This 271.4-mile drive from Harper, TX to Arlington, TX will take approximately 5 hours and 23 minutes of pure driving time. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's easily manageable as a single-day journey, with a projected fuel cost of around $41. You'll primarily travel on North US Highway 281, East US Highway 290, and Northeast Big Bend Trail, with 78% of the route being on highways. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. It’s a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
135.7 miles from Harper, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North US Highway 281
97.9 mi
1h 48m
East US Highway 290
27.2 mi
30m
Northeast Big Bend Trail
24 mi
27m
West US Highway 290
22 mi
24m
Chisholm Trail Parkway
21.3 mi
23m
South US Highway 281
17.1 mi
22m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
15.4 mi
16m
State Highway 220
12.8 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
North US Highway 281
— 97.9 mi, about 1h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Harper, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 290; RM 783
22 mi·24 min·West US Highway 290
2
Continue on US 290; US 87
3.5 mi·7 min·West Main Street
3
Continue on US 290
27 mi·30 min·East US Highway 290
4
Continue on US 290
0.6 mi·1 min·West Main Street
5
Turn left onto Spur 356
0.9 mi·1 min·North Nugent Avenue
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 281
16 mi·17 min·North US Highway 281
7
Continue on US 281
17 mi·22 min·South US Highway 281
8
Continue on US 281
3.6 mi·5 min·South Water Street
9
Continue on US 281
20 mi·21 min·North US Highway 281
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 183; US 190; US 281
1.6 mi·3 min·South Key Avenue
11
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi·14 sec·North US Highway 281
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 281
43 mi·49 min·North US Highway 281
13
Continue on US 281
2.3 mi·2 min·South Rice Street
14
Continue on US 281
19 mi·20 min·North US Highway 281
15
Continue on US 281
0.6 mi·43 sec·South Walnut Street
16
At end of road, turn right onto TX 6
0.2 mi·12 sec·West 2nd Street
17
Continue on TX 6
0.1 mi·14 sec·East 2nd Street
18
Turn left onto TX 220
0.8 mi·1 min·North Cedar Street
19
Continue on TX 220
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 220
20
Merge onto US 67
12 mi·13 min·US Highway 67
21
Continue on US 67
24 mi·27 min·Northeast Big Bend Trail
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward TX 171, CTP: Nolan River Road, County Road 1216
23
Continue on West Katherine P Raines Drive
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Katherine P Raines Drive
24
Turn left onto CTP
21 mi·23 min·Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto I 20
11 mi·11 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
30
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
32
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
33
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
34
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
35
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
36
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 23-minute duration, this drive from Harper to Arlington is best tackled in a single day. Consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight and arrive with ample time. With only one suggested stop and a fuel cost around $41, you can plan your stops strategically. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 97.9-mile stretch on North US Highway 281, as services might be more spaced out. The flexibility of a one-day trip means you can adjust your timing based on traffic or personal preference.
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 135.7 miles from Harper, TX, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.9 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 60 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 135.7 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 24m
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 Harper, 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 Harper, TX
This is one driving day of about 271.4 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Harper, 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 North US Highway 281 for about 97.9 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 177.2 and 267.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
177.2 mi into trip|~3h 28m in|TX 6 / West 2nd Street
At end of road, turn right onto TX 6 / West 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
227.2 mi into trip|~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward TX 171, CTP: Nolan River Road, County Road 1216
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 171, CTP: Nolan River Road, County Ro...
6
249.1 mi into trip|~4h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
8
265.6 mi into trip|~5h 13m 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
6
267.1 mi into trip|~5h 15m in|FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157 / South Cooper Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.01 one way
$82.02 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg95 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$44.89
$89.78
premium
$4.54
$48.46
$96.91
diesel
$5.61
$59.92
$119.84
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 95 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
81.4
1
$28.50
$13.03
Efficient EV
67.9
0
$23.75
$10.86
EV Truck/SUV
108.6
1
$38.00
$17.37
Gas CO2
95 kg
EV CO2
32 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 17, 2026
Origin
Harper, TX
Late night
in Harper on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
5:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 to 15 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 8:59PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 8:56PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
15 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
5h 23m 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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 271.4-mile trip, with 78% of the drive on well-established roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 97.9 miles on North US Highway 281, so plan your breaks accordingly. While primarily highway, the inclusion of roads like Northeast Big Bend Trail suggests some variation in pace and scenery, moving beyond a pure interstate monotony. This route offers a blend of efficient travel with potential for slightly more local road character.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.9 mi on North US Highway 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North US Highway 281 and East US Highway 290. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 177.2 miles in near TX 6 / West 2nd Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 271.4 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 177.2 miles (TX 6 / West 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 227.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
On the drive from Harper, TX to Arlington, TX, road signs begin pointing toward County Road 1216 along the way.
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 5h 23m. Total distance: 271.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.9 miles on North US Highway 281. 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 177.2 miles (TX 6 / West 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 227.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 249.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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.
