Skip to main content

Trip from Lindale, TX to Plano, TX

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

1h 48m

Distance

101.2 mi

163 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$15

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min
4 AM
1h 41m ★
6 AM
1h 49m
8 AM
2h 5m
10 AM
1h 54m
12 PM
1h 53m
3 PM
1h 55m
5 PM
2h 4m
8 PM
1h 44m

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

Downtown Lindale, TX, TX

Lindale, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Collin and Denton counties in Texas, United States

Plano, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 101.2-mile drive from Lindale, TX to Plano, TX is a straightforward journey that can easily be completed in about 1 hour and 48 minutes. Primarily using I-20 and US-80, with a stretch on Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, this route is almost entirely highway driving, making it a simple day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $15, it's an economical option for a quick getaway or a connecting leg. Both Lindale and Plano are situated in the Great Plains region, so you'll experience a consistent landscape throughout your travel. This trip is ideal for those seeking efficiency and minimal fuss.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Midpoint

50.6 miles from Lindale, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 56.4 mi 56m
US 80 15.3 mi 16m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 11.4 mi 12m
North Central Expressway 6.7 mi 8m
Spur 557 4.4 mi 4m
South Main Street 3.5 mi 4m
East 15th Street 0.6 mi 1m
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway 0.1 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 56.4 mi, about 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lindale, TX and Plano, TX.

1

Start on FM 16

96 ft · 9 sec · East Hubbard Street
2

Turn left onto US 69

3.5 mi · 4 min · South Main Street
3

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec
4

Merge onto I 20

56 mi · 56 min · I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557

4.4 mi · 4 min · Spur 557
Exit 499A Toward Dallas Use the slight right lane.
6

Continue on US 80

15 mi · 16 min · US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 51 sec
Toward I 635 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Merge onto I 635

11 mi · 12 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 635

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
10

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 19A Toward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinney Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 54 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto US 75

5.3 mi · 5 min · North Central Expressway
13

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec
Exit 28A Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Turn straight onto North Central Expressway

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15

Turn right onto East 15th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Arrive at destination

East 15th Street

Trip Plan

Given the short duration of under two hours, this route offers great flexibility; you can depart whenever it suits you. Since there are no recommended stops, you can easily power through or pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost for this 101.2-mile journey is around $15. A good tip for this drive is to be aware of potential traffic on Lyndon B Johnson Freeway as you get closer to Plano, especially during peak hours, to ensure a smooth arrival.

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 50.6 miles from Lindale, TX, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.4 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 22 miles or 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 50.6 miles or 51m 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 Lindale, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Lindale, TX

This is one driving day of about 101.2 miles and 1h 48m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Lindale, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 56.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown McLendon-Chisholm, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

McLendon-Chisholm, TX

51 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

Van, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Terrell, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 50.6 miles from Lindale, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 60.2 and 98.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
60.2 mi into trip | ~1h 1m in | Spur 557

Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 557 toward Dallas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 499A Toward Dallas
6
79.9 mi into trip | ~1h 22m in

Take the exit toward I 635 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 635 North
8
91.9 mi into trip | ~1h 35m in

Take the exit toward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinney

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 19A Toward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinn...
7
92.8 mi into trip | ~1h 37m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
98.8 mi into trip | ~1h 44m 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

$15.29 one way

$30.58 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 35 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $16.74 $33.48
premium $4.54 $18.07 $36.14
diesel $5.61 $22.34 $44.69

Estimated Tolls: $0.54

Central Expressway (6.7 mi) $0.54

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

$15

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$41–$66

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 35.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 30.4 0 $10.63 $4.86
Efficient EV 25.3 0 $8.86 $4.05
EV Truck/SUV 40.5 0 $14.17 $6.48

Gas CO2

35 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (66% 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 20, 2026

Origin

Lindale, TX

Late night in Lindale on Tuesday

Local time

5:40 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Plano, TX

Late night in Plano on Tuesday

Local time

5:40 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°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

4 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 48m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for 89% of this trip, predominantly along I-20 and US-80. The longest uninterrupted stretch measures 56.4 miles on I-20, offering a chance to settle in for a solid period of driving. While the majority of the route is fast-paced interstate, you might encounter some local road transitions as you approach your destination. The character of the drive is largely efficient, designed for covering ground quickly, rather than for scenic contemplation.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.4 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 60.2 miles in near Spur 557.

Driving Effort 9/10

Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 101.2 miles you will encounter 12 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 60.2 miles (Spur 557): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Lindale, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Dallas and Mckinney.

Dallas

60.2 mi in | ~1h 1m | via Spur 557

Mckinney

91.9 mi in | ~1h 35m

About the Cities

Arriving in Plano, TX

Full guide →

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.

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 1h 48m. Total distance: 101.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

1h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 56.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.54 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.

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 60.2 miles (Spur 557): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Plano, TX before heading back.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Lindale, TX or browse trips ending in Plano, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.