Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Plano, TX to Southside Place, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 44m
Distance
263.3 mi
424 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 31m
★
6 AM
4h 44m
8 AM
5h 11m
10 AM
4h 54m
12 PM
4h 51m
3 PM
4h 55m
5 PM
5h 10m
8 PM
4h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Southside Place, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Plano, TX to Southside Place, TX is 263.3 miles and takes about 4h 44m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the same region. It's a straightforward trip with a high percentage of highway driving, making it efficient for getting from point A to point B. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, so plan for a relatively quick transit.
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
131.6 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 237.6 mi | 4h 9m |
| Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| Bagby Street | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Greenbriar Drive | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| West Holcombe Boulevard | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Southwest Freeway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Gulf Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 237.6 mi, about 4h 9m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,160 veh/hr typical · worst 3,825
Quietest
2 AM
~396 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 100 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 Southside Place, 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
234 mi
·
4 hr 5 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 45
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Exit 47D
Toward Express Lane
9
Continue on Pierce Elevated
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Pierce Elevated
10
Turn straight
497 ft
·
12 sec
Toward Dallas Street
11
Continue on Heiner Street
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
Heiner Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Continue on Bagby Street
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Bagby Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Merge onto I 69; US 59
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 126B
Toward University of Saint Thomas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn left onto Greenbriar Drive
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Greenbriar Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
17
Turn right onto West Holcombe Boulevard
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
West Holcombe Boulevard
18
Continue on Bellaire Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
Bellaire Boulevard
19
Arrive at destination
Bellaire Boulevard
Trip Plan
With a driving time of under five hours, this is a very manageable same-day trip. Leaving Plano, TX in the morning should give you ample time to reach Southside Place, TX before evening. The primary highway sections mean fuel stops are generally available, but it's wise to keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 237.6-mile stretch on Julius Schepps Freeway. Since the drive is not overly long, you have flexibility in choosing your departure time and can easily adjust for any unforeseen delays.
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 131.6 miles from Plano, TX, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.6 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 58 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 131.6 miles or 2h 19m 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 48m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Southside Place, 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 263.3 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 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 237.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 131.6 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 237.6 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 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
Service Plaza
1.2 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
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteDark 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 websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteThe Escape Game Houston (Galleria)
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17136365541
Visit websiteExitusVR
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17133440525
Visit websiteHouston Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+17135336500
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 259.8 — 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.
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
256.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 30m in
Take the exit toward Express Lane
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 47D
Toward Express Lane
7
259.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward University of Saint Thomas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 126B
Toward University of Saint Thomas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.53 one way
$79.05 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $43.73 | $87.47 |
| premium | $4.57 | $47.32 | $94.64 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $65.06 | $130.12 |
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
$40
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79 | 0 | $27.65 | $12.64 |
| Efficient EV | 65.8 | 0 | $23.04 | $10.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.3 | 1 | $36.86 | $16.85 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% 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
Late night in Plano on Friday
Local time
5:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Southside Place, TX
Late night in Southside Place on Friday
Local time
5:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
NE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
58°F
Italy, TX
132 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 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 44m 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 predominantly highway, with 97% of the travel occurring on major roads. You'll cover a longest stretch of 237.6 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway, indicating a significant period of consistent highway cruising. Surface streets will likely appear closer to your destination in Southside Place, TX. Expect a high volume of exits and merging traffic typical of extensive highway travel.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237.6 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Central Expressway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Central Expressway.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 263.3 miles you will encounter 12 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: 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 20.9 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
668 ft
48 ft
Total Climb
366 ft
Total Descent
986 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
Elevation Range
620 ft
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
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 44m. Total distance: 263.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 237.6 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 27 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 Southside Place, 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 27 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 20.9 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Southside Place, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Southside Place, TX
More trips to Southside Place, TX
Explore more options from Plano, TX or browse trips ending in Southside Place, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.