Denver City, TX to Plano, TX is 413.2 miles and takes about 7h 21m via I 20 and US 87, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the Great Plains region of Texas, mostly on highways. Expect a straightforward trip that's well within the range of a single day's drive for most people. With 2 planned stops, you can break up the 7-plus hours of driving fairly easily. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B without too many detours.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
206.6 miles from Denver City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 46m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
243.3 mi
4h 5m
West Avenue A
39 mi
44m
North US Highway 87
20.5 mi
21m
TX 83
20.3 mi
30m
South US Highway 87
18.1 mi
18m
Jim Wright Freeway
12.6 mi
14m
SH 183 TEXpress
11.7 mi
11m
I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 243.3 mi, about 4h 5m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,369 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,769
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Denver City, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on North Main Avenue
58 ft·9 sec·North Main Avenue
2
Turn left onto TX 83
0.6 mi·54 sec·East Broadway Street
3
Turn right onto TX 83; TX 214
20 mi·30 min·TX 83; TX 214
4
Continue on US 62; US 180
39 mi·44 min·West Avenue A
5
Continue on US 180
1.6 mi·1 min·Seminole Road
6
Continue on US 180
0.7 mi·55 sec·North 4th Street
7
Turn right onto US 87; US 180
1.2 mi·1 min·North Lynn Avenue
8
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·South Dallas Avenue
9
Continue on US 87; US 180
18 mi·18 min·South US Highway 87
10
Continue on US 87
1.4 mi·1 min·William Crooker Highway
11
Continue on US 87
18 mi·18 min·North US Highway 87
12
Continue on US 87
428 ft·4 sec·William B Crooker Memorial Highway
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 87 Business South, FM 700 East
14
Continue on US 87 Bus
2.4 mi·3 min·North US Highway 87
15
Turn left onto West Interstate 20
0.2 mi·19 sec·West Interstate 20
16
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 20 East: Abilene
17
Merge onto I 20
243 mi·4 hr 5 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi·5 min·West Freeway
Exit 421Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 5BToward I 820 NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto I 820
13 mi·14 min·Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi·18 sec·Northeast Loop
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi·6 min·I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas EntranceUse the straight / slight left lanes.
23
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi·4 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi·11 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.6 mi·2 min·Loop 12 TEXpress
Toward I 35E Toll NorthUse the slight left lane.
26
Merge onto Loop 12
0.8 mi·53 sec·North Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 35E
2.1 mi·2 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi·50 sec
Exit 440BToward I 635 EastUse the right lane.
29
Merge onto I 635
4.4 mi·4 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 635
2.6 mi·2 min·Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the right lane.
31
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Exit 19AToward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
33
Merge onto US 75
5.3 mi·5 min·North Central Expressway
34
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 28AToward Plano Parkway, 15th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi·2 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
36
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
37
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim to depart Denver City early in the morning to ensure you have ample daylight. With only 2 recommended stops, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 20, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. Given the $60 fuel estimate, it’s wise to fill up before you leave or at one of your planned stops. The shift from highway to surface roads becomes more noticeable around mile 360, so be prepared for slower speeds and more local traffic as you get closer to Plano.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 206.6 miles from Denver City, TX, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 243.3 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 91 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.6 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 14m
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 Denver City, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Denver City, TX
This is one driving day of about 413.2 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Denver City, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 243.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 348.9 and 410.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
348.9 mi into trip|~6h 10m in|I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
354.5 mi into trip|~6h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
7
368.3 mi into trip|~6h 32m in|I 820 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas E...
8
404.3 mi into trip|~7h 9m in
Take the exit toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dallas
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 19A
Toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dall...
8
410.8 mi into trip|~7h 17m 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
$56.60 one way
$113.19 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$63.22
$126.43
premium
$4.23
$68.73
$137.46
diesel
$4.80
$78.02
$156.04
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
Central Expressway
(6.7 mi)$0.54
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
$57
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124
1
$43.39
$19.83
Efficient EV
103.3
1
$36.16
$16.53
EV Truck/SUV
165.3
2
$57.85
$26.44
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
48 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Denver City, TX
Late night
in Denver City on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
SE 5 to 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT until July 17 at 4:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Late night
in Plano on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT until July 17 at 4:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
99°F
Albany, TX
207 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
11 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
7h 21m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway, with 87% of the 413.2 miles on major roads. You'll spend the longest stretch, 243.3 miles, on I 20. The highway portion should feel like steady cruising. Surface roads begin around mile 360, offering a change of pace as you approach your destination. Expect a high volume of exits and merges as you transition between different highway segments and eventually onto local roads.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 243.3 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and West Avenue A. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 348.9 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
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 22 significant decision points across 413.2 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 348.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 354.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 368.3 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,574 ft532 ft
Total Climb
136 ft
Total Descent
3,041 ft
Highest Point
3,574 ft
Elevation Range
3,041 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Denver City, TX to Plano, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Fm 700 East along the way.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 21m. Total distance: 413.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 243.3 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.54 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 348.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 354.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 368.3 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 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.
