Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Texas City, TX to Arlington, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 22m
Distance
296.3 mi
477 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 9m
★
6 AM
5h 23m
8 AM
5h 50m
10 AM
5h 32m
12 PM
5h 29m
3 PM
5h 33m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Texas City, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Arlington, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 296.3-mile drive from Texas City, TX to Arlington, TX is best tackled as a single-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 22 minutes. Primarily utilizing the North Freeway, Gulf Freeway, and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 95% of it being interstate driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $45, it's an economical option for a quick transition between the Great Plains regions of Texas. One planned stop is suggested, and the longest uninterrupted stretch covers 226.9 miles. This journey offers a straightforward and efficient way to travel between these two Texas cities.
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
148.1 miles from Texas City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 226.9 mi | 3h 57m |
| Gulf Freeway | 33 mi | 38m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 15.1 mi | 16m |
| Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway | 6.1 mi | 6m |
| Emmett F Lowry Expressway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| South Collins Street | 3.9 mi | 7m |
| Palmer Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 9th Avenue North | 1.4 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 226.9 mi, about 3h 57m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 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 Texas City, TX and Arlington, TX.
1
Start on this road
48 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Spur 197
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on FM 1764
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Palmer Highway
5
Continue on FM 1764
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Emmett F Lowry Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 45
33 mi
·
38 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 45
227 mi
·
3 hr 57 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 276A
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 20
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 20
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 451
Toward Collins Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto East Interstate 20
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East Interstate 20
13
Turn right onto South Collins Street
3.9 mi
·
7 min
·
South Collins Street
Use the right lane.
14
Turn left onto East Abram Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Abram Street
Use the left lane.
15
Arrive at destination
West Abram Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 22-minute duration, starting your drive from Texas City early in the morning is advisable to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a fuel cost estimated at $45, keeping your tank topped off is a good idea, though significant fuel stops are unlikely given the route's highway focus. The longest stretch without needing to exit is over 226 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly. While only one stop is officially recommended, feel free to take advantage of the flexibility a single-day trip offers to stretch your legs when needed.
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 148.1 miles from Texas City, TX, or about 2h 41m 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 65 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.1 miles or 2h 41m 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 21m
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 Texas City, 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 Texas City, TX
This is one driving day of about 296.3 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Texas City, 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
148 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 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 148.1 miles from Texas City, 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
TA Express
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
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
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
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Downtown Aquarium
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm
+17132233474
Visit websiteBay Street Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Texas City, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+14099483111
Visit websiteUnion Station
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17132598070
Visit websiteBarbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
Visit websiteCidercade Houston
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteWaugh Drive Bat Colony
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17137520314
Visit websiteMidtown Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+17135267577
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.7 and 291.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
9th Avenue North
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
9.4 mi into trip
|
~13m 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
269.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m 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
5
270.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
|
I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge onto I 20 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
291.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m 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
$40.58 one way
$81.17 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $45.33 | $90.66 |
| premium | $4.23 | $49.29 | $98.57 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $55.95 | $111.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.9 | 1 | $31.11 | $14.22 |
| Efficient EV | 74.1 | 0 | $25.93 | $11.85 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.5 | 1 | $41.48 | $18.96 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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
Texas City, TX
Morning in Texas City on Sunday
Local time
10:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:56PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 20 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Arlington, TX
Morning in Arlington on Sunday
Local time
10:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:56PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 20 at 4:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Italy, TX
148 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 22m 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?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 296.3-mile journey, with 95% of the drive being on interstates. The route unfolds along major freeways like the North Freeway, Gulf Freeway, and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, offering a consistent driving pace for most of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 226.9 miles, meaning you can cover substantial ground without frequent exits. This highway-centric profile suggests a drive characterized by efficiency and a steady progression towards your destination.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 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?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Gulf Freeway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.7 miles in near 9th Avenue North.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 296.3 miles you will encounter 8 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 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 269.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
610 ft
6 ft
Total Climb
1,048 ft
Total Descent
450 ft
Highest Point
610 ft
~275.1 mi in
Elevation Range
604 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Texas City, TX
Full guide →Founded 1911
Texas City is in Galveston County and lies on the Gulf Coast of the Texas mainland.
Top landmarks
- • The Settlement Historic District — historic district in Texas City, Galveston County, Texas
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 22m. Total distance: 296.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). 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.
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 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 269.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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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