Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from La Coste, TX to Arlington, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 29m
Distance
300.8 mi
484 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 16m
★
6 AM
5h 30m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 39m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 55m
8 PM
5h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Coste, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
La Coste to Arlington is 300.8 miles and takes about 5h 29m via Purple Heart Trail and I-35W, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, starting and ending in the Great Plains region. Expect a drive with a lot of turns, suggesting a need for focus and perhaps a slightly slower pace than a pure interstate journey. With a single recommended day, this route is best tackled in one go if you're looking to reach your destination 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
150.4 miles from La Coste, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 188.3 mi | 3h 18m |
| I 35W | 45.1 mi | 47m |
| Connally Loop | 19.8 mi | 22m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 10.3 mi | 11m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| US Highway 90 East | 6.3 mi | 6m |
| Cleto Rodriguez Freeway | 3.3 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Coste, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on this road
154 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto South Front Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
South Front Street
3
Turn right onto FM 471
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Castro Avenue
4
Turn right onto County Road 482
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
County Road 482
5
Turn right onto US 90
6.3 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 90 East
6
Continue on US 90
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Cleto Rodriguez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 410 North, TX 16 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 410; TX 16
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 35 North: Austin
10
Merge onto I 35
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
45 mi
·
47 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 45B
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
58 sec
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
Use the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 20
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Exit 449A
Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Interstate 20
24
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
26
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
27
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Center Street
Use the left lane.
28
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Mesquite Street
29
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
East Abram Street
30
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour-plus duration and the 'turn-heavy' profile, starting early from La Coste is advisable to maximize daylight and minimize driving fatigue. Plan for at least one stop to break up the 300.8 miles and refuel, especially as the fuel cost is estimated at $45. Keep an eye on your navigation, as the numerous turns on roads like the Purple Heart Trail and Connally Loop require attention. The longest stretch on the Purple Heart Trail is a good opportunity for a solid driving segment before you need to concentrate on more complex junctions.
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 150.4 miles from La Coste, TX, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 66 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.4 miles or 2h 47m 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 27m
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 La Coste, 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 La Coste, TX
This is one driving day of about 300.8 miles and 5h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from La Coste, 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 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 150.4 miles from La Coste, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Cultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteBicentennial Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Crowley, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18172972201
Visit websiteToybrary Austin
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+15124343927
Visit websiteDenman Estate Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12102077275
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteO. P. Schnabel Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+12102077275
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 13.7 and 295 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
13.7 mi into trip
|
~16m in
Take the exit toward I 410 North, TX 16 North
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.
Toward I 410 North, TX 16 North
7
238.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m 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
7
283.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m 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
7
284.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
8
295 mi into trip
|
~5h 18m 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
$45.45 one way
$90.90 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $49.75 | $99.50 |
| premium | $4.54 | $53.71 | $107.41 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.41 | $132.83 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.58 | $14.44 |
| Efficient EV | 75.2 | 0 | $26.32 | $12.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.3 | 1 | $42.11 | $19.25 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Origin
La Coste, TX
Late night in La Coste on Tuesday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 15 to 20 mph
42% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 18 at 9:43AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 18 at 9:41AM CDT until April 18 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
84°F
Belton, TX
150 mi in
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
25 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 29m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 207.4
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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 31.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized as 'turn-heavy,' meaning you’ll be navigating more local roads and intersections than a typical interstate cruise. While 24% of the drive is on highways, the majority involves more dynamic driving. The longest uninterrupted stretch clocks in at 188.3 miles, primarily on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a chance to settle in before the route becomes more intricate. Be prepared for frequent adjustments as you move from one road to another.
Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 13.7 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 19 significant decision points across 300.8 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 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 238.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 283.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in La Coste, 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 5h 29m. Total distance: 300.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 13.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 238.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 283.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Arlington, TX
More trips to Arlington, TX
Explore more options from La Coste, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.