How far is Merkel, TX from Arlington, TX?
The driving distance from Merkel, TX to Arlington, TX is about 181.7 miles (292.4 km), with a travel time of about 02h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 170.1 miles (273.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Palo Pinto County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merkel and Arlington.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merkel and Arlington.
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1
Start on North 1st Street
16 m · 6 sec · North 1st Street
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2
Turn left onto Kent Street
2347 ft · 48 sec · Kent Street
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3
Turn right onto North 7th Street
897 ft · 25 sec · North 7th Street
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4
Take the ramp slight left toward I 20 East: Abilene
68 m · 5 sec
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5
Merge slight left
151.8 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on West Freeway
15.2 mi · 17 min · West Freeway
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7
Continue on Tom Landry Freeway
12.3 mi · 15 min · Tom Landry Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Lamar Boulevard, Cooper Street
1505 ft · 37 sec
-
9
Turn right onto North Cooper Street
1 km · 2 min · North Cooper Street
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10
Turn left onto West Randol Mill Road
2145 ft · 50 sec · West Randol Mill Road
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11
Turn right onto North Center Street
1.6 km · 2 min · North Center Street
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12
Turn right onto West Abram Street
90 m · 8 sec · West Abram Street
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13
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Abram Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merkel and Arlington.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 20 East
Merge slight left
152 mi · 02h 34m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Partly Sunny leaving Merkel and Mostly Cloudy near Arlington.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merkel to Arlington?
The road trip is about 181.7 miles (292.4 km) and usually takes 02h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Strawn is a useful midpoint, sitting about 91 miles from Merkel and 90.7 miles from Arlington.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 170.1 miles (273.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 11.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:48 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.22 one way or $48.45 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 57 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Merkel and Mostly Cloudy near Arlington.
Stop Ideas Near Strawn
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Strawn.
Cleburne
Fort Worth Central Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merkel and Arlington. Straight-line distance: 170.06 mi (273.68 km).
#1 Merkel
City in Texas
| Population | 2,629 |
| Coordinates | 32.4706800, -100.0128700 |
| Altitude | 570 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Arlington
The third most populous city in Texas and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
| Population | 398,864 |
| Coordinates | 32.7356900, -97.1080700 |
| Altitude | 184 |
| Country | United States |
End: West Abram Street (-97.108073, 32.735603)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 292 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 03m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 01m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 15m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $24.22 | $48.45 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.26 | $54.51 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $29.43 | $58.86 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $25.60 | $51.19 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.