Trip from West University Place, TX to Arlington, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 44m

Distance

260.9 mi

420 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 31m ★

6 AM

4h 44m

8 AM

5h 11m

10 AM

4h 54m

12 PM

4h 51m

3 PM

4h 55m

5 PM

5h 10m

8 PM

4h 36m

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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city in Harris County, Texas, United States

West University Place, TX

Wikimedia Commons

suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Arlington, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 260.9-mile drive from West University Place, TX to Arlington, TX is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 44 minutes. You'll primarily be on major highways, with 94% of the journey on the North Freeway, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $39. Given the highway-focused profile and the distance, it's a straightforward drive that fits comfortably within a day, allowing for flexibility. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so expect expansive, open landscapes throughout your journey.

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

130.5 miles from West University Place, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 21m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North Freeway	226.9 mi	3h 57m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway	15.1 mi	16m
Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway	6.1 mi	6m
South Collins Street	3.9 mi	7m
Southwest Freeway	1.7 mi	2m
Gulf Freeway	1 mi	1m
Brazos Street	0.7 mi	1m
East Abram Street	0.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: North Freeway — 226.9 mi, about 3h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between West University Place, TX and Arlington, TX.

Start on this road

54 ft · 9 sec · this road

Turn left onto Edloe Street

0.3 mi · 1 min · Edloe Street

Turn right onto Sunset Boulevard

0.3 mi · 54 sec · Sunset Boulevard

Turn left onto Buffalo Speedway

0.4 mi · 1 min · Buffalo Speedway

Turn right onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

0.4 mi · 46 sec · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 69 North, US 59 North

Merge onto I 69; US 59

1.7 mi · 2 min · Southwest Freeway

Keep slight left at fork

1.1 mi · 1 min

Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street Use the slight left lane.

Continue on Brazos Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Brazos Street

Take the ramp onto Pierce Elevated

0.4 mi · 51 sec · Pierce Elevated

Use the left / straight lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 48 sec

Toward I 45 North: Dallas

Merge onto I 45

1.0 mi · 1 min · Gulf Freeway

Use the slight left lane.

Continue on I 45

227 mi · 3 hr 57 min · North Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Exit 276A Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 20

15 mi · 16 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 20

6.1 mi · 6 min · Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 451 Toward Collins Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto East Interstate 20

0.1 mi · 17 sec · East Interstate 20

Turn right onto South Collins Street

3.9 mi · 7 min · South Collins Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto East Abram Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Abram Street

Use the left lane.

Arrive at destination

West Abram Street

Trip Plan

For this 4-hour and 44-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from West University Place to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you enter more urban areas. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 226.9 miles, you can easily complete this journey in a single day. The estimated fuel cost is $39, so ensure your tank is full before you leave or plan for one refueling stop. Given the highway-focused nature, keep an eye on your speed and be aware of the various speed limit changes you might encounter on the North Freeway, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.

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 130.5 miles from West University Place, TX, or about 2h 21m 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 57 miles or 1h 5m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 130.5 miles or 2h 21m 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 49m

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 West University Place, 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 West University Place, TX

This is one driving day of about 260.9 miles and 4h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from West University Place, 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

Corsicana, TX

130 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

Conroe, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Corsicana, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 130.5 miles from West University Place, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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.

Best coffee break

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Houston, Texas

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Hours: 9 am–8 pm

+17135221138

Visit website

Children's Museum Houston

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Houston, Texas

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 8 am–12 pm

+17136365541

Visit website

Houston Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+17135336500

Visit website

ExitusVR

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Houston, Texas

+17133440525

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17137520314

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 3.4 and 256 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3.4 mi into trip | ~6m in

Keep slight left at fork toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward Richmond Avenue, Downtown via Louisiana...

5.3 mi into trip | ~9m in | Pierce Elevated

Take the ramp onto Pierce Elevated

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

5.7 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 North: Dallas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Toward I 45 North: Dallas

233.9 mi into trip | ~4h 10m 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

256 mi into trip | ~4h 34m 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

$39.42 one way

$78.85 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 91 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$43.15	$86.30
premium	$4.54	$46.58	$93.16
diesel	$5.61	$57.60	$115.21

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: 91.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	78.3	0	$27.39	$12.52
Efficient EV	65.2	0	$22.83	$10.44
EV Truck/SUV	104.4	1	$36.53	$16.70

Gas CO2

91 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

West University Place, TX

Morning in West University Place on Tuesday

Local time

10:44 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

E 10 mph 31% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 20 at 5:25PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued April 20 at 5:15PM CDT until April 20 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Arlington, TX

Morning in Arlington on Tuesday

Local time

10:44 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

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 44m 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 route, with 94% of your drive utilizing major freeways. The main roads you'll encounter are the North Freeway, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, and Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll cover is an impressive 226.9 miles, primarily on the North Freeway. This suggests a consistent pace for a significant portion of the trip, minimizing the need for frequent exits or changes in road type. The character of the drive remains largely consistent as a high-speed, efficient transit.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

21 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 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.4 miles in.

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 15 significant decision points across 260.9 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 3.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles (Pierce Elevated): Lane positioning matters here; at 5.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.

About the Cities

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 44m. Total distance: 260.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). 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 28 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 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.

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Explore more options from West University Place, TX or browse trips ending in Arlington, TX.

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Trip from West University Place, TX to Arlington, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Children's Museum Houston

Children's Museum Houston

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Buc-ee's

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

TA Express

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Flying J Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

Service Plaza

TA Express

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

Walker County Southbound Rest Area

Walker County Northbound Rest Area

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

QuikTrip

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

The Escape Game Houston (Galleria)

Houston Zoo

ExitusVR

The Woodlands Waterway

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Midtown Park

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

West University Place, TX

Arlington, TX

Same local time

10 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 44m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

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?

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

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Arlington, TX

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