Trip from Indian Hills, TX to Plano, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 46m
Distance
526.2 mi
847 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$72
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Indian Hills, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 526.2-mile journey from Indian Hills, TX, to Plano, TX, is a long-distance drive best split over two days, taking approximately 9 hours and 46 minutes of driving time. You'll navigate primarily on I 69C, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway, with about 66% of the route being highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $80 and requiring two planned stops, this trip offers a straightforward path through the Great Plains region of Texas. Consider this route if you're looking for a manageable, two-day trip with a clear objective rather than a spontaneous day adventure.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
263.1 miles from Indian Hills, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69C | 141.7 mi | 2h 35m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.6 mi | 18m |
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,007 veh/hr typical · worst 4,783
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 51 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 Indian Hills, TX and Plano, TX.
Start on 11N
Continue on 11N
Turn left onto FM 491
Keep slight left at fork onto FM 491
Turn straight onto FM 491
Turn left onto TX 107
Continue on TX 107
Turn right onto FM 2128
Continue on FM 2128
Continue on FM 2128
Continue on FM 2128
Turn right onto North Expressway 281
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
Turn right onto TX 72
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
Continue on FM 792
Turn straight onto TX 80
Continue on TX 80
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 35
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35; US 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 30; US 67
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 75
Continue on US 75
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
Turn right onto East 15th Street
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour 46-minute duration, breaking this 526.2-mile drive into two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to depart early to maximize daylight hours for your first leg. Plan your two stops strategically, perhaps one around the halfway point to refuel and stretch. Pay attention to the longest stretch of 141.7 miles on I 69C; ensure you have ample fuel before entering it. The $80 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always check current prices as you plan your overnight stay.
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.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 116 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 263.1 miles or 5h 10m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 263.1 miles or 5h 10m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 40m
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 Indian Hills, 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.
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Indian Hills, TX
Aim for roughly 263 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Plano, TX
Aim for roughly 263 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
174 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
347 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Waxahachie, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
263 mi · about 4.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 263 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 116 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 263.1 miles from Indian Hills, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69C if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 263 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.
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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
Rest Area
Brooks County Rest Area
TA
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
Rest Area
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Petro Stopping Centers
Buc-ee's
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
Circle K
Ascent Travel Center
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
QuikTrip
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
Road Ranger
Love's Travel Stop
QuikTrip
Buc-ee's
TA
Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
SoPac Trail Rest Area
Service Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Dark Hour Haunted House
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
Later in the drive, right off the route
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit website11th Hour Escape
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
Near the end, short detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteLa Sal Del Rey
Near the start, ~11 min detour
Edinburg, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+19567847500
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
Later in the drive, ~12 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 344 and 523.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$72.07 one way
$144.15 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $80.50 | $161.01 |
| premium | $4.23 | $87.53 | $175.05 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $99.36 | $198.71 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$72
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$203–$313
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 184.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 157.9 | 1 | $55.25 | $25.26 |
| Efficient EV | 131.6 | 1 | $46.04 | $21.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 210.5 | 2 | $73.67 | $33.68 |
Gas CO2
184 kg
EV CO2
62 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
Indian Hills, TX
Evening in Indian Hills on Monday
Local time
7:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:47PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:46PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Plano, TX
Evening in Plano on Monday
Local time
7:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:47PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:46PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
5 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
9h 46m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a drive where a significant portion, 66%, is on highways, making for efficient travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 141.7 miles on I 69C, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While much of the route utilizes major roadways, the inclusion of Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway suggests a potential for varied scenery and road types beyond the typical interstate monotony. This mix means you'll experience both the efficiency of high-speed travel and potentially some more local road dynamics as you progress.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 9h 46m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 344 miles in.
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 26 significant decision points across 526.2 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 344 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 448.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 505 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,077 ft
Total Descent
471 ft
Highest Point
781 ft
~451 mi in
Elevation Range
719 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.
On the drive from Indian Hills, TX to Plano, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
About the Cities
Starting in Indian Hills, 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).
Frequently Asked Questions
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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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