Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Conroe, 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
3h 48m
Distance
216.7 mi
349 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 36m
★
6 AM
3h 48m
8 AM
4h 14m
10 AM
3h 57m
12 PM
3h 55m
3 PM
3h 59m
5 PM
4h 13m
8 PM
3h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Conroe, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Conroe to Arlington is 216.7 miles and takes about 3h 48m via I 45 and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, with a fuel budget near $31 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. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable distance, this route is well-suited for a single-day drive. You'll be on major freeways for the vast majority of the trip, making for a straightforward transit between these two Texas cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
108.3 miles from Conroe, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 188.3 mi | 3h 11m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.1 mi | 16m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| South Collins Street | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| East Abram Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West Davis Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West Phillips Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Interstate 20 | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 11m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
1 PM
~1,496 veh/hr typical · worst 2,185
Quietest
1 AM
~238 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Conroe, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on North Pacific Street
423 ft
·
28 sec
·
North Pacific Street
2
Turn left onto TX 105
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
West Phillips Street
3
Continue on TX 105
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Davis Street
4
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 45 North
6
Merge onto I 45
188 mi
·
3 hr 11 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 20
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Interstate 20
12
Turn right onto South Collins Street
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
13
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
14
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 3h 48m drive, consider leaving Conroe early in the morning to avoid heavier traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, it's wise to top off your tank before departing. The route is efficient enough that you should only need one planned stop, perhaps midway on the 188.3-mile stretch of I 45, for a quick break. Keep an eye on the traffic reports for Lyndon B Johnson Freeway and Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway as you get closer to Arlington, as these can experience significant congestion.
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 108.3 miles from Conroe, TX, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 48 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.3 miles or 1h 51m 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 2m
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 Conroe, 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 Conroe, TX
This is one driving day of about 216.7 miles and 3h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Conroe, 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 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.3 miles from Conroe, 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 188.3 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
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
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Candy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 212.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
189.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m 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
5
190.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
|
I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge onto I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
211.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 38m 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
5
212.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
|
South Collins Street
Turn right onto South Collins Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.68 one way
$59.36 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $33.15 | $66.31 |
| premium | $4.23 | $36.05 | $72.09 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.92 | $81.83 |
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: 75.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65 | 0 | $22.75 | $10.40 |
| Efficient EV | 54.2 | 0 | $18.96 | $8.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.7 | 1 | $30.34 | $13.87 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Conroe, TX
Late night in Conroe on Monday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:12PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:09PM CDT until July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Monday
Local time
3:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:12PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 18 at 5:09PM CDT until July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
100°F
Italy, TX
108 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
1 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
3h 48m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 94% of your 216.7 miles on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on I 45 covering 188.3 miles. This means you'll experience primarily freeway driving with a consistent flow of traffic and numerous exits. Expect the transition to surface streets to occur closer to your destination in Arlington, after a long period of high-speed cruising. The sheer volume of exits on the main highways suggests a busy corridor as you approach urban areas.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near I 45.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 216.7 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.6 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
714 ft
217 ft
Total Climb
778 ft
Total Descent
392 ft
Highest Point
714 ft
~201.2 mi in
Elevation Range
497 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Conroe, TX
Full guide →Founded 1904
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 3h 48m. Total distance: 216.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.3 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 190.6 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 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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