Origin
Big Lake, TX
Morning in Big Lake on Friday
Local time
7:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Lake, TX to Plano, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 27m
Distance
360.9 mi
581 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 15m
★
6 AM
6h 28m
8 AM
6h 53m
10 AM
6h 36m
12 PM
6h 34m
3 PM
6h 38m
5 PM
6h 51m
8 PM
6h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Lake, TX
Thilina Alagiyawanna
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 360.9-mile drive from Big Lake, TX to Plano, TX will take you approximately 6 hours and 27 minutes of pure driving time. Primarily using I-20, US 277, and US 67, this route is highly focused on highway travel, with 86% of the journey on major roads. Given the duration and distance, this trip is very manageable as a single-day excursion, with an estimated fuel cost of around $55. You'll be traveling across the Great Plains region for the entirety of the trip, so expect consistent, open landscapes. This straightforward drive is ideal if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B.
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
180.4 miles from Big Lake, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 27m. Total distance: 360.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 360.9-mile trip, with 86% of your travel on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 137.1 miles on I-20, so be prepared for periods of consistent driving. While the profile is largely highway, the transition onto US 67 will offer a slight change in scenery and road type as you approach your destination. This route is designed for efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 32 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 137.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 277. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 296.6 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 360.9 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 296.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 302.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 315.9 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 22 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
296.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
|
I 30 / West Freeway
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
302.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 22m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
7
315.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 38m in
|
I 820 TEXpress
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
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas E...
8
352 mi into trip
|
~6h 16m in
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
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 19A
Toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dall...
8
358.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 23m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Big Lake, TX to Plano, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Abilene along the way.
Abilene
65.6 mi in
|
~1h 12m
|
via US 67
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 137.1 mi | 2h 19m |
| US 277 | 79.8 mi | 1h 26m |
| US 67 | 28.9 mi | 33m |
| South Broadway Street | 22.7 mi | 25m |
| East 2nd Street | 18.2 mi | 19m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| SH 183 TEXpress | 11.7 mi | 11m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 137.1 mi, about 2h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Lake, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on US 67
18 mi
·
19 min
·
East 2nd Street
2
Continue on US 67
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 67
3
Continue on US 67
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
United States Highway 67
4
Continue on US 67
23 mi
·
25 min
·
South Broadway Street
5
Continue on US 67
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Sherwood Way
6
Take the exit onto US 67
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
US 67
Toward US 67 North: Ballinger, Abilene
7
Take the exit onto US 277
80 mi
·
1 hr 26 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 North: Bronte, Abilene
8
Turn left onto US 277
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Danville Drive
9
Take the ramp onto US 277
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
US 277
10
Merge onto US 83; US 84; US 277
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Winters Freeway
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
Toward I 20 West: Fort Worth
12
Merge onto I 20
137 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Northeast Loop
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
12 mi
·
11 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Toward TX 183 Express East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 12 TEXpress
Toward I 35E Toll North
Use the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto Loop 12
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35E
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
Exit 440B
Toward I 635 East
Use the right lane.
24
Merge onto I 635
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 635
2.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the right lane.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Exit 19A
Toward US 75 North, US 75 South: McKinney, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto US 75
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
North Central Expressway
29
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
31
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
32
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 27-minute drive, consider departing in the early morning to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you get closer to Plano. With only one recommended stop, plan this break strategically around the halfway point or when you feel ready for a refresh. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a break is over 137 miles on I-20. The $55 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in pacing your stops.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 180.4 miles from Big Lake, TX, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.1 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 79 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.4 miles or 3h 18m 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 20m
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 Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, TX
This is one driving day of about 360.9 miles and 6h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Big Lake, 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 20 for about 137.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 180.4 mi from Big Lake, TX · 3h 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
180 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 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 180.4 miles from Big Lake, 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 137.1 miles.
Arriving in Plano, TX
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.53 one way
$109.07 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
126 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $59.69 | $119.38 |
| premium | $4.54 | $64.44 | $128.87 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $79.68 | $159.36 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.54
Central Expressway
(6.7 mi)
$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
$55
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.3 | 1 | $37.89 | $17.32 |
| Efficient EV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.58 | $14.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.4 | 1 | $50.53 | $23.10 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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.
Destination
Plano, TX
Morning in Plano on Friday
Local time
7:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
6h 27m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Big Lake, TX to Plano, TX covers 360.9 miles and takes about 6h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, US 277, US 67. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 180.4 miles from Big Lake, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $54.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 360.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 296.6 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 302.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 315.9 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Big Lake, TX to Plano, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Abilene along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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