Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Plano, TX to Brookshire, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 56m
Distance
252.7 mi
407 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 43m
★
6 AM
4h 56m
8 AM
5h 23m
10 AM
5h 6m
12 PM
5h 3m
3 PM
5h 7m
5 PM
5h 22m
8 PM
4h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Brookshire, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Plano to Brookshire is 252.7 miles and takes about 4h 56m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, primarily traveling across Texas. Expect mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip. With a recommended single day of travel and a relatively short duration, this drive is well-suited for a quick getaway or a convenient transit day.
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
126.4 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 143.9 mi | 2h 26m |
| South Madison Street | 41.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| TX 6 | 19.6 mi | 22m |
| FM 359 | 18.6 mi | 27m |
| Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 359 | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| US 290 Business | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| East Main Street | 2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 143.9 mi, about 2h 26m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,266 veh/hr typical · worst 2,949
Quietest
2 AM
~317 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 63 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 Brookshire, TX.
1
Start on East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto Central Expressway
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 75 South
4
Merge onto US 75
17 mi
·
17 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 45
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
141 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 190 West, TX 21: Bryan, Crockett
8
Turn left onto Interstate 45 North
479 ft
·
17 sec
·
Interstate 45 North
9
Turn right onto US 190; TX 21
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Main Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn left onto TX 75
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
South May Street
11
Turn right onto TX 90
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
East South Street
12
Turn left onto TX 90
41 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
South Madison Street
13
Continue on TX 90
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Washington Avenue
14
Turn left onto TX 105
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 6
15
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
16
Merge onto TX 6
20 mi
·
22 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 290 Business
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
US 290 Business
Toward US 290 East, TX 6 South
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto US 290 Bus
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Austin Street
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on US 290 Bus
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
US 290 Business
20
Turn right onto FM 359
19 mi
·
27 min
·
FM 359
21
At end of road, turn left onto FM 359
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
2nd Street
22
Continue on FM 359
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
Farm-to-Market Road 359
23
Continue on FM 359
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 359
24
Continue on FM 359
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Bains Street
25
Turn left onto US 90; FM 359
0.4 mi
·
36 sec
·
Highway Boulevard
26
Turn right onto FM 359
83 ft
·
1 sec
·
Waller Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
FM 359
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 56m estimated drive time, leaving Plano in the morning should get you to Brookshire with plenty of daylight to spare. You'll only need one stop, so plan it strategically along your 252.7-mile route, perhaps midway through the longest stretch on Julius Schepps Freeway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $37, and gas stations can become less frequent on the surface road sections. This is a manageable one-day drive, offering flexibility in your departure time.
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 126.4 miles from Plano, TX, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 143.9 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 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.4 miles or 2h 10m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookshire, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plano, TX
This is one driving day of about 252.7 miles and 4h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Plano, 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 143.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126.4 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 143.9 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
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
Pilot Travel Center
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
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 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 start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 227.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Central Expressway
Turn left onto Central Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
US 75 / Central Expressway
Merge onto US 75 / Central Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
20.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
161.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 47m in
|
US 190; TX 21 / East Main Street
Turn right onto US 190; TX 21 / East Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
227.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m in
|
US 290 Bus / Austin Street
Turn left onto US 290 Bus / Austin Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.93 one way
$75.87 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $41.97 | $83.95 |
| premium | $4.57 | $45.42 | $90.83 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $62.44 | $124.88 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.34
Central Expressway
(16.8 mi)
$1.34
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
$38
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.8 | 0 | $26.53 | $12.13 |
| Efficient EV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.11 | $10.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.1 | 1 | $35.38 | $16.17 |
Gas CO2
88 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.
Origin
Plano, TX
Late night in Plano on Friday
Local time
12:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Brookshire, TX
Late night in Brookshire on Friday
Local time
12:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
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
3 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 56m 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?
You'll be on the highway for about 80% of this 252.7-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on highway is 143.9 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway, so expect long periods of cruising. After that, you'll transition to surface roads, including TX 6, for the remaining portion of your drive.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 143.9 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and South Madison Street. You will hit about 20 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Central Expressway.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 252.7 miles you will encounter 20 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (US 75 / Central Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
668 ft
160 ft
Total Climb
212 ft
Total Descent
719 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
Elevation Range
508 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 Plano, TX to Brookshire, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Crockett along the way.
Crockett
161.5 mi in
|
~2h 46m
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 Brookshire, TX
Full guide →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 56m. Total distance: 252.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 143.9 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.34 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 19 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 Brookshire, 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. There are 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles (US 75 / Central Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.9 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Brookshire, 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.
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