The drive from Plano, TX to Alice, TX covers 425.8 miles and takes about 7h 20m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South R L Thornton Freeway, TX 130 Toll, I 37 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $64.34 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
212.9 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 40m 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.
Alice is a city of 19,000 people (2018) on the South Texas Plains between Corpus Christi, McAllen, Laredo, and San Antonio. It is a focal point for the oil industry in the area, and is considered to the "birthplace of Tejano music".
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 20m. Total distance: 425.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 20m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 7h 20m highway drive covering 425.8 miles, with most of the trip on South R L Thornton Freeway and TX 130 Toll. The longest continuous stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 39 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 89.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and TX 130 Toll. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.5 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 31 significant decision points across 425.8 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 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 31 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
17.5 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
19.7 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
19.7 mi into trip|~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Waco
7
180.9 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
8
309 mi into trip|~5h 14m in
Take the exit toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
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 41
Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Plano, TX to Alice, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Corpus Christi along the way.
Corpus Christi
309 mi in|~5h 14m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
TX 130 Toll
86.1 mi
1h 19m
I 37
60.5 mi
1h 1m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
South Nueces Street
36.1 mi
36m
I 10
32.5 mi
33m
I 35
26.5 mi
26m
Central Expressway
16.8 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Alice, TX.
1
Start on East 15th Street
0.6 mi·1 min·East 15th Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto Central Expressway
0.2 mi·17 sec·Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward US 75 South
4
Merge onto US 75
17 mi·17 min·Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
501 ft·12 sec
Exit 284CToward Downtown, Good-Latimer ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
6
Continue on North Central Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn right onto Elm Street
304 ft·10 sec·Elm Street
8
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Young Street
10
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
315 ft·8 sec·South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Canton Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·Canton Street
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 30 West
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
14
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E South: WacoUse the left / right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
17
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi·26 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 265Toward TX 130 Toll South: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
22
Continue on TX 130 Toll
86 mi·1 hr 19 min·TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
11 mi·11 min·I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 10; US 90; TX 130
9.4 mi·9 min·I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
12 mi·12 min·I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410
1.4 mi·1 min·Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 410; TX 130
6.7 mi·7 min·Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 41Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus ChristiUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 37 South: Corpus ChristiUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
31
Merge onto I 37
60 mi·1 hr 1 min·I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Take the exit onto US 281 South
15 mi·19 min·US 281 South
Toward US 281 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
36 mi·36 min·South Nueces Street
34
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
35
Continue on US 281 Business
3.1 mi·4 min·US 281 Business
36
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
0.8 mi·1 min·West 3rd Street
37
Turn right onto North Cameron Street
357 ft·15 sec·North Cameron Street
38
Turn left onto East 2nd Street
94 ft·4 sec·East 2nd Street
39
Arrive at destination
East 2nd Street
Trip Plan
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 212.9 miles from Plano, TX, or about 3h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 94 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 212.9 miles or 3h 40m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alice, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Plano, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plano, TX
This is one driving day of about 425.8 miles and 7h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 94 miles from Plano, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 212.9 mi from Plano, TX
· 3h 40m into the drive
The midpoint is around 212.9 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 miles.
Arriving in Alice, TX
The final approach into Alice, 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 Alice, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 308.3
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 102.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.34 one way
$128.68 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg149 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$70.42
$140.85
premium
$4.54
$76.02
$152.05
diesel
$5.61
$94.01
$188.02
Estimated Tolls: $1.40
Central Expressway
(17.5 mi)$1.40
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
$64
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 149 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
127.7
1
$44.71
$20.44
Efficient EV
106.5
1
$37.26
$17.03
EV Truck/SUV
170.3
2
$59.61
$27.25
Gas CO2
149 kg
EV CO2
50 kg (66% 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
Plano, TX
Late night
in Plano on Saturday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Alice, TX
Late night
in Alice on Saturday
Local time
5:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°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
28 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
7h 20m 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 Plano, TX to Alice, TX covers 425.8 miles and takes about 7h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South R L Thornton Freeway, TX 130 Toll, I 37. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 212.9 miles from Plano, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $64.34 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 2 meaningful breaks 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 31 significant decision points across 425.8 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 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Plano, TX to Alice, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Corpus Christi along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument.
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.
