Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Fulshear, TX to Plano, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 6m
Distance
284.9 mi
458 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 53m
★
6 AM
5h 6m
8 AM
5h 33m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 13m
3 PM
5h 17m
5 PM
5h 32m
8 PM
4h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fulshear, TX
Al d'Vilas
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Fulshear, TX to Plano, TX is 285 miles and takes about 5 hours 6 minutes via I 45 and West Grand Parkway South, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward trip between two Texas cities. Most of the route is on major highways, making it a quick and efficient connection. With a recommended single day for travel, you can expect a mostly uninterrupted drive. This is a good option if you need to get from the Fulshear area to Plano without much fuss.
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
142.4 miles from Fulshear, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 214 mi | 3h 41m |
| West Grand Parkway South | 43.8 mi | 48m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.6 mi | 18m |
| FM 1093 | 3 mi | 4m |
| Westpark Tollway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Farm to Market 1093 Road | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 214 mi, about 3h 41m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical · worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Fulshear, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on this road
226 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn straight onto FM 359; FM 1093
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Farm to Market 1093 Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Continue on FM 359; FM 1093
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 359; FM 1093
Use the straight / left lanes.
4
Take the ramp
462 ft
·
11 sec
Toward WPT East
5
Continue on WPT
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Westpark Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
2 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto TX 99
44 mi
·
48 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
3 min
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 45
214 mi
·
3 hr 41 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 75
15 mi
·
16 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Fulshear in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Plano with plenty of daylight. The route has only one suggested stop, so consider breaking up the 214-mile stretch on I 45 with a quick fuel or restroom break to stay comfortable. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility; however, keep an eye on the fuel cost estimate of $41, and be aware that traffic can increase as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Plan your final approach into Plano accordingly.
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 142.4 miles from Fulshear, TX, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 214 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 63 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 142.4 miles or 2h 36m 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 10m
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 Fulshear, 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 Fulshear, TX
This is one driving day of about 284.9 miles and 5h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Fulshear, 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 I 45 for about 214 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 142.4 miles from Fulshear, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 214 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
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 284.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.8 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
8.1 mi into trip
|
~12m in
|
TX 99 / West Grand Parkway South
Merge onto TX 99 / West Grand Parkway South
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
51.9 mi into trip
|
~1h in
Take the exit toward I 45 North: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
8
282.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m 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
6
284.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 4m in
|
East 15th Street
Turn right onto East 15th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.02 one way
$78.04 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.59 | $87.17 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.39 | $94.78 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.79 | $107.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.46
Central Expressway
(16.6 mi)
$1.32
Westpark Tollway
(1.9 mi)
$0.14
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.5 | 1 | $29.91 | $13.68 |
| Efficient EV | 71.2 | 0 | $24.93 | $11.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114 | 1 | $39.89 | $18.23 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Fulshear, TX
Afternoon in Fulshear on Sunday
Local time
12:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:18PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:15PM CDT until July 19 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Afternoon in Plano on Sunday
Local time
12:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:18PM CDT until July 20 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:15PM CDT until July 19 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Italy, TX
142 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 6m 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?
This route is almost entirely highway, with 97% of the drive on major roads like I 45 and West Grand Parkway South. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 214 miles on I 45, which means you'll encounter numerous exits and interchanges as you navigate through various Texas towns and cities. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip. Expect a high-speed cruising environment for the vast majority of your travel time.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 214 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and West Grand Parkway South. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 284.9 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles (TX 99 / West Grand Parkway South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
668 ft
129 ft
Total Climb
749 ft
Total Descent
212 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
~284.9 mi in
Elevation Range
539 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Fulshear, TX
Full guide →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 5h 6m. Total distance: 284.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 6m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 214 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.46 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.
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 6.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles (TX 99 / West Grand Parkway South): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 51.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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, 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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