Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Lago Vista, 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
4h
Distance
214.8 mi
346 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 47m
★
6 AM
4h 0m
8 AM
4h 26m
10 AM
4h 9m
12 PM
4h 7m
3 PM
4h 11m
5 PM
4h 25m
8 PM
3h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lago Vista, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 214.8-mile drive from Lago Vista, TX, to Plano, TX, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 4 hours. You'll primarily navigate the Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a significant portion on North Central Expressway as you approach Plano. With a fuel cost estimated at $32, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Great Plains region of Texas. It's a practical option for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
107.4 miles from Lago Vista, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 107 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.6 mi | 18m |
| East Whitestone Boulevard | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| RM 1431 | 7.5 mi | 10m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| West Whitestone Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| West New Hope Drive | 1.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 107 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,902 veh/hr typical · worst 4,654
Quietest
2 AM
~570 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.8×
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 Lago Vista, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Park Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Drive
2
Continue on Park Drive
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Park Drive
3
Continue on Park Drive
70 ft
·
6 sec
·
Park Drive
4
Turn left onto Lohman Ford Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Lohman Ford Road
5
Turn right onto RM 1431
7.5 mi
·
10 min
·
RM 1431
6
Continue on RM 1431
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Whitestone Boulevard
7
Turn left onto West New Hope Drive
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West New Hope Drive
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto North Lakeline Boulevard
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lakeline Boulevard
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left onto RM 1431
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Whitestone Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10
Continue on RM 1431
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
East Whitestone Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Turn slight left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Interstate 35
12
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Interstate 35
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 35 North
14
Merge onto I 35
74 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
21
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
22
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
26
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 75
15 mi
·
16 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
30
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
31
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, this route is best tackled in one day, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Aim to leave Lago Vista in the morning to avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one recommended stop, you can be strategic about where you take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be more spaced out there than on the interstate.
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 107.4 miles from Lago Vista, TX, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107 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 47 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.4 miles or 2h 5m 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 15m
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 Lago Vista, 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 Lago Vista, TX
This is one driving day of about 214.8 miles and 4h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Lago Vista, 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 107 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.4 miles from Lago Vista, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 107 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.
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
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
Love's Travel Stop
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 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 websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
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 websiteLakeline Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Cedar Park, Texas
+15124015500
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteJim Hogg Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Georgetown, Texas
+15129305253
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 137.3 and 212.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
137.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 35m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
193.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 33m 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...
8
195.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
7
195.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m 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
8
212.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 55m 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
$29.42 one way
$58.84 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $32.86 | $65.73 |
| premium | $4.23 | $35.73 | $71.46 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.56 | $81.12 |
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
$29
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.55 | $10.31 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.80 | $8.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.07 | $13.75 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Lago Vista, TX
Evening in Lago Vista on Monday
Local time
7:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Evening in Plano on Monday
Local time
7:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
96°F
Troy, TX
107 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 103.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with 41% of the journey on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 107 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a period of consistent travel. While much of the drive involves highway speeds, the profile suggests transitions that might include some local road segments, particularly as you move between major arteries. This blend means you'll experience both flowing highway travel and potentially more varied driving conditions as you progress toward Plano.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 137.3 miles in near I 35E.
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 19 significant decision points across 214.8 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 137.3 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.2 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
912 ft
493 ft
Total Climb
723 ft
Total Descent
831 ft
Highest Point
912 ft
~15.3 mi in
Elevation Range
419 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 Lago Vista, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center, Mckinney and Bryan Street East.
Fort Worth
193.9 mi in
|
~3h 34m
Texarkana
193.9 mi in
|
~3h 34m
Convention Center
194 mi in
|
~3h 34m
Mckinney
195.2 mi in
|
~3h 36m
Bryan Street East
196.2 mi in
|
~3h 38m
About the Cities
Starting in Lago Vista, 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. Total distance: 214.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107 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 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 137.3 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 195.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.0 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Plano, TX
More trips to Plano, TX
Explore more options from Lago Vista, TX or browse trips ending in Plano, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.