Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Blanco, TX to Plano, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 46m
Distance
262.1 mi
422 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 33m
★
6 AM
4h 47m
8 AM
5h 14m
10 AM
4h 56m
12 PM
4h 54m
3 PM
4h 58m
5 PM
5h 13m
8 PM
4h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Blanco, TX
Thomas balabaud
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Blanco, TX to Plano, TX is 262 miles and takes about 4 hours 46 minutes via Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, transitioning from the Texas Hill Country area to the North Texas plains. It's a straightforward drive that offers a mix of highway speeds and surface road cruising. Given the relatively short duration, it's an ideal option for a single-day excursion, allowing for a relaxed pace.
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
131.1 miles from Blanco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 113 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| East US Highway 290 | 30.9 mi | 38m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.6 mi | 18m |
| Express 1 Toll | 10.2 mi | 10m |
| North US Highway 281 | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Mopac Expressway | 4.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 113 mi, about 1h 55m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,939 veh/hr typical · worst 4,764
Quietest
2 AM
~578 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Blanco, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Loop 163
225 ft
·
8 sec
·
4th Street
2
Turn right onto US 281
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on US 281
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
North US Highway 281
4
Turn right onto US 290
31 mi
·
38 min
·
East US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
West US Highway 290
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
7
Continue on West US Highway 290
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West US Highway 290
8
Continue on US 290; TX 71
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward Loop 1 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto Loop 1
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
South Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto Express 1 Toll
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Express 1 Toll
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Merge onto Loop 1
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 45 Toll East
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 35 North, Toll 45 East
15
Merge onto TX 45 Toll
0.6 mi
·
35 sec
·
State Highway 45 North
16
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto I 35
80 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
22
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
24
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
25
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
26
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
29
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on US 75
15 mi
·
16 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
33
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour 46-minute drive, consider departing Blanco, TX, in the morning to arrive in Plano, TX, with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a 262-mile distance, you have flexibility; however, a brief break around the halfway point is advisable. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition from the Purple Heart Trail to I-35E, as services can be more spaced out on certain highway segments. The fuel cost is estimated at $38, so plan accordingly before you set off.
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 131.1 miles from Blanco, TX, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113 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 58 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.1 miles or 2h 27m 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 53m
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 Blanco, 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 Blanco, TX
This is one driving day of about 262.1 miles and 4h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Blanco, 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 113 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.1 miles from Blanco, 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 113 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
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
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 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
Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
Rest Area
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Rest Area
2.5 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteDark 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 websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
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 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 websiteToybrary Austin
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+15124343927
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~11 min detour
Halfway reset
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 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 245 decision points cluster between mile 62.5 and 259.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
62.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 45 Toll East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 45 Toll East
7
184.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 22m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
240.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m 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
242.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m 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
259.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m 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
$39.35 one way
$78.69 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $43.54 | $87.07 |
| premium | $4.57 | $47.11 | $94.21 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $64.76 | $129.52 |
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.6 | 0 | $27.52 | $12.58 |
| Efficient EV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.93 | $10.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.8 | 1 | $36.69 | $16.77 |
Gas CO2
92 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.
Origin
Blanco, TX
Morning in Blanco on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 0 to 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Plano, TX
Morning in Plano on Sunday
Local time
6:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
60°F
Troy, TX
131 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 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 46m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 153.7
View on nps.gov
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This 262-mile drive features a 50% highway share, meaning you'll spend about half the time on high-speed roads and the other half on surface streets. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 113 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. Expect a mixed driving experience, moving from potentially more open cruising to areas with more frequent exits and traffic as you approach urban centers.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113 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 62.5 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 262.1 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 62.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 240.9 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
1,353 ft
396 ft
Total Climb
723 ft
Total Descent
1,381 ft
Highest Point
1,353 ft
~18.7 mi in
Elevation Range
958 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 Blanco, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1 North, Toll 45 East, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Mckinney - among others.
Loop 1 North
42.7 mi in
|
~52m
Toll 45 East
63 mi in
|
~1h 15m
Fort Worth
241.3 mi in
|
~4h 21m
Texarkana
241.3 mi in
|
~4h 21m
Convention Center
241.4 mi in
|
~4h 21m
Mckinney
242.6 mi in
|
~4h 23m
Bryan Street East
243.5 mi in
|
~4h 24m
About the Cities
Starting in Blanco, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Old Blanco County Courthouse — historic place in Blanco, Blanco 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 46m. Total distance: 262.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113 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 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 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 62.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 240.9 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 and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.6 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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