Hico, TX to Plano, TX is 120.8 miles and takes about 2 hours 24 minutes via Northeast Big Bend Trail and North Central Expressway, with a fuel budget near $18 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape as you travel north. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll experience a mix of highway travel and state roads. It's a straightforward trip for those looking for a practical connection between these two Texas locations, with no overnight stays needed.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
60.4 miles from Hico, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 13m into the drive
.
Plano is a city of 285,000 people (2020) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas and is north of Dallas. It is home to the headquarters of several large corporations.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 24m. Total distance: 120.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (45%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 45% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 61.8 miles on the Northeast Big Bend Trail, suggesting a significant portion of your drive will be on this road. Expect the character of the drive to evolve as you transition from the initial trail onto the North Central Expressway and State Highway 220, likely involving varied speed limits and road conditions. It's not a purely monotonous interstate experience but rather a blend that requires attention as the terrain and speed change.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 23 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Northeast Big Bend Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 61.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 99.6 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 14 significant decision points across 120.8 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 99.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
99.6 mi into trip|~1h 58m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
6
99.9 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Wor...
8
101.3 mi into trip|~2h in
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
7
101.7 mi into trip|~2h 1m 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
8
118.4 mi into trip|~2h 20m 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.
Between Hico, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center, Mckinney and Bryan Street East.
Fort Worth
99.9 mi in|~1h 59m
Texarkana
99.9 mi in|~1h 59m
Convention Center
100 mi in|~1h 59m
Mckinney
101.3 mi in|~2h
Bryan Street East
102.2 mi in|~2h 2m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Northeast Big Bend Trail
61.8 mi
1h 11m
North Central Expressway
16.6 mi
18m
State Highway 220
12.8 mi
18m
US Highway 67
12.1 mi
13m
Marvin D Love Freeway
5.5 mi
5m
South R L Thornton Freeway
3.6 mi
4m
West S G Alexander Freeway
2.7 mi
2m
North Cedar Street
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Northeast Big Bend Trail
— 61.8 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hico, TX and Plano, TX.
1
Start on TX 6
0.2 mi·12 sec·West 2nd Street
2
Continue on TX 6
0.1 mi·14 sec·East 2nd Street
3
Turn left onto TX 220
0.8 mi·1 min·North Cedar Street
4
Continue on TX 220
13 mi·18 min·State Highway 220
5
Merge onto US 67
12 mi·13 min·US Highway 67
6
Continue on US 67
62 mi·1 hr 11 min·Northeast Big Bend Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 67
2.7 mi·2 min·West S G Alexander Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 67
5.5 mi·5 min·Marvin D Love Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35E
3.6 mi·4 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
13
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft·6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
14
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi·1 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 46Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinneyUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left lane.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
18
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi·49 sec·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 75
15 mi·16 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.4 mi·52 sec
Exit 28AToward Plano Parkway, 15th StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi·2 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
23
Arrive at destination
East 15th Street
Trip Plan
Given the 2 hour 24 minute drive time, you can easily complete this trip in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour traffic as you approach Plano. While there are no specific stops recommended, keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 61.8-mile stretch on Northeast Big Bend Trail where services might be less frequent. Budgeting around $18 for fuel should cover the 120.8-mile distance comfortably. This is a route where you can be quite spontaneous with your timing.
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 60.4 miles from Hico, TX, or about 1h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 61.8 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 27 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 60.4 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
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 Hico, 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 Hico, TX
This is one driving day of about 120.8 miles and 2h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Hico, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Northeast Big Bend Trail for about 61.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 60.4 mi from Hico, TX
· 1h 13m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.25 one way
$36.51 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg42 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$19.98
$39.96
premium
$4.54
$21.57
$43.14
diesel
$5.61
$26.67
$53.34
Estimated Tolls: $1.32
Central Expressway
(16.6 mi)$1.32
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
$18
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.2
0
$12.68
$5.80
Efficient EV
30.2
0
$10.57
$4.83
EV Truck/SUV
48.3
0
$16.91
$7.73
Gas CO2
42 kg
EV CO2
14 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hico, TX
Late night
in Hico on Saturday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Plano, TX
Late night
in Plano on Saturday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Mansfield, TX
60 mi in
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
10 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
2h 24m 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 Hico, TX to Plano, TX covers 120.8 miles and takes about 2h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Northeast Big Bend Trail, North Central Expressway, State Highway 220. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 60.4 miles from Hico, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $18.25 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 14 significant decision points across 120.8 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 99.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 99.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 101.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hico, TX and Plano, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center, Mckinney and Bryan Street East.
