Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Cloverleaf, 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 47m
Distance
264.8 mi
426 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
4h 34m
★
6 AM
4h 47m
8 AM
5h 14m
10 AM
4h 57m
12 PM
4h 54m
3 PM
4h 58m
5 PM
5h 13m
8 PM
4h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cloverleaf, TX
Thomas balabaud
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cloverleaf, TX to Arlington, TX is 264.8 miles and takes about 4h 47m via I 45, Hardy Toll Road, and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, crossing Texas. You'll encounter mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward trek. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is ideal for a single-day drive if you're looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
132.4 miles from Cloverleaf, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 203.1 mi | 3h 28m |
| Hardy Toll Road | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.1 mi | 16m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| East Loop North | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| South Collins Street | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| East Freeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| East Freeway Frontage Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 203.1 mi, about 3h 28m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,643 veh/hr typical · worst 2,385
Quietest
2 AM
~247 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 88 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 Cloverleaf, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on Hollywood Street
194 ft
·
10 sec
·
Hollywood Street
2
Turn right onto Greenville Street
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Greenville Street
3
Turn left onto Freeport Street
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Freeport Street
4
Turn right onto East Freeway Frontage Road
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 10 West
Use the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 10
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 775A
Toward I 610 South, I 610 North
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 610
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19B
Toward Hardy Toll Road North
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on HTR
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Hardy Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 45
203 mi
·
3 hr 28 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 20
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Interstate 20
18
Turn right onto South Collins Street
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
20
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 47m drive, consider departing in the morning to maximize daylight. Given the total distance of 264.8 miles and only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before the longest stretch of 203.1 miles on I 45, as services can be more spread out in certain sections. The estimated fuel cost is around $40, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily adjust your departure time based on traffic conditions.
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 132.4 miles from Cloverleaf, TX, or about 2h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.1 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 58 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.4 miles or 2h 24m 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 52m
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 Cloverleaf, 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 Cloverleaf, TX
This is one driving day of about 264.8 miles and 4h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Cloverleaf, 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 45 for about 203.1 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 132.4 miles from Cloverleaf, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 203.1 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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
The Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 259.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
5.5 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 610 South, I 610 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 775A
Toward I 610 South, I 610 North
7
5.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 610 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 610 North
7
12.3 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward Hardy Toll Road North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19B
Toward Hardy Toll Road North
7
237.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
259.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m in
Take the exit toward Collins Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.75 one way
$79.50 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $43.98 | $87.97 |
| premium | $4.57 | $47.59 | $95.18 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $65.43 | $130.86 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.74
Hardy Toll Road
(21.8 mi)
$1.74
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.80 | $12.71 |
| Efficient EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.17 | $10.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.9 | 1 | $37.07 | $16.95 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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
Cloverleaf, TX
Morning in Cloverleaf on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Morning in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
60°F
Italy, 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
2 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 47m 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 predominantly highway, with 84% of the 264.8 miles on major roadways like I 45. You'll experience a long stretch of 203.1 miles on I 45 before transitioning to other roads. Expect a significant number of exits and merges as you navigate through urban and suburban areas, particularly as you approach Arlington.
84% 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: 203.1 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Hardy Toll Road. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 264.8 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 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
663 ft
27 ft
Total Climb
893 ft
Total Descent
316 ft
Highest Point
663 ft
~247.5 mi in
Elevation Range
636 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Cloverleaf, 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 47m. Total distance: 264.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 203.1 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.74 in tolls one way, starting with Hardy Toll Road. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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