This 420.6-mile drive from Plano, TX to McCamey, TX will take approximately 7 hours and 15 minutes of driving time. It's designed as a single-day trip, so you can reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You'll be spending most of your time on major highways, covering 94% of the journey on them. Expect a fuel cost of around $64 for this route. This is a straightforward, highway-focused journey across the Great Plains region of Texas.
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
210.3 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 38m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
284.4 mi
4h 47m
TX 349
42.1 mi
43m
Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway
17.7 mi
20m
SH 183 TEXpress
13.6 mi
13m
Jim Wright Freeway
12.8 mi
14m
South State Highway 349
10.2 mi
10m
Central Expressway
7 mi
7m
I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 284.4 mi, about 4h 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and McCamey, 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
284 mi·4 hr 47 min·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi·34 sec
Toward SH 349 Business, SH 349: Lamesa, Rankin
25
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
349 ft·9 sec·East Interstate 20
26
Turn left onto TX 349 Bus
0.5 mi·44 sec·Rankin Highway
27
Continue on TX 349
10 mi·10 min·South State Highway 349
28
Continue on TX 349
42 mi·43 min·TX 349
Use the straight lane.
29
Turn right onto US 67; TX 349
18 mi·20 min·Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway
30
Continue on US 67
1.0 mi·1 min·East 3rd Street
31
Turn left onto FM 305
5 ft·0 sec·South Burleson Avenue
32
Arrive at destination
FM 305
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour drive, departing early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive at your destination comfortably. With only 2 planned stops, consider pacing them to break up the longest stretch of 284.4 miles on I-20. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you transition off I-20 onto TX-349, as services might become less frequent. The $64 fuel cost is an estimate, so be prepared for slight variations.
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 210.3 miles from Plano, TX, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 284.4 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 93 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 210.3 miles or 3h 38m 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 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McCamey, 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 420.6 miles and 7h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 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 284.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 210.3 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 284.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
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
$63.55 one way
$127.11 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg147 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$69.56
$139.13
premium
$4.54
$75.10
$150.19
diesel
$5.61
$92.86
$185.73
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
$64
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
126.2
1
$44.16
$20.19
Efficient EV
105.2
1
$36.80
$16.82
EV Truck/SUV
168.2
2
$58.88
$26.92
Gas CO2
147 kg
EV CO2
49 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 16, 2026
Origin
Plano, TX
Night
in Plano on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 16 at 4:14AM CDT until April 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 4:13AM CDT until April 16 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
McCamey, TX
Night
in McCamey on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°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
5 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 15m 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?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 94% of the 420.6 miles on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 284.4 miles on I-20, offering a consistent pace. While largely interstate, the final leg transitions to TX-349 and the Trooper Sammy Long Memorial Highway, offering a change from the high-speed interstate feel. The character is one of efficient travel across the Texas landscape.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 284.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and TX 349. 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 22 significant decision points across 420.6 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 McCamey, TX, road signs point toward Sh 349 Business, Sh 349: Lamesa and Rankin.
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 15m. Total distance: 420.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 284.4 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 McCamey, 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 14.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at McCamey, TX before the return drive.
