Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Plano, TX to Shepherd, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 17m
Distance
231 mi
372 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 4m
★
6 AM
4h 17m
8 AM
4h 44m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 24m
3 PM
4h 28m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Shepherd, TX
Nano Erdozain
Trip Overview
Plano, TX to Shepherd, TX is 231 miles and takes about 4h 17m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a straightforward trip. Plan for a single day of driving, as the 4-hour duration is easily manageable.
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
115.5 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 168.7 mi | 2h 51m |
| Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| Phelps Drive | 14.2 mi | 16m |
| Church Street | 11.1 mi | 16m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 946 | 11 mi | 19m |
| TX 156 | 5.2 mi | 7m |
| 11th Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| US 190 | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 168.7 mi, about 2h 51m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,928 veh/hr typical · worst 2,609
Quietest
2 AM
~290 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 88 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 Shepherd, 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
Continue on I 45
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
165 mi
·
2 hr 47 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit onto US 190
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 190
Toward Texas 30, US 190 East: 11th Street
8
Turn left onto US 190; TX 30
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
11th Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Continue on US 190; TX 30
14 mi
·
16 min
·
Phelps Drive
10
Turn right onto Bennett Road
0.1 mi
·
32 sec
·
Bennett Road
11
Turn right onto FM 946
11 mi
·
19 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 946
12
At end of road, turn right onto TX 156
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
TX 156
13
At end of road, turn left onto TX 150
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
Byrd Avenue
14
Turn right onto TX 150
11 mi
·
16 min
·
Church Street
15
Turn left onto Loop 424
84 ft
·
1 sec
·
Byrd Avenue
16
Arrive at destination
Loop 424
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 17m estimated drive time, leaving Plano in the morning should allow you to reach Shepherd with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. The fuel cost is estimated at $33, so ensure your tank is full before departing or plan a quick fill-up. Keep an eye out for the transition from highway to surface roads as you approach your destination, as this often indicates closer proximity to your final stop.
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 115.5 miles from Plano, TX, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 168.7 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 51 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.5 miles or 1h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shepherd, 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 231 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 168.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.5 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 168.7 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 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 websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteWolf Creek Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Coldspring, Texas
Hours: 8 am–4 pm
+19366534312
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 186.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 15th Street
Depart onto East 15th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
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.
6
20.9 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
186.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
|
US 190
Take the exit onto US 190 toward Texas 30, US 190 East: 11th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Texas 30, US 190 East: 11th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.37 one way
$70.74 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $39.03 | $78.07 |
| premium | $4.64 | $42.18 | $84.36 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $56.19 | $112.39 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.34
Central Expressway
(16.8 mi)
$1.34
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
$35
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: 80.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.3 | 0 | $24.26 | $11.09 |
| Efficient EV | 57.8 | 0 | $20.21 | $9.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.4 | 1 | $32.34 | $14.78 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Origin
Plano, TX
Morning in Plano on Tuesday
Local time
6:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Shepherd, TX
Morning in Shepherd on Tuesday
Local time
6:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°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
9 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
4h 17m 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 trip is predominantly highway driving, with 83% of the route on high-speed roads. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 168.7 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. Expect continuous highway cruising for the majority of your travel time before transitioning to surface roads. The high highway percentage suggests frequent exit ramps and a consistent driving pace until the very end.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 168.7 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Central Expressway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 15th Street.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 231 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 15th Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
668 ft
147 ft
Total Climb
292 ft
Total Descent
813 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
Elevation Range
521 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.
On the drive from Plano, TX to Shepherd, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Texas 30 along the way.
Texas 30
186.3 mi in
|
~3h 11m
|
via US 190
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 Shepherd, TX
Full guide →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 4h 17m. Total distance: 231 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m 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 168.7 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.34 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 21 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East 15th Street): Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Shepherd, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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