Traveling from Plano to Kermit covers 414.9 miles across the Texas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes 7 hours and 20 minutes of driving time. Because this is a highway-focused route, you can realistically complete the trip in a single day if you stay focused behind the wheel. Budgeting approximately $63 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the expenses ahead. You will primarily utilize I-20, SH 183 TEXpress, and State Highway 302 to reach your destination in the Permian Basin. While the drive is straightforward, the time commitment suggests you should plan for at least two stops to stay refreshed. This route is best suited for drivers who prefer efficient interstate travel over winding backroads.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
207.4 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
299.7 mi
5h 4m
State Highway 302
40.4 mi
51m
SH 183 TEXpress
13.6 mi
13m
Jim Wright Freeway
12.8 mi
14m
Central Expressway
7 mi
7m
I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
6m
West Freeway
6 mi
6m
East 42nd Street
5.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 299.7 mi, about 5h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Kermit, 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
6.8 mi·7 min·Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 21Toward I 635Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi·55 sec
Toward I 635 WestUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 635
2.4 mi·2 min·Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 635
4.8 mi·5 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·31 sec
Exit 27CToward I 35E South: DallasUse the left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35E
2.2 mi·2 min·South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard
0.6 mi·39 sec·North Walton Walker Boulevard
Exit 436AToward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·14 sec
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.2 mi·2 min·Loop 12 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto TX 183 TEXpress
13 mi·13 min·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
2.0 mi·2 min·SH 121/183 TEXpress
16
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi·7 sec·SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi·42 sec·SH 121/183 TEXpress
18
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi·6 min·I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West TollUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi·24 sec·Northeast Loop
20
Continue on I 820
13 mi·14 min·Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·1 min
Exit 3AToward I 30 West: WeatherfordUse the slight right lane.
22
Merge onto I 30
6.0 mi·6 min·West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Merge onto I 20
300 mi·5 hr 4 min·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward Loop 338: Odessa
25
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
235 ft·4 sec·East Interstate 20
26
Turn right onto Loop 338
0.7 mi·53 sec·Southeast Loop 338
27
Continue on Loop 338
1.6 mi·2 min·Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
28
Turn left onto State Highway 191 East
0.5 mi·43 sec·State Highway 191 East
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on TX 191
5.6 mi·6 min·East 42nd Street
Use the straight lane.
30
At end of road, turn right onto Spur 450
0.4 mi·34 sec·Kermit Highway
Use the right lane.
31
Continue on TX 302
40 mi·51 min·State Highway 302
32
Continue on TX 302
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Jim Sharp Boulevard
33
Turn right onto TX 18
0.8 mi·1 min·South Poplar Street
34
Turn right onto TX 115
167 ft·5 sec·East Austin Street
35
Turn right
111 ft·8 sec
36
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 7-hour and 20-minute drive, try to depart Plano early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion and maximize daylight. Plan to incorporate your two recommended stops strategically; breaking up the nearly 300-mile I-20 segment is essential for maintaining alertness. Since fuel costs for this trip hover around $63, check your tank levels before leaving major service areas to avoid being caught in less populated stretches. Keep a close watch on your speedometer when transitioning from the high-speed interstate onto State Highway 302, as road conditions and speed limits can shift abruptly. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over if fatigue sets in during the long, monotonous stretches of the interstate.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 207.4 miles from Plano, TX, or about 3h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.7 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 91 miles or 1h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207.4 miles or 3h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kermit, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plano, TX
This is one driving day of about 414.9 miles and 7h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Plano, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 299.7 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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 7.8 and 58.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.8 mi into trip|~9m in
Take the exit toward I 635
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 635
7
8.1 mi into trip|~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 635 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 West
7
16.1 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Exit 27C
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
7
18.8 mi into trip|~21m in|North Walton Walker Boulevard
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
Exit 436A
Toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth...
7
58.1 mi into trip|~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward I 30 West: Weatherford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3A
Toward I 30 West: Weatherford
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.69 one way
$125.38 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$68.62
$137.24
premium
$4.54
$74.08
$148.16
diesel
$5.61
$91.60
$183.21
Estimated Tolls: $0.56
Central Expressway
(7 mi)$0.56
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
$63
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$88–$113
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
124.5
1
$43.56
$19.92
Efficient EV
103.7
1
$36.30
$16.60
EV Truck/SUV
166
2
$58.09
$26.55
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
49 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 18, 2026
Origin
Plano, TX
Night
in Plano on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
N 15 to 20 mph38% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kermit, TX
Night
in Kermit on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°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
10 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
7h 20m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, efficient experience, as 96% of this journey is spent on major highways. You will settle into a long, steady rhythm on I-20, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 299.7 miles. The drive transitions from the suburban sprawl near Plano to the open, expansive landscapes characteristic of the West Texas plains. While the pace is consistent, the sheer length of the interstate portion means you should prepare for a significant amount of highway-focused driving. By the time you transition onto SH 302, the environment will feel notably more remote than the initial stretches of your departure.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 299.7 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and State Highway 302. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 7.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 25 significant decision points across 414.9 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 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; at 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Kermit, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 338: Odessa along the way.
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 7h 20m. Total distance: 414.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 299.7 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.56 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Kermit, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 16.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kermit, TX before the return drive.
