The drive from Plano, TX to Sulphur Springs, TX covers 81.8 miles and takes about 1h 29m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 30, President George Bush Turnpike, Gilmer Street for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 61.6 miles on I 30.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $12.36 one way before food or hotel costs.
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.
Sulphur Springs was founded in 1854, though it was then known as "Bright Star", and is in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas. Though the springs that brought about the name have more or less vanished, it is now known as "The Dairy Capital of Texas", with a museum cultured to that very point, even if the dairy industry has waned a bit around here in the early 21st century.
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 29m. Total distance: 81.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 29m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This is a 1h 29m highway drive covering 81.8 miles, with most of the trip on I 30 and President George Bush Turnpike. The longest continuous stretch is about 61.6 miles on I 30.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 30 is the longest continuous segment at about 61.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and President George Bush Turnpike. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near K Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (K Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (TX 190 / President George Bush Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (PGBT / President George Bush Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|K Avenue
Turn left onto K Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
1.2 mi into trip|~2m in|TX 190 / President George Bush Highway
Turn left onto TX 190 / President George Bush Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
2.1 mi into trip|~3m in|PGBT / President George Bush Turnpike
Merge onto PGBT / President George Bush Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
16.9 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
7
17.1 mi into trip|~20m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 30 East: Texarkana
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
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 Sulphur Springs, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.
Dallas
16.9 mi in|~19m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
61.6 mi
1h 3m
President George Bush Turnpike
14.8 mi
16m
Gilmer Street
1.3 mi
1m
K Avenue
1.1 mi
2m
President George Bush Highway
0.7 mi
1m
Shannon Road West
0.4 mi
<1m
South Broadway Street
0.4 mi
<1m
North Plano Road
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 61.6 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Sulphur Springs, TX.
1
Start on East 15th Street
112 ft·9 sec·East 15th Street
2
Turn left onto K Avenue
1.1 mi·2 min·K Avenue
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on North Plano Road
163 ft·10 sec·North Plano Road
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto TX 190
0.7 mi·1 min·President George Bush Highway
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward PGBT East
6
Merge onto PGBT
15 mi·16 min·President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·22 sec
Toward I 30: Texarkana, DallasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 30 East: TexarkanaUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 30; US 67
62 mi·1 hr 3 min·I 30; US 67
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward SH 154 , SH 11
11
Turn straight onto Shannon Road West
0.4 mi·47 sec·Shannon Road West
12
Turn left onto TX 154
0.4 mi·35 sec·South Broadway Street
13
Continue on Gilmer Street
1.3 mi·1 min·Gilmer Street
14
Turn right onto US 67 Bus; TX 154
116 ft·2 sec·Jefferson Street West
15
Arrive at destination
US 67 Bus; TX 154
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 40.9 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 I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 61.6 miles.
Arriving in Sulphur Springs, TX
The final approach into Sulphur Springs, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$12.36 one way
$24.72 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg29 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$13.53
$27.06
premium
$4.54
$14.60
$29.21
diesel
$5.61
$18.06
$36.12
Estimated Tolls: $1.19
President George Bush Turnpike
(14.8 mi)$1.19
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$12
Tolls
$1
Total
$14
Estimated CO2 emission: 28.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
24.5
0
$8.59
$3.93
Efficient EV
20.5
0
$7.16
$3.27
EV Truck/SUV
32.7
0
$11.45
$5.24
Gas CO2
29 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (66% 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 13, 2026
Origin
Plano, TX
Morning
in Plano on Saturday
Local time
9:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 15 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 13 at 6:04PM CDT until April 13 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 13 at 5:47PM CDT until April 13 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Sulphur Springs, TX
Morning
in Sulphur Springs on Saturday
Local time
9:03 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
6 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
1h 29m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 Sulphur Springs, TX covers 81.8 miles and takes about 1h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 30, President George Bush Turnpike, Gilmer Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 40.9 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 $12.36 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 81.8 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (K Avenue): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (TX 190 / President George Bush Highway): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles (PGBT / President George Bush Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Plano, TX to Sulphur Springs, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas along the way.
