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Trip from Buna, TX to Plano, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

274.5 mi

442 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 15m ★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m

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

Downtown Buna, TX, TX

Buna, TX

Mark Direen

city in Collin and Denton counties in Texas, United States

Plano, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 274.5-mile drive from Buna, TX to Plano, TX is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 28 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with 93% of the route being on highways, making it a straightforward journey. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is approximately $41. This route is a good option if you're looking for an efficient drive, as it focuses heavily on highway travel. Both Buna and Plano are located within the Great Plains region, so you won't be crossing major geographical divides, but rather traversing a consistent 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

137.2 miles from Buna, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US Highway 175 West 68.6 mi 1h 14m
US 69 53.6 mi 1h 3m
US 96 34.4 mi 38m
State Highway 63 31.1 mi 46m
US Highway 175 20.8 mi 22m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 18.8 mi 20m
United States Highway 69 18.6 mi 20m
North Central Expressway 6.7 mi 8m
Longest stretch: US Highway 175 West — 68.6 mi, about 1h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Buna, TX and Plano, TX.

1

Start on TX 62

0.7 mi · 1 min · TX 62
2

Turn right onto US 96

34 mi · 38 min · US 96
3

Turn left onto US 190; TX 63

1.6 mi · 1 min · US 190; TX 63
4

Turn right onto TX 63

31 mi · 46 min · State Highway 63
5

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
6

Merge onto US 69

19 mi · 20 min · United States Highway 69
7

Continue on US 69

2.5 mi · 3 min · East Denman Avenue
8

Turn right onto US 69 Bus

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Chestnut Street
9

Turn straight

304 ft · 11 sec
10

Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Timberland Drive
11

Turn left onto US 69 Bus; TX 103

2.1 mi · 3 min · Kurth Drive
12

At end of road, turn left onto TX 103; Loop 287

0.6 mi · 59 sec · Loop 287 Frontage Road
13

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 21 sec
14

Merge onto US 69

54 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 69
15

Turn left onto US 175

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Alexander Boulevard
16

Continue on US 175

0.6 mi · 56 sec · Frankston Highway
17

Continue on US 175

9.6 mi · 10 min · US Highway 175 West
18

Turn slight right

3.8 mi · 4 min
19

Merge onto US 175

1.9 mi · 2 min · East Pine Street
20

Continue on US 175

21 mi · 22 min · US Highway 175
21

Continue on US 175 Bus

2.5 mi · 4 min · East Corsicana Street
22

Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US Highway 175 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 20 East, I 635 North Use the straight / right lanes.
24

Merge onto I 20

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
25

Keep slight right at fork onto I 635

19 mi · 20 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Exit 480 Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Continue on I 635

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
27

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 19A Toward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinney Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 54 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
29

Merge onto US 75

5.3 mi · 5 min · North Central Expressway
30

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 28A Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Turn straight onto North Central Expressway

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
32

Turn right onto East 15th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
33

Arrive at destination

East 15th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour and 28-minute duration, this trip is very manageable as a single-day excursion. Starting your drive in the morning will give you ample daylight and allow for a single stop if needed, as the data suggests one stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 68.6-mile stretch on US Highway 175 West, as service availability can vary. With a fuel cost estimate of $41, budgeting is straightforward. You'll be primarily on US Highway 175 West, US 69, and US 96, so familiarize yourself with these main roads before you depart.

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 137.2 miles from Buna, TX, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.6 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 60 miles or 1h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 137.2 miles or 2h 52m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 32m

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 Buna, 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 Buna, TX

This is one driving day of about 274.5 miles and 5h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Buna, 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 US Highway 175 West for about 68.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Cherokee County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Jacksonville, TX

137 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

Huntington, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jacksonville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137.2 miles from Buna, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US Highway 175 West if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 245.9 and 272.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
245.9 mi into trip | ~4h 55m in

Take the exit toward I 20 East, I 635 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 20 East, I 635 North
9
246.4 mi into trip | ~4h 55m in | I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 480 Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland
8
265.2 mi into trip | ~5h 16m in

Take the exit toward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinney

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 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinn...
7
266.1 mi into trip | ~5h 17m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
272.1 mi into trip | ~5h 24m 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

$41.48 one way

$82.96 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $45.40 $90.80
premium $4.54 $49.01 $98.02
diesel $5.61 $60.61 $121.21

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

$41

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$67–$92

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 82.4 1 $28.82 $13.18
Efficient EV 68.6 0 $24.02 $10.98
EV Truck/SUV 109.8 1 $38.43 $17.57

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Buna, TX

Night in Buna on Saturday

Local time

11:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Plano, TX

Night in Plano on Saturday

Local time

11:14 PM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

57°F

Jacksonville, TX

137 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

2 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

5h 28m 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?

Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 274.5-mile trip. With 93% of the route on highways, including US Highway 175 West, US 69, and US 96, this is a fast-paced journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 68.6 miles on US Highway 175 West, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. The nature of this route suggests a consistent driving experience with minimal detours onto slower local roads, allowing you to maintain a steady pace.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.6 mi on US Highway 175 West.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 175 West and US 69. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 245.9 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 21 significant decision points across 274.5 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 245.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 246.4 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Buna, TX to Plano, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Garland along the way.

Garland

246.4 mi in | ~4h 55m | via I 635

About the Cities

Arriving in Plano, TX

Full guide →

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.

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 5h 28m. Total distance: 274.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 68.6 miles on US Highway 175 West. 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.

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 245.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 246.4 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Plano, TX before the return drive.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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