Dark Hour Haunted House
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit websiteCompiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
3h 53m
Distance
220.7 mi
355 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Anson, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
This straightforward 220.7-mile journey from Anson, Texas to Plano, Texas will take you approximately 3 hours and 53 minutes. Primarily utilizing I-20 and Jim Wright Freeway, the drive is heavily highway-focused, making it an ideal one-day trip. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, you can expect a budget-friendly excursion. You'll traverse the vast Great Plains region of Texas, experiencing a consistent landscape throughout. This route is perfect for those seeking an efficient and uncomplicated drive to their destination.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
110.4 miles from Anson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 53m. Total distance: 220.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive, with 87% of the route on major roadways like I-20 and Jim Wright Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch covers 135 miles on I-20, offering a consistent pace. While the majority of the drive is on fast highways, there will be moments on Commercial Avenue and other local connectors. This profile suggests a consistent speed for much of the trip, with brief transitions as you enter and exit towns. It’s a drive that prioritizes reaching your destination efficiently.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Commercial Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 156.4 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
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 21 significant decision points across 220.7 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 156.4 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 162 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 175.8 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 135 mi | 2h 17m |
| Commercial Avenue | 18.6 mi | 20m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 11.7 mi | 11m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.9 mi | 6m |
| North Central Expressway | 6.7 mi | 8m |
| West Freeway | 5.6 mi | 5m |
| SH 121/183 TEXpress | 4.4 mi | 4m |
Step-by-step road directions between Anson, TX and Plano, TX.
Start on this road
Turn left onto 11th Street
Turn left onto US 83; US 277
Turn slight right onto US 83; US 277
Take the exit onto US 83 Bus
Turn slight right
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
Take the exit
Merge onto I 820
Continue on I 820
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 TEXpress
Merge onto Loop 12
Merge onto I 35E
Take the exit
Merge onto I 635
Continue on I 635
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 75
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
Turn right onto East 15th Street
Arrive at destination
Given the manageable 3 hour and 53 minute duration, this 220.7-mile trip is perfectly suited for a single day. You can easily depart in the morning and arrive by midday. While only one stop is indicated, consider taking a break around the halfway point on I-20 to stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $33, so ensure your tank is sufficiently filled before you begin. Pay attention to the transition from I-20 to Jim Wright Freeway as you approach your destination, as this is where the road character shifts most noticeably.
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.
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 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.4 miles or 1h 55m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plano, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Anson, 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 Anson, TX
This is one driving day of about 220.7 miles and 3h 53m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 110.4 mi from Anson, TX · 1h 55m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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.
A short stop after about 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 110.4 miles from Anson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 135 miles.
The final approach into Plano, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Plano, TX.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Near the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteLater in the drive, ~9 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Carrollton, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+19728809855
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Regular Gas
$33.35 one way
$66.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $36.50 | $73.00 |
| premium | $4.54 | $39.40 | $78.81 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.73 | $97.46 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
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: 77.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.17 | $10.59 |
| Efficient EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.31 | $8.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.3 | 1 | $30.90 | $14.12 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Anson on Friday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Plano on Friday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Partly Cloudy
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 8:59PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 8:56PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. National park proximity is from the NPS API. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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