Origin
Plano, TX
Afternoon in Plano on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plano, TX to Anna, TX
Drive Time
33m
Distance
26.2 mi
42 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 30m
★
6 AM
0h 33m
8 AM
0h 39m
10 AM
0h 35m
12 PM
0h 35m
3 PM
0h 35m
5 PM
0h 38m
8 PM
0h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Thomas balabaud
Anna, TX
Victor Gavela
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick excursion from Plano to Anna, you will cover 26.2 miles in approximately 33 minutes. This straightforward trip stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it an ideal day trip that requires no overnight stay. You can expect to spend about $4 on fuel for the journey. Because this is a short, highway-focused drive with no planned stops, it is perfect for those who prioritize efficiency over sightseeing. Whether you are heading north for business or a change of pace, the route is simple to navigate and budget-friendly.
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
13.1 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 77% of this drive takes place on high-speed roads. You will spend the bulk of your time on the Central Expressway, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 17.9 miles. The route transitions from the denser urban infrastructure of Plano to the more open roads of the Great Plains as you utilize McKinney Street and South Powell Parkway. While you won't encounter technical mountain passes or winding backroads, the transition from city traffic to a steady highway pace defines the personality of this drive. It is a functional, no-nonsense commute that gets you to your destination quickly.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 11 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 17.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central Expressway and McKinney Street. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East 15th Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 26.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 (East 15th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (US 75 / Central Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 8 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East 15th Street
Depart onto East 15th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Central Expressway
Turn right onto Central Expressway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the none lane.
5
1.7 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 75 / Central Expressway
Merge onto US 75 / Central Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
7
18.7 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward TX 121 North: Bonham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 44
Toward TX 121 North: Bonham
4
26.2 mi into trip
|
~33m in
|
South Sherley Road
Turn right onto South Sherley Road
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Expressway | 17.9 mi | 19m |
| McKinney Street | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| South Powell Parkway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
| Sam Rayburn Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| West 4th Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| South Sherley Road | <0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Central Expressway
— 17.9 mi, about 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Anna, TX.
1
Start on East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the none lane.
2
Turn right onto Central Expressway
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the none lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 75 North
4
Merge onto US 75
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Exit 44
Toward TX 121 North: Bonham
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on TX 121
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
Toward TX 121 North: Bonham
7
Turn left onto TX 5
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
McKinney Street
8
Continue on TX 5
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Powell Parkway
9
Turn right onto FM 2862
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
West 4th Street
10
Turn right onto South Sherley Road
35 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Sherley Road
11
Arrive at destination
South Sherley Road
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 33-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though avoiding peak traffic hours on the Central Expressway is always a wise move. You won't need to worry about planning for rest stops since the route is brief and direct. Keep your fuel budget at $4 in mind, but ensure your tank is topped off before leaving Plano to avoid unnecessary detours. Given that the entire trip is less than 30 miles, use the time to enjoy a podcast or audiobook rather than stressing over a complex itinerary. Because there are no mandatory stops, feel free to head out whenever your schedule allows.
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 13.1 miles from Plano, TX, or about 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 17.9 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 26.2 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.1 miles or 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anna, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Plano, TX
This is one driving day of about 26.2 miles and 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Plano, 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 Central Expressway for about 17.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.1 mi from Plano, TX · 15m 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 26.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 13.1 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Anna, TX
The final approach into Anna, 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 Anna, 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
$4.00 one way
$8.00 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.39 | $8.77 |
| premium | $4.59 | $4.74 | $9.47 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.82 | $11.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.43
Central Expressway
(17.9 mi)
$1.43
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: 9.2 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 | 7.9 | 0 | $2.75 | $1.26 |
| Efficient EV | 6.6 | 0 | $2.29 | $1.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10.5 | 0 | $3.67 | $1.68 |
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
Anna, TX
Afternoon in Anna on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°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
3 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
33m 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 Plano, TX to Anna, TX covers 26.2 miles and takes about 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Expressway, McKinney Street, South Powell Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 13.1 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 $4.00 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 26.2 miles you will encounter 8 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 (East 15th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (US 75 / Central Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Plano, TX to Anna, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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