Traveling from Groves to Plano covers 310.3 miles across the Texas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 59 minutes. Because the route is straightforward and highly efficient, it is manageable as a single-day trip without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $47 for fuel to cover the distance. Since both the origin and destination are located within the Great Plains region, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout the drive. This itinerary is ideal for travelers who prefer a direct, highway-focused route to reach their destination quickly. Ultimately, it is a practical transit option that minimizes travel time while keeping your logistical planning simple.
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
155.2 miles from Groves, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 1m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 69
150.1 mi
2h 53m
US Highway 175 West
68.6 mi
1h 14m
US Highway 175
20.8 mi
22m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
18.8 mi
20m
Memorial Freeway
15.2 mi
16m
Eastex Freeway
10.2 mi
11m
North Central Expressway
6.7 mi
8m
East Corsicana Street
2.5 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 69
— 150.1 mi, about 2h 53m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Groves, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on 39th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·39th Street
2
Turn slight right onto East Parkway Street
0.4 mi·44 sec·East Parkway Street
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward TX 73 West
4
Merge onto TX 73
1.7 mi·2 min·TX 73
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·44 sec
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Beaumont
6
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
15 mi·16 min·Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
9
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287
10 mi·11 min·Eastex Freeway
Exit 853AToward US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lufkin, Jasper
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 287
94 mi·1 hr 46 min·US 69; US 287
Toward US 69 North, US 287 North: Kountze, Lufkin
11
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
0.6 mi·1 min·South Chestnut Street
12
Turn straight
304 ft·11 sec
13
Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus
1.2 mi·2 min·South Timberland Drive
14
Turn left onto US 69 Bus; TX 103
2.1 mi·3 min·Kurth Drive
15
At end of road, turn left onto TX 103; Loop 287
0.6 mi·59 sec·Loop 287 Frontage Road
16
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·21 sec
17
Merge onto US 69
54 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 69
18
Turn left onto US 175
0.2 mi·19 sec·Alexander Boulevard
19
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi·56 sec·Frankston Highway
20
Continue on US 175
9.6 mi·10 min·US Highway 175 West
21
Turn slight right
3.8 mi·4 min
22
Merge onto US 175
1.9 mi·2 min·East Pine Street
23
Continue on US 175
21 mi·22 min·US Highway 175
24
Continue on US 175 Bus
2.5 mi·4 min·East Corsicana Street
25
Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·US Highway 175 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·42 sec
Toward I 20 East, I 635 NorthUse the straight / right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 20
0.1 mi·9 sec·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto I 635
19 mi·20 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Exit 480Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, GarlandUse the straight / right lanes.
29
Continue on I 635
0.1 mi·9 sec·Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
30
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 19AToward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinneyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·54 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto US 75
5.3 mi·5 min·North Central Expressway
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 28AToward Plano Parkway, 15th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi·2 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
35
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
To keep your trip efficient, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the nearly six-hour duration. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day fatigue and potential traffic as you approach the Plano area. Since the entire route is highway-focused, verify your fuel levels before starting the longest 150.1-mile stretch on US 69 to ensure you stay within your $47 fuel budget. Given the manageable length of the drive, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on your comfort level rather than strict time constraints. Keep a close watch on signage when transitioning between US 69 and US Highway 175 to maintain your momentum throughout the journey.
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 155.2 miles from Groves, TX, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.1 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 68 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.2 miles or 3h 1m 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 55m
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 Groves, 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 Groves, TX
This is one driving day of about 310.3 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Groves, 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 69 for about 150.1 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 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 281.8 and 307.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
281.8 mi into trip|~5h 25m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, I 635 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 20 East, I 635 North
9
282.2 mi into trip|~5h 26m in|I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 480
Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland
8
301 mi into trip|~5h 46m in
Take the exit toward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinney
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 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinn...
7
301.9 mi into trip|~5h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
307.9 mi into trip|~5h 54m 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
$46.89 one way
$93.77 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$51.32
$102.64
premium
$4.54
$55.40
$110.80
diesel
$5.61
$68.51
$137.02
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
$47
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: 108.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.1
1
$32.58
$14.89
Efficient EV
77.6
0
$27.15
$12.41
EV Truck/SUV
124.1
1
$43.44
$19.86
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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 Apr 12, 2026
Origin
Groves, TX
Night
in Groves on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plano, TX
Night
in Plano on Saturday
Local time
9:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph89% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 8:43AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 8:38AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
14 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
5h 59m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a focused, highway-heavy experience, as 94% of this drive is spent on major thoroughfares. You will navigate primarily via US 69 and US Highway 175, which facilitate a steady pace across the region. The drive features a significant 150.1-mile stretch on US 69, representing the longest uninterrupted segment of the trip. While the road transitions between these primary routes, the character remains consistent, prioritizing speed and efficiency over complex local road networks. You can look forward to a predictable driving experience that relies heavily on highway connectivity to bridge the gap between Groves and Plano.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.1 mi on US 69.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 69 and US Highway 175 West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 281.8 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 310.3 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 281.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.2 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 301 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
489 ft10 ft
Total Climb
635 ft
Total Descent
155 ft
Highest Point
489 ft
~284.4 mi in
Elevation Range
479 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Groves, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Lufkin, Jasper and Garland.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 310.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m 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 150.1 miles on US 69. 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 281.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.2 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 301 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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.
