Origin
Carrollton, TX
Afternoon in Carrollton on Sunday
Local time
2:40 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Carrollton, TX to Plano, TX
Drive Time
22m
Distance
16.2 mi
26 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$2
one way
Carrollton, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Plano, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
If you are looking for a quick transit between Carrollton and Plano, this 16.2-mile trek is a straightforward journey across the Great Plains. You can expect to reach your destination in about 22 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day trip. With a fuel budget of just $2, this commute is as economical as it is efficient. Since the route requires no scheduled stops, you have the flexibility to head out whenever your schedule allows. It is a no-frills, practical connection between these two Texas cities that gets you where you need to be without any fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
8.1 miles from Carrollton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 12m into the drive .
Drive Character
This drive is heavily highway-focused, with 71% of your time spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of the President George Bush Turnpike, North Josey Lane, and East 15th Street as you transition through the region. The highlight of the trip is an 11.1-mile uninterrupted stretch along the President George Bush Turnpike, which offers the most consistent pace of the drive. While the local roads provide the necessary bookends to your journey, the highway portion dictates the overall character of the experience. Expect a functional, predictable ride that prioritizes speed and direct access over winding scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
President George Bush Turnpike is the longest continuous segment at about 11.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on President George Bush Turnpike and North Josey Lane. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near South Josey Lane.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 16.2 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: near the start (South Josey Lane): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Josey Lane): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Josey Lane
Turn left onto South Josey Lane
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn right
Navigation decision point
9
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Josey Lane
Turn uturn onto South Josey Lane
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
7
14.3 mi into trip
|
~18m 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
6
15.6 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
East 15th Street
Turn right onto East 15th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Carrollton, TX to Plano, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Pgbt East along the way.
Pgbt East
2.7 mi in
|
~6m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| President George Bush Turnpike | 11.1 mi | 11m |
| North Josey Lane | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Central Expressway | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| South Josey Lane | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| East Trinity Mills Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
| East Belt Line Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
President George Bush Turnpike
— 11.1 mi, about 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carrollton, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on East Belt Line Road
17 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Belt Line Road
2
Turn left onto South Josey Lane
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Josey Lane
Use the none lane.
3
Turn slight left
164 ft
·
7 sec
4
Turn slight left
70 ft
·
7 sec
5
Turn right
183 ft
·
15 sec
6
Turn uturn onto South Josey Lane
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
South Josey Lane
Use the none lane.
7
Continue on North Josey Lane
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
North Josey Lane
Use the none lane.
8
Turn slight right
162 ft
·
8 sec
9
Turn slight right onto TX 190
471 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Trinity Mills Road
Use the right lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward PGBT East
11
Merge onto PGBT
11 mi
·
11 min
·
President George Bush Turnpike
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
14
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 29
Toward 15th Street
Use the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto Central Expressway
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Central Expressway
Use the none lane.
16
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 22-minute excursion, you have significant freedom regarding your departure time. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops or overnight stays, as the duration is well within the limits of a standard local trip. Keep in mind that the majority of your time is spent on the President George Bush Turnpike, so stay alert for merging traffic during peak hours to ensure a smooth transition onto the highway. Since your fuel costs are minimal at $2, you can focus your attention on navigating the local street segments like North Josey Lane and East 15th Street effectively. Use the lack of required stops to your advantage by planning your arrival time precisely.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 8.1 miles from Carrollton, TX, or about 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 11.1 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 16.2 miles or 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 8.1 miles or 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 18m
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 Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, TX
This is one driving day of about 16.2 miles and 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Carrollton, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on President George Bush Turnpike for about 11.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 8.1 mi from Carrollton, TX · 12m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
8 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 16.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 8.1 miles from Carrollton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$2.47 one way
$4.95 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
6 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $2.71 | $5.42 |
| premium | $4.59 | $2.93 | $5.86 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $3.60 | $7.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.91
President George Bush Turnpike
(11.1 mi)
$0.88
Central Expressway
(0.4 mi)
$0.03
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
$2
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$28–$53
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 5.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $2 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 4.9 | 0 | $1.70 | $0.78 |
| Efficient EV | 4.1 | 0 | $1.42 | $0.65 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.27 | $1.04 |
Gas CO2
6 kg
EV CO2
2 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Afternoon in Plano on Sunday
Local time
2:40 PM
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
22m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Carrollton, TX to Plano, TX covers 16.2 miles and takes about 22m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are President George Bush Turnpike, North Josey Lane, East 15th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 8.1 miles from Carrollton, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $2.47 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 16.2 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: near the start (South Josey Lane): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (South Josey Lane): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Carrollton, TX to Plano, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Pgbt East along the way.
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