Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Oyster Creek, TX to Arlington, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 49m
Distance
317 mi
510 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 37m
★
6 AM
5h 50m
8 AM
6h 16m
10 AM
5h 59m
12 PM
5h 56m
3 PM
6h 0m
5 PM
6h 15m
8 PM
5h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Oyster Creek, TX
Mark Stebnicki
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Oyster Creek, TX to Arlington, TX is 317 miles and takes about 5h 49m via North Freeway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily utilizes major highways, making it a straightforward trip between two points in the Great Plains region. You'll spend most of your time on the North Freeway and Nolan Ryan Expressway, covering 96% of the journey on highways. Given its efficiency and duration, this route is well-suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination with plenty of time to spare.
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
158.5 miles from Oyster Creek, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 226.9 mi | 3h 57m |
| Nolan Ryan Expressway | 38.3 mi | 45m |
| Brazoria County Expressway | 16.1 mi | 19m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.1 mi | 16m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| South Collins Street | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| East State Highway 332 | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| Gulf Freeway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 226.9 mi, about 3h 57m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,315 veh/hr typical · worst 3,925
Quietest
2 AM
~414 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 48 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 Oyster Creek, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on Allen Road
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Allen Road
2
Turn straight onto Oyster Creek Bend Road
389 ft
·
20 sec
·
Oyster Creek Bend Road
3
Turn right onto FM 523
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 523
4
Turn right onto TX 332
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
East State Highway 332
5
Take the ramp onto TX 332
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
TX 332
6
Merge onto TX 288; TX 332
38 mi
·
45 min
·
Nolan Ryan Expressway
7
Continue on TX 288
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
South Freeway
8
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll
16 mi
·
19 min
·
Brazoria County Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 45
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 45
227 mi
·
3 hr 57 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 20
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Interstate 20
17
Turn right onto South Collins Street
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 49-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a fuel cost estimated around $48, plan your refueling stops accordingly, though the longest stretch without a major town is manageable. Since this is a one-day trip, you have the flexibility to stop as needed, but sticking to the main highways means rest areas will be your primary option for breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the majority of the drive is on high-speed roads where service areas might be less frequent than on local routes.
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 158.5 miles from Oyster Creek, TX, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 226.9 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 70 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.5 miles or 2h 58m 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 44m
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 Oyster Creek, 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 Oyster Creek, TX
This is one driving day of about 317 miles and 5h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Oyster Creek, 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 Freeway for about 226.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 158.5 miles from Oyster Creek, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 226.9 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
The Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteFreedom Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Angleton, Texas
Hours: 5 am–2 pm
+19792484317
Visit websiteCrocodile Encounter
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Angleton, Texas
Hours: 9 am–2 pm
+12815952232
Visit websiteFreeport Historical Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
3.8 mi from route
~10 min detour
Freeport, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19792330066
Visit websiteBrazoria County Historical Museum
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Angleton, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19798641208
Visit websiteStahlman Park
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~12 min detour
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Surfside Beach, Texas
+19792331531
Visit websiteSurfside Jetty County Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Surfside Beach, Texas
+19798641541
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 105 decision points cluster between mile 44.1 and 312 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
44.1 mi into trip
|
~55m in
|
TX 288 Toll / Brazoria County Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 288 Toll / Brazoria County Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
60.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 45 North: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
5
60.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
289.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m 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.
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
7
312 mi into trip
|
~5h 40m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.42 one way
$86.84 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $48.50 | $97.00 |
| premium | $4.23 | $52.73 | $105.46 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $59.86 | $119.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.1 | 1 | $33.29 | $15.22 |
| Efficient EV | 79.3 | 0 | $27.74 | $12.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.8 | 1 | $44.38 | $20.29 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Oyster Creek, TX
Evening in Oyster Creek on Monday
Local time
7:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
SW 0 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Arlington, TX
Evening in Arlington on Monday
Local time
7:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Clear
SSW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 11:05PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 19 at 10:55PM CDT until July 20 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
100°F
Italy, TX
159 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
14 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 49m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the 317 miles covered on high-speed roads like the North Freeway and Nolan Ryan Expressway. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 226.9 miles on the North Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. The route is designed for efficiency, meaning you’ll encounter a steady flow of traffic and minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares. Expect a predominantly urban and suburban landscape as you approach your destination.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 226.9 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Nolan Ryan Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 44.1 miles in near TX 288 Toll / Brazoria County Expressway.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 317 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 44.1 miles (TX 288 Toll / Brazoria County Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.6 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
604 ft
6 ft
Total Climb
720 ft
Total Descent
122 ft
Highest Point
604 ft
~317 mi in
Elevation Range
598 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Oyster Creek, 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 49m. Total distance: 317 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 226.9 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 32 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 44.1 miles (TX 288 Toll / Brazoria County Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 60.6 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 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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