Spanning 618.5 miles across the heart of Texas, your journey from El Paso to Arlington requires approximately 8 hours and 48 minutes of pure drive time. While it is technically possible to push through in one go, splitting this trip over two days is the most comfortable way to manage the distance. You will primarily navigate via I-10 East, eventually transitioning to the West Freeway as you approach the DFW metroplex. Budgeting around $92 for fuel is a solid starting point for your planning. Since both your origin and destination fall within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout the drive. This trek is a significant commitment, so preparing for a multi-day itinerary will keep your arrival in Arlington much more enjoyable.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
309.3 miles from El Paso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
421.1 mi
6h 59m
I 10
166.8 mi
2h 43m
West Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
Tom Landry Freeway
12.3 mi
15m
North Center Street
1 mi
2m
North Cooper Street
0.7 mi
1m
West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi
<1m
North Mesa Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 421.1 mi, about 6h 59m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between El Paso, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on North Mesa Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Mesa Street
2
Turn right onto East Franklin Avenue
0.2 mi·26 sec·East Franklin Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·50 sec
Toward I 10 East
4
Merge onto I 10; US 180
167 mi·2 hr 43 min·I 10; US 180
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
421 mi·6 hr 59 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 30
12 mi·15 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 27AToward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Cooper Street
10
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Center Street
Use the right lane.
12
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
13
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 618.5-mile drive effectively, aim for an early morning departure to maximize daylight and beat potential congestion near your destination. Planning for two designated stops will help break up the nearly nine-hour travel time and keep you alert behind the wheel. Given the $92 fuel estimate, monitor your gas levels closely during the more remote segments of I-10 to avoid any unnecessary range anxiety. If you choose to split the trip into two days, look for lodging options roughly halfway to ensure your second day is manageable. Always check local traffic reports for the West Freeway as you near Arlington, as urban volume can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of day.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 309.3 miles from El Paso, TX, or about 5h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 421.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 136 miles or 2h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 309.3 miles or 5h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 309.3 miles or 5h 6m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 14m
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 El Paso, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from El Paso, TX
Aim for roughly 309 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Arlington, TX
Aim for roughly 309 miles and 5.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 136 miles from El Paso, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 421.1 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 167.6 and 617.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
167.6 mi into trip|~2h 45m in|I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
588.6 mi into trip|~9h 44m 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
616.2 mi into trip|~10h 17m 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
617.1 mi into trip|~10h 19m in|West Randol Mill Road
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
617.5 mi into trip|~10h 20m in|North Center Street
Turn right onto North Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$93.47 one way
$186.94 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg216 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$102.31
$204.63
premium
$4.54
$110.45
$220.89
diesel
$5.61
$136.58
$273.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$93
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$223–$333
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 216.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $65 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
185.6
2
$64.95
$29.69
Efficient EV
154.7
1
$54.13
$24.74
EV Truck/SUV
247.4
3
$86.60
$39.59
Gas CO2
216 kg
EV CO2
72 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
El Paso, TX
Late night
in El Paso on Sunday
Local time
1:44 AM
MDT
Current temp
82°F
Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust
W 7 to 18 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 7:31AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 7:25AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
2:44 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
27 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
10h 23m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Chamizal National Memorial
National Memorial
Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a long-distance haul that defines the classic Texas road trip experience. You will spend the vast majority of your time on major interstates, providing a steady, high-speed pace as you traverse the state. The transition from the desert-adjacent terrain of El Paso into the more populated regions of North Texas means the road environment stays relatively consistent in terms of driving style. Because this route involves lengthy stretches on I-10, you should prepare for a focused, monotonous drive that requires maintaining consistent highway speeds. Keep in mind that the road character is functional and built for efficiency rather than technical curves or scenic detours.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 421.1 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and I 10. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 167.6 miles in near I 20.
Driving Effort6/10
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 618.6 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 167.6 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 588.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 616.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
El Paso is the sixth largest city in Texas, with 679,000 residents (2020). It is on the United States-Mexico border. The city on the other side of the border is Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. El Paso is often called the Sun City. Collectively, the city of El Paso and other nearby cities, such as Juarez and Las Cruces, New Mexico are referred to as The Borderland.
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
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
10h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 421.1 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 309 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 167.6 miles (I 20): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 588.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 616.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Chamizal National Memorial. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.4 hours each way, a round trip means 20.8 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.
