Trip from New Braunfels, TX to Arlington, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 27m

Distance

246.2 mi

396 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 14m ★

6 AM

4h 28m

8 AM

4h 55m

10 AM

4h 37m

12 PM

4h 35m

3 PM

4h 39m

5 PM

4h 53m

8 PM

4h 20m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Comal and Guadalupe counties in Texas, United States, that is the seat of Comal County

New Braunfels, TX

Wikimedia Commons

suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

New Braunfels to Arlington is 246.2 miles and takes about 4h 27m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35W, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily stays within the Great Plains region, moving from one part of Texas to another. Given its manageable length and single-day recommendation, it's a straightforward drive for most travelers. Expect a mix of highway travel and some more involved local road driving as you make your way north. Plan for a fairly direct journey with minimal need for overnight stays.

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

123.1 miles from New Braunfels, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 13m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	175.3 mi	3h 4m
I 35W	45.1 mi	47m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway	10.3 mi	11m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
South Cooper Street	2.7 mi	4m
South Seguin Avenue	1.2 mi	2m
South Center Street	1.2 mi	2m
South Mesquite Street	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 175.3 mi, about 3h 4m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 100 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,421 veh/hr typical · worst 4,049

Quietest

2 AM

~584 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.9×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 New Braunfels, TX and Arlington, TX.

Start on Main Plaza

0.1 mi · 24 sec · Main Plaza

Continue on TX 46 Bus

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Seguin Avenue

Turn left onto Interstate 35 North

0.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate 35 North

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 35 North

Merge onto I 35

47 mi · 51 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W

45 mi · 47 min · I 35W

Toward I 35W: Fort Worth Use the slight left lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 45B Toward I 20 East: Dallas Use the right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 58 sec

Toward I 20 East: Dallas Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 20

5.7 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 20

4.6 mi · 4 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Toward I 20 East: Dallas

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Exit 449A Toward FM 157 South: UT Arlington, Mansfield Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on West Interstate 20

0.3 mi · 24 sec · West Interstate 20

Turn left onto FM 157

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Cooper Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto FM 157

1.7 mi · 2 min · South Cooper Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Spur 303

0.5 mi · 50 sec · West Pioneer Parkway

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto South Center Street

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Center Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on South Mesquite Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Mesquite Street

Turn left onto East Abram Street

0.1 mi · 26 sec · East Abram Street

Arrive at destination

West Abram Street

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour, 27-minute drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop for a trip of this length, you have plenty of flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach the end of the 175.3-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail, as fuel availability can vary. Consider packing some snacks and drinks to minimize the need for unplanned stops along the way. This route is easily achievable in a single day, so focus on enjoying the journey without feeling rushed.

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 123.1 miles from New Braunfels, TX, or about 2h 13m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.3 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 54 miles or 1h 1m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 123.1 miles or 2h 13m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 35m

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 New Braunfels, 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 New Braunfels, TX

This is one driving day of about 246.2 miles and 4h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from New Braunfels, 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 175.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

123 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

Austin, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 123.1 miles from New Braunfels, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

New Braunfels, Texas

+18302214000

Visit website

Children's Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Marcos, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+15123938400

Visit website

The Sophienburg Museum & Archives

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

New Braunfels, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+18306291572

Visit website

Calaboose African American History Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Marcos, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15123938421

Visit website

Toybrary Austin

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15124343927

Visit website

Pioneer Farms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

Early stretch 3.9 mi from route ~10 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15128371215

Visit website

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~12 min detour

5 mi from route ~12 min detour

New Braunfels, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18304024603

Visit website

Bicentennial Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

Home stretch 4.9 mi from route ~12 min detour

Crowley, Texas

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18172972201

Visit website

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 49 and 240.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

49 mi into trip | ~56m in | I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

184.2 mi into trip | ~3h 17m 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

229.4 mi into trip | ~4h 4m 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

229.7 mi into trip | ~4h 5m 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

240.4 mi into trip | ~4h 17m 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

$33.72 one way

$67.44 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 86 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$37.67	$75.33
premium	$4.23	$40.95	$81.91
diesel	$4.80	$46.49	$92.97

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$34

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$59–$84

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 86.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	73.9	0	$25.85	$11.82
Efficient EV	61.6	0	$21.54	$9.85
EV Truck/SUV	98.5	1	$34.47	$15.76

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

New Braunfels, TX

Late night in New Braunfels on Monday

Local time

1:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

94°F

Partly Sunny

S 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:54AM CDT until July 21 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:53AM CDT until July 20 at 4:50AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Destination

Arlington, TX

Late night in Arlington on Monday

Local time

1:12 AM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Mostly Sunny

SSW 10 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:54AM CDT until July 21 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:53AM CDT until July 20 at 4:50AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

96°F

Troy, TX

123 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

1 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

4h 27m 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 160.7

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 offers a profile best described as 'turn-heavy local drive.' While 22% of the journey involves highway travel, you'll encounter a significant amount of local road navigation. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 175.3 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a solid period of consistent driving before potentially transitioning. Be prepared for more frequent turns and changes in speed as you move through various towns and intersections, making it a more engaged driving experience than a pure interstate cruise.

Only 22% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.

22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 175.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 49 miles in near I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 246.2 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 49 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.2 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

902 ft 541 ft

Total Climb

608 ft

Total Descent

634 ft

Highest Point

902 ft

~87.9 mi in

Elevation Range

361 ft

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Starbucks

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Arlington, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo-Th 07:00-20:00; Fr 07:00-17:00

Visit website

iCafe

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: japanese

Hours: Su-Fr 11:00-15:00,16:00-21:00

Visit website

Mikki's Replay Cafe

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Genuine Joe Coffeehouse

Cafe

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Daddy

Cafe

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~6 min detour

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Former Site of Saint Peter's Church

Memorial

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Itasca Railroad Depot

Memorial

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Site of Switzer College

Memorial

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Dallas / Arlington KOA

Camp_site

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in New Braunfels, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1845

New Braunfels is a resort town in the Texas Hill Country. As the name implies, it has a German heritage, and many of the local attractions capitalize on this.

Top landmarks

• Comal County Courthouse — historic place in New Braunfels, Comal County, Texas
• Gruene Family Home — historic place in Gruene, Comal County, Texas
• Gruene Hall — historic place in Gruene, Comal County, Texas

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 4h 27m. Total distance: 246.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 175.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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