Trip from Gardendale, TX to Plano, TX

Data updated 0 seconds ago

Drive Time

6h 31m

Distance

377.2 mi

607 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$57

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 36 min

4 AM

6h 20m ★

6 AM

6h 32m

8 AM

6h 56m

10 AM

6h 41m

12 PM

6h 38m

3 PM

6h 42m

5 PM

6h 55m

8 PM

6h 25m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

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Gardendale, TX

Jeff Stapleton

city in Collin and Denton counties in Texas, United States

Plano, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 377.2-mile drive from Gardendale, TX to Plano, TX is designed for a single, efficient day trip, taking approximately 6 hours and 31 minutes to complete. You'll spend 95% of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward journey across the Great Plains region of Texas. With an estimated fuel cost of $57, this route is budget-friendly for a day of travel. It's a solid option if you prefer to cover ground quickly and arrive at your destination without needing an overnight stop. The route is primarily composed of interstate and major freeway driving, offering a consistent pace.

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

188.6 miles from Gardendale, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .

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Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip. With 95% of the 377.2 miles on interstates and freeways like I-20 and SH 183 TEXpress, you'll experience a consistent, high-speed environment for most of the 6.5-hour journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 299.7 miles on I-20, meaning extended periods of focused driving are likely. While the profile is largely highway, the transition onto the Jim Wright Freeway and SH 183 TEXpress will introduce you to the faster, more direct urban corridors as you approach Plano.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 29 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 299.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Jim Wright Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 312.9 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 377.2 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: at 312.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 318.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 332.2 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

312.9 mi into trip | ~5h 20m 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

318.5 mi into trip | ~5h 26m 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

332.2 mi into trip | ~5h 42m 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...

368.2 mi into trip | ~6h 20m 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...

374.8 mi into trip | ~6h 27m 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

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	299.7 mi	5h 3m
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
North Hollyhock Avenue	6.2 mi	7m
West Freeway	5.6 mi	5m
Northeast Loop 338	4.8 mi	5m

Longest stretch: I 20 — 299.7 mi, about 5h 3m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Gardendale, TX and Plano, TX.

Start on North Gardendale Avenue

140 ft · 11 sec · North Gardendale Avenue

Turn left onto East Goldenrod Drive

0.3 mi · 41 sec · East Goldenrod Drive

Turn right onto FM 554

6.2 mi · 7 min · North Hollyhock Avenue

Turn left onto Loop 338

4.0 mi · 4 min · Northeast Loop 338

Continue on Loop 338

1.5 mi · 2 min · Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway

Use the straight lane.

Continue on Loop 338

0.8 mi · 1 min · Northeast Loop 338

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto East Interstate 20

367 ft · 9 sec · East Interstate 20

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Toward I 20 East: Midland

Merge onto I 20

300 mi · 5 hr 3 min · I 20

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 5B Toward I 820 North Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 820

13 mi · 14 min · Jim Wright Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 820

0.3 mi · 18 sec · Northeast Loop

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.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

4.4 mi · 4 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 183 TEXpress

12 mi · 11 min · SH 183 TEXpress

Toward TX 183 Express East Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Merge onto Loop 12

0.8 mi · 53 sec · North Walton Walker Boulevard

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 35E

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Stemmons Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 50 sec

Exit 440B Toward I 635 East Use the right lane.

Merge onto I 635

4.4 mi · 4 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 635

2.6 mi · 2 min · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway

Use the right lane.

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.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 75

5.3 mi · 5 min · North Central Expressway

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Exit 28A Toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto North Central Expressway

1.4 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn right onto East 15th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 15th Street

Use the straight / right lanes.

Arrive at destination

East 15th Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour and 31-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Gardendale to avoid potential traffic, especially as you near the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one recommended stop and 95% of the route on highways, you have flexibility. However, plan your single stop strategically, perhaps around the halfway point of the 377.2-mile journey, to break up the longest stretch of 299.7 miles on I-20. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $57 estimated cost suggests efficient driving, but extended highway speeds mean consistent consumption.

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 188.6 miles from Gardendale, TX, or about 3h 14m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.7 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 83 miles or 1h 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 188.6 miles or 3h 14m 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 25m

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 Gardendale, 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 Gardendale, TX

This is one driving day of about 377.2 miles and 6h 31m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Gardendale, 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 299.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 188.6 mi from Gardendale, TX · 3h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wichita Falls, TX

189 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.

Popular next leg

Wichita Falls, TX to Plano, TX

138.2 mi · 2h 34m

Pacing Suggestions

Big Spring, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Brownwood, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 188.6 miles from Gardendale, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 299.7 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

$57.00 one way

$113.99 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 132 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$62.39	$124.77
premium	$4.54	$67.35	$134.69
diesel	$5.61	$83.28	$166.56

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

$57

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$83–$108

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 132 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	113.2	1	$39.61	$18.11
Efficient EV	94.3	1	$33.00	$15.09
EV Truck/SUV	150.9	1	$52.81	$24.14

Gas CO2

132 kg

EV CO2

44 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 data refreshed 5 days ago

Origin

Gardendale, TX

Late night in Gardendale on Wednesday

Local time

1:50 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Plano, TX

Late night in Plano on Wednesday

Local time

1:50 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

8 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 31m 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 Gardendale, TX to Plano, TX covers 377.2 miles and takes about 6h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 20, Jim Wright Freeway, SH 183 TEXpress. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 188.6 miles from Gardendale, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $57.00 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.

The route from Gardendale, TX to Plano, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Gardendale, TX to Plano, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Plano, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Gardendale, TX

Plano, TX

Same local time

8 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 31m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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