Lumberton, TX to Arlington, TX is 280 miles and takes about 5 hours 28 minutes via US 69 and US Highway 175 West, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward transit between two Texas points. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a predictable and efficient trip. It's a solid choice if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss, especially since it's designed for a single day of travel.
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
140.2 miles from Lumberton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 69
143 mi
2h 45m
US Highway 175 West
68.5 mi
1h 14m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
21.1 mi
22m
US Highway 175
20.8 mi
22m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
6.1 mi
6m
South Collins Street
3.9 mi
7m
East Corsicana Street
2.5 mi
4m
Kurth Drive
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 69
— 143 mi, about 2h 45m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,669 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~614 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lumberton, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on US 96
70 ft·7 sec·North Main Street
2
Turn left onto West Chance Road
1.6 mi·4 min·West Chance Road
3
Turn right onto US 69; US 287
89 mi·1 hr 41 min·US 69; US 287
4
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
0.6 mi·1 min·South Chestnut Street
5
Turn straight
304 ft·11 sec
6
Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus
1.2 mi·2 min·South Timberland Drive
7
Turn left onto US 69 Bus; TX 103
2.1 mi·3 min·Kurth Drive
8
At end of road, turn left onto TX 103; Loop 287
0.6 mi·59 sec·Loop 287 Frontage Road
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·21 sec
10
Merge onto US 69
54 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 69
11
Turn left onto US 175
0.2 mi·19 sec·Alexander Boulevard
12
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi·56 sec·Frankston Highway
13
Continue on US 175
9.6 mi·10 min·US Highway 175 West
14
Turn slight right
3.8 mi·4 min
15
Merge onto US 175
1.9 mi·2 min·East Pine Street
16
Continue on US 175
21 mi·22 min·US Highway 175
17
Continue on US 175 Bus
2.5 mi·4 min·East Corsicana Street
18
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 175 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 20 West: Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 20
21 mi·22 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 20
6.1 mi·6 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 451Toward Collins StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi·17 sec·East Interstate 20
24
Turn right onto South Collins Street
3.9 mi·7 min·South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
26
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 28-minute estimated drive time, leaving Lumberton in the morning allows ample time to reach Arlington before evening. The route is mostly highway, so you won't need to worry about frequent, lengthy stops unless you choose to. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 143-mile segment on US 69, as services can be more spread out in some rural highway stretches. The $41 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a buffer. Since this is a single-day trip, the flexibility of departure time is a key advantage.
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 140.2 miles from Lumberton, TX, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143 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 62 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.2 miles or 2h 46m 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 28m
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 Lumberton, 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 Lumberton, TX
This is one driving day of about 280.4 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Lumberton, 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 US 69 for about 143 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 188.7 and 275.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
188.7 mi into trip|~3h 44m in|US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
247.6 mi into trip|~4h 47m in
Take the exit toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
5
248.4 mi into trip|~4h 49m in|I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge onto I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
275.5 mi into trip|~5h 18m in
Take the exit toward Collins Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
5
275.9 mi into trip|~5h 19m in|South Collins Street
Turn right onto South Collins Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.41 one way
$76.81 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$42.90
$85.80
premium
$4.23
$46.64
$93.28
diesel
$4.80
$52.94
$105.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
84.1
1
$29.44
$13.46
Efficient EV
70.1
0
$24.54
$11.22
EV Truck/SUV
112.2
1
$39.26
$17.95
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Lumberton, TX
Night
in Lumberton on Monday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 0 to 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:10PM CDT until July 19 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:23AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Night
in Arlington on Monday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:10PM CDT until July 19 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:23AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
99°F
Jacksonville, TX
140 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 28m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 90% of the 280 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a 143-mile stretch on US 69, which is a significant portion of the drive. The transition to surface streets will likely occur closer to your destination in Arlington. Expect many exits and potential for urban merging as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143 mi on US 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 69 and US Highway 175 West. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 188.7 miles in near US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West.
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 280.4 miles you will encounter 14 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 188.7 miles (US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.4 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 28m. Total distance: 280.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143 miles on US 69. 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 188.7 miles (US 175 Bus / US Highway 175 West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 247.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 248.4 miles (I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
