Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Hereford, TX to Plano, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 22m
Distance
406.8 mi
655 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 12m
★
6 AM
7h 23m
8 AM
7h 44m
10 AM
7h 30m
12 PM
7h 28m
3 PM
7h 31m
5 PM
7h 43m
8 PM
7h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hereford, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hereford, TX to Plano, TX is 406.8 miles and takes about 7h 22m via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $65 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path between two points. Expect a consistent driving experience for most of the trip. Considering the recommended one-day duration, it's a manageable distance for a single day's travel if you get an early start. This route is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the Texas Panhandle towards the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
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
203.4 miles from Hereford, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 287 | 81.8 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 287 | 77.2 mi | 1h 21m |
| Central East Freeway | 72.5 mi | 1h 16m |
| West 1st Street | 46 mi | 50m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| West US Highway 380 | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| President George Bush Turnpike | 13.3 mi | 14m |
| South Stemmons Freeway | 10.5 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 287
— 81.8 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hereford, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on this road
242 ft
·
23 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto US 60
46 mi
·
50 min
·
West 1st Street
3
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Exit 123B
Toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 123B
Toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
5
Merge onto I 40; US 287
7.6 mi
·
9 min
·
I 40; US 287
6
Take the exit onto US 287
77 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
US 287
Exit 78
Toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
7
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
8
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Burnett Street
9
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
10
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northwest
11
Continue on US 287
54 mi
·
58 min
·
US Highway 287
12
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest Freeway
15
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
16
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
18
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
19
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
20
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
70 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Central East Freeway
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
22
Keep slight left at fork
147 ft
·
4 sec
23
Turn left onto US 380
22 mi
·
25 min
·
West US Highway 380
24
Continue on US 380
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Drive
25
Take the exit
288 ft
·
7 sec
26
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Interstate 35
27
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / left lanes.
28
Merge onto I 35; US 77
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
I 35; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
10 mi
·
11 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
31
Take the exit
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Exit 445
Toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight right at fork
1.2 mi
·
1 min
Toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Merge onto PGBT
13 mi
·
14 min
·
President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
36
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 29
Toward 15th Street
Use the slight right lane.
37
Turn straight onto Central Expressway
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
38
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
39
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour drive, aim for a departure before 8 AM to ensure you have ample daylight. With only two recommended stops and a longest stretch of over 80 miles, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the 3-4 hour mark. The fuel cost is estimated at $65, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Hereford. Given that this route is designed for a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your stop times based on your comfort level. Paying attention to the signs for US Highway 287 will be crucial for staying on the most direct path.
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 203.4 miles from Hereford, TX, or about 3h 40m 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 89 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 203.4 miles or 3h 40m 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 13m
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 Hereford, 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 Hereford, TX
This is one driving day of about 406.8 miles and 7h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Hereford, 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 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
203 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 89 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 203.4 miles from Hereford, 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 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
Texas Travel Information Center at Amarillo and Safety 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
National Truck Stop Amarillo
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Donley County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.8 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 46 and 404.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
46 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Take the exit toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahom...
10
46.2 mi into trip
|
~51m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123B
Toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City,...
7
389 mi into trip
|
~7h 1m 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
390.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 2m 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
404.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 18m 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
$55.72 one way
$111.44 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
142 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $62.24 | $124.47 |
| premium | $4.23 | $67.67 | $135.33 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $76.81 | $153.62 |
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
$56
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: 142.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 122 | 1 | $42.71 | $19.53 |
| Efficient EV | 101.7 | 1 | $35.60 | $16.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 162.7 | 2 | $56.95 | $26.04 |
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
48 kg (66% 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
Hereford, TX
Night in Hereford on Sunday
Local time
11:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 mph
5% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Night in Plano on Sunday
Local time
11:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
11% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM 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
12 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 22m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 56.1
View on nps.gov
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
30 mi from route
~74 min detour
Free
near mile 56.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is an 85% highway drive, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major roadways. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change in direction or road type is 81.8 miles on US Highway 287. You'll notice the landscape remain consistent for long periods, characteristic of the Great Plains. The transition to surface roads is minimal, primarily occurring as you approach your destination in Plano.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 287 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46 miles in.
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 24 significant decision points across 406.8 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 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 389 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,817 ft
576 ft
Total Climb
279 ft
Total Descent
3,429 ft
Highest Point
3,817 ft
Elevation Range
3,241 ft
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 Hereford, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.
Oklahoma City
46 mi in
|
~51m
Fort Worth
46 mi in
|
~51m
About the Cities
Starting in Hereford, TX
Full guide →Hereford is a city of 14,600 people (2019) in the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle.
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 7h 22m. Total distance: 406.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 34 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 34 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 46 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 46.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 389 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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