Converse to Arlington is 265.3 miles and takes about 4h 48m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $39 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. The route primarily utilizes surface roads, offering a more local feel compared to a pure interstate drive. With a recommended one-day drive time and a manageable fuel cost, this is a straightforward option for getting between these two Texas locations.
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
132.6 miles from Converse, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 24m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 50 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,421 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,049
Quietest
2 AM
~584 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Converse, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on Toepperwein Road
99 ft·8 sec·Toepperwein Road
2
Turn right onto FM 1976
1.4 mi·2 min·FM 1976
3
Keep slight left at fork onto East Loop 1604 North
0.7 mi·1 min·East Loop 1604 North
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward Loop 1604 North
5
Merge onto Loop 1604
1.7 mi·1 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 35: San Antonio, AustinUse the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 35 North: AustinUse the slight right lane.
8
Merge onto I 35
1.6 mi·1 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi·2 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
48 mi·52 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi·1 hr 40 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
22
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
27
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
28
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 48m estimated drive time, leaving Converse in the morning should get you to Arlington with plenty of daylight to spare. The route has only one recommended stop, but with the majority of the drive on surface roads, you'll encounter frequent opportunities for quick breaks if needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the $39 budget is an estimate and actual costs can vary. Pay attention to posted speed limits on the surface roads to stay on schedule.
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 132.6 miles from Converse, TX, or about 2h 24m 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 58 miles or 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.6 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 Converse, 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 Converse, TX
This is one driving day of about 265.3 miles and 4h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Converse, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.9 and 259.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
3.9 mi into trip|~6m in
Take the exit toward I 35: San Antonio, Austin
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 I 35: San Antonio, Austin
7
4.2 mi into trip|~6m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 North: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 North: Austin
7
203.4 mi into trip|~3h 37m 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
248.5 mi into trip|~4h 25m 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
8
259.5 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
$36.34 one way
$72.68 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$40.59
$81.18
premium
$4.23
$44.13
$88.26
diesel
$4.80
$50.09
$100.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.6
0
$27.86
$12.73
Efficient EV
66.3
0
$23.21
$10.61
EV Truck/SUV
106.1
1
$37.14
$16.98
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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Converse, TX
Late night
in Converse on Sunday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:41AM CDT until July 21 at 11:48PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:40AM CDT until July 22 at 9:50AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:41AM CDT until July 21 at 11:48PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 1:40AM CDT until July 22 at 9:50AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Troy, TX
133 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 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 48m 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 173.8
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 22% of your time on highways, with the majority of the 265.3 miles on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in road type is 188.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. Expect numerous intersections and traffic lights as you navigate the surface road sections, especially as you approach your destination.
Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 18 significant decision points across 265.3 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 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 203.4 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 48m. Total distance: 265.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 3.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 4.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 203.4 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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.
