Rotan, TX to Arlington, TX is 231.4 miles and takes about 4h 5m via I 20 and State Highway 70 South, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a relatively quick trip. Consider this an efficient way to get from point A to point B if you're looking for minimal fuss and a predictable travel time.
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
115.7 miles from Rotan, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
173.1 mi
2h 55m
State Highway 70 South
16.8 mi
18m
West Freeway
15.2 mi
17m
Tom Landry Freeway
12.3 mi
15m
State Highway 70 North
8.4 mi
8m
Bluebonnet Drive
1.2 mi
1m
North Center Street
1 mi
2m
North Concho Street
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 173.1 mi, about 2h 55m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,819 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,291
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
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 Rotan, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on TX 92
97 ft·9 sec·East Sammy Baugh Avenue
2
Turn left onto TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·South Cleveland Avenue
3
Continue on TX 70
8.4 mi·8 min·State Highway 70 North
4
Continue on TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·North Concho Street
5
Continue on TX 70
17 mi·18 min·State Highway 70 South
6
Turn left onto TX 70
1.2 mi·1 min·Bluebonnet Drive
7
At end of road, turn left onto I 20 Bus; TX 70
0.2 mi·19 sec·East Broadway Street
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward I 20 East: Abilene
9
Merge onto I 20; US 84
173 mi·2 hr 55 min·I 20; US 84
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
15 mi·17 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 30
12 mi·15 min·Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi·36 sec
Exit 27AToward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi·1 min·North Cooper Street
14
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi·49 sec·West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi·2 min·North Center Street
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft·8 sec·West Abram Street
17
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 5m estimated drive time, starting your trip in the morning from Rotan is a good idea to ensure you arrive in Arlington with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a 173.1-mile stretch on I 20, plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly, perhaps midway through that long highway segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $36, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but be mindful of potential traffic as you enter the Arlington area, especially during peak commuting hours.
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 115.7 miles from Rotan, TX, or about 2h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.1 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 51 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.7 miles or 2h 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 15m
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 Rotan, 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 Rotan, TX
This is one driving day of about 231.4 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Rotan, 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 I 20 for about 173.1 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 28.1 and 230.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
28.1 mi into trip|~31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 20 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward I 20 East: Abilene
8
201.5 mi into trip|~3h 27m 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
229 mi into trip|~4h 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
230 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|West Randol Mill Road
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
230.4 mi into trip|~4h 3m in|North Center Street
Turn right onto North Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.69 one way
$63.39 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg81 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$35.40
$70.80
premium
$4.23
$38.49
$76.98
diesel
$4.80
$43.69
$87.39
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
69.4
0
$24.30
$11.11
Efficient EV
57.9
0
$20.25
$9.26
EV Truck/SUV
92.6
1
$32.40
$14.81
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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
Rotan, TX
Late night
in Rotan on Monday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
105°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Arlington, TX
Late night
in Arlington on Monday
Local time
3:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM 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
10 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
4h 5m 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 drive is almost entirely on highways, with a 98% highway share. You'll experience a long stretch of 173.1 miles on I 20, which means a lot of consistent cruising. The route begins with State Highway 70 South before transitioning to I 20, and finally merges onto West Freeway as you approach Arlington. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.1 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and State Highway 70 South. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 28.1 miles in.
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 231.4 miles you will encounter 10 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 28.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 201.5 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4h 5m. Total distance: 231.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.1 miles on I 20. 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 28.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 201.5 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 229 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Arlington, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
