Lampasas, TX to Arlington, TX is 160.3 miles and takes about 3h 10m via North US Highway 281 and Chisholm Trail Parkway, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward journey between two points. It's a relatively short trip, making it ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed. Expect a generally efficient drive with a significant portion on major roadways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.2 miles from Lampasas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 36m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North US Highway 281
62.1 mi
1h 9m
Northeast Big Bend Trail
24 mi
27m
Chisholm Trail Parkway
21.3 mi
23m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
15.4 mi
16m
State Highway 220
12.8 mi
18m
US Highway 67
12.1 mi
13m
South Cooper Street
2.7 mi
4m
South Rice Street
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
North US Highway 281
— 62.1 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lampasas, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on Loop 257
111 ft·7 sec·East 4th Street
2
Turn right onto US 183; US 190; US 281
1.3 mi·2 min·South Key Avenue
3
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi·14 sec·North US Highway 281
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 281
43 mi·49 min·North US Highway 281
5
Continue on US 281
2.3 mi·2 min·South Rice Street
6
Continue on US 281
19 mi·20 min·North US Highway 281
7
Continue on US 281
0.6 mi·43 sec·South Walnut Street
8
At end of road, turn right onto TX 6
0.2 mi·12 sec·West 2nd Street
9
Continue on TX 6
0.1 mi·14 sec·East 2nd Street
10
Turn left onto TX 220
0.8 mi·1 min·North Cedar Street
11
Continue on TX 220
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 220
12
Merge onto US 67
12 mi·13 min·US Highway 67
13
Continue on US 67
24 mi·27 min·Northeast Big Bend Trail
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward TX 171, CTP: Nolan River Road, County Road 1216
15
Continue on West Katherine P Raines Drive
0.2 mi·24 sec·West Katherine P Raines Drive
16
Turn left onto CTP
21 mi·23 min·Chisholm Trail Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.1 mi·2 min
Toward I 20 East: DallasUse the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 20
11 mi·11 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 20
4.6 mi·4 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Exit 449AToward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, MansfieldUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on West Interstate 20
0.3 mi·24 sec·West Interstate 20
22
Turn left onto FM 157
1.0 mi·1 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157
1.7 mi·2 min·South Cooper Street
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto Spur 303
0.5 mi·50 sec·West Pioneer Parkway
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto South Center Street
1.2 mi·2 min·South Center Street
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on South Mesquite Street
0.8 mi·1 min·South Mesquite Street
27
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.1 mi·26 sec·East Abram Street
28
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 10m estimated duration, leaving Lampasas in the morning allows ample time to reach Arlington with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $24, this trip is easy to plan. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the 62.1-mile stretch on North US Highway 281, as services might be less frequent. Flexibility is key on this shorter drive; you can depart later or make an impromptu stop if needed.
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 80.2 miles from Lampasas, TX, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.1 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 35 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.2 miles or 1h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 34m
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 Lampasas, 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 Lampasas, TX
This is one driving day of about 160.3 miles and 3h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from Lampasas, 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 62.1 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 66.2 and 156 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
66.2 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|TX 6 / West 2nd Street
At end of road, turn right onto TX 6 / West 2nd Street
Navigation decision point
5
116.2 mi into trip|~2h 17m 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
138 mi into trip|~2h 41m 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
154.6 mi into trip|~2h 59m 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
156 mi into trip|~3h 2m 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
$24.22 one way
$48.44 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg56 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$26.51
$53.03
premium
$4.54
$28.62
$57.24
diesel
$5.61
$35.39
$70.78
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
48.1
0
$16.83
$7.69
Efficient EV
40.1
0
$14.03
$6.41
EV Truck/SUV
64.1
0
$22.44
$10.26
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Lampasas, TX
Evening
in Lampasas on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Evening
in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 15 mph64% chanceLive 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
19 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
3h 10m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 68% of the route utilizing major roads like North US Highway 281 and the Chisholm Trail Parkway. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 62.1 miles on North US Highway 281, providing a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. The journey generally progresses along well-maintained highways, facilitating steady travel.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.1 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 Northeast Big Bend Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 66.2 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 15 significant decision points across 160.3 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 66.2 miles (TX 6 / West 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 116.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138 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 Lampasas, 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 3h 10m. Total distance: 160.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.1 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 66.2 miles (TX 6 / West 2nd Street): Navigation decision point; at 116.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 138 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
