Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Clarendon, TX to Plano, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 28m
Distance
302.6 mi
487 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 16m
★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 56m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 36m
3 PM
5h 40m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clarendon, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 302.6-mile drive from Clarendon to Plano, Texas, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 28 minutes. Primarily utilizing US Highway 287, this route is an excellent candidate for a single-day trip, especially with a fuel cost estimated around $46. You'll be traveling across the Great Plains, a landscape known for its vast, open horizons. The highway-focused nature of this drive means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads, making it a practical choice for efficient travel. It's a direct path connecting two points within the same state, offering a predictable driving experience.
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
151.3 miles from Clarendon, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 287 | 81.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| Central East Freeway | 72.5 mi | 1h 16m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| East 2nd Street | 27.1 mi | 29m |
| 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 |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 287
— 81.8 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarendon, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on South Kearney Street
78 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Kearney Street
2
Turn right onto US 287; TX 70
27 mi
·
29 min
·
East 2nd Street
3
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
4
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Burnett Street
5
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
6
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northwest
7
Continue on US 287
54 mi
·
58 min
·
US Highway 287
8
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest Freeway
11
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
12
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
70 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Central East Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
18
Keep slight left at fork
147 ft
·
4 sec
19
Turn left onto US 380
22 mi
·
25 min
·
West US Highway 380
20
Continue on US 380
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Drive
21
Take the exit
288 ft
·
7 sec
22
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Interstate 35
23
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 35; US 77
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
10 mi
·
11 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 445
Toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto PGBT
13 mi
·
14 min
·
President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
32
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 29
Toward 15th Street
Use the slight right lane.
33
Turn straight onto Central Expressway
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 28 minute duration, starting your trip in Clarendon, TX, in the morning will allow you to reach Plano, TX, with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one planned stop suggested, you have flexibility in where and when you choose to take a break, but consider a longer stop around the halfway point to break up the 81.8-mile longest stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel, as most of the route is on US Highway 287, a major thoroughfare where services are generally available but can be spaced out. The estimated $46 fuel cost is a helpful budget marker for this direct, single-day excursion.
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 151.3 miles from Clarendon, TX, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.8 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 67 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.3 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
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 Clarendon, 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 Clarendon, TX
This is one driving day of about 302.6 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Clarendon, 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 US Highway 287 for about 81.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.3 miles from Clarendon, 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
0 mi from route
Wise County Northbound
0 mi from route
Wichita County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
0 mi from route
Donley County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wichita County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Donley County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
1 mi from route
TA
2.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2.2 mi from route
Dark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteJake's Hilltop Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Flower Mound, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19728746000
Visit websiteAndrew Brown Park West
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Coppell, Texas
Hours: 7 am–11 pm
+19724625100
Visit websiteExplorium Denton Children's Museum a Program of Denton County Friends of The Family.
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Denton, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19403205444
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 161.6 and 300.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
161.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 52m 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...
6
263.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 35 South
7
284.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m 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...
7
286.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m 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...
7
300.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 25m 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
$45.72 one way
$91.45 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $50.05 | $100.10 |
| premium | $4.54 | $54.03 | $108.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.81 | $133.62 |
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.77 | $14.52 |
| Efficient EV | 75.7 | 0 | $26.48 | $12.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121 | 1 | $42.36 | $19.37 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (67% 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
Clarendon, TX
Late night in Clarendon on Tuesday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plano, TX
Late night in Plano on Tuesday
Local time
3:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 20 at 5:57PM CDT until April 20 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 20 at 5:25PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
3 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
5h 28m 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 highway-focused experience for 86% of this journey. Your main artery will be US Highway 287, which you'll also encounter on the Central East Freeway. The longest continuous stretch without a major turn or exit is an impressive 81.8 miles, also along US Highway 287. This indicates long, uninterrupted segments, which can be great for maintaining momentum. The character of the drive is largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over winding scenic byways.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 81.8 mi on US Highway 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 287 and Central East Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 161.6 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 20 significant decision points across 302.6 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 161.6 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 284.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Clarendon, 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
284.8 mi in
|
~5h 7m
Pgbt Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike
286.1 mi in
|
~5h 9m
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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 302.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 81.8 miles on US Highway 287. 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 22 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 161.6 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 284.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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