Spanning 242.3 miles, the journey from Ballinger to Plano takes approximately 3 hours and 53 minutes. This route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a straightforward trip that is easily manageable in a single day. You should budget about $37 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. While you could break this drive up with an overnight stay, its duration is short enough that most travelers prefer to push through to their destination. Expect a practical, no-nonsense transit that connects the smaller community of Ballinger to the bustling Plano area.
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
125.7 miles from Ballinger, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 15m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
128.2 mi
2h 10m
US 83
49.2 mi
54m
Jim Wright Freeway
12.6 mi
14m
SH 183 TEXpress
11.7 mi
11m
I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
6m
North Central Expressway
6.7 mi
8m
West Freeway
5.6 mi
5m
Jake Roberts Freeway
5 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 128.2 mi, about 2h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ballinger, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on US 67; US 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Hutchings Avenue
2
Turn straight onto US 83
49 mi·54 min·US 83
Toward US 83 North
3
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward US 83 Business North, Loop 322 East: Treadaway Boulevard, Abilene Airport
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward Loop 322 East: Abilene Airport
5
Merge onto Loop 322
5.0 mi·5 min·Jake Roberts Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 20 Business
7
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
2.7 mi·3 min·East Highway 80
8
Take the ramp
363 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 East: Fort Worth
9
Merge onto I 20
128 mi·2 hr 10 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi·5 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 5BToward I 820 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 820
13 mi·14 min·Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi·18 sec·Northeast Loop
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi·6 min·I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas EntranceUse the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi·4 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi·11 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.6 mi·2 min·Loop 12 TEXpress
Toward I 35E Toll NorthUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto Loop 12
0.8 mi·53 sec·North Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 35E
2.1 mi·2 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·50 sec
Exit 440BToward I 635 EastUse the right lane.
21
Merge onto I 635
4.4 mi·4 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 635
2.6 mi·2 min·Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Exit 19AToward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto US 75
5.3 mi·5 min·North Central Expressway
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 28AToward Plano Parkway, 15th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi·2 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 242.3-mile route, plan to leave early in the day to avoid fatigue. You only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which keeps your total travel time close to the 3-hour and 53-minute estimate. Since you are navigating local roads rather than major interstates, keep a close eye on your GPS to stay on track during turns. Use your $37 fuel budget wisely by filling up before you leave Ballinger, as local road driving can be less fuel-efficient than consistent highway speeds. This flexibility allows you to arrive in Plano refreshed and ready for your next plans.
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 125.7 miles from Ballinger, TX, or about 2h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.2 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 55 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 125.7 miles or 2h 15m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plano, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ballinger, 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 Ballinger, TX
This is one driving day of about 251.4 miles and 4h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Ballinger, 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 128.2 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 187.1 and 249 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
187.1 mi into trip|~3h 18m 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
7
192.7 mi into trip|~3h 24m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
7
206.4 mi into trip|~3h 40m in|I 820 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas E...
8
242.4 mi into trip|~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dallas
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 19A
Toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dall...
8
249 mi into trip|~4h 25m in
Take the exit toward Plano Parkway, 15th 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 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.99 one way
$75.97 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg88 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$41.58
$83.16
premium
$4.54
$44.89
$89.77
diesel
$5.61
$55.51
$111.01
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
Central Expressway
(6.7 mi)$0.54
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
75.4
0
$26.40
$12.07
Efficient EV
62.9
0
$22.00
$10.06
EV Truck/SUV
100.6
1
$35.20
$16.09
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Ballinger, TX
Morning
in Ballinger on Tuesday
Local time
8:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plano, TX
Morning
in Plano on Tuesday
Local time
8:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph4% chanceLive 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
7 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 29m 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?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this route relies on US 83 North, US 83, and Loop 322 East to navigate the terrain. With 0% of the trip classified as highway, you will spend your time navigating local roads rather than high-speed lanes. The road conditions change as you transition from the rural stretches near Ballinger into the denser, more developed environment approaching Plano. It is a hands-on driving experience that demands engagement rather than cruise-control complacency.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.2 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 83. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 187.1 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 251.4 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 187.1 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.4 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Ballinger, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Abilene Airport and Loop 322 East: Abilene Airport.
Plano is a city of 285,000 people (2020) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas and is north of Dallas. It is home to the headquarters of several large corporations.
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 29m. Total distance: 251.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 128.2 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.54 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Plano, 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 187.1 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 192.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.4 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Plano, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
