Origin
Medina, TX
Morning in Medina on Sunday
Local time
8:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Medina, TX to Plano, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 15m
Distance
333.1 mi
536 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 2m
★
6 AM
6h 15m
8 AM
6h 40m
10 AM
6h 24m
12 PM
6h 21m
3 PM
6h 25m
5 PM
6h 39m
8 PM
6h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medina, TX
Mark Direen
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on a road trip from Medina, Texas, to Plano, Texas, covers 333.1 miles and is estimated to take about 6 hours and 15 minutes. This journey, primarily on the Purple Heart Trail, I-35E, and East US Highway 290, is best tackled as a single-day drive given its duration. You can anticipate a fuel cost of around $50 for this stretch. Since both Medina and Plano are located within the Great Plains region, you'll experience a consistent landscape throughout your travel. This route offers a practical way to cover ground between these two Texas locations efficiently.
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
166.5 miles from Medina, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 113 mi | 1h 55m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| East US Highway 290 | 30.9 mi | 38m |
| Ranch Road 473 | 20.7 mi | 26m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.6 mi | 18m |
| RM 473 | 12.5 mi | 16m |
| Express 1 Toll | 10.2 mi | 10m |
| Ranch Road 2828 | 9 mi | 9m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 113 mi, about 1h 55m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medina, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Newcomer Lane
65 ft
·
9 sec
·
Newcomer Lane
2
Turn left onto TX 16
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 16 North
3
Turn left onto RM 2828
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Ranch Road 2828
4
At end of road, turn left onto TX 173
0.9 mi
·
56 sec
·
State Highway 173 North
5
Continue on TX 173
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Bandera Highway
6
Turn right onto RM 480
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Ranch Road 480
7
Continue on RM 480
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
San Antonio Street
8
Turn right onto FM 1350
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
China Street
9
Continue on FM 1350
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Farm to Market Road 1350
10
At end of road, turn right onto TX 27
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 27
11
Turn left onto RM 473
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
RM 473
12
Turn right onto RM 473
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
RM 473
13
Turn right onto RM 473; RM 1376
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sisterdale Road
14
Turn left onto RM 473
21 mi
·
26 min
·
Ranch Road 473
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; RM 473
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
South US Highway 281
16
Continue on US 281
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
17
Continue on US 281
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
North US Highway 281
18
Turn right onto US 290
31 mi
·
38 min
·
East US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
West US Highway 290
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
21
Continue on West US Highway 290
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West US Highway 290
22
Continue on US 290; TX 71
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward Loop 1 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto Loop 1
4.6 mi
·
5 min
·
South Mopac Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto Express 1 Toll
10 mi
·
10 min
·
Express 1 Toll
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
26
Merge onto Loop 1
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Mopac Expressway
Use the straight lane.
27
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 45 Toll East
Use the slight right lane.
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward I 35 North, Toll 45 East
29
Merge onto TX 45 Toll
0.6 mi
·
35 sec
·
State Highway 45 North
30
Take the exit
1.3 mi
·
2 min
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto I 35
80 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
35
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
36
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
38
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
39
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
40
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
43
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on US 75
15 mi
·
16 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
47
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
48
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour and 15-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Medina to maximize daylight and arrive in Plano with ample time. With a single recommended stop, plan it strategically for a mid-drive break. The estimated fuel cost of $50 suggests keeping an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 113-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, where services might be less frequent. This is a manageable one-day trip, but flexibility with your departure time is key to a relaxed journey.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.5 miles from Medina, TX, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113 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 73 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.5 miles or 3h 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 8m
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 Medina, 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 Medina, TX
This is one driving day of about 333.1 miles and 6h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Medina, 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 113 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 166.5 miles from Medina, 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 113 miles.
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 325 decision points cluster between mile 133.4 and 330.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
133.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 45 Toll East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 45 Toll East
7
255.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m 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
311.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 48m 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
313.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 51m 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
8
330.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 10m 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
$50.33 one way
$100.66 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $55.09 | $110.19 |
| premium | $4.54 | $59.47 | $118.95 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $73.54 | $147.09 |
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
$50
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 99.9 | 1 | $34.98 | $15.99 |
| Efficient EV | 83.3 | 0 | $29.15 | $13.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.2 | 1 | $46.63 | $21.32 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Plano, TX
Morning in Plano on Sunday
Local time
8:40 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
2 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
6h 15m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed experience, with nearly half of the 333.1 miles (49%) spent on highways. Expect to encounter approximately 113 miles on the Purple Heart Trail as one of the longest uninterrupted stretches, offering a different pace than the interstate. The transition to I-35E will likely bring a faster, more typical highway driving experience. While not exclusively an interstate grind, the blend of road types means you'll experience varying speeds and road conditions on your way from Medina to Plano.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113 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 133.4 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 32 significant decision points across 333.1 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 133.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.6 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 311.8 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Medina, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1 North, Toll 45 East, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Mckinney - among others.
Loop 1 North
113.6 mi in
|
~2h 20m
Toll 45 East
133.9 mi in
|
~2h 43m
Fort Worth
312.2 mi in
|
~5h 49m
Texarkana
312.2 mi in
|
~5h 49m
Convention Center
312.3 mi in
|
~5h 49m
Mckinney
313.5 mi in
|
~5h 51m
Bryan Street East
314.5 mi in
|
~5h 53m
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 6h 15m. Total distance: 333.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 133.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 255.6 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 311.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 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, 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
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Plano, TX
More from Medina, TX
More trips to Plano, TX
Explore more options from Medina, TX or browse trips ending in Plano, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.