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Trip from Jourdanton, TX to Plano, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 56m

Distance

342.7 mi

552 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 43m ★
6 AM
5h 56m
8 AM
6h 22m
10 AM
6h 6m
12 PM
6h 3m
3 PM
6h 7m
5 PM
6h 21m
8 PM
5h 49m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and county seat of Atascosa County, Texas, United States

Jourdanton, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Collin and Denton counties in Texas, United States

Plano, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking on a 342.7-mile journey from Jourdanton, TX to Plano, TX, this drive is estimated to take just under 6 hours, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily navigate on the Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I-35E, with 60% of the drive being on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $52. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, suggesting a drive through consistent prairie landscapes. This route offers a straightforward, mixed driving experience that can be comfortably completed in a single day.

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

171.3 miles from Jourdanton, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 97.7 mi 1h 39m
Pickle Parkway 86 mi 1h 19m
I 35E 56.2 mi 58m
I 37 23.2 mi 23m
90th Infantry Division Highway 21.7 mi 22m
North Central Expressway 16.6 mi 18m
I 10 10.9 mi 10m
Connally Loop 7 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m

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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Jourdanton, TX and Plano, TX.

1

Start on TX 16

94 ft · 5 sec · Zanderson Avenue
2

Turn right onto TX 97

4.7 mi · 7 min · Oak Street
3

Turn left onto US 281; TX 97

0.1 mi · 14 sec · South Main Street
4

Continue on US 281; TX 97

0.7 mi · 1 min · 2nd Street
5

Turn right onto TX 97

3.5 mi · 5 min · East State Highway 97
6

Turn left onto I-37 Frontage Road

0.1 mi · 24 sec · I-37 Frontage Road
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
Toward I 37 North
8

Merge onto I 37

23 mi · 23 min · I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec
Exit 133 Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South Use the slight right lane.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 58 sec
Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto I 410; TX 130

7.0 mi · 7 min · Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit onto TX 130

0.1 mi · 14 sec · TX 130
Exit 33 Toward I 10, US 90, TX 130: San Antonio, Houston Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 130

0.4 mi · 53 sec · TX 130
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, TX 130 North: Houston, Seguin
14

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 130

0.2 mi · 25 sec · TX 130
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East
15

Merge onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

22 mi · 22 min · 90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the slight right lane.
16

Continue on I 10; TX 130

11 mi · 10 min · I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 614 Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on TX 130 Toll

86 mi · 1 hr 19 min · Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20

Merge onto I 35

65 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

56 mi · 58 min · I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.
24

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street Use the slight right lane.
25

Keep slight left at fork

422 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
26

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
27

Keep slight left at fork

385 ft · 6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
28

Continue on I 30; US 67

0.8 mi · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
29

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 45 sec
Exit 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney Use the slight right lane.
30

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left lane.
31

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
32

Merge onto US 75

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Continue on US 75

15 mi · 16 min · North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
34

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 28A Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35

Turn straight onto North Central Expressway

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
36

Turn right onto East 15th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
37

Arrive at destination

East 15th Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour and 56-minute duration, starting your drive from Jourdanton early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 342.7 miles as needed, perhaps after the longest stretch of 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the highway segments, and budget approximately $52 for gas. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, so enjoy the open road and the change of scenery as you head north.

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 171.3 miles from Jourdanton, TX, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 75 miles or 1h 24m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 171.3 miles or 2h 55m 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 49m

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 Jourdanton, 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 Jourdanton, TX

This is one driving day of about 342.7 miles and 5h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Jourdanton, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Bell County, Texas

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

171 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

San Marcos, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Jarrell, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 171.3 miles from Jourdanton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 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.

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

0 mi from route

Picnic Area

0 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Picnic Area

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.1 mi from route

Buc-ee's

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.1 mi from route

Circle K

0.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.1 mi from route

Ascent Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Jud's Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.2 mi from route

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

0.2 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.2 mi from route

Buc-ee's

0.2 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.9 mi from route

SoPac Trail Rest Area

1.9 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.3 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2.5 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 website

11th 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 website

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

Heritage 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 website

NTER - The Great Escape

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Waxahachie, Texas

Hours: 5–9 pm

+12149801053

Visit website

City Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~11 min detour

Home stretch 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 29

5 decision points cluster between mile 32.7 and 321.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
32.7 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 133 Toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
8
32.9 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 410 North, TX 130 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 410 North, TX 130 North
8
40.3 mi into trip | ~47m in | TX 130

Take the exit onto TX 130 toward I 10, US 90, TX 130: San Antonio, Houston

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 33 Toward I 10, US 90, TX 130: San Antonio, Housto...
8
73.6 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in

Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco

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 614 Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
8
321.4 mi into trip | ~5h 30m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.94 one way

$93.88 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 120 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.89 $52.43 $104.86
premium $4.23 $57.00 $114.01
diesel $4.80 $64.71 $129.42

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

$47

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 119.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 102.8 1 $35.98 $16.45
Efficient EV 85.7 0 $29.99 $13.71
EV Truck/SUV 137.1 1 $47.98 $21.93

Gas CO2

120 kg

EV CO2

40 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Jourdanton, TX

Evening in Jourdanton on Monday

Local time

6:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

92°F

Partly Sunny

SSE 5 to 15 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:12AM CDT until July 17 at 10:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:00AM CDT until July 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Plano, TX

Evening in Plano on Monday

Local time

6:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

91°F

Mostly Sunny

S 5 to 15 mph 10% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:12AM CDT until July 17 at 10:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:00AM CDT until July 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

96°F

Troy, TX

171 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

1 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

5h 56m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 35.5
View on nps.gov
Waco Mammoth National Monument

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...

5 mi from route ~14 min detour Free near mile 236.3
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route presents a mixed driving profile, balancing efficient highway travel with other road types. You'll experience a 60% highway share, including stretches on I-35E, which can be quite fast-paced. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a significant period of consistent travel. As you progress, expect the road character to shift between open highway and potentially more varied local road conditions, providing a dynamic driving experience over the 342.7 miles.

60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.7 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 29 significant decision points across 342.7 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 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.3 miles (TX 130): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

870 ft 456 ft

Total Climb

1,011 ft

Total Descent

804 ft

Highest Point

870 ft

~171.3 mi in

Elevation Range

414 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Jourdanton, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Houston, Seguin, Austin, Waco, Fort Worth and Texarkana - among others.

Houston

40.3 mi in | ~47m | via TX 130

Seguin

40.4 mi in | ~47m | via TX 130

Austin

62.7 mi in | ~1h 11m | via I 10; TX 130

Waco

62.7 mi in | ~1h 11m | via I 10; TX 130

Fort Worth

321.8 mi in | ~5h 30m

Texarkana

321.8 mi in | ~5h 30m

Convention Center

321.9 mi in | ~5h 30m

Mckinney

323.2 mi in | ~5h 32m

Bryan Street East

324.1 mi in | ~5h 34m

About the Cities

Starting in Jourdanton, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1909

Jourdanton is a small rural town in South Texas.

Top landmarks

  • Atascosa County Courthouse — building in Jourdanton, Atascosa County, Texas

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 5h 56m. Total distance: 342.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 42 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 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 32.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 32.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40.3 miles (TX 130): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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