Buchanan Dam, TX to Plano, TX is 227.6 miles and takes about 4h 16m via I 35, I 35E, and TX 29, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you through the Great Plains region of Texas, mostly on major highways. It’s a straightforward drive that’s well-suited for a single day. You can expect a consistent driving experience for most of the trip. Consider this route if you need an efficient way to get between these two points without significant detours.
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
113.8 miles from Buchanan Dam, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 14m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35
87.2 mi
1h 29m
I 35E
56.2 mi
58m
TX 29
23.6 mi
30m
North Central Expressway
16.6 mi
18m
FM 2843
14.6 mi
18m
State Highway 138
6.8 mi
7m
RM 243
6.4 mi
8m
East RM 243
5.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 35
— 87.2 mi, about 1h 29m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,837 veh/hr typical
· worst 5,660
Quietest
2 AM
~666 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 43 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 Buchanan Dam, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Island Lodges Drive
141 ft·11 sec·Island Lodges Drive
2
Turn left onto TX 29
24 mi·30 min·TX 29
3
Turn left onto RM 243; RM 1174
0.2 mi·22 sec·North Grange Street
4
Keep slight right at fork onto RM 243; RM 1174
6.4 mi·8 min·RM 243; RM 1174
5
Keep slight left at fork onto RM 243
5.5 mi·6 min·East RM 243
6
Continue on RM 243
0.6 mi·43 sec·East Ranch Road 243
7
Turn right onto US 183
0.2 mi·18 sec·North US Highway 183
8
Turn left onto TX 138
6.8 mi·7 min·State Highway 138
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward TX 195 South
10
Merge onto TX 195
0.3 mi·17 sec·TX 195
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward FM 487: Florence, JarrellUse the slight right lane.
12
Turn left onto FM 487
0.2 mi·25 sec·East Main Street
13
Continue on FM 487
2.4 mi·3 min·FM 487
14
Turn left onto FM 2843
15 mi·18 min·FM 2843
15
Turn right onto South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi·1 min·South I-35 Frontage Road
16
Turn left onto FM 2115
487 ft·20 sec·FM 2115
17
Turn sharp left onto South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi·51 sec·South I-35 Frontage Road
18
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·24 sec
Toward I 35 North
19
Merge onto I 35
87 mi·1 hr 29 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi·58 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse 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 46Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinneyUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse 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 28AToward Plano Parkway, 15th StreetUse 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
For this 4h 16m drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Plano comfortably. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility with your departure time. The longest stretch without a major town is 87.2 miles on I 35, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before you get too low. You'll want to keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you get closer to the Dallas area. There's only one indicated stop, so consider a quick stretch break around the halfway point.
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 113.8 miles from Buchanan Dam, TX, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.2 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 50 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.8 miles or 2h 14m 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 29m
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 Buchanan Dam, 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 Buchanan Dam, TX
This is one driving day of about 227.6 miles and 4h 16m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Buchanan Dam, 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 35 for about 87.2 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 43.8 and 225.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
43.8 mi into trip|~56m in
Take the exit toward FM 487: Florence, Jarrell
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward FM 487: Florence, Jarrell
7
150.2 mi into trip|~2h 51m 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
206.4 mi into trip|~3h 50m 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
208.1 mi into trip|~3h 52m 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
225.2 mi into trip|~4h 11m 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
$31.17 one way
$62.35 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg80 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$34.82
$69.64
premium
$4.23
$37.86
$75.72
diesel
$4.80
$42.98
$85.95
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
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
68.3
0
$23.90
$10.92
Efficient EV
56.9
0
$19.92
$9.10
EV Truck/SUV
91
1
$31.86
$14.57
Gas CO2
80 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Buchanan Dam, TX
Night
in Buchanan Dam on Monday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Sunny
S 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 12:27PM CDT until July 20 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Night
in Plano on Monday
Local time
11:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 12:27PM CDT until July 20 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Troy, TX
114 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
5 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 16m 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
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 117.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 98% of the route on major roadways. You’ll encounter one stretch of 87.2 miles on I 35, which means fewer exits and more continuous cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will happen near the end of your drive. Be prepared for the density of exits and merging traffic as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.2 mi on I 35.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 43.8 miles in.
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 27 significant decision points across 227.6 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 43.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,465 ft404 ft
Total Climb
972 ft
Total Descent
1,357 ft
Highest Point
1,465 ft
~16.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,061 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buchanan Dam, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Fm 487: Florence, Jarrell, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Mckinney - among others.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 16m. Total distance: 227.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 16m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.2 miles on I 35. 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.
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 43.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 150.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.4 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 4.3 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.
