Lake Kiowa to Plano is 62.7 miles and takes about 1 hour 39 minutes via Dallas North Tollway and US 377, with a fuel budget near $9 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward journey. If you're looking for a short, efficient trip between these two Texas locations, this route is a solid option. Given its relatively short duration, it’s perfectly suited for a same-day excursion, allowing you to maximize your time at your destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
31.3 miles from Lake Kiowa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dallas North Tollway
14.4 mi
15m
US 377
11.6 mi
17m
Dallas Parkway
10.3 mi
16m
FM 455 East
6.8 mi
12m
President George Bush Turnpike
6.5 mi
7m
Farm-to-Market Road 902
3.9 mi
6m
FM 3164
1.9 mi
4m
County Road 2134
1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Dallas North Tollway
— 14.4 mi, about 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lake Kiowa, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Blackfoot Trail
0.5 mi·1 min·Blackfoot Trail
2
Turn right onto Kiowa Drive North
0.9 mi·3 min·Kiowa Drive North
3
Continue on Commanche Drive
0.1 mi·26 sec·Commanche Drive
4
Turn left
311 ft·25 sec
5
Turn left onto County Road 211
167 ft·7 sec·County Road 211
6
Turn right onto County Road 2134
1.0 mi·3 min·County Road 2134
7
At end of road, turn right onto FM 3164
1.9 mi·4 min·FM 3164
8
At end of road, turn left onto FM 902
3.9 mi·6 min·Farm-to-Market Road 902
9
Continue on FM 902
0.3 mi·28 sec·West Locust Street
10
Turn right onto US 377
12 mi·17 min·US 377
11
Turn left onto FM 455
6.8 mi·12 min·FM 455 East
12
Turn right onto Dallas Parkway
10 mi·16 min·Dallas Parkway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
13
Continue on South Dallas Parkway
0.5 mi·46 sec·South Dallas Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
14
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·59 sec
15
Continue on DNT
14 mi·15 min·Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward PGBT: President George Bush TurnpikeUse the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward PGBT East: President George Bush TurnpikeUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto PGBT
6.5 mi·7 min·President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left lane.
21
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 29Toward 15th StreetUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto Central Expressway
0.4 mi·49 sec·Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
This is a manageable drive of under two hours, so you have plenty of flexibility with your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you near the Dallas Parkway. With a fuel cost estimated around $9, you won't need to worry too much about frequent fill-ups, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 14.4 miles, so you can comfortably plan for a single, short break if needed, perhaps around the midway point. Keep an eye on signs for Dallas Parkway as you get closer to Plano for the final approach.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 31.3 miles from Lake Kiowa, TX, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 14.4 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 14 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.3 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 26m
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 Lake Kiowa, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Lake Kiowa, TX
This is one driving day of about 62.7 miles and 1h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 14 miles from Lake Kiowa, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Dallas North Tollway for about 14.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 4.5 and 62.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
4.5 mi into trip|~14m in|FM 902 / Farm-to-Market Road 902
At end of road, turn left onto FM 902 / Farm-to-Market Road 902
Navigation decision point
6
52.7 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward PGBT: President George Bush Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PGBT: President George Bush Turnpike
7
53.4 mi into trip|~1h 26m in
Keep slight left at fork toward PGBT East: President George Bush Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward PGBT East: President George Bush Turnpik...
7
60.8 mi into trip|~1h 35m 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
6
62.1 mi into trip|~1h 38m in|East 15th Street
Turn right onto East 15th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.47 one way
$18.95 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg22 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$10.37
$20.74
premium
$4.54
$11.19
$22.39
diesel
$5.61
$13.84
$27.69
Estimated Tolls: $1.70
Dallas North Tollway
(14.4 mi)$1.15
President George Bush Turnpike
(6.5 mi)$0.52
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
$9
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
18.8
0
$6.58
$3.01
Efficient EV
15.7
0
$5.49
$2.51
EV Truck/SUV
25.1
0
$8.78
$4.01
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Lake Kiowa, TX
Morning
in Lake Kiowa on Sunday
Local time
8:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plano, TX
Morning
in Plano on Sunday
Local time
8:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1h 39m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway-focused, with 61% of the drive taking place on major roadways like the Dallas North Tollway and US 377. You'll experience some longer stretches of continuous driving, including a segment of 14.4 miles on the Dallas North Tollway, which allows for steady progress. The road character shifts as you move from the more direct tollway to US 377, offering a mix of faster travel and potentially more varied scenery as you approach your destination. It's a drive that prioritizes getting you there efficiently.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 14.4 mi on Dallas North Tollway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Dallas North Tollway and US 377. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 4.5 miles in near FM 902 / Farm-to-Market Road 902.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 62.7 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles (FM 902 / Farm-to-Market Road 902): Navigation decision point; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Lake Kiowa, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Pgbt: President George Bush Turnpike and Pgbt East: President George Bush Turnpike.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 39m. Total distance: 62.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 14.4 miles on Dallas North Tollway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.70 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North Tollway. 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.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.5 miles (FM 902 / Farm-to-Market Road 902): Navigation decision point; at 52.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Plano, TX before heading back.
