Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
40m
Distance
35.5 mi
57 km
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$5
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Bedford, TX
Wikimedia Commons
If you are planning to travel the 35.5 miles from Plano to Bedford, you can expect a quick, efficient transit across the Great Plains region. The drive takes approximately 40 minutes, making it a straightforward day trip that requires no overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via the Central Expressway, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, and SH 183 TEXpress to reach your destination. With a fuel cost estimate of just $5, this route is highly economical for commuters or casual travelers. Since the entire trip takes place within Texas, you will find the journey consistent and predictable from start to finish. It is a practical connection between these two cities, perfect for those who prefer to spend less time behind the wheel and more time at their destination.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SH 183 TEXpress | 9.5 mi | 9m |
| Central Expressway | 7 mi | 7m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| Airport Freeway | 3.4 mi | 3m |
| Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| South Stemmons Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Loop 12 TEXpress | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Bedford, TX.
Start on East 15th Street
Turn left onto Central Expressway
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 75
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 635
Continue on I 635
Take the exit
Merge onto I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard
Take the exit
Merge onto Loop 12 TEXpress
Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress
Take the exit
Merge onto TX 183
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Airport Freeway
Turn right onto Bedford Road
Turn right onto Forest Ridge Drive
Arrive at destination
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 18.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Central Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 635
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward I 635 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$5.36 one way
$10.73 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $5.87 | $11.74 |
| premium | $4.54 | $6.34 | $12.68 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $7.84 | $15.68 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.56
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$5
Tolls
$1
Total
$6
Estimated CO2 emission: 12.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 10.7 | 0 | $3.73 | $1.70 |
| Efficient EV | 8.9 | 0 | $3.11 | $1.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 14.2 | 0 | $4.97 | $2.27 |
Gas CO2
12 kg
EV CO2
4 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Plano on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Bedford on Sunday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 82% of this route consists of high-speed transit roads. You will spend your time navigating major arteries, which creates a fast-paced environment rather than a scenic, winding tour. The most significant portion of your time on the road occurs during the 9.5-mile stretch on SH 183 TEXpress, where traffic flow is the primary concern. Because the drive is dominated by these heavy-duty freeways, you should be prepared for a utilitarian experience that prioritizes speed over leisure. While the route lacks technical local roads, the sheer volume of highway driving means you will need to remain attentive to merging and lane changes throughout the 40-minute duration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on SH 183 TEXpress and Central Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Central Expressway.
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 18 decision points packed into just 35.5 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 40m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Plano, TX and Bedford, TX, road signs point toward Loop 12 South: Irving and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Loop 12 South: Irving
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
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.
Bedford is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 40m. Total distance: 35.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
40m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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