Trip from Plano, TX to Alpine, 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

9h 18m

Distance

532.4 mi

857 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$73

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

9h 10m ★

6 AM

9h 19m

8 AM

9h 35m

10 AM

9h 24m

12 PM

9h 23m

3 PM

9h 25m

5 PM

9h 35m

8 PM

9h 14m

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

Best Time

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city in Collin and Denton counties in Texas, United States

Plano, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Brewster County, Texas, United States

Alpine, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Plano to Alpine is 532.4 miles and takes about 9h 18m via I 20 and TX 349, with a fuel budget near $77 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip spans the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a long-haul experience that's best broken into two days. You'll be covering a significant distance, so it's important to be prepared for an extended period behind the wheel. Consider this a straightforward drive across the state with minimal deviations.

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

266.2 miles from Plano, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	284.4 mi	4h 47m
East 3rd Street	57 mi	1h
TX 349	42.1 mi	43m
South US Higway 67	25.7 mi	29m
South US Highway 67	21.6 mi	24m
Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway	17.7 mi	20m
SH 183 TEXpress	13.6 mi	13m
Jim Wright Freeway	12.8 mi	14m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 284.4 mi, about 4h 47m

Traffic on I-20

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,369 veh/hr typical · worst 1,769

Quietest

2 AM

~188 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 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 Plano, TX and Alpine, TX.

Start on East 15th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 15th Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Central Expressway

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Central Expressway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward US 75 South

Merge onto US 75

6.8 mi · 7 min · Central Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 21 Toward I 635 Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 55 sec

Toward I 635 West Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 635

2.4 mi · 2 min · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 635

4.8 mi · 5 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 31 sec

Exit 27C Toward I 35E South: Dallas Use the left / straight lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

2.2 mi · 2 min · South Stemmons Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard

0.6 mi · 39 sec · North Walton Walker Boulevard

Exit 436A Toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto Loop 12 TEXpress

2.2 mi · 2 min · Loop 12 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress

13 mi · 13 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

2.0 mi · 2 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Continue on TX 183 TEXpress

0.1 mi · 7 sec · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

0.7 mi · 42 sec · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Continue on I 820 TEXpress

6.9 mi · 6 min · I 820 TEXpress

Toward I 820 Express West Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 820

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Northeast Loop

Continue on I 820

13 mi · 14 min · Jim Wright Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 1 min

Exit 3A Toward I 30 West: Weatherford Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 30

6.0 mi · 6 min · West Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 20

284 mi · 4 hr 47 min · I 20

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 34 sec

Toward SH 349 Business, SH 349: Lamesa, Rankin

Turn left onto East Interstate 20

349 ft · 9 sec · East Interstate 20

Turn left onto TX 349 Bus

0.5 mi · 44 sec · Rankin Highway

Continue on TX 349

10 mi · 10 min · South State Highway 349

Continue on TX 349

42 mi · 43 min · TX 349

Use the straight lane.

Turn right onto US 67; TX 349

18 mi · 20 min · Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway

Continue on US 67

57 mi · 1 hr · East 3rd Street

Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

0.2 mi · 27 sec · La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

Exit 246 Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University

Continue on US 67

0.1 mi · 18 sec · Interstate 10 West

Turn left onto US 67

26 mi · 29 min · South US Higway 67

Continue on US 67

22 mi · 24 min · South US Highway 67

Continue on US 67; US 90

7.6 mi · 8 min · East US Highway 90

Continue on US 67; US 90

0.7 mi · 50 sec · East Avenue E

Arrive at destination

US 67; US 90

Trip Plan

Given the 9h 18m duration, splitting this 532.4-mile drive over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you plan to tackle a significant portion on your first day. You'll have two recommended stops, so plan your breaks accordingly to refuel and stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the 284.4-mile stretch on I 20, as services can be spaced out in this long-haul profile.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 266.2 miles from Plano, TX, or about 4h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 284.4 miles.

