Trip from Olivarez, TX to Plano, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 35m
Distance
519.9 mi
837 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$71
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
21 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Olivarez, TX
Fernando Capetillo
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Olivarez, TX to Plano, TX is 519.9 miles and takes about 9h 35m via I 69C, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway, with a fuel budget near $76 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This long-haul drive spans the Great Plains region of Texas, taking you from the south to the north of the state. While it's possible to complete in one day, the 9.5-hour duration suggests a more relaxed pace with an overnight stop would be wise. Plan for a significant amount of highway driving, so consider your comfort level with extended periods on major interstates.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
260 miles from Olivarez, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69C | 141.7 mi | 2h 35m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.6 mi | 18m |
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,007 veh/hr typical · worst 4,783
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 51 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 Olivarez, TX and Plano, TX.
Start on FM 88
Continue on FM 88
Turn left onto TX 107
Turn right onto FM 2128
Continue on FM 2128
Continue on FM 2128
Continue on FM 2128
Turn right onto North Expressway 281
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
Turn right onto TX 72
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
Continue on FM 792
Turn straight onto TX 80
Continue on TX 80
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 35
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35; US 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 30; US 67
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto US 75
Continue on US 75
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
Turn right onto East 15th Street
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 9 hour 35 minute drive time, this is a solid two-day trip. It's best to depart early in the morning to maximize your daylight hours. Plan for about two stops to break up the 519.9 miles. The longest continuous stretch on I 69C is over 140 miles, so be sure to fuel up before you hit that segment. Consider an overnight stay around the halfway point to make the drive more manageable.
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.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 114 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 260 miles or 5h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 260 miles or 5h 2m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 28m
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 Olivarez, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Olivarez, TX
Aim for roughly 260 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Plano, TX
Aim for roughly 260 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
172 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
343 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Waxahachie, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
260 mi · about 4.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 260 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 114 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 260 miles from Olivarez, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69C if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 260 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.
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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
Rest Area
Brooks County Rest Area
TA
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
Rest Area
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Petro Stopping Centers
Buc-ee's
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
Circle K
Ascent Travel Center
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
QuikTrip
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
Road Ranger
Love's Travel Stop
QuikTrip
Buc-ee's
TA
Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
SoPac Trail Rest Area
Service Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Dark Hour Haunted House
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit website11th Hour Escape
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
Near the end, short detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
Later in the drive, short detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteGibson Park
Near the start, ~12 min detour
Weslaco, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19564473407
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 337.8 and 517.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
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
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.21 one way
$142.42 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $79.54 | $159.08 |
| premium | $4.23 | $86.48 | $172.96 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $98.17 | $196.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$71
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$203–$313
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 181.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
21 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Austin, TX - Spirit of Texas Drive - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
19 DCFC
Luling, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Luling, TX
16 DCFC
Kenedy, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Kenedy, TX
12 DCFC
Austin, TX - FM 969 - Tesla Supercharger
Austin, TX
12 DCFC
Alice, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Alice, TX
11 DCFC
Bucees Luling MB.HPC
Luling, TX
10 DCFC
Falfurrias, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Falfurrias, TX
8 DCFC
Three Rivers, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Three Rivers, TX
8 DCFC
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 156 | 1 | $54.59 | $24.96 |
| Efficient EV | 130 | 1 | $45.49 | $20.80 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 208 | 2 | $72.79 | $33.27 |
Gas CO2
182 kg
EV CO2
61 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Olivarez, TX
Late night in Olivarez on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Late night in Plano on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
1 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
9h 35m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway, with 67% of the drive on major roads like I 69C. You'll experience a longest stretch of 141.7 miles on I 69C before transitioning to more surface roads. Expect a steady cruising pace for the majority of the trip, with the change from high-speed highway to surface streets noticeable as you approach your destination.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 9h 35m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 337.8 miles in.
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 25 significant decision points across 519.9 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 337.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 442.5 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 498.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
Total Climb
1,118 ft
Total Descent
518 ft
Highest Point
833 ft
~445.7 mi in
Elevation Range
765 ft
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.
On the drive from Olivarez, TX to Plano, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
About the Cities
Starting in Olivarez, TX
Full guide →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).
Frequently Asked Questions
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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