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Trip from Plano, TX to Live Oak, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 28m

Distance

299.3 mi

482 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 15m ★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
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.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Collin and Denton counties in Texas, United States

Plano, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Live Oak, TX, TX

Live Oak, TX

Phil Evenden

Trip Overview

Plano, TX to Live Oak, TX is 299.3 miles and takes about 5h 28m via I 20 and US 83, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you across the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward, highway-focused experience. Expect a consistent pace for most of the journey, making it a manageable one-day trip. If you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, this option delivers.

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

149.7 miles from Plano, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 37m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 128.6 mi 2h 10m
US 83 50 mi 56m
Grassmeyer Street 20.4 mi 21m
South 7th Street 16.5 mi 18m
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
Longest stretch: I 20 — 128.6 mi, about 2h 10m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Live Oak, 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 21 Toward I 635 Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.9 mi · 55 sec
Toward I 635 West Use 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 27C Toward I 35E South: Dallas Use 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 436A Toward 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 Toll Use 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 3A Toward I 30 West: Weatherford Use 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

129 mi · 2 hr 10 min · I 20
Use the slight right lane.
24

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 56 sec
Exit 292A Toward I 20 Business: Abilene
25

Turn straight onto I 20 Bus

1.9 mi · 2 min · East Highway 80
26

Turn left

0.2 mi · 26 sec
27

Merge onto Loop 322

5.6 mi · 5 min · Jake Roberts Freeway
28

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 48 sec
Toward US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Coleman
29

Turn straight onto US 83 Bus

0.1 mi · 9 sec · South Treadaway Boulevard
30

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Coleman
31

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 34 sec
32

Merge onto US 83; US 84

10 mi · 11 min · US 83; US 84
33

Continue on US 83

39 mi · 44 min · US 83
34

Turn left onto US 83

17 mi · 18 min · South 7th Street
Use the left lane.
35

Continue on US 83

20 mi · 21 min · Grassmeyer Street
36

Turn right onto US 87

4.9 mi · 5 min · West Broadway Street
37

Turn left onto FM 176

5.4 mi · 13 min · FM 176
38

Arrive at destination

FM 176

Trip Plan

Given the 5 hour 28 minute estimated drive time, starting your journey in Plano, TX after morning rush hour will allow you to reach Live Oak, TX with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or where services are readily available. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on I 20, as services can be spaced out. This is a comfortable one-day drive, so you have flexibility in your departure time.

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 149.7 miles from Plano, TX, or about 2h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 128.6 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 66 miles or 1h 12m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 149.7 miles or 2h 37m 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 22m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Live Oak, 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 299.3 miles and 5h 28m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 I 20 for about 128.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Palo Pinto and Parker Counties, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mineral Wells, TX

150 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

Weatherford, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Dublin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149.7 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 128.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your 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 website

11th 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 website

Heritage Farmstead Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Plano, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19728810140

Visit website

iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~11 min detour

4.4 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 42.8

Hurst, Texas

Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm

+18178184359

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 28

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

$45.22 one way

$90.45 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $49.50 $99.00
premium $4.54 $53.44 $106.88
diesel $5.61 $66.08 $132.16

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

$45

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$71–$96

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 89.8 1 $31.43 $14.37
Efficient EV 74.8 0 $26.19 $11.97
EV Truck/SUV 119.7 1 $41.90 $19.16

Gas CO2

105 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Plano, TX

Morning in Plano on Sunday

Local time

9:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Live Oak, TX

Morning in Live Oak on Sunday

Local time

9:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°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

12 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

5h 28m 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 primarily a highway-focused drive, with 83% of it on major roads. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on I 20, including one stretch of 128.6 miles without major interruptions. The landscape on I 20 is consistent, typical of the Great Plains. As you transition to US 83, the road may feel a bit more varied, but the overall character remains that of efficient travel.

83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 128.6 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 83. 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 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 28 significant decision points across 299.3 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.

Between Plano, TX and Live Oak, TX, road signs point toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Coleman.

Loop 12 South: Irving

18.8 mi in | ~21m | via North Walton Walker Boulevard

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

18.8 mi in | ~21m | via North Walton Walker Boulevard

Coleman

201.1 mi in | ~3h 31m

About the Cities

Starting in Plano, TX

Full guide →

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.

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 28m. Total distance: 299.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 128.6 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 Live Oak, 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. 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 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 Live Oak, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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