Origin
San Angelo, TX
Morning in San Angelo on Tuesday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Angelo, TX to Arlington, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 36m
Distance
255.9 mi
412 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 23m
★
6 AM
4h 37m
8 AM
5h 3m
10 AM
4h 46m
12 PM
4h 43m
3 PM
4h 47m
5 PM
5h 2m
8 PM
4h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Angelo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
San Angelo, TX to Arlington, TX is 255.9 miles and takes about 4h 36m via I 20 and US 277, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward trip across Texas. With 98% highway driving, you'll spend most of your time on major routes, making it an efficient option if you're looking to get from point A to point B quickly. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within typical driving limits for most people.
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
127.9 miles from San Angelo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 137.1 mi | 2h 19m |
| US 277 | 79.8 mi | 1h 26m |
| West Freeway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 12.3 mi | 15m |
| East Houston Harte Expressway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Winters Freeway | 2.9 mi | 3m |
| North Center Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| North Cooper Street | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 137.1 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Angelo, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on East Harris Avenue
0.3 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Harris Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto North Main Street
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Turn right onto East 6th Street
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
East 6th Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward Loop 306 North
5
Merge onto US 67; US 277
3.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East Houston Harte Expressway
6
Take the exit onto US 277
80 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 North: Bronte, Abilene
7
Turn left onto US 277
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Danville Drive
8
Take the ramp onto US 277
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 277
9
Merge onto US 83; US 84; US 277
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Winters Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
11
Merge onto I 20
137 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Continue on I 30
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Exit 27A
Toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Cooper Street
16
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
West Randol Mill Road
Use the left lane.
17
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Center Street
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto West Abram Street
297 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Abram Street
19
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 36m estimated drive time, departing San Angelo in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Arlington with plenty of daylight. The route is efficient enough that only one stop is officially noted, but you can easily add more as needed. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially since the longest stretch is over 130 miles. The $39 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you leave. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in your pacing, but remember that traffic can increase significantly as you get closer to Arlington.
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 127.9 miles from San Angelo, TX, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.1 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 56 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.9 miles or 2h 18m 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 41m
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 San Angelo, 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 San Angelo, TX
This is one driving day of about 255.9 miles and 4h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from San Angelo, 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 137.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
128 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.9 miles from San Angelo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 4.9 and 254.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.9 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
US 277
Take the exit onto US 277 toward US 277 North: Bronte, Abilene
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 277 North: Bronte, Abilene
8
226 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m 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
253.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 31m 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
254.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 33m in
|
West Randol Mill Road
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
254.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 34m in
|
North Center Street
Turn right onto North Center Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.67 one way
$77.33 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $42.32 | $84.65 |
| premium | $4.54 | $45.69 | $91.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.50 | $113.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.8 | 0 | $26.87 | $12.28 |
| Efficient EV | 64 | 0 | $22.39 | $10.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.4 | 1 | $35.83 | $16.38 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Destination
Arlington, TX
Morning in Arlington on Tuesday
Local time
7:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
21 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 36m 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 trip is predominantly highway driving, with 98% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch of highway at 137.1 miles on I 20. The transition to surface roads will occur towards the end of your drive, with West Freeway being the main non-highway segment. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
98% 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: 137.1 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 277. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.9 miles in near US 277.
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 14 significant decision points across 255.9 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 4.9 miles (US 277): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in San Angelo, TX
Full guide →San Angelo (pronounced "Snangelo" by locals) is a city in the Northern Edwards Plateau of Texas, on the Concho River. It is the home of Goodfellow Air Force Base, Angelo State University, and the Producer's Livestock Auction, the country's largest sheep and lamb market.
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 36m. Total distance: 255.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 36m 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 137.1 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 4.9 miles (US 277): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Arlington, TX
More from San Angelo, TX
More trips to Arlington, TX
Explore more options from San Angelo, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.