Trip from Plano, TX to Woodsboro, 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
6h 41m
Distance
371.5 mi
598 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Woodsboro, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Plano to Woodsboro is 371.5 miles and takes about 6h 41m via TX 130 Toll, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving you from one part of the Great Plains region to another. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that's well-suited for a single day of travel. Expect to spend most of your time on major roadways, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Consider this option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
185.7 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| TX 130 Toll | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| North United States Highway 183 | 43.5 mi | 47m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| South US Highway 183/ US 87 | 26.7 mi | 28m |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
| South US Highway 183 | 24.6 mi | 27m |
| Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
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
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 Woodsboro, TX.
Start on East 15th Street
Turn left onto Central Expressway
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 75
Take the exit
Continue on North Central Expressway
Turn right onto Elm Street
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
Turn right onto Young Street
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
Turn right onto Canton Street
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 35E
Continue on I 35E
Continue on I 35; US 77
Continue on I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Take the exit
Continue on TX 130 Toll
Take the exit
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Turn left onto US 90; US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
Continue on US 77 Alt; US 183
Continue on US 77
Turn left onto FM 136
At end of road, turn right onto FM 136
Turn left onto FM 136
Turn left onto FM 136
Turn right onto FM 136
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour-plus drive, aim for an early morning departure from Plano. This will help you avoid potential traffic and allows ample time for the drive. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to power through or plan a brief break midway. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you move off the main tollways, as services might become less frequent. The fuel cost estimate of $58 is based on the total distance, so budget accordingly for gas stations along TX 130 Toll and US 183.
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.
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 82 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.7 miles or 3h 15m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodsboro, 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 371.5 miles and 6h 41m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
186 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
A short stop after about 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 185.7 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.
Rest Area
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Flying J Travel Center
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
Love's Travel Stop
Buc-ee's
Love's Travel Stop
Petro Stopping Centers
Buc-ee's
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
Circle K
Ascent Travel Center
Flying J Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
QuikTrip
Road Ranger
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Buc-ee's
TA
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
Love's Travel Stop
SoPac Trail Rest Area
Service Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Dark Hour Haunted House
Near the start, right off the route
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
Near the start, right off the route
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
Near the start, short detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 17.5 and 240.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.40 one way
$112.80 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $62.16 | $124.32 |
| premium | $4.58 | $66.99 | $133.97 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $78.25 | $156.50 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$56
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.01 | $17.83 |
| Efficient EV | 92.9 | 1 | $32.51 | $14.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 148.6 | 1 | $52.01 | $23.78 |
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Origin
Plano, TX
Afternoon in Plano on Wednesday
Local time
4:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 6:33AM CDT until June 4 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Woodsboro, TX
Afternoon in Woodsboro on Wednesday
Local time
4:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 2 at 6:33AM CDT until June 4 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 41m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 82% of this 371.5-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. After the primary highway sections, the route transitions to surface roads for the final portion of the drive. You'll notice the change from high-speed cruising to more frequent intersections and potentially lower speed limits as you approach your destination.
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.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 371.5 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
Total Climb
498 ft
Total Descent
1,125 ft
Highest Point
756 ft
~185.7 mi in
Elevation Range
716 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 Woodsboro, TX, road signs point toward Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
Denton
Waco
Dallas Zoo
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Overflow Coffee Company
Cafe
Early in the drive, short 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
Richardson, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Waxahachie, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: 08:00-20:00
Visit websiteRokhat Grill
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Plano, TX
Cuisine: Uzbek
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00
Visit websiteSchlotzsky's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
Plano, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Subway
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, short detour
Manor, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 09:00-22:00
Visit websiteAnn's Snack Bar
Fast_food
Near the start, short detour
Waxahachie
Cuisine: breakfast;sandwich
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-18:30; Su 12:00-16:30
Visit websiteChupacabra Kitchen
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, short detour
Salado, TX
Cuisine: burger;sandwich;snack;salad
Hours: Su-We 11:00-21:00; Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa...
Visit websiteDomino's
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, short detour
manor, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-Th 10:00-24:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-01:00; Su...
Visit websiteLions Park
Park
Near the end, right off the route
McBrayer Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Oak Grove Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
American Legion Park
Park
Early in the drive, short detour
Old Town Salado
Attraction
Around the midpoint, short detour
Woodsboro Square
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Heritage Farmstead Museum
Museum
Near the start, short detour
Plano, TX
Hours: Tu-Su 10:00-16:30
Visit websiteEllis County
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
Parsons' Cavalry C.S.A.
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
Kerby Community
Memorial
Early in the drive, short detour
Maddogz Paintball -Waxahachie
Artwork
Near the start, short detour
Points 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 Woodsboro, 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 6h 41m. Total distance: 371.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 41m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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