Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Tomball, TX to Plano, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 20m
Distance
239.6 mi
386 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 7m
★
6 AM
4h 20m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 45m
8 PM
4h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tomball, TX
Danny Meneses
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Tomball, TX to Plano, TX is 239.6 miles and takes about 4h 20m via I 45, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same region, staying within the Lone Star State. It's a straightforward drive that primarily utilizes major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day journey. Plan for a largely uninterrupted drive, so pack your favorite podcasts or audiobooks. The estimated fuel cost is quite reasonable for the distance covered, making this an economical choice.
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
119.8 miles from Tomball, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 203.3 mi | 3h 28m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.6 mi | 18m |
| FM 2978 Road | 7.9 mi | 12m |
| FM 1488 | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| FM 2920 | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| Hufsmith Kohrville Road | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| Interstate 45 North Frontage Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 203.3 mi, about 3h 28m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical · worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Tomball, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on FM 2920
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 2920
2
Turn left onto FM 2978
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Hufsmith Kohrville Road
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on FM 2978
7.9 mi
·
12 min
·
FM 2978 Road
4
Turn right onto FM 1488
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
FM 1488
Use the left lane.
5
Turn slight left
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
6
Continue on Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Toward I 45 North
8
Merge onto I 45
203 mi
·
3 hr 28 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 75
15 mi
·
16 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 20m estimated duration, leaving Tomball in the morning allows ample time to reach Plano before evening. With only one recommended stop and a long stretch on I 45, plan your fuel and restroom breaks strategically. The longest uninterrupted stretch is over 200 miles, so consider stopping around the halfway point, perhaps in the Corsicana area, to stretch your legs. The total fuel cost is estimated at just $36, so you won't need to worry about frequent gas station visits, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. This is a single-day trip, so the main advantage is the flexibility to depart at your convenience.
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 119.8 miles from Tomball, TX, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 203.3 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 1h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.8 miles or 2h 14m 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 33m
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 Tomball, 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 Tomball, TX
This is one driving day of about 239.6 miles and 4h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Tomball, 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 I 45 for about 203.3 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 119.8 miles from Tomball, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 203.3 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
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
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
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
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 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 end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
First break
4.6 mi from route
~11 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 239 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.4 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
FM 2978 / Hufsmith Kohrville Road
Turn left onto FM 2978 / Hufsmith Kohrville Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
10.5 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
FM 1488
Turn right onto FM 1488
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
18.7 mi into trip
|
~30m in
|
I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
237.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m 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
6
239 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m in
|
East 15th Street
Turn right onto East 15th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.82 one way
$65.64 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $36.66 | $73.31 |
| premium | $4.23 | $39.85 | $79.71 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $45.24 | $90.48 |
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
$33
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.16 | $11.50 |
| Efficient EV | 59.9 | 0 | $20.97 | $9.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.8 | 1 | $33.54 | $15.33 |
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
Tomball, TX
Late night in Tomball on Monday
Local time
1:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Plano, TX
Late night in Plano on Monday
Local time
1:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM 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
1 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 20m 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 drive is almost entirely highway-focused, with a 99% highway share. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 45, experiencing a long, uninterrupted stretch of 203.3 miles. The route is designed for efficient travel, meaning you can expect consistent speeds and minimal distractions from local traffic. While FM 2978 Road is mentioned, its contribution to the overall journey is minimal given the dominance of the interstate. Expect a consistent driving experience for the bulk of the trip, ideal for covering ground quickly.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 203.3 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and North Central Expressway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near FM 2978 / Hufsmith Kohrville Road.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 4h 20m drive. You will face about 7 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (FM 2978 / Hufsmith Kohrville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles (FM 1488): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
668 ft
137 ft
Total Climb
827 ft
Total Descent
343 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
~239.6 mi in
Elevation Range
531 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Tomball, TX
Full guide →Founded 1907
Arriving 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 20m. Total distance: 239.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 203.3 miles on I 45. 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.
Yes — we found about 23 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: at 1.4 miles (FM 2978 / Hufsmith Kohrville Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.5 miles (FM 1488): Lane positioning matters here; at 18.7 miles (I 45): 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 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Plano, 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 Plano, TX
More trips to Plano, TX
Explore more options from Tomball, TX or browse trips ending in Plano, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.