Origin
Gardendale, TX
Evening in Gardendale on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Gardendale, 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
6h 31m
Distance
377.2 mi
607 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 20m
★
6 AM
6h 32m
8 AM
6h 56m
10 AM
6h 41m
12 PM
6h 38m
3 PM
6h 42m
5 PM
6h 55m
8 PM
6h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Gardendale, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 377.2-mile drive from Gardendale, TX to Plano, TX is designed for a single, efficient day trip, taking approximately 6 hours and 31 minutes to complete. You'll spend 95% of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward journey across the Great Plains region of Texas. With an estimated fuel cost of $57, this route is budget-friendly for a day of travel. It's a solid option if you prefer to cover ground quickly and arrive at your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route is primarily composed of interstate and major freeway driving, offering a consistent pace.
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
188.6 miles from Gardendale, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 299.7 mi | 5h 3m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 11.7 mi | 11m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.9 mi | 6m |
| North Central Expressway | 6.7 mi | 8m |
| North Hollyhock Avenue | 6.2 mi | 7m |
| West Freeway | 5.6 mi | 5m |
| Northeast Loop 338 | 4.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 299.7 mi, about 5h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gardendale, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on North Gardendale Avenue
140 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Gardendale Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Goldenrod Drive
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Goldenrod Drive
3
Turn right onto FM 554
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
North Hollyhock Avenue
4
Turn left onto Loop 338
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Northeast Loop 338
5
Continue on Loop 338
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight lane.
6
Continue on Loop 338
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Northeast Loop 338
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
367 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Interstate 20
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 20 East: Midland
9
Merge onto I 20
300 mi
·
5 hr 3 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Northeast Loop
14
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 Entrance
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi
·
11 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 12 TEXpress
Toward I 35E Toll North
Use the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto Loop 12
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 35E
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 440B
Toward I 635 East
Use the right lane.
21
Merge onto I 635
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 635
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the right lane.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 19A
Toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Merge onto US 75
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Central Expressway
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
28
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 31-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Gardendale to avoid potential traffic, especially as you near the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one recommended stop and 95% of the route on highways, you have flexibility. However, plan your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point of the 377.2-mile journey, to break up the longest stretch of 299.7 miles on I-20. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $57 estimated cost suggests efficient driving, but extended highway speeds mean consistent consumption.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 188.6 miles from Gardendale, TX, or about 3h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.7 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 83 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 188.6 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 25m
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 Gardendale, 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 Gardendale, TX
This is one driving day of about 377.2 miles and 6h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Gardendale, 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 20 for about 299.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
189 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 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 188.6 miles from Gardendale, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 299.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 312.9 and 374.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
312.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m 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
318.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m 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
332.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 42m 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
368.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 20m 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
374.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 27m 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
$57.00 one way
$113.99 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
132 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $62.39 | $124.77 |
| premium | $4.54 | $67.35 | $134.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $83.28 | $166.56 |
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
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113.2 | 1 | $39.61 | $18.11 |
| Efficient EV | 94.3 | 1 | $33.00 | $15.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150.9 | 1 | $52.81 | $24.14 |
Gas CO2
132 kg
EV CO2
44 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.
Destination
Plano, TX
Evening in Plano on Sunday
Local time
6:32 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 16 at 4:14AM CDT until April 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 4:13AM CDT until April 16 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
76°F
Albany, TX
189 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
30 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
6h 31m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip. With 95% of the 377.2 miles on interstates and freeways like I-20 and SH 183 TEXpress, you'll experience a consistent, high-speed environment for most of the 6.5-hour journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 299.7 miles on I-20, meaning extended periods of focused driving are likely. While the profile is largely highway, the transition onto the Jim Wright Freeway and SH 183 TEXpress will introduce you to the faster, more direct urban corridors as you approach Plano.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 299.7 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Jim Wright Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 312.9 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 377.2 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 312.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 332.2 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 6h 31m. Total distance: 377.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 299.7 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 312.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 332.2 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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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