Trip from Bushland, 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
6h 46m
Distance
373.7 mi
601 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bushland, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 373.7-mile drive from Bushland, TX to Plano, TX will take approximately 6 hours and 46 minutes. It's a solid day trip option, especially since it's almost entirely on highways at 96%. You'll primarily be on US Highway 287 and the Central East Freeway, making for a straightforward journey through the Great Plains region of Texas. With an estimated fuel cost of $56, this route is budget-friendly for a single day's travel. Consider this a practical, efficient route for getting from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
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
186.9 miles from Bushland, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 287 | 81.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 287 | 77.2 mi | 1h 21m |
| Central East Freeway | 72.5 mi | 1h 16m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| West US Highway 380 | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| I 40 | 20.5 mi | 24m |
| President George Bush Turnpike | 13.3 mi | 14m |
| South Stemmons Freeway | 10.5 mi | 11m |
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Bushland, TX and Plano, TX.
Start on this road
At end of road, turn right onto RM 2381
Turn left onto West Interstate 40 Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 40
Take the exit onto US 287
Turn slight right onto US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 287
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
Continue on US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
Continue on US 281; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto US 380
Continue on US 380
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35; US 77
Continue on I 35E; US 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto PGBT
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn slight right
Turn straight onto Central Expressway
Turn right onto East 15th Street
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 46-minute duration, departing from Bushland in the morning is recommended to arrive in Plano with ample daylight. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the longest stretch of 81.8 miles on US Highway 287, as services might be more spread out. The $56 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unexpected detours or variations in fuel prices. This route is well-suited for a single-day push, so no need to plan for an overnight stay.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 82 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 186.9 miles or 3h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 37m
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 Bushland, 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 Bushland, TX
This is one driving day of about 373.7 miles and 6h 46m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
187 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
A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 186.9 miles from Bushland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 287 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 81.8 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.
Love's Travel Stop
Wise County Northbound
Wichita County Southbound Rest Area
Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
Donley County Northbound Rest Area
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound
Rest Area
Wichita County Northbound Rest Area
Texas Travel Information Center at Amarillo and Safety Rest Area
Love's Travel Stop
Rest Area
Service Plaza
National Truck Stop Amarillo
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Road Ranger
Buc-ee's
Pilot Travel Center
Petro Stopping Centers
Donley County Southbound Rest Area
Flying J Travel Center
Buc-ee's
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
TA
Love's Travel Stop
Dark Hour Haunted House
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
Near the end, short detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteManiac’s Mansion (TAG’s)
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Wichita Falls, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+19402575543
Visit websiteMuseum of North Texas History
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Wichita Falls, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19403227628
Visit websiteJake's Hilltop Park
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Flower Mound, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19728746000
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 232.7 and 371.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the ramp toward I 35 South
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.19 one way
$102.37 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $57.17 | $114.35 |
| premium | $4.23 | $62.16 | $124.32 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $70.56 | $141.12 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.09
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
$51
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.1 | 1 | $39.24 | $17.94 |
| Efficient EV | 93.4 | 1 | $32.70 | $14.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 149.5 | 1 | $52.32 | $23.92 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Bushland, TX
Late night in Bushland on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 17 at 1:35AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Late night in Plano on Monday
Local time
12:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 17 at 1:35AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM 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
12 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
6h 46m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 96% of the route utilizing major roadways like US Highway 287. The feel is largely that of a high-speed transit, allowing you to cover ground quickly. You'll encounter one significant uninterrupted stretch of 81.8 miles on US Highway 287, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. While primarily a highway experience, the Central East Freeway in the latter part of the journey might offer a slightly different, perhaps more urban, road feel as you approach Plano.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 287 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 232.7 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
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 373.7 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 232.7 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 334.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 355.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
147 ft
Total Descent
3,308 ft
Highest Point
3,829 ft
Elevation Range
3,307 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Coffee del Rey
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteKung Fu Tea
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Denton, TX
Cuisine: bubble_tea
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Denton, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 05:00-21:00; Sa 06:00-21:00; Su 06...
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
Claude, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa 08:00-21:00; Su 09...
Visit websiteMarinara Pizza
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Su 15:00-21:00; Mo-Sa 10:30-22:00
Visit websiteRokhat Grill
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, TX
Cuisine: Uzbek
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00
Visit websiteSchlotzsky's
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Chipotle
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Cuisine: mexican
Arby's
Fast_food
Early in the drive, short detour
Childress, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 07:00-24:00
Visit websiteOak Grove Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Armstrong County Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
Claude, TX
Visit websiteTexas Agricultural Experiment Station No. 6
Memorial
Near the end, short detour
Grand Theatre
Memorial
Around the midpoint, short detour
Electra State Bank
Memorial
Around the midpoint, short detour
Heritage Farmstead Museum
Museum
Near the end, short detour
Plano, TX
Hours: Tu-Su 10:00-16:30
Visit websiteRowe Cemetery
Memorial
Early in the drive, short detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Bushland, 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 6h 46m. Total distance: 373.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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