Trip from Buchanan Dam, TX to Plano, TX

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 16m

Distance

227.6 mi

366 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 3m ★

6 AM

4h 16m

8 AM

4h 43m

10 AM

4h 26m

12 PM

4h 23m

3 PM

4h 27m

5 PM

4h 42m

8 PM

4h 8m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Buchanan Dam, TX

Jeff Stapleton

city in Collin and Denton counties in Texas, United States

Plano, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

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

~4,452 veh/hr typical · worst 5,379

Quietest

2 AM

~630 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7.1×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 79 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.

Start on Island Lodges Drive

141 ft · 11 sec · Island Lodges Drive

Turn left onto TX 29

24 mi · 30 min · TX 29

Turn left onto RM 243; RM 1174

0.2 mi · 22 sec · North Grange Street

Keep slight right at fork onto RM 243; RM 1174

6.4 mi · 8 min · RM 243; RM 1174

Keep slight left at fork onto RM 243

5.5 mi · 6 min · East RM 243

Continue on RM 243

0.6 mi · 43 sec · East Ranch Road 243

Turn right onto US 183

0.2 mi · 18 sec · North US Highway 183

Turn left onto TX 138

6.8 mi · 7 min · State Highway 138

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Toward TX 195 South

Merge onto TX 195

0.3 mi · 17 sec · TX 195

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 46 sec

Toward FM 487: Florence, Jarrell Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto FM 487

0.2 mi · 25 sec · East Main Street

Continue on FM 487

2.4 mi · 3 min · FM 487

Turn left onto FM 2843

15 mi · 18 min · FM 2843

Turn right onto South I-35 Frontage Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South I-35 Frontage Road

Turn left onto FM 2115

487 ft · 20 sec · FM 2115

Turn sharp left onto South I-35 Frontage Road

0.6 mi · 51 sec · South I-35 Frontage Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 24 sec

Toward I 35 North

Merge onto I 35

87 mi · 1 hr 29 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

56 mi · 58 min · I 35E

Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec

Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

422 ft · 5 sec

Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center

Keep slight left at fork

385 ft · 6 sec

Toward I 30 East: Texarkana

Continue on I 30; US 67

0.8 mi · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 45 sec

Exit 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec

Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East

Merge onto US 75

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 75

15 mi · 16 min · North Central Expressway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 28A Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Central Expressway

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn right onto East 15th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 15th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

114 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

Jarrell, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Waco, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 113.8 miles from Buchanan Dam, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Plano, Texas

+14692980556

Visit website

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

11th 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 website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Waxahachie, Texas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+12149801053

Visit website

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.

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

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

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...

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

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

$34.17 one way

$68.33 round trip

$3.81/gal 25.4 MPG avg 80 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$37.80	$75.61
premium	$4.57	$40.91	$81.81
diesel	$6.28	$56.24	$112.47

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

$34

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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, 2026-10-19.

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 Oct 23, 2026

Origin

Buchanan Dam, TX

Night in Buchanan Dam on Friday

Local time

11:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Sunny

SE 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued October 23 at 12:53PM MDT until October 23 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa...

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued October 23 at 12:29PM MDT until October 25 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

Destination

Plano, TX

Night in Plano on Friday

Local time

11:49 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Sunny

SE 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued October 23 at 12:53PM MDT until October 23 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa...

Flood Watch

Flood Watch issued October 23 at 12:29PM MDT until October 25 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM

57°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

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 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

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

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 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 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 ft 404 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.

Fm 487: Florence

43.8 mi in | ~56m

Jarrell

43.8 mi in | ~56m

Fort Worth

206.7 mi in | ~3h 50m

Texarkana

206.7 mi in | ~3h 50m

Convention Center

206.8 mi in | ~3h 50m

Mckinney

208.1 mi in | ~3h 52m

Bryan Street East

209 mi in | ~3h 54m

About the Cities

Starting in Buchanan Dam, TX

Full guide →

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 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.

Yes — we found about 22 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Buchanan Dam, TX or browse trips ending in Plano, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Buchanan Dam, TX to Plano, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Petro Stopping Centers

Buc-ee's

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Ascent Travel Center

QuikTrip

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

TA

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

SoPac Trail Rest Area

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Dark Hour Haunted House

Cultural Activities Center

11th Hour Escape

Doris D Miller Park

Heritage Farmstead Museum

Village of Salado Visitors Center

City Park

NTER - The Great Escape

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Buchanan Dam, TX

Plano, TX

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 16m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Buchanan Dam, TX

Arriving in Plano, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Plano, TX

More from Buchanan Dam, TX

More trips to Plano, TX