Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Plano, TX to Port Lavaca, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 28m
Distance
339.9 mi
547 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 16m
★
6 AM
6h 28m
8 AM
6h 53m
10 AM
6h 37m
12 PM
6h 34m
3 PM
6h 38m
5 PM
6h 52m
8 PM
6h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Port Lavaca, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 339.9-mile journey from Plano, TX to Port Lavaca, TX is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 28 minutes. You'll navigate primarily on local roads, indicated by the 0% highway share, making it a more involved drive than a typical interstate trip. Expect a fuel cost of around $52 for this route. Since it's a turn-heavy local drive, plan for a steady pace rather than long, uninterrupted stretches. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so you won't be crossing major geographical divides.
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
170 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 77 | 120.2 mi | 2h 20m |
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| United States Highway 77 | 44.5 mi | 53m |
| Robinson Drive | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| Port Lavaca Drive | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| US 87 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US 77
— 120.2 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,837 veh/hr typical · worst 5,660
Quietest
2 AM
~666 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 43 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 Port Lavaca, 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
Take the exit
501 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Use the slight left lane.
6
Continue on North Central Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn right onto Elm Street
304 ft
·
10 sec
·
Elm Street
8
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Young Street
10
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
315 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Canton Street
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Canton Street
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 30 West
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
14
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Use the left / right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
17
Continue on I 35E
89 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426
Toward Dallas Zoo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35; US 77
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 333A
Toward Loop 396
20
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
21
Turn left onto Loop 396
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Valley Mills Drive
22
Enter roundabout onto Robinson Drive
125 ft
·
5 sec
·
Robinson Drive
23
Continue on Robinson Drive
29 mi
·
33 min
·
Robinson Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Continue on US 77
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 77
25
Turn left onto US 77; US 190; TX 36
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
East 4th Street
26
Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Kemp Street
27
Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
28
Take the exit onto US 77
101 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
US 77
29
Turn right onto US 77; US 90 Alt
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
West 4th Street
30
Continue on US 77; US 90 Alt
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Fairwinds Street
31
Turn left onto US 77
45 mi
·
53 min
·
United States Highway 77
Use the straight / left lanes.
32
Turn left onto US 87
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Goodwin Avenue
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on US 87
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Port Lavaca Drive
34
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 87
35
Arrive at destination
US 87
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 28-minute duration and the turn-heavy nature of this 339.9-mile drive, starting early from Plano is your best bet to maximize daylight. While the $52 fuel cost is manageable, plan for at least one stop to break up the drive and refuel. Since this isn't a highway-heavy route, you'll have more opportunities to find local amenities, but be mindful of the time it takes to navigate through populated areas. A good strategy is to aim for a mid-drive stop around the 3-hour mark to stretch your legs before continuing to Port Lavaca.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 170 miles from Plano, TX, or about 3h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.2 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 75 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170 miles or 3h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Lavaca, 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 339.9 miles and 6h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 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 US 77 for about 120.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
170 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 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 170 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.2 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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
QuikTrip
1 mi from route
290 Travel Plaza
1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 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 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 websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 19.7 — 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.
8
17.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
6
18.4 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
North Pearl Expressway
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
19.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
19.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.56 one way
$93.11 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
119 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $52.00 | $104.00 |
| premium | $4.23 | $56.54 | $113.08 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $64.18 | $128.36 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.40
Central Expressway
(17.5 mi)
$1.40
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
$47
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 102 | 1 | $35.69 | $16.32 |
| Efficient EV | 85 | 0 | $29.74 | $13.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 136 | 1 | $47.59 | $21.75 |
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Origin
Plano, TX
Late night in Plano on Monday
Local time
1:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
30% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:34PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Port Lavaca, TX
Late night in Port Lavaca on Monday
Local time
1:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 8 to 12 mph
14% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:34PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
4 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
6h 28m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 105.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Get ready for a turn-heavy local drive connecting Plano to Port Lavaca. With a 0% highway share, this route means you'll be interacting with local traffic and traffic signals for much of the 339.9 miles. There isn't a 'longest stretch' to highlight as the profile suggests constant engagement with the road. You'll experience a consistent mix of city and town driving, so be prepared for frequent adjustments in speed and direction throughout the 6-hour-plus journey.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120.2 mi on US 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 77 and South R L Thornton Freeway. 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 Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 339.9 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 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles (North Pearl Expressway): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
804 ft
18 ft
Total Climb
285 ft
Total Descent
935 ft
Highest Point
804 ft
~72.8 mi in
Elevation Range
786 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Port Lavaca, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco, Dallas Zoo and Loop 396.
Downtown
17.5 mi in
|
~19m
Denton
19.5 mi in
|
~23m
Waco
19.7 mi in
|
~24m
Dallas Zoo
20.6 mi in
|
~25m
|
via I 35E
Loop 396
114.2 mi in
|
~2h 2m
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 Port Lavaca, TX
Full guide →Port Lavaca is a city on the South Barrier Coast of Texas and is the county seat of Calhoun County.
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 6h 28m. Total distance: 339.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 28m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 120.2 miles on US 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.40 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 19 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 Port Lavaca, 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 19 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 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 18.4 miles (North Pearl Expressway): Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 12.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Lavaca, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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