Paducah, TX to Plano, TX is 255.7 miles and takes about 5h 4m via US Highway 287 East, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward trip across Texas. It's a single-day excursion, mostly on highways, making it a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without extensive planning. The route is designed for a smooth transition between these two Texas locations, with most of the mileage covered on main arteries.
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
127.8 miles from Paducah, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central East Freeway
72.5 mi
1h 16m
Easley Street
64.4 mi
1h 34m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
West US Highway 380
21.8 mi
25m
President George Bush Turnpike
13.3 mi
14m
South Stemmons Freeway
10.5 mi
11m
I 35E
9.8 mi
10m
Northwest Freeway
5.2 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 72.5 mi, about 1h 16m
Traffic on I-44
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,816 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~229 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Paducah, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on US 83
82 ft·5 sec·9th Street
2
Turn right onto US 70
64 mi·1 hr 34 min·Easley Street
3
Continue on US 70
1.3 mi·1 min·College Drive
4
Turn right onto US 70
0.2 mi·24 sec·US Highway 287 West
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp onto US 70
0.2 mi·20 sec·US 70
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Merge onto US 70; US 287
3.5 mi·3 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·Northwest Freeway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi·42 sec·Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
10
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
12
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
70 mi·1 hr 13 min·Central East Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
16
Keep slight left at fork
147 ft·4 sec
17
Turn left onto US 380
22 mi·25 min·West US Highway 380
18
Continue on US 380
3.3 mi·4 min·West University Drive
19
Take the exit
288 ft·7 sec
20
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Interstate 35
21
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / left lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35; US 77
1.0 mi·1 min·I 35; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35E; US 77
9.8 mi·10 min·I 35E; US 77
Toward I 35E South: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
10 mi·11 min·South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
25
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 445Toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto PGBT
13 mi·14 min·President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left lane.
30
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 29Toward 15th StreetUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto Central Expressway
0.4 mi·49 sec·Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
33
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 4m duration, leaving Paducah in the morning will allow you to reach Plano well before evening. With a single recommended day and only one stop factored in, you have flexibility in pacing your drive. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer 72.5-mile stretch on Central East Freeway, and plan your refueling around the 255.7-mile total distance. The fuel cost is estimated at $37, so factor that into your budget. Since it's a manageable drive, you can decide to stop for a longer break or push through if you're feeling good.
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 127.8 miles from Paducah, TX, or about 2h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.5 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 56 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.8 miles or 2h 43m 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 11m
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 Paducah, 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 Paducah, TX
This is one driving day of about 255.7 miles and 5h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Paducah, 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 Central East Freeway for about 72.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 23
5 decision points cluster between mile 114.6 and 253.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
114.6 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...
6
216.5 mi into trip|~4h 20m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 35 South
7
237.8 mi into trip|~4h 43m in
Take the exit toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 445
Toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpik...
7
239.1 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Tu...
7
253.7 mi into trip|~5h in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.02 one way
$70.05 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$39.12
$78.24
premium
$4.23
$42.53
$85.07
diesel
$4.80
$48.28
$96.56
Estimated Tolls: $1.09
President George Bush Turnpike
(13.3 mi)$1.06
Central Expressway
(0.4 mi)$0.03
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
$35
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
76.7
0
$26.85
$12.27
Efficient EV
63.9
0
$22.37
$10.23
EV Truck/SUV
102.3
1
$35.80
$16.36
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Paducah, TX
Late night
in Paducah on Monday
Local time
1:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Clear
S 10 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38AM CDT until July 19 at 6:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM CDT until July 20 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Late night
in Plano on Monday
Local time
1:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38AM CDT until July 19 at 6:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM CDT until July 20 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
102°F
Henrietta, TX
128 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
8 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 4m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 70% of this 255.7-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 72.5 miles along Central East Freeway. After the initial highway miles, you'll transition to surface roads, which will involve navigating more local traffic and potentially more frequent intersections. Expect a mix of high-speed cruising and more varied driving conditions as you approach your destination.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.5 mi on Central East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and Easley Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 114.6 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 255.7 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 114.6 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 237.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,859 ft460 ft
Total Climb
347 ft
Total Descent
1,539 ft
Highest Point
1,859 ft
Elevation Range
1,399 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Paducah, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Pgbt Toll: President George Bush Turnpike and Pgbt Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 4m. Total distance: 255.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.5 miles on Central East Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.09 in tolls one way, starting with President George Bush Turnpike. 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 114.6 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 216.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 237.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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.
