The Hills, TX to Plano, TX is 222.7 miles and takes about 4h 5m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the Great Plains, staying within the state. The route is mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface roads, so be prepared for varying conditions. It's a practical choice if you need to get from the more rural areas around The Hills to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex efficiently.
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
111.3 miles from The Hills, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,041 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,779
Quietest
2 AM
~585 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 The Hills, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Hedgebrook Cove
147 ft·7 sec·Hedgebrook Cove
2
Turn right onto Hedgebrook Way
0.2 mi·51 sec·Hedgebrook Way
3
At end of road, turn right onto The Hills Drive
316 ft·18 sec·The Hills Drive
4
Turn left onto Wingreen Loop
0.2 mi·50 sec·Wingreen Loop
5
Turn right onto Lohmans Crossing Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Lohmans Crossing Road
6
Turn left onto RM 620
16 mi·23 min·Ranch Road 620 South
Use the left / straight / right lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward TX 45 Toll East
8
Continue on TX 45 Toll
7.1 mi·7 min·State Highway 45 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.3 mi·2 min
Toward I 35 North: WacoUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 35
80 mi·1 hr 22 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi·58 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
17
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft·6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
18
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi·1 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 46Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinneyUse the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
22
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi·49 sec·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 75
15 mi·16 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 28AToward Plano Parkway, 15th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi·2 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
26
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour drive time, leaving in the morning from The Hills will allow you to arrive in Plano with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $32, this is an easy same-day trip. The longest stretch is over 100 miles, so consider stopping for fuel before you begin if your tank is low. Pay attention as you transition from Purple Heart Trail to I 35E, as the traffic density will likely increase.
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 111.3 miles from The Hills, TX, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113 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 49 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.3 miles or 2h 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 3h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plano, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving The Hills, 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 The Hills, TX
This is one driving day of about 222.7 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from The Hills, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 113 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 145.2 and 220.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
145.2 mi into trip|~2h 40m in|I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
201.4 mi into trip|~3h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
8
203.2 mi into trip|~3h 41m in
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
7
203.6 mi into trip|~3h 42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
220.3 mi into trip|~4h 1m in
Take the exit toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
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 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.50 one way
$61.01 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg78 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$34.07
$68.14
premium
$4.23
$37.04
$74.09
diesel
$4.80
$42.05
$84.10
Estimated Tolls: $1.32
Central Expressway
(16.6 mi)$1.32
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
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.8
0
$23.38
$10.69
Efficient EV
55.7
0
$19.49
$8.91
EV Truck/SUV
89.1
1
$31.18
$14.25
Gas CO2
78 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
The Hills, TX
Evening
in The Hills on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:55AM CDT until July 20 at 3:42PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:52AM CDT until July 19 at 8:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Evening
in Plano on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:55AM CDT until July 20 at 3:42PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:52AM CDT until July 19 at 8:30AM 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
2 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 5m 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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 115.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 39% of this 222.7-mile drive on highways. The longest stretch without a significant road change is 113 miles on Purple Heart Trail. After this, you'll transition to I 35E and North Central Expressway, which will likely feature more frequent exits and merges as you approach the urban areas. The profile is mixed highway and surface, so expect some sections of faster driving followed by slower, more built-up areas.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 145.2 miles in near I 35E.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 222.7 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 145.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
907 ft428 ft
Total Climb
655 ft
Total Descent
835 ft
Highest Point
907 ft
~47.7 mi in
Elevation Range
480 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between The Hills, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center, Mckinney and Bryan Street East.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 5m. Total distance: 222.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.32 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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Plano, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 145.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Plano, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
