Trip from Cameron Park, 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
10h 13m
Distance
544.2 mi
876 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$82
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, TX
Kelly
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 544.2-mile journey from Cameron Park, TX to Plano, TX will take you approximately 10 hours and 13 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing U.S. Highway 77, the Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway, about 75% of this route involves highway driving. Given its length and duration, this is best tackled as a two-day trip, with an estimated fuel cost of $82. You'll be traversing within the Great Plains region throughout your drive, so expect a consistent landscape. Planning for at least two stops is recommended to break up the long-distance drive.
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
272.1 miles from Cameron Park, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 26m 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 |
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cameron Park, TX and Plano, TX.
Start on Avenida Florencia
Turn left onto Avenida Gregory
At end of road, 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 make the most of this 10-hour, 13-minute drive, consider splitting it over two days. Leaving early in the morning on your first day will allow you to cover a good portion of the 544.2 miles. Plan for about two stops to rest and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest stretch of 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77, as services might be more spaced out in certain sections. The $82 fuel estimate is a helpful budget point for planning your expenses.
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 272.1 miles or 5h 26m 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 272.1 miles or 5h 26m
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 7m
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, 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, 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
180 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 Killeen, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
272 mi · about 5.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near New Braunfels, 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 272.1 miles from Cameron Park, 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.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
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
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
Ernesto Gamez Cascade Park
Near the start, short detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+19568380162
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 websiteDick Kleberg Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Kingsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+13612218705
Visit websiteGet Air Trampoline Park
Near the start, short detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+19564293782
Visit websiteJoe & Tony Oliveira Park
Near the start, short detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+19565476861
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 375 decision points cluster between mile 362.1 and 541.8 — 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
$82.23 one way
$164.46 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $90.01 | $180.01 |
| premium | $4.54 | $97.16 | $194.33 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $120.15 | $240.31 |
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
$82
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$214–$324
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 190.4 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 | 163.3 | 2 | $57.14 | $26.12 |
| Efficient EV | 136.1 | 1 | $47.62 | $21.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 217.7 | 2 | $76.19 | $34.83 |
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, TX
Late night in Cameron Park on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Destination
Plano, TX
Late night in Plano on Sunday
Local time
1:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
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
9 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 13m 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 mix of driving experiences on this route, with 75% of it being highway. You'll encounter some substantial stretches of open road, including the longest single segment of 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77. While much of the drive is on main roads, it's not entirely a monotonous interstate experience. The inclusion of routes like the Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway suggests moments where the character of the drive might shift, offering a varied pace as you progress toward Plano.
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 362.1 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 37 significant decision points across 544.2 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 362.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 466.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 523 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Cameron Park, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.
Skidmore
Waco
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).
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Plano, TX
More trips to Plano, TX
Explore more options from Cameron Park, TX or browse trips ending in Plano, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.