Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Patton Village, 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
4h 24m
Distance
240 mi
386 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 12m
★
6 AM
4h 25m
8 AM
4h 51m
10 AM
4h 34m
12 PM
4h 31m
3 PM
4h 35m
5 PM
4h 50m
8 PM
4h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Patton Village, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 240-mile journey from Patton Village, TX to Plano, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 24 minutes on the road, covering 93% of the distance on major highways like I-45 and North Central Expressway. With a projected fuel cost of around $36, this route offers a practical and efficient way to travel between the Great Plains regions of Texas. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a direct route without many detours.
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
120 miles from Patton Village, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 195.7 mi | 3h 20m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.6 mi | 18m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 3083 | 8 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 242 | 6.5 mi | 9m |
| South Loop 336 East | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| Beach Airport Road | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| FM 1485 | 2 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 195.7 mi, about 3h 20m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical · worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Patton Village, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Main Street
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
2
Continue on 1st Street
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
·
1st Street
3
Turn left onto Creekwood Lane
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Creekwood Lane
4
Turn left onto Eastex Freeway Frontage Road
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Eastex Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto TX 242
6.5 mi
·
9 min
·
State Highway 242
Use the right lane.
6
Turn right onto FM 1485
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 1485
7
Continue on FM 3083
6.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 3083
8
Continue on FM 3083
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 3083
9
Turn right onto Loop 336
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
South Loop 336 East
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto FM 3083
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Beach Airport Road
11
Continue on FM 3083
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 3083
12
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 45 North
14
Merge onto I 45
196 mi
·
3 hr 20 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 75
15 mi
·
16 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour, 24-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest uninterrupted stretch is nearly 200 miles. A good strategy is to refuel before you hit that long stretch on I-45 to ensure a smooth continuation of your journey.
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 120 miles from Patton Village, TX, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 195.7 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 53 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120 miles or 2h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 37m
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 Patton Village, 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 Patton Village, TX
This is one driving day of about 240 miles and 4h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Patton Village, 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 I 45 for about 195.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120 miles from Patton Village, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 195.7 miles.
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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.5 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Dark 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 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 websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
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 websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 239.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.6 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
Eastex Freeway Frontage Road
Turn left onto Eastex Freeway Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
2.8 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
TX 242 / State Highway 242
Turn right onto TX 242 / State Highway 242
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
19 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
Loop 336 / South Loop 336 East
Turn right onto Loop 336 / South Loop 336 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
237.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 20m 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
6
239.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
|
East 15th Street
Turn right onto East 15th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.87 one way
$65.74 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $36.72 | $73.44 |
| premium | $4.23 | $39.92 | $79.84 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $45.32 | $90.63 |
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
$33
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72 | 0 | $25.20 | $11.52 |
| Efficient EV | 60 | 0 | $21.00 | $9.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96 | 1 | $33.60 | $15.36 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Patton Village, TX
Night in Patton Village on Monday
Local time
9:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 0 to 5 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Night in Plano on Monday
Local time
9:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
100°F
Italy, TX
120 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
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
4h 24m 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?
For the most part, this drive is a highway-centric experience, with 93% of the route utilizing high-speed roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 195.7 miles on I-45, offering a consistent pace. While Farm-to-Market Road 3083 and North Central Expressway will offer slight variations, the overall character remains that of a swift transit, with minimal slowdowns. This is the kind of drive where you can settle in and cover ground efficiently.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 195.7 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and North Central Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near Eastex Freeway Frontage Road.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 24m drive. You will face about 12 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (Eastex Freeway Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (TX 242 / State Highway 242): Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (Loop 336 / South Loop 336 East): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
668 ft
86 ft
Total Climb
880 ft
Total Descent
299 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
~240 mi in
Elevation Range
582 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Patton Village, 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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 24m. Total distance: 240 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 195.7 miles on I 45. 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.
Yes — we found about 24 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (Eastex Freeway Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.8 miles (TX 242 / State Highway 242): Lane positioning matters here; at 19 miles (Loop 336 / South Loop 336 East): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Plano, TX
More from Patton Village, TX
More trips to Plano, TX
Explore more options from Patton Village, TX or browse trips ending in Plano, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.