Plano, TX to Kountze, TX is 266.1 miles and takes about 5h 8m via US Highway 69 South, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, beginning and ending in the Great Plains region. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward trip. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Texas locations.
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
133 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 31m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
C F Hawn Freeway
58.5 mi
1h 3m
US Highway 69 South
50.4 mi
57m
East Denman Avenue
38.5 mi
43m
US Highway 175 East
20.8 mi
22m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
18.5 mi
19m
US Highway 69 North
16.2 mi
18m
Rusk Street
15.1 mi
19m
US Highway 175
13.3 mi
14m
Longest stretch:
C F Hawn Freeway
— 58.5 mi, about 1h 3m
Traffic on I-635
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,274 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~569 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 9 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 Kountze, 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 left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward I 635 EastUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 635 East
8
Merge onto I 635
0.3 mi·17 sec·Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
9
Continue on I 635
19 mi·19 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 479BToward US 175 East: KaufmanUse the right lane.
11
Merge onto US 175
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·C F Hawn Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 175 Bus
151 ft·9 sec·US Highway 175 West
13
Turn left onto US 175 Bus; TX 31 Bus
2.5 mi·4 min·West Corsicana Street
14
Continue on US 175 Bus
21 mi·22 min·US Highway 175 East
15
Continue on US 175
2.0 mi·3 min·West Pine Street
16
Continue on US 175
13 mi·14 min·US Highway 175
17
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi·58 sec·Frankston Highway
18
Continue on US 175
0.2 mi·21 sec·Alexander Boulevard
19
At end of road, turn right onto US 69
3.3 mi·4 min·North Jackson Street
20
Continue on US 69
9.5 mi·10 min·US Highway 69 North
21
Continue on US 69
3.4 mi·3 min·North Dickinson Drive
22
Continue on US 69
9.3 mi·10 min·US Highway 69 South
23
Continue on US 69
1.5 mi·1 min·North Marcus Street
24
Continue on US 69
11 mi·13 min·US Highway 69 South
25
Continue on US 69
15 mi·19 min·Rusk Street
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
27
Continue on Loop 287 Frontage Road
0.5 mi·49 sec·Loop 287 Frontage Road
28
Continue on Loop 287
0.1 mi·17 sec·Loop 287 Frontage Road
29
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
2.1 mi·3 min·Kurth Drive
30
Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus; TX 103
1.2 mi·2 min·North Timberland Drive
31
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
0.6 mi·1 min·South Chestnut Street
32
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
39 mi·43 min·East Denman Avenue
33
Continue on US 69
3.0 mi·3 min·North Wheeler Avenue
34
Continue on US 69
6.7 mi·7 min·US Highway 69 North
35
Continue on US 69
2.9 mi·3 min·North Magnolia Street
36
Continue on US 69; US 287
30 mi·33 min·US Highway 69 South
37
Turn left onto East Brown Street
258 ft·12 sec·East Brown Street
38
Turn left onto South Cherry Street
98 ft·4 sec·South Cherry Street
39
Arrive at destination
South Cherry Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a manageable 5-hour drive, you can easily complete it in one day. Leaving in the morning will give you plenty of time to reach Kountze with daylight to spare. The route includes one recommended stop, which could be a good opportunity to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get closer to Kountze, as services might be more spread out. The primary highway, US Highway 69 South, is generally reliable for steady progress.
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 133 miles from Plano, TX, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.5 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 59 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 133 miles or 2h 31m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kountze, 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 266.1 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 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 C F Hawn Freeway for about 58.5 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 28.2 — 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.
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 left at fork toward I 635 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 East
7
28.2 mi into trip|~32m in
Take the exit toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 479B
Toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.45 one way
$72.89 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg93 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$40.71
$81.42
premium
$4.23
$44.26
$88.53
diesel
$4.80
$50.24
$100.49
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
$36
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
79.8
0
$27.94
$12.77
Efficient EV
66.5
0
$23.28
$10.64
EV Truck/SUV
106.4
1
$37.25
$17.03
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Plano, TX
Late night
in Plano on Saturday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Kountze, TX
Late night
in Kountze on Saturday
Local time
5:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
76°F
Jacksonville, TX
133 mi in
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 8m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 70% of this 266.1-mile route. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 58.5 miles on C F Hawn Freeway. Expect to transition from highway driving to surface streets like East Denman Avenue as you approach your destination. This means you'll encounter more local traffic and intersections in the latter part of your drive.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.5 mi on C F Hawn Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on C F Hawn Freeway and US Highway 69 South. 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 18 significant decision points across 266.1 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 1 miles (US 75 / Central Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 8m. Total distance: 266.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.5 miles on C F Hawn Freeway. 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.
Yes — we found about 4 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 Kountze, 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 4 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 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kountze, TX before the return drive.
