Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Brady, 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 41m
Distance
234.1 mi
377 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 28m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brady, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Driving from Brady to Plano covers 234.1 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 41 minutes of travel time. Because this journey is entirely contained within the Texas Great Plains, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget around $36 for fuel to navigate the route. By utilizing a combination of US 377, US 281, and I-20, you move efficiently between these two points. It is a straightforward transit that works well for travelers looking to reach their destination without unnecessary delays.
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
117.1 miles from Brady, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 32m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| United States Highway 377 | 43.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 20 | 33.8 mi | 36m |
| US 281 | 26.1 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 67/377 East | 19 mi | 21m |
| US Highway 67 | 15.4 mi | 17m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 11.7 mi | 11m |
| South US Highway 377 | 7.5 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
United States Highway 377
— 43.5 mi, about 1h 4m
Traffic on I-820
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,299 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~392 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 50 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 Brady, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on US 190; US 377
51 ft
·
8 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 190; US 377
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Bridge Street
3
Continue on US 377
44 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
United States Highway 377
4
Continue on US 377
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
5
Take the ramp onto US 377
230 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 377
6
Merge onto US 67; US 84; US 377
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
West Commerce Street
7
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Early Boulevard
8
Continue on US 67; US 377
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US Highway 67/377 East
9
Continue on US 67; US 377
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Avenue
10
Continue on US 67; US 377
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US Highway 67
11
Continue on US 67; US 377
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest US Highway 377
12
Continue on US 67; US 377
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Dublin Bypass
13
Continue on US 67; US 377
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
South US Highway 377
14
Turn straight onto US 67; US 377
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
West Washington Street
15
Turn left onto FM 988
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Senator Robert J. Glasgow Loop
Use the left lane.
16
Turn right onto FM 8
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West Lingleville Road
Use the right lane.
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 281
26 mi
·
28 min
·
US 281
Use the left lane.
18
Take the exit
313 ft
·
9 sec
19
Turn straight onto I-20 Service Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I-20 Service Road
20
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 20 East: Fort Worth
21
Merge onto I 20
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Northeast Loop
26
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 Entrance
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi
·
11 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 12 TEXpress
Toward I 35E Toll North
Use the slight left lane.
30
Merge onto Loop 12
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto I 35E
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 440B
Toward I 635 East
Use the right lane.
33
Merge onto I 635
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 635
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the right lane.
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 19A
Toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
37
Merge onto US 75
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Central Expressway
38
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
40
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Since the trip is manageable in a single day, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly five-hour drive and keep your focus sharp. Because the route relies heavily on major arteries, keep an eye on traffic patterns as you approach the more populated regions near your destination. A helpful tip for this specific transit is to map out your fuel stop in advance, as the $36 estimated cost can fluctuate depending on where you choose to pull over along the 234.1-mile path.
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 117.1 miles from Brady, TX, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 52 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.1 miles or 2h 32m 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 55m
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 Brady, 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 Brady, TX
This is one driving day of about 234.1 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Brady, 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 United States Highway 377 for about 43.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.1 miles from Brady, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.9 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
Heart of Texas Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Brady, Texas
Hours: 1–5 pm
+13255970526
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 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 websiteHeart of Texas Country Music Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Brady, Texas
Hours: Closed
+13255971895
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 websiteThe Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256436376
Visit websiteBrown County Museum of History
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256411926
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~9 min detour
Final third
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
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 169.8 and 231.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
169.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m 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
175.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m 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
189.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 52m 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
225.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
231.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m 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
$32.06 one way
$64.13 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $35.82 | $71.63 |
| premium | $4.23 | $38.94 | $77.88 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $44.20 | $88.41 |
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
$32
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.9 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 | 70.2 | 0 | $24.58 | $11.24 |
| Efficient EV | 58.5 | 0 | $20.48 | $9.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.6 | 1 | $32.77 | $14.98 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Brady, TX
Evening in Brady on Monday
Local time
6:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Evening in Plano on Monday
Local time
6:52 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
9 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 41m 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?
This highway-focused drive is characterized by a high percentage of open road, with 88% of the route consisting of highway travel. You will encounter a mix of thoroughfares, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 43.5 miles on US 377. The experience behind the wheel shifts as you transition between the smaller US highways and the faster pace of I-20. While the road is designed for efficiency, the consistent highway environment keeps the drive moving at a steady tempo. It is a functional, no-nonsense route that prioritizes speed and direct connectivity.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.5 mi on United States Highway 377.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Highway 377 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 169.8 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
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 234.1 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 169.8 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 175.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.2 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,670 ft
465 ft
Total Climb
720 ft
Total Descent
1,723 ft
Highest Point
1,670 ft
Elevation Range
1,205 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Brady, TX
Full guide →Brady is a city in the West Hill Country of Texas.
Top landmarks
- • McCulloch County Courthouse — historic place in Brady, McCulloch County, Texas
- • Old McCulloch County Jail — historic place in Brady, McCulloch 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 41m. Total distance: 234.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.5 miles on United States Highway 377. 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.
Yes — we found about 9 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 169.8 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 175.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.2 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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