Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Plano, TX to Jamaica Beach, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 48m
Distance
316.9 mi
510 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
18 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 35m
★
6 AM
5h 48m
8 AM
6h 15m
10 AM
5h 57m
12 PM
5h 55m
3 PM
5h 59m
5 PM
6h 13m
8 PM
5h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Jamaica Beach, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Plano, TX to Jamaica Beach, TX is 316.9 miles and takes about 5h 48m via Julius Schepps Freeway and Gulf Freeway, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Given its mostly highway profile and a single recommended stop, this route is well-suited for a same-day drive. You'll find it a straightforward path, primarily on major roadways, making it a practical choice for reaching the coast.
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
158.4 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 237.6 mi | 4h 9m |
| Gulf Freeway | 48.2 mi | 56m |
| Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| Termini San Luis Pass Road | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| Seawall Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| San Luis Pass Road | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| 61st Street | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 237.6 mi, about 4h 9m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,188 veh/hr typical · worst 3,792
Quietest
2 AM
~352 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 50 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 Jamaica Beach, 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
234 mi
·
4 hr 5 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 45
48 mi
·
56 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 1A
Toward Spur 342: West Beach
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto Broadway Street
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Broadway Street
Use the right lane.
10
Turn right onto 61st Street
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
61st Street
Use the right lane.
11
Turn right onto FM 3005
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
Seawall Boulevard
12
Continue on FM 3005
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Termini San Luis Pass Road
13
Continue on FM 3005
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
San Luis Pass Road
14
Turn sharp right onto Buccaneer Drive
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Buccaneer Drive
15
Continue on Buccaneer Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Buccaneer Drive
16
At end of road, turn left onto Jamaica Inn Road
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Jamaica Inn Road
17
Turn right onto Basin Drive
312 ft
·
15 sec
·
Basin Drive
18
Turn right onto Trinidad Way
240 ft
·
6 sec
·
Trinidad Way
19
Arrive at destination
Trinidad Way
Trip Plan
For this 5h 48m drive, departing from Plano, TX in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a 95% highway profile, you can easily complete this route in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $48, so plan accordingly. Keep an eye out for the transition from urban expressways to more open highway cruising as you head south. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility in timing your departure and any brief breaks.
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 158.4 miles from Plano, TX, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.6 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 70 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.4 miles or 2h 48m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jamaica Beach, 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 316.9 miles and 5h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 237.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 158.4 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 237.6 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
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
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 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
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.2 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
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 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 websiteGalveston Island State Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Galveston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+14097371222
Visit websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
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 websiteLone Star Flight Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13467082517
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 websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteFrankie Carter Randolph Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Friendswood, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+12814826055
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 303.8 — 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.
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.
7
303.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m in
Take the exit toward Spur 342: West Beach
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 1A
Toward Spur 342: West Beach
5
303.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 27m in
|
61st Street
Turn right onto 61st Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.67 one way
$101.33 round trip
$4.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $55.71 | $111.41 |
| premium | $4.79 | $59.74 | $119.47 |
| diesel | $5.52 | $68.91 | $137.81 |
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
$51
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-25.
EV Charging Along Route
18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Target - Tesla Supercharger
Plano, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Village on the Parkway - Tesla Supercharger
Dallas, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Walmart EV Charging
Plano, TX
WALMART
12 DCFC
Plano, TX Rechargery Relay - N Central Expy
Plano, TX
IONNA
10 DCFC
Walmart EV Charging
Murphy, TX
WALMART
8 DCFC
CityLine Market - Tesla Supercharger
Richardson, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
Chase Bank - 2000 W 15th St
Plano, TX
eVgo Network
6 DCFC
901 W Park Blvd
Plano, TX
HYPERFUEL
6 DCFC
eVgo Network: 5
GRAVITI_ENERGY: 4
Tesla: 3
WALMART: 2
IONNA: 1
HYPERFUEL: 1
Blink Network: 1
7CHARGE: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.1 | 1 | $33.27 | $15.21 |
| Efficient EV | 79.2 | 0 | $27.73 | $12.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.8 | 1 | $44.37 | $20.28 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Afternoon in Plano on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 to 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 3 at 1:30PM CDT until June 4 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued June 3 at 12:59PM CDT until June 3 at 2:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Jamaica Beach, TX
Afternoon in Jamaica Beach on Wednesday
Local time
4:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
E 15 mph
50% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 3 at 1:30PM CDT until June 4 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued June 3 at 12:59PM CDT until June 3 at 2:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
7 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 48m 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?
This route is 95% highway, offering a consistent driving experience for most of the trip. You'll spend the majority of your time on major arteries like Julius Schepps Freeway and Gulf Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch on a single highway is 237.6 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway, so you'll encounter long periods of consistent cruising. Expect dense exit patterns as you navigate through urban and suburban areas early on.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237.6 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Gulf Freeway. You will hit about 12 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
5/10
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 316.9 miles you will encounter 12 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
4 ft
Total Climb
197 ft
Total Descent
861 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
Elevation Range
664 ft
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 Jamaica Beach, TX
Full guide →Jamaica Beach is a city in the North Barrier Coast of 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 48m. Total distance: 316.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 48m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 237.6 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 29 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.
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 29 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Jamaica Beach, 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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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