Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Hunters Creek Village, TX to Plano, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 41m
Distance
261.7 mi
421 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 28m
★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hunters Creek Village, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hunters Creek Village to Plano is 261.7 miles and takes about 4h 41m via North Freeway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Given the mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive with minimal detours. With a recommended one-day duration, this route is ideal for those looking to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a smooth transition between rural and urban landscapes as you head north.
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
130.9 miles from Hunters Creek Village, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 22m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 234.4 mi | 4h 5m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.6 mi | 18m |
| North Loop West | 4.4 mi | 5m |
| Katy Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| Memorial Drive | 0.9 mi | 2m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Chimney Rock Road | 0.4 mi | 1m |
| Katy Freeway Frontage Road | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 234.4 mi, about 4h 5m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,160 veh/hr typical · worst 3,825
Quietest
2 AM
~396 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 100 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 Hunters Creek Village, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Memorial Drive
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Memorial Drive
2
Turn sharp left onto Chimney Rock Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Chimney Rock Road
3
Turn right onto Katy Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Katy Freeway Frontage Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 10 East
5
Merge onto I 10; US 90
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Katy Freeway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 763
Toward I 610
Use the slight right lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 North
Use the slight left lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
38 sec
Toward US 290 West: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 610 North
Use the straight lane.
10
Merge onto I 610
4.4 mi
·
5 min
·
North Loop West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 17B
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
12
Merge onto I 45
234 mi
·
4 hr 5 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 75
15 mi
·
16 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
16
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 41m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning should allow you to reach Plano with plenty of daylight remaining. A single stop might be sufficient, but consider breaking up the 234.4-mile stretch on North Freeway if you prefer more frequent rests. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer highway segments, as services can sometimes be spaced out. The $38 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility to adjust your departure time based on traffic.
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 130.9 miles from Hunters Creek Village, TX, or about 2h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 234.4 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 58 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.9 miles or 2h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 50m
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 Hunters Creek Village, 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 Hunters Creek Village, TX
This is one driving day of about 261.7 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Hunters Creek Village, 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 North Freeway for about 234.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.9 miles from Hunters Creek Village, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 234.4 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
Flying J Travel Center
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
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.3 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
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteDark 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 websiteThe Escape Game Houston (Galleria)
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17136365541
Visit websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteExitusVR
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17133440525
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 2.8 and 259.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
2.8 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward I 610
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 763
Toward I 610
7
2.9 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 610 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 610 North
7
4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 290 West: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 290 West: Austin
7
4.5 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 610 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 610 North
8
259.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m 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
$39.29 one way
$78.57 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $43.47 | $86.94 |
| premium | $4.57 | $47.03 | $94.07 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $64.66 | $129.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.32
Central Expressway
(16.6 mi)
$1.32
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
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.5 | 0 | $27.48 | $12.56 |
| Efficient EV | 65.4 | 0 | $22.90 | $10.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.7 | 1 | $36.64 | $16.75 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Hunters Creek Village, TX
Late night in Hunters Creek Village on Saturday
Local time
5:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Sunny
E 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued October 23 at 12:53PM MDT until October 23 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa...
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued October 23 at 12:29PM MDT until October 25 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Plano, TX
Late night in Plano on Saturday
Local time
5:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
SE 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Watch
Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued October 23 at 12:53PM MDT until October 23 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa...
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued October 23 at 12:29PM MDT until October 25 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
58°F
Italy, TX
131 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 41m 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?
You'll spend 96% of this trip on highways, with the longest continuous stretch covering 234.4 miles on North Freeway. This means you'll primarily be in cruising mode. Expect a significant portion of the drive to be on high-speed, limited-access roads. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely occur near your destination in Plano.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 234.4 mi on North Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and North Central Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 14 significant decision points across 261.7 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 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
668 ft
66 ft
Total Climb
877 ft
Total Descent
275 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
~261.7 mi in
Elevation Range
602 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Hunters Creek Village, 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 4h 41m. Total distance: 261.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 234.4 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.32 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 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Plano, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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