This 302.6-mile drive from Clarendon to Plano, Texas, is a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 28 minutes. Primarily utilizing US Highway 287, this route is an excellent candidate for a single-day trip, especially with a fuel cost estimated around $46. You'll be traveling across the Great Plains, a landscape known for its vast, open horizons. The highway-focused nature of this drive means you'll spend most of your time on well-maintained roads, making it a practical choice for efficient travel. It's a direct path connecting two points within the same state, offering a predictable driving experience.
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
151.3 miles from Clarendon, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 302.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for 86% of this journey. Your main artery will be US Highway 287, which you'll also encounter on the Central East Freeway. The longest continuous stretch without a major turn or exit is an impressive 81.8 miles, also along US Highway 287. This indicates long, uninterrupted segments, which can be great for maintaining momentum. The character of the drive is largely consistent, emphasizing efficient travel over 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 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 287 is the longest continuous segment at about 81.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 287 and Central East Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 161.6 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
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 302.6 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 161.6 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 284.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
161.6 mi into trip|~2h 52m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...
6
263.4 mi into trip|~4h 44m in
Take the ramp toward I 35 South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward I 35 South
7
284.8 mi into trip|~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpike
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 445
Toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush Turnpik...
7
286.1 mi into trip|~5h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush Tu...
7
300.7 mi into trip|~5h 25m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clarendon, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Pgbt Toll: President George Bush Turnpike and Pgbt Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike.
Pgbt Toll: President George Bush Turnpike
284.8 mi in|~5h 7m
Pgbt Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike
286.1 mi in|~5h 9m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 287
81.8 mi
1h 27m
Central East Freeway
72.5 mi
1h 16m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
East 2nd Street
27.1 mi
29m
West US Highway 380
21.8 mi
25m
President George Bush Turnpike
13.3 mi
14m
South Stemmons Freeway
10.5 mi
11m
I 35E
9.8 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 287
— 81.8 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clarendon, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on South Kearney Street
78 ft·6 sec·South Kearney Street
2
Turn right onto US 287; TX 70
27 mi·29 min·East 2nd Street
3
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
4
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·58 sec·Burnett Street
5
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
6
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northwest
7
Continue on US 287
54 mi·58 min·US Highway 287
8
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi·4 min·Northwest Freeway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi·42 sec·Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
12
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
14
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
70 mi·1 hr 13 min·Central East Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
18
Keep slight left at fork
147 ft·4 sec
19
Turn left onto US 380
22 mi·25 min·West US Highway 380
20
Continue on US 380
3.3 mi·4 min·West University Drive
21
Take the exit
288 ft·7 sec
22
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Interstate 35
23
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / left lanes.
24
Merge onto I 35; US 77
1.0 mi·1 min·I 35; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 35E; US 77
9.8 mi·10 min·I 35E; US 77
Toward I 35E South: DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
10 mi·11 min·South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27
Take the exit
1.2 mi·1 min
Exit 445Toward PGBT Toll: President George Bush TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight right at fork
1.2 mi·1 min
Toward PGBT Toll East: President George Bush TurnpikeUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto PGBT
13 mi·14 min·President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left lane.
32
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 29Toward 15th StreetUse the slight right lane.
33
Turn straight onto Central Expressway
0.4 mi·49 sec·Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
34
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5 hour and 28 minute duration, starting your trip in Clarendon, TX, in the morning will allow you to reach Plano, TX, with plenty of daylight remaining. With only one planned stop suggested, you have flexibility in where and when you choose to take a break, but consider a longer stop around the halfway point to break up the 81.8-mile longest stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel, as most of the route is on US Highway 287, a major thoroughfare where services are generally available but can be spaced out. The estimated $46 fuel cost is a helpful budget marker for this direct, single-day excursion.
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 151.3 miles from Clarendon, TX, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 81.8 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 67 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.3 miles or 2h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
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 Clarendon, 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 Clarendon, TX
This is one driving day of about 302.6 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Clarendon, 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 US Highway 287 for about 81.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 151.3 mi from Clarendon, TX
· 2h 42m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.72 one way
$91.45 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg106 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$50.05
$100.10
premium
$4.54
$54.03
$108.05
diesel
$5.61
$66.81
$133.62
Estimated Tolls: $1.09
President George Bush Turnpike
(13.3 mi)$1.06
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
$46
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
90.8
1
$31.77
$14.52
Efficient EV
75.7
0
$26.48
$12.10
EV Truck/SUV
121
1
$42.36
$19.37
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Clarendon, TX
Evening
in Clarendon on Friday
Local time
6:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plano, TX
Evening
in Plano on Friday
Local time
6:29 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
24 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 28m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Clarendon, TX to Plano, TX covers 302.6 miles and takes about 5h 28m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 287, Central East Freeway, US Highway 287 East. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 151.3 miles from Clarendon, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.72 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 20 significant decision points across 302.6 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 161.6 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 263.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 284.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Clarendon, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Pgbt Toll: President George Bush Turnpike and Pgbt Toll East: President George Bush Turnpike.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
