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Trip from Denver City, TX to Arlington, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 48m

Distance

378.9 mi

610 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
6h 37m ★
6 AM
6h 48m
8 AM
7h 12m
10 AM
6h 56m
12 PM
6h 54m
3 PM
6h 58m
5 PM
7h 11m
8 PM
6h 41m

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

city in Yoakum County, Texas, United States

Denver City, TX

Wikimedia Commons

suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 378.9-mile drive from Denver City, TX to Arlington, TX is designed as a single-day excursion, taking approximately 6 hours and 48 minutes. The journey is primarily highway-focused, with 87% of the route utilizing major roadways, making it a straightforward trip across the Great Plains region of Texas. With an estimated fuel cost of $58, this route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between these two points. You'll spend the majority of your time on Interstate 20, which makes up the longest uninterrupted stretch of 243.3 miles, so plan for a consistent pace. This route is well-suited for those looking for a direct and uncomplicated journey.

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

189.4 miles from Denver City, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 243.3 mi 4h 5m
West Avenue A 39 mi 44m
North US Highway 87 20.5 mi 21m
TX 83 20.3 mi 30m
South US Highway 87 18.1 mi 18m
West Freeway 15.2 mi 17m
Tom Landry Freeway 12.3 mi 15m
Seminole Road 1.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 243.3 mi, about 4h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on North Main Avenue

58 ft · 9 sec · North Main Avenue
2

Turn left onto TX 83

0.6 mi · 54 sec · East Broadway Street
3

Turn right onto TX 83; TX 214

20 mi · 30 min · TX 83; TX 214
4

Continue on US 62; US 180

39 mi · 44 min · West Avenue A
5

Continue on US 180

1.6 mi · 1 min · Seminole Road
6

Continue on US 180

0.7 mi · 55 sec · North 4th Street
7

Turn right onto US 87; US 180

1.2 mi · 1 min · North Lynn Avenue
8

Continue on US 87; US 180

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Dallas Avenue
9

Continue on US 87; US 180

18 mi · 18 min · South US Highway 87
10

Continue on US 87

1.4 mi · 1 min · William Crooker Highway
11

Continue on US 87

18 mi · 18 min · North US Highway 87
12

Continue on US 87

428 ft · 4 sec · William B Crooker Memorial Highway
13

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 87 Business South, FM 700 East
14

Continue on US 87 Bus

2.4 mi · 3 min · North US Highway 87
15

Turn left onto West Interstate 20

0.2 mi · 19 sec · West Interstate 20
16

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward I 20 East: Abilene
17

Merge onto I 20

243 mi · 4 hr 5 min · I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30

15 mi · 17 min · West Freeway
Exit 421 Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 30

12 mi · 15 min · Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 36 sec
Exit 27A Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn right onto North Cooper Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Cooper Street
22

Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road

0.4 mi · 49 sec · West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
23

Turn right onto North Center Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Center Street
Use the right lane.
24

Turn right onto West Abram Street

297 ft · 8 sec · West Abram Street
25

Arrive at destination

West Abram Street

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour and 48-minute duration, this trip is comfortably manageable as a single-day drive, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. To make the most of your 378.9-mile journey, consider leaving early in the morning to avoid potential traffic as you approach Arlington. With an estimated fuel cost of $58, factor in a stop for gas roughly midway, perhaps after completing the longest stretch on I-20. You'll want to plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and grab a quick bite, ensuring you stay alert for the duration of this highway-focused drive.

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 189.4 miles from Denver City, TX, or about 3h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 243.3 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 83 miles or 1h 39m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 189.4 miles or 3h 29m 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 39m

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 Denver City, 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 Denver City, TX

This is one driving day of about 378.9 miles and 6h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Denver City, 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 20 for about 243.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Titus County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mount Pleasant, TX

189 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

Mount Pleasant, TX to Arlington, TX

184.9 mi · 3h 23m

Pacing Suggestions

Lamesa, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Merkel, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 189.4 miles from Denver City, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 243.3 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 102.3 and 377.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
102.3 mi into trip | ~1h 58m in

Take the exit toward US 87 Business South, FM 700 East

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 87 Business South, FM 700 East
8
348.9 mi into trip | ~6h 10m in | I 30 / West Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 421 Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
8
376.5 mi into trip | ~6h 42m in

Take the exit toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street

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 27A Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
6
377.4 mi into trip | ~6h 44m in | West Randol Mill Road

Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
6
377.8 mi into trip | ~6h 45m in | North Center Street

Turn right onto North Center Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$57.25 one way

$114.51 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 133 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $62.67 $125.34
premium $4.54 $67.65 $135.30
diesel $5.61 $83.66 $167.31

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$57

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$82–$107

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 132.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 113.7 1 $39.78 $18.19
Efficient EV 94.7 1 $33.15 $15.16
EV Truck/SUV 151.6 1 $53.05 $24.25

Gas CO2

133 kg

EV CO2

44 kg (67% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Denver City, TX

Morning in Denver City on Sunday

Local time

7:53 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Arlington, TX

Morning in Arlington on Sunday

Local time

7:53 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

26 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 48m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the bulk of this 378.9-mile trip, with 87% of your travel time spent on major roads like I-20 and US Highway 87. The personality of this route is largely defined by the extensive 243.3-mile stretch on I-20, which will offer a consistent, high-speed experience. While the profile is predominantly highway, the initial and final segments may involve local roads like West Avenue A and North US Highway 87, offering brief transitions before rejoining the faster pace. This drive is about covering ground efficiently rather than seeking out winding backroads.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 243.3 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and West Avenue A. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 102.3 miles in.

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 378.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 102.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 348.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 376.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

3,574 ft 604 ft

Total Climb

298 ft

Total Descent

3,268 ft

Highest Point

3,574 ft

Elevation Range

2,970 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Denver City, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fm 700 East along the way.

Fm 700 East

102.3 mi in | ~1h 58m

About the Cities

Starting in Denver City, 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 6h 48m. Total distance: 378.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 243.3 miles on I 20. 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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 102.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 348.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 376.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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