Trip from Robstown, 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

7h 7m

Distance

388.7 mi

626 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

6h 56m ★

6 AM

7h 7m

8 AM

7h 29m

10 AM

7h 15m

12 PM

7h 13m

3 PM

7h 16m

5 PM

7h 28m

8 PM

7h 0m

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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Robstown, TX

Thomas balabaud

suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Robstown to Arlington covers 422 miles of Texas landscape, typically requiring about 6 hours of drive time. Because this route relies on local roads like South 1st Street, West Avenue A, and Highway 77, it functions best as a focused, one-day push rather than a multi-day excursion. You should budget approximately $64 for fuel to complete the journey. Since both your start and end points are located within the Great Plains region, the terrain remains consistent throughout the trip. This is a straightforward drive that prioritizes direct transit over scenic detours, making it a practical choice if you are looking to reach North Texas 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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

194.3 miles from Robstown, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	97.7 mi	1h 39m
Pickle Parkway	58.5 mi	54m
I 35W	45.1 mi	47m
US Highway 181 South	40.2 mi	45m
State Highway 80 North	30.8 mi	35m
State Highway 80	23.6 mi	25m
I 37	19.7 mi	19m
State Highway 359	12.4 mi	16m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,461 veh/hr typical · worst 3,169

Quietest

2 AM

~387 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.4×

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 Robstown, TX and Arlington, TX.

Start on East Main Avenue

81 ft · 8 sec · East Main Avenue

Turn left onto South 1st Street

372 ft · 17 sec · South 1st Street

Turn left onto TX 44 Business

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Avenue A

At end of road, turn left onto TX 44

1.4 mi · 3 min · South US Highway 77

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Toward County Road 44

Merge onto I 69E; US 77

4.7 mi · 5 min · U.S. Highway 77

Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E

1.4 mi · 1 min · I 37; US 77; I 69E

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 1 min

Continue on I 37

18 mi · 18 min · I 37

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 32 sec

Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore

Turn right onto TX 359

12 mi · 16 min · State Highway 359

At end of road, turn left onto US 181

0.8 mi · 55 sec · South 8th Street

Continue on US 181

40 mi · 45 min · US Highway 181 South

Continue on US 181

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Sunset Strip Drive

Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239

233 ft · 3 sec · East Main Street

Continue on FM 792

8.4 mi · 10 min · Helena Road

Turn straight onto TX 80

24 mi · 25 min · State Highway 80

Continue on TX 80

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Nixon Avenue

Continue on TX 80; TX 97

31 mi · 35 min · State Highway 80 North

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · South Colorado Street

Continue on US 183

0.2 mi · 16 sec · United States Highway 183

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 35 sec

Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

59 mi · 54 min · Pickle Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Toward I 35 North: Waco Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35

65 mi · 1 hr 6 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

Given the 6-hour duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and navigate local traffic effectively. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, keeping your $64 budget in mind as you monitor your gauge. Since this is a turn-heavy route, rely on a reliable navigation system to help you manage the constant transitions between South 1st Street, West Avenue A, and Highway 77. Because the drive is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to make your stop whenever you feel it is necessary. A helpful tip for this specific route is to stay extra vigilant at intersections, as the local road navigation requires more frequent decision-making than a standard highway route.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 194.3 miles from Robstown, TX, or about 3h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 86 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 194.3 miles or 3h 42m 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 58m

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 Robstown, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Robstown, TX

This is one driving day of about 388.7 miles and 7h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Robstown, TX.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Montopolis, TX

194 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

George West, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Montopolis, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 194.3 miles from Robstown, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

0.3 mi from route

Gonzalo Paiz Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Mathis, Texas

+13615472113

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 26

5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 382.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

1 mi into trip | ~2m in | TX 44 / South US Highway 77

At end of road, turn left onto TX 44 / South US Highway 77

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

222 mi into trip | ~4h 8m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 North: Waco

326.8 mi into trip | ~5h 56m 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

371.9 mi into trip | ~6h 43m 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

382.9 mi into trip | ~6h 56m 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

$53.24 one way

$106.48 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 136 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$59.47	$118.94
premium	$4.23	$64.66	$129.31
diesel	$4.80	$73.39	$146.79

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 136 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	116.6	1	$40.81	$18.66
Efficient EV	97.2	1	$34.01	$15.55
EV Truck/SUV	155.5	1	$54.42	$24.88

Gas CO2

136 kg

EV CO2

45 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.

Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Robstown, TX

Late night in Robstown on Monday

Local time

12:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Mostly Cloudy

SE 12 to 15 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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

12:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

S 5 mph 17% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 11:12PM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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

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

5 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

7h 7m 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.

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 ~10 min detour Free near mile 294.9

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route requires navigating a series of local transitions rather than cruising on high-speed highways. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entirety of your 422-mile trip maneuvering through varied local road conditions. This setup creates a more engaged driving experience, as you won't be relying on long, uninterrupted stretches of pavement. Stay alert for frequent changes in road texture and speed limits as you transition from the Robstown area toward Arlington.

65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near TX 44 / South US Highway 77.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 26 significant decision points across 388.7 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 1 miles (TX 44 / South US Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here; at 222 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 326.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

724 ft 73 ft

Total Climb

873 ft

Total Descent

343 ft

Highest Point

724 ft

~360.9 mi in

Elevation Range

651 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Robstown, TX and Arlington, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.

Skidmore

28.3 mi in | ~31m

Waco

163.1 mi in | ~3h 12m

About the Cities

Starting in Robstown, 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 7h 7m. Total distance: 388.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 7m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 26 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 26 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Robstown, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Robstown, TX to Arlington, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Quality Services Towing & Tires

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Circle K

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

Buc-ee's

TA

Service Plaza

Gonzalo Paiz Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Robstown, TX

Arlington, TX

Same local time

5 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 7m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Robstown, TX

Arriving in Arlington, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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