Hereford, TX to Arlington, TX is 395.7 miles and takes about 7h 12m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region in the west to the Great Plains region in the east. Expect a straightforward, highway-focused drive that’s well-suited for a single day. With a recommended one-day travel time, you’ll cover a significant distance efficiently. Plan for about two stops along the way to break up the journey. This route is a practical choice for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
197.8 miles from Hereford, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 34m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central East Freeway
99.2 mi
1h 46m
US Highway 287
81.8 mi
1h 27m
US 287
77.2 mi
1h 21m
West 1st Street
46 mi
50m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
I 40
7.6 mi
9m
Northwest Freeway
5.2 mi
5m
Tom Landry Freeway
4.8 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hereford, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on this road
242 ft·23 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto US 60
46 mi·50 min·West 1st Street
3
Take the exit
0.1 mi·11 sec
Exit 123BToward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Fort WorthUse the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 123BToward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City, Fort WorthUse the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 40; US 287
7.6 mi·9 min·I 40; US 287
6
Take the exit onto US 287
77 mi·1 hr 21 min·US 287
Exit 78Toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
7
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
8
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·58 sec·Burnett Street
9
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
10
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northwest
11
Continue on US 287
54 mi·58 min·US Highway 287
12
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·Northwest Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi·42 sec·Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
16
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi·1 hr 43 min·Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
2.3 mi·2 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.4 mi·24 sec
Exit 57Toward I 820Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi·1 min
Toward I 820 EastUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·7 sec
Toward I 820 Express East Toll
27
Merge onto I 820 TEXpress
3.3 mi·3 min·I 820 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto I 820
2.3 mi·2 min·Northeast Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Merge onto I 820; TX 121; TX 183
0.8 mi·56 sec·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820
3.0 mi·3 min·I 820
Toward I 820 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
1.2 mi·2 min
Exit 28AToward I 30 East: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Merge onto I 30
4.8 mi·6 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 27AToward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Cooper Street
36
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Center Street
Use the right lane.
38
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
39
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time, departing in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Arlington with plenty of daylight. With only two recommended stops, consider making one a longer break for lunch and the other a brief fuel and stretch stop. The route is primarily highway, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 99.2 miles. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have flexibility in your timing. A good tip is to check traffic conditions before you leave Hereford, as US Highway 287 can see significant truck traffic, which might influence your departure time.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 197.8 miles from Hereford, TX, or about 3h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 87 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.8 miles or 3h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 2m
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 Hereford, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hereford, TX
This is one driving day of about 395.7 miles and 7h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Hereford, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Central East Freeway for about 99.2 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 46 and 393.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
46 mi into trip|~51m in
Take the exit toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahom...
10
46.2 mi into trip|~51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123B
Toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City,...
7
375.8 mi into trip|~6h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 57
Toward I 820
7
376.2 mi into trip|~6h 45m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 820 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 820 East
8
393.3 mi into trip|~7h 7m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.79 one way
$119.58 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$65.45
$130.89
premium
$4.54
$70.65
$141.30
diesel
$5.61
$87.37
$174.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
118.7
1
$41.55
$18.99
Efficient EV
98.9
1
$34.62
$15.83
EV Truck/SUV
158.3
1
$55.40
$25.32
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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 20, 2026
Origin
Hereford, TX
Late night
in Hereford on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
7h 12m 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.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 54.6
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
29 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 54.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 84% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend most of your time on US Highway 287, a consistent and direct path. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.2 miles, primarily on the Central East Freeway, indicating long segments without frequent exits. The character of the drive remains largely consistent, maintaining a highway feel throughout its nearly 400-mile span. Prepare for a steady pace as you navigate these main arteries across the Texas landscape.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Central East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 395.7 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 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 375.8 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.
Between Hereford, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.
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 7h 12m. Total distance: 395.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. 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 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 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 375.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 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.
