Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Plano, TX to Uhland, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 10m
Distance
240.3 mi
387 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$36
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 58m
★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Uhland, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Plano to Uhland is 240.3 miles and takes about 4h 10m via South R L Thornton Freeway and TX 130 Toll, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, moving you from one part of Texas to another. It's a solid option if you're looking for a relatively straightforward drive across the state. With most of the route on highways, you'll cover ground efficiently. Plan for a single day to make the most of this direct connection.
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
120.1 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| TX 130 Toll | 50 mi | 47m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
| Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| Camino Real | 7.7 mi | 9m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| North Central Expressway | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,007 veh/hr typical · worst 4,783
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Uhland, 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
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
22
Continue on TX 130 Toll
50 mi
·
47 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
Exit 461
Toward TX 21: Briarpatch Road, Homannville Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Lockhart Highway
25
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 21
26
Turn right onto TX 21
7.7 mi
·
9 min
·
Camino Real
27
Turn left
42 ft
·
3 sec
28
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4h 10m drive, consider leaving Plano in the morning to ensure you arrive in Uhland with plenty of daylight. The fuel cost is estimated at $35, so factor that into your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility with stops; however, the longest stretch without a break is nearly 90 miles, so plan for at least one fuel or rest stop. Pay attention to signs indicating the transition from highway to surface roads as you get closer to Uhland, especially after the TX 130 Toll section.
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 120.1 miles from Plano, TX, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 53 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.1 miles or 2h 8m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Uhland, 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 240.3 miles and 4h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
120 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120.1 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 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
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 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 websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
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 websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~11 min detour
Home stretch
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 17.5 and 231.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
7
180.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
8
231.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 59m in
Take the exit toward TX 21: Briarpatch Road, Homannville Trail
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 461
Toward TX 21: Briarpatch Road, Homannville Trai...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.48 one way
$72.96 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $40.21 | $80.42 |
| premium | $4.58 | $43.33 | $86.66 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $50.61 | $101.23 |
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
$36
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.1 | 0 | $25.23 | $11.53 |
| Efficient EV | 60.1 | 0 | $21.03 | $9.61 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.1 | 1 | $33.64 | $15.38 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 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
Afternoon in Plano on Wednesday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
ENE 0 to 5 mph
26% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 24 at 10:08PM CDT until May 24 at 10:15PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 24 at 10:07PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Uhland, TX
Afternoon in Uhland on Wednesday
Local time
4:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Little Elm, TX
120 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
21 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 10m 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.
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 107.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is primarily highway, with 79% of the 240.3 miles on major roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. Expect the highway portion to transition to surface roads as you approach your destination. Given the highway-heavy profile, anticipate a consistent driving pace with fewer interruptions until the final leg.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and TX 130 Toll. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.5 miles in.
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 19 significant decision points across 240.3 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 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
891 ft
478 ft
Total Climb
603 ft
Total Descent
725 ft
Highest Point
891 ft
~171.6 mi in
Elevation Range
414 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 Uhland, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
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
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Lacy-Lakeview, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteOverflow Coffee Company
Cafe
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hillsboro
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-19:00; Sa 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Richardson, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteSubway
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hillsboro, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteDQ Grill & Chill
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Waco, TX
Cuisine: ice_cream;burger
Visit websiteRokhat Grill
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, TX
Cuisine: Uzbek
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00
Visit websiteBush's Chicken
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: chicken
Schlotzsky's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Subway
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Bellmead, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Visit websiteAmerican Legion Park
Park
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Old Town Salado
Attraction
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Oak Grove Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Bluff Park
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Confederate Veterans and Old Settlers Reunion Grounds
Memorial
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Hill County, C.S.A.
Memorial
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Heritage Farmstead Museum
Museum
Near the start, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Plano, TX
Hours: Tu-Su 10:00-16:30
Visit websiteGeorge L. and Roxie Brooks Porter Home
Memorial
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Lumpkin House
Memorial
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Reuben Hornsby
Memorial
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
uPark RV Parking/Storage
Caravan_site
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Georgetown, TX
San Gabriel House Bed & Breakfast
Guest_house
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Georgetown, TX
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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 Uhland, 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 10m. Total distance: 240.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. 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 29 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 Uhland, 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Uhland, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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