Trip from Cameron Park Colonia, 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
10h 12m
Distance
543.8 mi
875 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$74
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.
Cameron Park Colonia, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 556.2 miles from Cameron Park Colonia to Plano, this trek across the Great Plains takes approximately 8 hours and 49 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the significant distance, you should plan for a two-day journey rather than attempting to tackle it in one go. You will navigate primarily via Avenida Florencia, Avenida Eduardo, and Paredes Line Road, moving entirely within the state of Texas. Budgeting around $83 for fuel is a smart move to cover the distance comfortably. Since you remain within the Great Plains region throughout the entire trip, the transition is subtle, focusing more on the endurance required for a long-distance drive than a change in topography.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
271.9 miles from Cameron Park Colonia, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 25m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 126.7 mi | 2h 20m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| I 37 | 19.7 mi | 19m |
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,007 veh/hr typical · worst 4,783
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 51 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 Cameron Park Colonia, TX and Plano, TX.
Start on Eduardo Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto Avenida Florencia
Turn right onto Avenida Eduardo
Turn right onto FM 1847
Turn left onto FM 511
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 169; TX 550 Toll
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
Turn right onto County Road 10
Turn left onto County Road 79
Turn left onto County Road 18
Turn sharp right
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 77
Continue on US 77
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 37
Take the exit
Turn right onto TX 359
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
Continue on US 181
Continue on US 181
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
Continue on FM 792
Turn straight onto TX 80
Continue on TX 80
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 35
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35; US 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 30; US 67
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 75
Continue on US 75
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
Turn right onto East 15th Street
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To manage the 8-hour and 49-minute duration effectively, aim to split your trip into two manageable days to avoid driver fatigue. With two planned stops included in the itinerary, use these breaks strategically to refuel your vehicle and stretch your legs before tackling the next segment. Given the reliance on non-highway roads, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge and fill up when you have the chance, keeping that $83 budget in mind as a baseline. Since you are traveling across a significant distance on local roads, avoid departing late in the day to ensure you aren't navigating unfamiliar turns in the dark. Prioritizing a morning departure will give you the best visibility for the entire length of the route.
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.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 120 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 271.9 miles or 5h 25m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 271.9 miles or 5h 25m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 5m
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 Cameron Park Colonia, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cameron Park Colonia, TX
Aim for roughly 272 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Plano, TX
Aim for roughly 272 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
179 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
359 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Waxahachie, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
272 mi · about 5.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 272 miles or 5.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 120 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 271.9 miles from Cameron Park Colonia, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 272 miles or 5.1 hours on the road.
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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area
Flying J Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
Kenedy County Rest Area
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Road Ranger
Petro Stopping Centers
Buc-ee's
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
Circle K
Ascent Travel Center
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
QuikTrip
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
Road Ranger
Love's Travel Stop
QuikTrip
Buc-ee's
TA
Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
SoPac Trail Rest Area
Service Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Dark Hour Haunted House
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit websiteBrownsville Event Center Running Trail
Near the start, right off the route
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
11th Hour Escape
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteErnesto Gamez Cascade Park
Near the start, short detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+19568380162
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
Near the end, short detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteDick Kleberg Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Kingsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+13612218705
Visit websiteJoe & Tony Oliveira Park
Near the start, ~9 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+19565476861
Visit websiteGet Air Trampoline Park
Near the start, ~9 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+19564293782
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 385 decision points cluster between mile 361.6 and 541.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$74.48 one way
$148.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $83.20 | $166.39 |
| premium | $4.23 | $90.45 | $180.91 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $102.68 | $205.36 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$74
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$206–$316
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 190.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $57 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 163.1 | 2 | $57.10 | $26.10 |
| Efficient EV | 136 | 1 | $47.58 | $21.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 217.5 | 2 | $76.13 | $34.80 |
Gas CO2
190 kg
EV CO2
64 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 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
Cameron Park Colonia, TX
Late night in Cameron Park Colonia on Monday
Local time
1:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:33AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:32AM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Late night in Plano on Monday
Local time
1:43 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:33AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:32AM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
10h 12m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
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...
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a steady, consistent pace on this route, as it relies entirely on local and secondary roads rather than high-speed interstates. With a 0% highway share, your experience will be defined by the rhythm of smaller roads rather than the monotonous drone of a freeway. There is no single long-distance highway stretch to break up the pace, meaning you will need to remain attentive to your navigation throughout the 556.2-mile journey. The drive maintains a consistent character from start to finish, requiring you to stay focused as you transition between Avenida Florencia, Avenida Eduardo, and Paredes Line Road. It is a demanding, hands-on drive that requires patience and steady concentration.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 361.6 miles in.
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 38 significant decision points across 543.8 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 361.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 466.3 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 522.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
969 ft
Total Descent
327 ft
Highest Point
674 ft
~349.6 mi in
Elevation Range
648 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cameron Park Colonia, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.
Skidmore
Waco
About the Cities
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).
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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