Love's Travel Stop
0 mi from route
Trip from Plano, TX to Clarendon, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
302.4 mi
487 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Clarendon, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Plano to Clarendon is 302.4 miles and takes about 5h 27m via North US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the edge of the Great Plains region into its heart. The route is primarily highway, making it a straightforward trip that's easy to complete in a single day. If you're looking for a direct path with minimal complexity, this 302-mile stretch is a solid choice.
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
151.2 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North US Highway 287 | 72.5 mi | 1h 15m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| East 11th Street | 28.7 mi | 32m |
| US Highway 287 | 27.3 mi | 28m |
| Boykin Drive | 26.2 mi | 28m |
| US Highway 287 West | 25.7 mi | 26m |
| US Highway 380 West | 21.5 mi | 24m |
| South Stemmons Freeway | 20.9 mi | 22m |
Longest stretch:
North US Highway 287
— 72.5 mi, about 1h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Clarendon, 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
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
Central Expressway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Exit 28B
Toward President George Bush Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
Toward PGBT West: President George Bush Turnpike
Use the slight right lane.
7
Merge onto PGBT
14 mi
·
14 min
·
President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
1.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35E North: Denton
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35E North: Denton
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 35E
21 mi
·
22 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
I 35; US 77
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 469
Toward US 380: University Drive
13
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
North Interstate 35
14
Turn left onto US 380
3.4 mi
·
4 min
·
West University Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
15
Continue on US 380
22 mi
·
24 min
·
US Highway 380 West
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
17
Merge onto US 81; US 287
72 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
North US Highway 287
18
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi
·
58 sec
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
19
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Northwest Freeway
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
21
Continue on US 287
40 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
24
Continue on US 287
29 mi
·
32 min
·
East 11th Street
25
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northeast
26
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
27
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Burnett Street
28
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
29
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi
·
28 min
·
Boykin Drive
30
Continue on US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
31
Turn left onto South Kearney Street
78 ft
·
2 sec
·
South Kearney Street
32
Arrive at destination
South Kearney Street
Trip Plan
Given that this route can be comfortably driven in under six hours, starting in the morning gives you plenty of flexibility. Aim to leave Plano early to maximize daylight, especially since the longest stretch without a town is 72.5 miles. The estimated fuel cost of $44 is based on the 302.4 miles, so keep an eye on your gauge. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to make it a quick break or a more substantial meal stop in a town along US Highway 287.
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 151.2 miles from Plano, TX, or about 2h 45m 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 67 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.2 miles or 2h 45m 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 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clarendon, 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 302.4 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 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 North US Highway 287 for about 72.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.2 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North US Highway 287 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.5 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.
Donley County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Donley County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Wise County Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wichita County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wichita County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
1 mi from route
TA
2.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2.2 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 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 websiteJake's Hilltop Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Flower Mound, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+19728746000
Visit websiteAndrew Brown Park West
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Coppell, Texas
Hours: 7 am–11 pm
+19724625100
Visit websiteExplorium Denton Children's Museum a Program of Denton County Friends of The Family.
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Denton, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19403205444
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 140.1 — 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.
7
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit toward President George Bush Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 28B
Toward President George Bush Turnpike
7
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PGBT West: President George Bush Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward PGBT West: President George Bush Turnpik...
7
17.3 mi into trip
|
~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North: Denton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35E North: Denton
9
140.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.42 one way
$82.84 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $46.26 | $92.53 |
| premium | $4.23 | $50.30 | $100.60 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $57.10 | $114.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.12
President George Bush Turnpike
(13.7 mi)
$1.09
Central Expressway
(0.5 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
$41
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.7 | 1 | $31.75 | $14.52 |
| Efficient EV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.46 | $12.10 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121 | 1 | $42.34 | $19.35 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Origin
Plano, TX
Late night in Plano on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:29PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Clarendon, TX
Late night in Clarendon on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 15 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 3:29PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
4 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
5h 27m 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 spend about 76% of your time on highways, with the longest continuous stretch on North US Highway 287 covering 72.5 miles. The drive transitions from highway cruising to surface streets as you approach your destination. Expect a predominantly rural feel for most of the 5h 27m trip, with fewer exits and more open road.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.5 mi on North US Highway 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North US Highway 287 and US Highway 287 East. 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.
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 16 significant decision points across 302.4 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 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,732 ft
542 ft
Total Climb
2,263 ft
Total Descent
199 ft
Highest Point
2,732 ft
~302.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,190 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 Clarendon, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
Amarillo
140.1 mi in
|
~2h 34m
|
via US 287
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
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 5h 27m. Total distance: 302.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.5 miles on North US Highway 287. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.12 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.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Clarendon, 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 22 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 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Clarendon, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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