Copperas Cove, TX to Arlington, TX is 167.5 miles and takes about 3h 3m via Purple Heart Trail, I 35W, and Central Texas Expressway, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same region, staying within the Lone Star State. The drive is a mixed bag, offering a break from solely interstate travel. With only one recommended stop and a manageable duration, this route is a straightforward option for a single-day journey.
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
83.8 miles from Copperas Cove, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 30m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Copperas Cove, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on FM 1113
0.9 mi·1 min·West Avenue D
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 190 Business
2.4 mi·4 min·East Highway 190
3
Continue on I 14; US 190
8.8 mi·9 min·Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi·46 sec
Exit 286Toward FM 3470: Stan Schlueter LoopUse the slight right lane.
5
Turn straight onto East Central Texas Expressway
2.5 mi·2 min·East Central Texas Expressway
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward US 190 East
7
Merge onto I 14; US 190
13 mi·13 min·Central Texas Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35; US 190
38 mi·38 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi·47 min·I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort WorthUse the slight left lane.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Exit 45BToward I 20 East: DallasUse the right lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·58 sec
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
18
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
23
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
24
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 3 hours and 3 minutes, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to make the most of daylight and to avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Arlington. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps halfway through your journey on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $25; it's always wise to top off before setting out or when you see a good price. A specific tip for this route: be aware that the transition from Purple Heart Trail to I 35W will likely involve a speed change, so adjust accordingly.
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 83.8 miles from Copperas Cove, TX, or about 1h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.8 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 37 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 83.8 miles or 1h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 25m
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 Copperas Cove, 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 Copperas Cove, TX
This is one driving day of about 167.5 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Copperas Cove, 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 70.8 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 12 and 161.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
12 mi into trip|~15m in
Take the exit toward FM 3470: Stan Schlueter Loop
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 286
Toward FM 3470: Stan Schlueter Loop
7
105.6 mi into trip|~1h 52m 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
150.7 mi into trip|~2h 39m 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
7
151 mi into trip|~2h 40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
8
161.7 mi into trip|~2h 52m 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
$25.31 one way
$50.62 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg59 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$27.70
$55.41
premium
$4.54
$29.91
$59.81
diesel
$5.61
$36.98
$73.96
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 58.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
50.3
0
$17.59
$8.04
Efficient EV
41.9
0
$14.66
$6.70
EV Truck/SUV
67
0
$23.45
$10.72
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Copperas Cove, TX
Late night
in Copperas Cove on Sunday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
2:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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
3h 3m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 75.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 47% of it on highways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 70.8 miles on Purple Heart Trail, which breaks up the potential monotony of constant interstate travel. The journey transitions between the Purple Heart Trail and major arteries like I 35W and the Central Texas Expressway, providing a varied driving feel. Expect some quicker highway sections interspersed with roads that might offer a slightly different pace.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.8 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12 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 15 significant decision points across 167.5 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 12 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.6 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 3h 3m. Total distance: 167.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.8 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 12 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 105.6 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 150.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
