Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Menard, 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
5h 26m
Distance
268 mi
431 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 13m
★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 36m
12 PM
5h 33m
3 PM
5h 37m
5 PM
5h 52m
8 PM
5h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Menard, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Menard, TX to Plano, TX is 268 miles and takes about 5h 26m via United States Highway 377 and I 20, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This mostly highway drive stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a straightforward trip. It's a single-day option for most drivers, offering a direct path north. Plan for a relatively quick transit time, keeping your focus on reaching your destination 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
134 miles from Menard, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| United States Highway 377 | 43.5 mi | 1h 4m |
| I 20 | 33.8 mi | 36m |
| US 281 | 26.1 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 67/377 East | 19 mi | 21m |
| United States Highway 190 | 18.7 mi | 27m |
| US Highway 67 | 15.4 mi | 17m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 11.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
United States Highway 377
— 43.5 mi, about 1h 4m
Traffic on I-820
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,299 veh/hr typical
Quietest
1 AM
~392 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 50 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 Menard, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on FM 2092
54 ft
·
8 sec
·
West San Saba Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 83
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Frisco Avenue
3
Turn right onto US 190
11 mi
·
11 min
·
East US Highway 190
4
Continue on US 190
19 mi
·
27 min
·
United States Highway 190
5
Continue on US 190
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Menard Highway
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Bridge Street
7
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377
131 ft
·
1 sec
·
Commerce Street
8
Turn right onto US 190; US 377
218 ft
·
5 sec
·
Church Street
9
Turn right onto US 190; US 377
327 ft
·
14 sec
·
Main Street
10
Turn left onto US 190; US 377
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Bridge Street
11
Continue on US 377
44 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
United States Highway 377
12
Continue on US 377
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
13
Take the ramp onto US 377
230 ft
·
6 sec
·
US 377
14
Merge onto US 67; US 84; US 377
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
West Commerce Street
15
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Early Boulevard
16
Continue on US 67; US 377
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US Highway 67/377 East
17
Continue on US 67; US 377
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
West Central Avenue
18
Continue on US 67; US 377
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US Highway 67
19
Continue on US 67; US 377
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest US Highway 377
20
Continue on US 67; US 377
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Dublin Bypass
21
Continue on US 67; US 377
7.5 mi
·
8 min
·
South US Highway 377
22
Turn straight onto US 67; US 377
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
West Washington Street
23
Turn left onto FM 988
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Senator Robert J. Glasgow Loop
Use the left lane.
24
Turn right onto FM 8
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
West Lingleville Road
Use the right lane.
25
At end of road, turn left onto US 281
26 mi
·
28 min
·
US 281
Use the left lane.
26
Take the exit
313 ft
·
9 sec
27
Turn straight onto I-20 Service Road
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
I-20 Service Road
28
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 20 East: Fort Worth
29
Merge onto I 20
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Merge onto I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Northeast Loop
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
35
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi
·
11 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 12 TEXpress
Toward I 35E Toll North
Use the slight left lane.
38
Merge onto Loop 12
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Merge onto I 35E
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 440B
Toward I 635 East
Use the right lane.
41
Merge onto I 635
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Continue on I 635
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the right lane.
43
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 19A
Toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
45
Merge onto US 75
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Central Expressway
46
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
48
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
49
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour drive time, leaving Menard in the morning will allow you to reach Plano with plenty of daylight. With only one recommended stop, you can be flexible with your timing, but ensure you have adequate fuel before departing Menard, as the longest stretch without services is 43.5 miles. The $41 fuel cost is an estimate, so keep an eye on your gauge, especially on the highway portions. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, so you have the flexibility to depart when you're ready.
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 134 miles from Menard, TX, or about 2h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 43.5 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 59 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 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 33m
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 Menard, 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 Menard, TX
This is one driving day of about 268 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Menard, 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 United States Highway 377 for about 43.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
134 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 59 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 134 miles from Menard, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.9 mi from route
Mr. Fuel Travel Center
2.4 mi from route
iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Hurst, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm
+18178184359
Visit websiteDark 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 websitePresidio de San Saba
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Menard, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13253964789
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 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 websiteWhite Settlement Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
White Settlement, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+18172469719
Visit websiteThe Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.8 mi from route
~9 min detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256436376
Visit websiteBrown County Museum of History
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Early stretch
4.2 mi from route
~10 min detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256411926
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 305 decision points cluster between mile 203.8 and 265.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
203.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m in
|
I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
209.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
7
223.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 37m in
|
I 820 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas E...
8
259.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
Take the exit toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dallas
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 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dall...
8
265.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 22m 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
$36.71 one way
$73.42 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
94 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $41.00 | $82.00 |
| premium | $4.23 | $44.58 | $89.16 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $50.60 | $101.21 |
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
$37
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 80.4 | 0 | $28.14 | $12.86 |
| Efficient EV | 67 | 0 | $23.45 | $10.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 107.2 | 1 | $37.52 | $17.15 |
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Menard, TX
Night in Menard on Monday
Local time
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Night in Plano on Monday
Local time
11:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
6 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
5h 26m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 88% highway driving, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on surface roads is 43.5 miles along United States Highway 377. As you approach Plano, expect to encounter more urban merging and denser traffic patterns. The transition from rural cruising to more developed areas will be noticeable as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 43.5 mi on United States Highway 377.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Highway 377 and I 20. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 203.8 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
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 30 significant decision points across 268 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 203.8 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 209.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.1 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,955 ft
444 ft
Total Climb
890 ft
Total Descent
2,106 ft
Highest Point
1,955 ft
~19.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,511 ft
About the Cities
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 26m. Total distance: 268 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 43.5 miles on United States Highway 377. 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.
Yes — we found about 9 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 203.8 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 209.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 223.1 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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