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 117 miles or 2h 3m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 266.2 miles or 4h 34m 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 266.2 miles or 4h 34m

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 10m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alpine, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Plano, 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 Plano, TX

Aim for roughly 266 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Alpine, TX

Aim for roughly 266 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 117 miles from Plano, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 284.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and the county seat of Erath County, Texas, United States

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Stephenville, TX

176 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.

city in Howard County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Big Spring, TX

351 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 Big Spring, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Mount Pleasant, TX

266 mi · about 4.7h in

A practical overnight split lands near Mount Pleasant, TX after about 266 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Stephenville, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 117 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Roscoe, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 266.2 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 284.4 miles.

Overnight split

2.4 mi from route

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour

Final third 4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour

Midland, Texas

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+14326846827

Visit website

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 7.8 and 58.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7.8 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 635

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 21 Toward I 635

8.1 mi into trip | ~9m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 635 West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 635 West

16.1 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward I 35E South: Dallas

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes. Exit 27C Toward I 35E South: Dallas

18.8 mi into trip | ~21m in | North Walton Walker Boulevard

Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 436A Toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth...

58.1 mi into trip | ~1h 3m in

Take the exit toward I 30 West: Weatherford

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 3A Toward I 30 West: Weatherford

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$72.92 one way

$145.84 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 186 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$81.45	$162.91
premium	$4.23	$88.56	$177.12
diesel	$4.80	$100.53	$201.05

Estimated Tolls: $0.56

Central Expressway (7 mi) $0.56

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

$73

Tolls

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: 186.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $56 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	159.7	1	$55.90	$25.56
Efficient EV	133.1	1	$46.59	$21.30
EV Truck/SUV	213	2	$74.54	$34.07

Gas CO2

186 kg

EV CO2

62 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 16, 2026

Origin

Plano, TX

Morning in Plano on Sunday

Local time

10:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

90°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 10 mph 36% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:47PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:46PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Destination

Alpine, TX

Morning in Alpine on Sunday

Local time

10:01 AM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

NE 5 mph 55% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:47PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:46PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

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

11 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

9h 18m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is primarily highway driving, with 80% of the 532.4 miles on major roads like I 20. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 284.4 miles on I 20, where highway cruising will be the dominant experience. East 3rd Street and TX 349 will transition you to more local roads as you approach your destination, marking the end of the high-speed highway portion.

80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 284.4 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and East 3rd Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in.

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 23 significant decision points across 532.4 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,477 ft 583 ft

Total Climb

4,246 ft

Total Descent

437 ft

Highest Point

4,477 ft

~532.4 mi in

Elevation Range

3,894 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Plano, TX and Alpine, TX, road signs point toward Sh 349 Business, Sh 349: Lamesa, Rankin, Fm 1776: Alpine and Sul Ross State University.

Sh 349 Business

348.8 mi in | ~5h 58m

Sh 349: Lamesa

348.8 mi in | ~5h 58m

Rankin

348.8 mi in | ~5h 58m

Fm 1776: Alpine

476.6 mi in | ~8h 14m | via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

Sul Ross State University

476.6 mi in | ~8h 14m | via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor

About the Cities

Starting 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

Arriving in Alpine, TX

Full guide →

Alpine is a city of 6,000 people (2019) in Texas. It has an historic downtown, and is a good base for exploring Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and Davis Mountains State Park.

Top landmarks

• The Holland Hotel — historic place in Alpine, Brewster County, Texas

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 284.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 266 miles on day one.

Expect about $0.56 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 40 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 Alpine, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 9.3 hours each way, a round trip means 18.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alpine, 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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Explore More

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

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Plano, TX to Alpine, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-20

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rest Area

Rest Area

Mitchell County Westbound Rest Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Pilot Travel Center

I-20 Westbound Picnic Area

I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Howard County Eastbound Rest Area

Picnic Area

Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area

Eastland County Westbound Rest Area

Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Petro Stopping Centers

Flying J Travel Center

Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area

Callahan County Westbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Picnic Area

TA

Flying J Travel Center

QuikTrip

Mr. Fuel Travel Center

Dark Hour Haunted House

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth

11th Hour Escape

Heritage Farmstead Museum

Events Midland

Sibley Nature Center

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Plano, TX

Alpine, TX

Same local time

11 degrees cooler at arrival

9h 18m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Plano, TX

Arriving in Alpine, TX

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Should I split this drive into multiple days?

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?