Trip from Cotulla, TX to Arlington, TX

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 32m

Distance

364.9 mi

587 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$55

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min

4 AM

6h 20m ★

6 AM

6h 32m

8 AM

6h 57m

10 AM

6h 41m

12 PM

6h 38m

3 PM

6h 42m

5 PM

6h 55m

8 PM

6h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

city in and the county seat of La Salle County, Texas, United States

Cotulla, TX

Wikimedia Commons

suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 364.9-mile drive from Cotulla, Texas, to Arlington, Texas, is projected to take about 6 hours and 32 minutes, making it a feasible one-day trip. You'll primarily travel on the Purple Heart Trail and I-35W, with about 23% of the route on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $55 for this journey. The drive offers a blend of local roads and interstate travel, originating and ending within the Great Plains region of Texas. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path with a manageable duration.

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

182.5 miles from Cotulla, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	264.3 mi	4h 34m
I 35W	45.1 mi	47m
South Pan Am Expressway	21.5 mi	26m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway	10.3 mi	11m
North Pan Am Expressway	7.4 mi	8m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
South Cooper Street	2.7 mi	4m
Interstate Highway 35	1.9 mi	2m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 264.3 mi, about 4h 34m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cotulla, TX and Arlington, TX.

Start on TX 97

49 ft · 5 sec · Tilden Street

Turn right onto I 35 Bus

0.8 mi · 1 min · North Main Street

Turn slight right onto I 35 Bus

0.1 mi · 12 sec · I 35 Bus

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Merge onto I 35

76 mi · 1 hr 16 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

9.3 mi · 11 min · South Pan Am Expressway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

1.7 mi · 2 min · South Pan Am Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

10 mi · 13 min · South Pan Am Expressway

Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway

7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Toward I 35: Austin Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

48 mi · 52 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

45 mi · 47 min · I 35W

Toward I 35W: Fort Worth Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 45B Toward I 20 East: Dallas Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward I 20 East: Dallas Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 20

5.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 20

4.6 mi · 4 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Toward I 20 East: Dallas

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Exit 449A Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on West Interstate 20

0.3 mi · 24 sec · West Interstate 20

Turn left onto FM 157

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Cooper Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157

1.7 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Spur 303

0.5 mi · 50 sec · West Pioneer Parkway

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto South Center Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Center Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on South Mesquite Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Mesquite Street

Turn left onto East Abram Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · East Abram Street

Arrive at destination

West Abram Street

Trip Plan

Starting your journey from Cotulla early in the day will give you ample time to reach Arlington comfortably within the 6-hour and 32-minute estimated drive. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 264.3-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. The $55 fuel budget is an estimate, so it's wise to have a little extra on hand. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to arrive in Arlington by evening.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 182.5 miles from Cotulla, TX, or about 3h 15m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 264.3 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 80 miles or 1h 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 182.5 miles or 3h 15m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 23m

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 Cotulla, 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 Cotulla, TX

This is one driving day of about 364.9 miles and 6h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cotulla, 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 264.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Travis and Williamson counties in Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Round Rock, TX

182 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.

Popular next leg

Round Rock, TX to Arlington, TX

180.7 mi · 3h 14m

Pacing Suggestions

San Antonio, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wells Branch, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 182.5 miles from Cotulla, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.4 mi from route

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~11 min detour

Early stretch 4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12108003110

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 88.3 and 359.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

88.3 mi into trip | ~1h 31m in | I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christ...

98.8 mi into trip | ~1h 44m in | North Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35: Austin

303 mi into trip | ~5h 21m 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

348.1 mi into trip | ~6h 8m 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

359.2 mi into trip | ~6h 21m 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

$55.14 one way

$110.27 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 128 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$60.35	$120.70
premium	$4.54	$65.15	$130.30
diesel	$5.61	$80.57	$161.13

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$55

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$80–$105

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 127.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	109.5	1	$38.31	$17.52
Efficient EV	91.2	1	$31.93	$14.60
EV Truck/SUV	146	1	$51.09	$23.35

Gas CO2

128 kg

EV CO2

43 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Cotulla, TX

Late night in Cotulla on Tuesday

Local time

3:45 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

NNE 6 mph 60% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 1:00AM CDT until April 21 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

Destination

Arlington, TX

Late night in Arlington on Tuesday

Local time

3:45 AM

CDT

Current temp

52°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 20 at 1:00AM CDT until April 21 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville 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

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

6h 32m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 276.8

View on nps.gov

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 92.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip leans towards a turn-heavy local drive, with only 23% of the journey on highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 264.3 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. While there are interstate segments like I-35W, the overall feel is more about navigating local routes and experiencing the Texas landscape at a moderate pace. Be prepared for frequent changes in direction and speed as you transition between different road types.

Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 264.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 88.3 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.

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 17 significant decision points across 364.9 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 88.3 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 98.8 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 303 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Cotulla, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.

Corpus Christi

88.3 mi in | ~1h 31m | via I 35

Johnson City

88.3 mi in | ~1h 31m | via I 35

About the Cities

Starting in Cotulla, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1882

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 6h 32m. Total distance: 364.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 32m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 264.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 38 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 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Cotulla, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Cotulla, TX to Arlington, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Medina County Northbound Rest Area

Medina County Southbound Rest Area

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Buc-ee's

Flying J Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

TA

Petro Stopping Centers

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Stripes

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

Pilot Travel Center

TA

Service Plaza

Marlstone Retail Center

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Petro Stopping Centers

G2 Ranch

Cultural Activities Center

Morgan's Wonderland

Bicentennial Park

SAMSAT AREA 21

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cotulla, TX

Arlington, TX

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 32m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Cotulla, TX

Arriving in Arlington, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built