This 106.1-mile drive from Plano, TX to Gholson, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours to complete. The route is primarily highway-focused, with an estimated fuel cost of $16. You'll spend most of your time on the South R L Thornton Freeway, Central Expressway, and Tokio Road, which make up 88% of the journey. Given its relatively short duration and focused highway profile, this trip is ideal for a quick getaway within the Great Plains region of Texas. It offers a straightforward drive without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
53.1 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
74.8 mi
1h 17m
Central Expressway
16.8 mi
18m
Tokio Road
8.9 mi
13m
Gholson Road
1.4 mi
2m
North Central Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
East 15th Street
0.6 mi
1m
North Interstate 35
0.6 mi
1m
Canton Street
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 74.8 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Gholson, 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
Take the exit
501 ft·12 sec
Exit 284CToward Downtown, Good-Latimer ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
6
Continue on North Central Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn right onto Elm Street
304 ft·10 sec·Elm Street
8
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Young Street
10
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
315 ft·8 sec·South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Canton Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·Canton Street
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 30 West
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
14
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E South: WacoUse the left / right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
17
Continue on I 35E
74 mi·1 hr 16 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 351Toward FM 1858: Tokio RoadUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.6 mi·1 min·North Interstate 35
20
Turn right onto FM 1858
8.9 mi·13 min·Tokio Road
21
At end of road, turn left onto FM 933; FM 1858
1.4 mi·2 min·Gholson Road
22
Turn right onto FM 1858
54 ft·2 sec·Wildcat Circle
23
Arrive at destination
FM 1858
Trip Plan
This 2-hour drive is well-suited for a single-day adventure, giving you flexibility with your departure time. To make the most of your journey, consider leaving mid-morning to avoid the busiest traffic. Since there are no designated stops mentioned, plan for your own breaks as needed, especially during the longest 74.8-mile stretch on the South R L Thornton Freeway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, and remember that the estimated fuel cost is around $16. A practical tip for this route is to ensure your navigation is set correctly before departing Plano, as the transition between main roads can be seamless on this highway-centric path.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.1 miles from Plano, TX, or about 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 74.8 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 23 miles or 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 53.1 miles or 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Gholson, 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 106.1 miles and 2h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 23 miles from Plano, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South R L Thornton Freeway for about 74.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 94.8 — 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.
8
17.5 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
19.7 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
19.7 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Waco
7
94.8 mi into trip|~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward FM 1858: Tokio Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 351
Toward FM 1858: Tokio Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$16.03 one way
$32.06 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg37 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$17.55
$35.10
premium
$4.54
$18.94
$37.89
diesel
$5.61
$23.43
$46.85
Estimated Tolls: $1.40
Central Expressway
(17.5 mi)$1.40
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
$16
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$42–$67
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 37.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
31.8
0
$11.14
$5.09
Efficient EV
26.5
0
$9.28
$4.24
EV Truck/SUV
42.4
0
$14.85
$6.79
Gas CO2
37 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (68% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Plano, TX
Late night
in Plano on Tuesday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Gholson, TX
Late night
in Gholson on Tuesday
Local time
3:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
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
2h on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 106.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this 106.1-mile route. With an 88% highway share, much of your drive will be on faster-paced roads like the South R L Thornton Freeway and Central Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 74.8 miles on the South R L Thornton Freeway, meaning you can settle in for a good portion of the journey. While largely a highway drive, the inclusion of roads like Tokio Road suggests a potential shift in scenery or road type towards the destination, offering a slight variation.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 74.8 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway 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.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 106.1 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 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 Gholson, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h. Total distance: 106.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 74.8 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.40 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.
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 Gholson, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Gholson, TX before heading back.
