Origin
Cockrell Hill, TX
Afternoon in Cockrell Hill on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Cockrell Hill, TX to Plano, TX
Drive Time
35m
Distance
26 mi
42 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 32m
★
6 AM
0h 35m
8 AM
0h 41m
10 AM
0h 37m
12 PM
0h 37m
3 PM
0h 38m
5 PM
0h 41m
8 PM
0h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cockrell Hill, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Plano, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Spanning 26 miles, this straightforward drive between Cockrell Hill and Plano is a quick journey that typically takes about 35 minutes. Since both locations are situated within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will find the terrain and environment consistent throughout the trip. It is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, meaning you won’t need to worry about overnight accommodations or complicated travel logistics. With an estimated fuel cost of only $4, this is an incredibly budget-friendly route for your commute or visit. You should treat this as a practical, efficient connection across the metroplex rather than a destination-heavy scenic tour.
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
13 miles from Cockrell Hill, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 19m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive, with 78% of your journey spent on high-speed thoroughfares. You will navigate a mix of routes including the Tom Landry Freeway and the North Central Expressway as you make your way north. The longest uninterrupted stretch occurs on the North Central Expressway, covering 16.3 miles of the trip. While you will transition onto South Westmoreland Road, the personality of this route remains defined by its focus on rapid transit through the urban landscape. It is a functional, no-nonsense drive that prioritizes speed over leisure.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Central Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 16.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Central Expressway and Tom Landry Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.2 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 26 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 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
9
6.2 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North: Denton, Commerce Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North: Denton, Commerce Street
8
6.7 mi into trip
|
~11m in
Keep slight left at fork toward Houston, McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Houston, McKinney
8
8.3 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney, Hall Street, Lemmon Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Hall Street, Lemm...
8
8.5 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
23.7 mi into trip
|
~30m 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 Along This Route
Between Cockrell Hill, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Mckinney.
Houston
6.7 mi in
|
~11m
Mckinney
6.7 mi in
|
~11m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Central Expressway | 16.3 mi | 18m |
| Tom Landry Freeway | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| South Westmoreland Road | 1.7 mi | 3m |
| Woodall Rodgers Freeway | 1 mi | 1m |
| West Jefferson Boulevard | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Dallas Fort Worth Turnpike | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Phinney Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
North Central Expressway
— 16.3 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cockrell Hill, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on Phinney Avenue
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Phinney Avenue
2
Turn right onto West Jefferson Boulevard
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Jefferson Boulevard
Use the none lane.
3
Turn left onto South Westmoreland Road
1.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South Westmoreland Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn slight right
165 ft
·
7 sec
5
Turn straight onto Dallas Fort Worth Turnpike
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Dallas Fort Worth Turnpike
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
Toward I 30 East
7
Merge onto I 30
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Tom Landry Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
Exit 45A
Toward I 35E North: Denton
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 35E North: Denton, Commerce Street
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward Commerce Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward Houston, McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto Spur 366
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Hall Street, Lemmon Avenue
Use the none lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto US 75
15 mi
·
16 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the none / straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Exit 28A
Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the none lane.
18
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Because this is a short 35-minute drive, you have immense flexibility in your departure time, allowing you to easily plan around typical traffic flows. You do not need to factor in any planned stops, as the duration is brief enough to complete in one go. Keep a close eye on the North Central Expressway, as this 16.3-mile section will likely be the most congested part of your travel. Given the low $4 fuel budget, you can easily top off your tank before leaving Cockrell Hill and reach Plano without needing to refuel along the way. Use the simplicity of this route to your advantage by focusing on your arrival time rather than worrying about road-trip fatigue.
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 13 miles from Cockrell Hill, TX, or about 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 16.3 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 26 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13 miles or 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 29m
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 Cockrell Hill, 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 Cockrell Hill, TX
This is one driving day of about 26 miles and 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cockrell Hill, 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 North Central Expressway for about 16.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13 mi from Cockrell Hill, TX · 19m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
13 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 26 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13 miles from Cockrell Hill, 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
$3.97 one way
$7.94 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.35 | $8.70 |
| premium | $4.59 | $4.70 | $9.40 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.78 | $11.55 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.30
Central Expressway
(16.3 mi)
$1.30
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
$4
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$30–$55
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $3 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 7.8 | 0 | $2.73 | $1.25 |
| Efficient EV | 6.5 | 0 | $2.28 | $1.04 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.4 | 0 | $3.64 | $1.66 |
Gas CO2
9 kg
EV CO2
3 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
3:57 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
22 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
35m 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 Cockrell Hill, TX to Plano, TX covers 26 miles and takes about 35m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Central Expressway, Tom Landry Freeway, South Westmoreland Road. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13 miles from Cockrell Hill, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $3.97 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 15 significant decision points across 26 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 6.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 8.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Cockrell Hill, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Mckinney.
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