Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Olton, TX to Arlington, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 50m
Distance
379.3 mi
610 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$52
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 39m
★
6 AM
6h 51m
8 AM
7h 14m
10 AM
6h 59m
12 PM
6h 57m
3 PM
7h 0m
5 PM
7h 13m
8 PM
6h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olton, TX
Thomas balabaud
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Olton, TX to Arlington, TX is 379 miles and takes about 6 hours 50 minutes via US 84, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains and ending in the same region. Expect a predominantly highway drive with minimal stops needed, making it a straightforward, single-day excursion. It's a practical route if you need to get from the Olton area to Arlington 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
189.6 miles from Olton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 84 | 183 mi | 3h 5m |
| US Highway 84 | 79.1 mi | 1h 19m |
| East Highway 84 | 26.9 mi | 26m |
| Main Avenue | 26.6 mi | 40m |
| West Freeway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| Highway 84 | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| Clovis Road | 6 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 183 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,680 veh/hr typical · worst 2,135
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
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 Olton, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on this road
98 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto 6th Street
197 ft
·
14 sec
·
6th Street
3
Turn left onto FM 168
27 mi
·
40 min
·
Main Avenue
4
Continue on FM 168
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
Arnett Avenue
5
Continue on FM 168
515 ft
·
10 sec
·
Spade Road
6
Turn left onto US 84
5.2 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 84
7
Continue on US 84
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Highway 84
8
Continue on US 84
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Clovis Road
9
Merge onto US 84
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Avenue Q
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on US 84
4.8 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
11
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
12
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
13
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
20 min
·
East Highway 84
14
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
15
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
East 15th Street
16
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Ralls Road
17
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Avenue F
18
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US Highway 84
19
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
183 mi
·
3 hr 5 min
·
US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi
·
17 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 30
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cooper Street
24
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
25
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Center Street
Use the right lane.
26
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
27
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 50-minute estimated drive time, leaving Olton in the morning should allow you to reach Arlington with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one recommended stop and the majority of the drive on US 84, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a town could be substantial. The fuel cost estimate of $55 is a good baseline for your budget. Consider filling up before departing Olton to ensure you have enough fuel for the initial 183-mile segment on US 84.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 189.6 miles from Olton, TX, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 183 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 83 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.6 miles or 3h 30m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 42m
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 Olton, 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 Olton, TX
This is one driving day of about 379.3 miles and 6h 50m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Olton, 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 84 for about 183 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
190 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 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 189.6 miles from Olton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 183 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area Westbound US 84
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area Eastbound US 84
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit websiteParamount Theatre
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit website12th Armored Division Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteAmerican Windmill Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18067478734
Visit websiteThe Discovery Center & Truth Bookstore
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13256735050
Visit websiteMackenzie Main City Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
Lubbock, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+18067752673
Visit websiteWhite Settlement Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
White Settlement, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+18172469719
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 166.4 and 378.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
166.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 7m in
|
US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
8
349.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 12m in
|
I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
8
376.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 45m 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
6
377.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 47m in
|
West Randol Mill Road
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
378.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 48m in
|
North Center Street
Turn right onto North Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.95 one way
$103.90 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
133 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $58.03 | $116.06 |
| premium | $4.23 | $63.09 | $126.18 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $71.62 | $143.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113.8 | 1 | $39.83 | $18.21 |
| Efficient EV | 94.8 | 1 | $33.19 | $15.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 151.7 | 1 | $53.10 | $24.28 |
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 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
Olton, TX
Late night in Olton on Monday
Local time
12:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night in Arlington on Monday
Local time
12:48 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SSE 5 mph
17% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
103°F
Sweetwater, TX
190 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
12 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
6h 50m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 87% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on US 84. You'll experience a long stretch of 183 miles on US 84 before encountering any significant changes to the road type. Expect a rural cruising feel for the majority of the trip, with a more urban merging experience as you approach Arlington. Surface roads will likely appear closer to your destination.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 183 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and US Highway 84. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 166.4 miles in near US 84.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 379.3 miles you will encounter 12 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 166.4 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 349.4 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 376.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,613 ft
604 ft
Total Climb
134 ft
Total Descent
3,143 ft
Highest Point
3,613 ft
Elevation Range
3,010 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Olton, TX
Full guide →Founded 1906
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 6h 50m. Total distance: 379.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 50m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 183 miles on US 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 34 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 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 166.4 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 349.4 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 376.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.7 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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