Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Bastrop, TX to Plano, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 14m
Distance
240.7 mi
387 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 2m
★
6 AM
4h 15m
8 AM
4h 41m
10 AM
4h 24m
12 PM
4h 22m
3 PM
4h 26m
5 PM
4h 40m
8 PM
4h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bastrop, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 240.7-mile drive from Bastrop, TX to Plano, TX is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take about 4 hours and 14 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail, I-35E, and Pickle Parkway, with 57% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $36. This route offers a mixed driving experience and is well-suited for a single day, meaning you can easily reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Given its Great Plains origins and destination, expect a straightforward traverse through the Texas landscape.
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
120.4 miles from Bastrop, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| Pickle Parkway | 36.9 mi | 35m |
| TX 21 | 18.6 mi | 21m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.6 mi | 18m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| East R L Thornton Freeway | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 0.7 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,007 veh/hr typical · worst 4,783
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Bastrop, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Loop 150
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Chestnut Street
2
Turn left onto Pecan Street
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
Pecan Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto College Street
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
College Street
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
5
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 21; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
17 mi
·
19 min
·
TX 21; TX 71
8
Take the exit onto TX 71
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
East State Highway 71
Toward TX 71 West, TX 45 Toll, TX 130 Toll: Austin, Waco, San Antonio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn right onto State Highway 130
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 130
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
11
Merge onto TX 45 Toll; TX 130 Toll
37 mi
·
35 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
19
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
20
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
21
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
24
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
25
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 75
15 mi
·
16 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
29
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of 4 hours and 14 minutes, this 240.7-mile trip is perfect for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. To make the most of your drive, consider leaving Bastrop in the morning to arrive in Plano with plenty of daylight. You'll have one significant stretch of 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, so plan your first stop after that to break up the drive. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $36, and utilize rest areas as needed, especially before tackling the highway portions.
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 120.4 miles from Bastrop, TX, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 53 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.4 miles or 2h 6m 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 25m
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 Bastrop, 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 Bastrop, TX
This is one driving day of about 240.7 miles and 4h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Bastrop, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120.4 miles from Bastrop, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 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.
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.6 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Dark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.6 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 20.4 and 238.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
20.4 mi into trip
|
~24m in
|
TX 71 / East State Highway 71
Take the exit onto TX 71 / East State Highway 71 toward TX 71 West, TX 45 Toll, TX 130 Toll: Austin, Waco, San Antonio
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.
Toward TX 71 West, TX 45 Toll, TX 130 Toll: Aus...
7
58.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
8
219.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
8
221.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
8
238.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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
$32.97 one way
$65.94 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $36.83 | $73.65 |
| premium | $4.23 | $40.04 | $80.08 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $45.45 | $90.90 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.32
Central Expressway
(16.6 mi)
$1.32
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
$33
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.2 | 0 | $25.27 | $11.55 |
| Efficient EV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.06 | $9.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.3 | 1 | $33.70 | $15.40 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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.
Origin
Bastrop, TX
Afternoon in Bastrop on Monday
Local time
12:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Afternoon in Plano on Monday
Local time
12:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
100°F
Italy, TX
120 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
1 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 14m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 132.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a "mixed drive" experience for this 240.7-mile journey. While 57% of the route is on highways, offering a good pace, you'll also encounter other road types. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll navigate is 97.7 miles, primarily on the Purple Heart Trail. This suggests a blend of faster highway segments interspersed with potentially more varied local road conditions as you progress towards Plano. The overall feel is likely one of steady progress with some changes in driving environment.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.4 miles in near TX 71 / East State Highway 71.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 240.7 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 20.4 miles (TX 71 / East State Highway 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
904 ft
365 ft
Total Climb
936 ft
Total Descent
633 ft
Highest Point
904 ft
~68.8 mi in
Elevation Range
539 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bastrop, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Waco, San Antonio, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Mckinney - among others.
Waco
20.4 mi in
|
~24m
|
via TX 71
San Antonio
20.4 mi in
|
~24m
|
via TX 71
Fort Worth
219.9 mi in
|
~3h 49m
Texarkana
219.9 mi in
|
~3h 49m
Convention Center
220 mi in
|
~3h 49m
Mckinney
221.2 mi in
|
~3h 51m
Bryan Street East
222.2 mi in
|
~3h 52m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Bastrop, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: 05:00-21:30
Visit websiteOverflow Coffee Company
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hillsboro
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-19:00; Sa 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Lacy-Lakeview, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Richardson, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.1 mi from route
Hillsboro, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteDQ Grill & Chill
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
Waco, TX
Cuisine: ice_cream;burger
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-22:00; Su 08:30-21:30
Visit websitePizza Hut
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Visit websiteBush's Chicken
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: chicken
Hay Elotes
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Bastrop, TX
Cuisine: dessert
American Legion Park
Park
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
CCC Water Fountain
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Old Town Salado
Attraction
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Oak Grove Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Bastrop County Nature Park Boat Ramp
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Bastrop, TX
Bluff Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
John Cornelson House
House
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Bastrop, TX
Confederate veterans' memorial
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Confederate Veterans and Old Settlers Reunion Grounds
Memorial
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hill County, C.S.A.
Memorial
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Roy Bedichek
Memorial
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
George Washington Jones House
House
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
uPark RV Parking/Storage
Caravan_site
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Georgetown, TX
San Gabriel House Bed & Breakfast
Guest_house
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Georgetown, TX
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Bastrop, TX
Full guide →Bastrop is the county seat of Bastrop County, Texas, and is located about 30 mi (48 km) east of Austin. Bastrop was settled by Europeans in 1804 and incorporated on December 18, 1837, with a 2020 population of 9688. It is known for its isolated belt of loblolly pines (the "Lost Pines") that exist miles to the west of the Piney Woods of East Texas and Louisiana; see Bastrop State Park below.
Top landmarks
- • Bastrop County Courthouse and Jail Complex — historic place in Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas
- • Crocheron-McDowall House — historic place in Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas
- • H. P. Luckett House — historic place in Bastrop, Bastrop County, Texas
Arriving in Plano, TX
Full guide →Founded 1873
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.
Top landmarks
- • Heritage Farmstead Museum — building in Texas, United States
- • Plano Station, Texas Electric Railway — historic place in Plano, Collin County, Texas
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 14m. Total distance: 240.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.32 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.
Yes — we found about 30 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 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. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.4 miles (TX 71 / East State Highway 71): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 58.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 219.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Plano, 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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