | 4m |
| Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway | 4.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,816 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~229 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Clarendon, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on South Kearney Street
78 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Kearney Street
2
Turn right onto US 287; TX 70
27 mi
·
29 min
·
East 2nd Street
3
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
4
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Burnett Street
5
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
6
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northwest
7
Continue on US 287
54 mi
·
58 min
·
US Highway 287
8
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest Freeway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
12
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 57
Toward I 820
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 820 East
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Northeast Loop
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
Toward I 820 Express East Toll
23
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 820
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Northeast Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 820; TX 121; TX 183
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 820
Toward I 820 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Exit 28A
Toward I 30 East: Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto I 30
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cooper Street
32
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
33
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Center Street
Use the right lane.
34
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
35
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 19m estimated drive time, leaving Clarendon in the morning will get you to Arlington with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on Central East Freeway, as services can be spaced out. The relatively short duration means you can easily complete this drive in one day, so plan to depart when you feel most rested and ready.
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 145.8 miles from Clarendon, TX, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 64 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.8 miles or 2h 36m 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 16m
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 Clarendon, 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 Clarendon, TX
This is one driving day of about 291.5 miles and 5h 19m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Clarendon, 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 Central East Freeway for about 99.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
146 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 145.8 miles from Clarendon, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Central East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 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 mi from route
Wise County Northbound
0 mi from route
Wichita County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
0 mi from route
Donley County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wichita County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Donley County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Maniac’s Mansion (TAG’s)
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Wichita Falls, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+19402575543
Visit websiteMuseum of North Texas History
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Wichita Falls, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19403227628
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 271.7 and 289.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
271.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 820
7
272.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 East
7
280.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m in
|
I 820
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 toward I 820 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 South
7
283.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 5m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 28A
Toward I 30 East: Dallas
8
289.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.93 one way
$79.85 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $44.60 | $89.19 |
| premium | $4.23 | $48.49 | $96.98 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $55.04 | $110.08 |
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: 102 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.5 | 1 | $30.61 | $13.99 |
| Efficient EV | 72.9 | 0 | $25.51 | $11.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.6 | 1 | $40.81 | $18.66 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Origin
Clarendon, TX
Late night in Clarendon on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
S 10 to 15 mph
25% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:27PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:23PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:27PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:23PM 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
26 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 19m 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?
This route is 85% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on limited-access roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway, which offers a consistent driving pace. After the highway portion concludes, expect to transition to surface roads for the remainder of your trip. The high percentage of highway driving suggests a steady flow of traffic with fewer interruptions until you reach your destination.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Central East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 271.7 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 21 significant decision points across 291.5 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 271.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 272.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 280.1 miles (I 820): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,732 ft
604 ft
Total Climb
235 ft
Total Descent
2,363 ft
Highest Point
2,732 ft
Elevation Range
2,128 ft
About the Cities
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 19m. Total distance: 291.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 271.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 272.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 280.1 miles (I 820): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.3 hours each way, a round trip means 10.6 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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