Trip from Childress, TX to Plano, TX

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

Drive Time

4h 27m

Distance

245.5 mi

395 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$34

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 14m ★

6 AM

4h 27m

8 AM

4h 54m

10 AM

4h 37m

12 PM

4h 34m

3 PM

4h 38m

5 PM

4h 53m

8 PM

4h 19m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in and county sear of Childress County, Texas, United States

Childress, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Collin and Denton counties in Texas, United States

Plano, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 245.5-mile drive from Childress, TX, to Plano, TX, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 27 minutes. You'll primarily be on US Highway 287 East, making it a highway-focused journey through the heart of the Great Plains region of Texas. With a projected fuel cost of around $37, it's an economical trip. The route is straightforward, with most of the driving on well-maintained highways, making it a convenient option if you're looking for a relatively quick transfer between these two Texas locations.

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

122.7 miles from Childress, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Central East Freeway	72.5 mi	1h 16m
US Highway 287	54.4 mi	58m
US Highway 287 East	40.5 mi	42m
West US Highway 380	21.8 mi	25m
President George Bush Turnpike	13.3 mi	14m
South Stemmons Freeway	10.5 mi	11m
I 35E	9.8 mi	10m
Northwest Freeway	5.2 mi	5m

Longest stretch: Central East Freeway — 72.5 mi, about 1h 16m

Traffic on I-44

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,816 veh/hr typical

Quietest

2 AM

~229 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

12.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Childress, TX and Plano, TX.

Start on US 287

0.8 mi · 55 sec · Avenue F Northeast

Continue on US 287

54 mi · 58 min · US Highway 287

Continue on US 287

4.1 mi · 4 min · Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287

41 mi · 42 min · US Highway 287 East

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 287

4.6 mi · 4 min · Northwest Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287

0.6 mi · 42 sec · Northwest Freeway

Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls

Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287

2.5 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

0.9 mi · 1 min · Lloyd Ruby Overpass

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.9 mi · 1 min · Central East Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287

1.8 mi · 1 min · Central East Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287

70 mi · 1 hr 13 min · Central East Freeway

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec

Keep slight left at fork

147 ft · 4 sec

Turn left onto US 380

22 mi · 25 min · West US Highway 380

Continue on US 380

3.3 mi · 4 min · West University Drive

Take the exit

288 ft · 7 sec

Turn straight onto North Interstate 35

0.1 mi · 11 sec · North Interstate 35

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 35 South Use the straight / left lanes.

Merge onto I 35; US 77

1.0 mi · 1 min · I 35; US 77

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35E; US 77

9.8 mi · 10 min · I 35E; US 77

Toward I 35E South: Dallas Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

10 mi · 11 min · South Stemmons Freeway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

1.2 mi · 1 min

Exit 445 Toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpike Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

1.2 mi · 1 min

Toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto PGBT

13 mi · 14 min · President George Bush Turnpike

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left lane.

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 29 Toward 15th Street Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto Central Expressway

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Central Expressway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn right onto East 15th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 15th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

East 15th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 27-minute duration, this route is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure from Childress to avoid any potential afternoon traffic as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one recommended stop, plan this strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or where you feel the need for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches, and be aware that US Highway 287 is a major trucking route, so be prepared for varying traffic speeds.

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 122.7 miles from Childress, TX, or about 2h 11m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.5 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 54 miles or 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 122.7 miles or 2h 11m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 36m

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 Childress, 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 Childress, TX

This is one driving day of about 245.5 miles and 4h 27m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Childress, 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 Central East Freeway for about 72.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Henrietta, TX

123 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

Vernon, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Henrietta, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 122.7 miles from Childress, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

2.2 mi from route

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour

Coppell, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19723043581

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 104.4 and 243.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

104.4 mi into trip | ~1h 51m in | US 287 / Northwest Freeway

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

Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...

206.3 mi into trip | ~3h 42m in

Take the ramp toward I 35 South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes. Toward I 35 South

227.6 mi into trip | ~4h 5m in

Take the exit toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpike

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 445 Toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpik...

228.9 mi into trip | ~4h 7m in

Keep slight right at fork toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Tu...

243.5 mi into trip | ~4h 23m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 75 North: McKinney

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$33.63 one way

$67.25 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 86 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$37.56	$75.12
premium	$4.23	$40.84	$81.67
diesel	$4.80	$46.36	$92.71

Estimated Tolls: $1.09

President George Bush Turnpike (13.3 mi) $1.06

Central Expressway (0.4 mi) $0.03

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

$34

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 85.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	73.7	0	$25.78	$11.78
Efficient EV	61.4	0	$21.48	$9.82
EV Truck/SUV	98.2	1	$34.37	$15.71

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Childress, TX

Late night in Childress on Sunday

Local time

5:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

93°F

Sunny

SSW 10 mph 14% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:54AM CDT until July 21 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:53AM CDT until July 20 at 4:50AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Destination

Plano, TX

Late night in Plano on Sunday

Local time

5:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

96°F

Mostly Sunny

SSW 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:54AM CDT until July 21 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:53AM CDT until July 20 at 4:50AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

102°F

Henrietta, TX

123 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

3 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

4h 27m 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 predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 94% of your journey taking place on high-speed roads. The drive features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 72.5 miles on the Central East Freeway, indicating significant segments where you can maintain a consistent speed. As you transition to US Highway 287 East, the character remains largely that of a major arterial road, designed for efficient travel across Texas. This profile suggests a consistent driving rhythm, minimizing the need for frequent slowdowns or complex navigation through local streets.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 72.5 mi on Central East Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 104.4 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 19 significant decision points across 245.5 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 104.4 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 227.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,871 ft 458 ft

Total Climb

443 ft

Total Descent

1,646 ft

Highest Point

1,871 ft

Elevation Range

1,413 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Childress, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Pgbt Toll: President George Bush Turnpike and Pgbt Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike.

Pgbt Toll: President George Bush Turnpike

227.6 mi in | ~4h 5m

Pgbt Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike

228.9 mi in | ~4h 7m

About the Cities

Starting in Childress, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1890

Childress is a city in the North Central Plains of Texas.

Top landmarks

• Childress Commercial and Civic Historic District — historic district in Childress, Childress County, Texas

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 4h 27m. Total distance: 245.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 72.5 miles on Central East Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.09 in tolls one way, starting with President George Bush Turnpike. 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.

Yes — we found about 19 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Plano, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

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 FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Childress, TX or browse trips ending in Plano, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Childress, TX to Plano, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-44

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rest Area

Wise County Northbound

Wichita County Southbound Rest Area

Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls

Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound

Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound

Rest Area

Wichita County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Rest Area

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Pilot Travel Center

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Dark Hour Haunted House

11th Hour Escape

Heritage Farmstead Museum

Maniac’s Mansion (TAG’s)

Andrew Brown Park West

Museum of North Texas History

Oak Hills Splash Park

Coppell Nature Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Childress, TX

Plano, TX

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 27m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Childress, TX

Arriving in Plano, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Plano, TX

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