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
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 126.7 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cameron Park Colonia, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Eduardo Avenue
0.3 mi·1 min·Eduardo Avenue
2
At end of road, turn left onto Avenida Florencia
141 ft·8 sec·Avenida Florencia
3
Turn right onto Avenida Eduardo
0.2 mi·37 sec·Avenida Eduardo
4
Turn right onto FM 1847
2.9 mi·4 min·Paredes Line Road
5
Turn left onto FM 511
1.4 mi·2 min·FM 511
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward TX 550 Toll North, TX 169 Toll North
7
Merge onto I 169; TX 550 Toll
2.1 mi·2 min·Interstate 169
8
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
2.2 mi·2 min·North Expressway
9
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
102 mi·1 hr 53 min·U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
11
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
1.2 mi·1 min·I 69E; US 77
12
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
12 mi·12 min·U.S. Highway 77
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
14
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
485 ft·17 sec·US Highway 77 Frontage Road
15
Turn right onto County Road 10
1.0 mi·4 min·County Road 10
16
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi·15 min·County Road 79
17
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi·43 sec·County Road 18
18
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi·2 min
19
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
20
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi·2 min·Driscoll Bypass
21
Continue on US 77
13 mi·14 min·U.S. Highway 77
22
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi·1 min·I 37; US 77; I 69E
23
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·1 min
24
Continue on I 37
18 mi·18 min·I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
26
Turn right onto TX 359
12 mi·16 min·State Highway 359
27
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi·55 sec·South 8th Street
28
Continue on US 181
40 mi·45 min·US Highway 181 South
29
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi·1 min·South Sunset Strip Drive
30
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
31
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
32
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Helena Road
33
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi·25 min·State Highway 80
34
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi·2 min·South Nixon Avenue
35
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi·35 min·State Highway 80 North
36
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
37
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·South Colorado Street
38
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi·16 sec·United States Highway 183
39
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
40
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35 North: WacoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
42
Merge onto I 35
65 mi·1 hr 6 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi·58 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
46
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse the slight right lane.
47
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
48
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
49
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft·6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
50
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi·1 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
51
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 46Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinneyUse the slight right lane.
52
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left lane.
53
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
54
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi·49 sec·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
55
Continue on US 75
15 mi·16 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
56
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 28AToward Plano Parkway, 15th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
57
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi·2 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
58
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
59
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 271.9 miles from Cameron Park Colonia, TX, or about 5h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 miles.
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.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 120 miles from Cameron Park Colonia, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on U.S. Highway 77 for about 126.7 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 38
5 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.
7
361.6 mi into trip|~6h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
466.3 mi into trip|~8h 47m 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
522.5 mi into trip|~9h 46m 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
524.3 mi into trip|~9h 48m 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
541.4 mi into trip|~10h 8m 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
$82.17 one way
$164.34 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg190 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$89.94
$179.88
premium
$4.54
$97.09
$194.18
diesel
$5.61
$120.06
$240.13
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
$82
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$213–$323
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Cameron Park Colonia, TX
Night
in Cameron Park Colonia on Saturday
Local time
11:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plano, TX
Night
in Plano on Saturday
Local time
11:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph4% chanceLive forecast
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
17 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...
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 441.1
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
$25
near mile 76.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
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.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
59 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 126.7 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
The longest stretch is about 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 272 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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.
Yes — Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, Waco Mammoth National Monument and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.2 hours each way, a round trip means 20.4 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.
