Trip from Mission Bend, TX to Plano, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 56m

Distance

274 mi

441 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 43m ★

6 AM

4h 56m

8 AM

5h 23m

10 AM

5h 6m

12 PM

5h 3m

3 PM

5h 7m

5 PM

5h 22m

8 PM

4h 48m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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census designated place in counties of Fort Bend, Harris, Texas, United States

Mission Bend, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Collin and Denton counties in Texas, United States

Plano, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Mission Bend, TX to Plano, TX is 274 miles and takes about 4h 56m via North Freeway, North Central Expressway, and West Sam Houston Tollway North, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive primarily on major highways. Given its relatively short duration and consistent road conditions, this route is ideal for a single-day trip. Plan for a direct journey with minimal scenic detours, focusing on efficient travel between these two Texas locations.

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

137 miles from Mission Bend, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North Freeway	224.2 mi	3h 52m
North Central Expressway	16.6 mi	18m
West Sam Houston Tollway North	10.2 mi	11m
West Sam Houston Tollway South	9.1 mi	10m
Westpark Tollway	2.8 mi	3m
North Sam Houston Tollway West	2.6 mi	3m
Bellaire Boulevard	2.5 mi	4m
North Sam Houston Parkway West	0.8 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: North Freeway — 224.2 mi, about 3h 52m

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,256 veh/hr typical · worst 3,806

Quietest

2 AM

~407 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 48 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 Mission Bend, TX and Plano, TX.

Start on Marisol Drive

0.1 mi · 29 sec · Marisol Drive

Turn right onto Los Altos Drive

277 ft · 12 sec · Los Altos Drive

Turn left onto Addicks Clodine Road

0.3 mi · 43 sec · Addicks Clodine Road

Turn right onto Bellaire Boulevard

2.5 mi · 4 min · Bellaire Boulevard

Turn left onto Eldridge Parkway

0.6 mi · 1 min · Eldridge Parkway

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Alief Clodine Road

442 ft · 9 sec · Alief Clodine Road

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 44 sec

Toward WPT Toll East Use the straight / left lanes.

Merge onto WPT

2.8 mi · 3 min · Westpark Tollway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward SHT North, BW 8 South: Sam Houston Tollway Use the straight / slight right lanes.

At end of road, turn left onto BW 8

215 ft · 6 sec · West Sam Houston Parkway South

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward SHT Toll North Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto SHT

9.1 mi · 10 min · West Sam Houston Tollway South

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit onto SHT

0.4 mi · 27 sec · West Sam Houston Tollway North

Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto SHT

9.8 mi · 11 min · West Sam Houston Tollway North

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto SHT

2.6 mi · 3 min · North Sam Houston Tollway West

Use the slight right lane.

Continue on BW 8

0.8 mi · 53 sec · North Sam Houston Parkway West

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.5 mi · 3 min

Toward I 45 North: Dallas Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 45

224 mi · 3 hr 52 min · North Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 75

15 mi · 16 min · North Central Expressway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 28A Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Central Expressway

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn right onto East 15th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 15th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

East 15th Street

Trip Plan

For this 4h 56m drive, leaving Mission Bend in the morning is recommended to avoid potential afternoon traffic. Since it's a single-day trip covering 274 miles, you have flexibility with stops; consider a brief pause around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $40, and it's always wise to top off before starting a longer highway segment like the 224.2 miles on North Freeway. The route is mostly highway, so ensure your vehicle is in good condition for sustained driving.

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 137 miles from Mission Bend, TX, or about 2h 31m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.2 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 60 miles or 1h 11m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 137 miles or 2h 31m 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 2m

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 Mission Bend, 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 Mission Bend, TX

This is one driving day of about 274 miles and 4h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Mission Bend, 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 North Freeway for about 224.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Italy, TX

137 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

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Italy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 137 miles from Mission Bend, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19724823055

Visit website

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Sugar Land, Texas

Hours: 6 am–8 pm

+12812752825

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 7.1 and 271.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7.1 mi into trip | ~11m in

Take the exit toward SHT North, BW 8 South: Sam Houston Tollway

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. Toward SHT North, BW 8 South: Sam Houston Tollw...

7.6 mi into trip | ~12m in | BW 8 / West Sam Houston Parkway South

At end of road, turn left onto BW 8 / West Sam Houston Parkway South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

30.6 mi into trip | ~39m in

Take the exit toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown

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. Toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown

30.8 mi into trip | ~39m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 45 North: Dallas

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 45 North: Dallas

271.6 mi into trip | ~4h 51m 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

$37.53 one way

$75.06 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$41.92	$83.84
premium	$4.23	$45.58	$91.15
diesel	$4.80	$51.74	$103.47

Estimated Tolls: $3.27

Sam Houston Tollway (21.9 mi) $1.75

Central Expressway (16.6 mi) $1.32

Westpark Tollway (2.8 mi) $0.20

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

$38

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 95.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	82.2	1	$28.77	$13.15
Efficient EV	68.5	0	$23.98	$10.96
EV Truck/SUV	109.6	1	$38.36	$17.54

Gas CO2

96 kg

EV CO2

32 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.

Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Mission Bend, TX

Afternoon in Mission Bend on Sunday

Local time

12:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

78°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 mph 1% 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

Afternoon in Plano on Sunday

Local time

12:37 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

100°F

Italy, TX

137 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

2 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 56m 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?

Expect 88% of this 274-mile drive to be on highways. You'll experience a long stretch of 224.2 miles primarily on the North Freeway, which means consistent cruising with many exits. After this substantial highway segment, you'll transition to surface roads for the remaining portion of your trip. Be prepared for the dense exit patterns and merging traffic typical of major urban and suburban corridors.

88% 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: 224.2 mi on North Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and North Central Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.1 miles in.

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 20 significant decision points across 274 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 7.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 7.6 miles (BW 8 / West Sam Houston Parkway South): Lane positioning matters here; at 30.6 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

668 ft 90 ft

Total Climb

745 ft

Total Descent

166 ft

Highest Point

668 ft

~274 mi in

Elevation Range

578 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

On the drive from Mission Bend, TX to Plano, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.

Downtown

30.6 mi in | ~39m

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 4h 56m. Total distance: 274 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 56m 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 224.2 miles on North Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.27 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston 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.

Yes — we found about 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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

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Trip from Mission Bend, TX to Plano, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-45

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

TA Express

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

TA Express

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

Walker County Southbound Rest Area

Walker County Northbound Rest Area

Navarro County Southbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

QuikTrip

Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

TA

Service Plaza

SoPac Trail Rest Area

City Park

Dark Hour Haunted House

Candy Cane Park

11th Hour Escape

Heritage Farmstead Museum

Jumping World

Dennis Johnston Park

Cullinan Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Mission Bend, TX

Plano, TX

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 56m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in Plano, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From Plano, TX

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