Origin
Plano, TX
Afternoon in Plano on Sunday
Local time
2:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plano, TX to Ballinger, TX
Drive Time
4h 29m
Distance
252.1 mi
406 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
Plano, TX
Thomas balabaud
Ballinger, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
The drive from Plano, TX to Ballinger, TX covers 252.1 miles and takes about 4h 29m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Central Expressway, US 75 South, I 635 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $38.51 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a 4h 29m drive with frequent turns across 252.1 miles of local and secondary roads.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central Expressway is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 29m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Plano, TX to Ballinger, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 75 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 635 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 635 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lyndon B | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35E South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Stemmons Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Central Expressway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Ballinger, TX.
1
Start on East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
2
Turn left onto Central Expressway
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
Central Expressway
3
Take the ramp slight left toward US 75 South
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 75 South
4
Merge slight left onto Central Expressway
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Central Expressway
5
Take the exit slight right toward I 635
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 635
6
Keep slight right to continue on I 635 West
0.9 mi
·
55 sec
·
I 635 West
7
Merge slight left onto Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
8
Continue on Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
9
Take the exit slight left toward I 35E South: Dallas
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
I 35E South: Dallas
10
Merge slight right onto South Stemmons Freeway
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
11
Keep slight right to continue on North Walton Walker Boulevard
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
12
Take the exit slight right
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
13
Merge slight right onto Loop 12 TEXpress
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 12 TEXpress
14
Merge slight right onto SH 183 TEXpress
13 mi
·
13 min
·
SH 183 TEXpress
15
Continue on SH 121/183 TEXpress
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
16
Continue on SH 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
SH 183 TEXpress
17
Continue on SH 121/183 TEXpress
0.7 mi
·
43 sec
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
18
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
19
Merge slight right onto Northeast Loop
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Northeast Loop
20
Continue on Jim Wright Freeway
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
21
Take the exit slight right toward I 30 West: Weatherford
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
I 30 West: Weatherford
22
Merge slight left onto West Freeway
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
West Freeway
23
Merge slight right
129 mi
·
2 hr 10 min
24
Take the exit slight left toward I 20 Business: Abilene
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
I 20 Business: Abilene
25
Turn straight onto East Highway 80
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
East Highway 80
26
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
27
Merge slight left onto Jake Roberts Freeway
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Jake Roberts Freeway
28
Keep slight right to continue on US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Coleman
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
·
US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Coleman
29
Turn straight onto South Treadaway Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
South Treadaway Boulevard
30
Take the ramp straight toward US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Coleman
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 83 South, US 84 East: Ballinger, Coleman
31
Keep slight left
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
32
Merge slight left
10 mi
·
11 min
33
Continue straight
39 mi
·
44 min
34
Arrive at your destination
3 ft
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 126 miles from Plano, TX, or about 2h 14m into the drive.
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 80 miles or 1h 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126 miles or 2h 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 3h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ballinger, 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 252.1 miles and 4h 29m.
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.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126 mi from Plano, TX · 2h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
126 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 126 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Ballinger, TX
The final approach into Ballinger, 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 Ballinger, 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
$38.51 one way
$77.02 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
88 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $42.20 | $84.40 |
| premium | $4.59 | $45.57 | $91.13 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $56.01 | $112.02 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.47 | $12.10 |
| Efficient EV | 63 | 0 | $22.06 | $10.08 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 100.8 | 1 | $35.29 | $16.13 |
Gas CO2
88 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Ballinger, TX
Afternoon in Ballinger on Sunday
Local time
2:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 29m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 Ballinger, TX covers 252.1 miles and takes about 4h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Expressway, US 75 South, I 635. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 126 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 $38.51 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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.
This is a straightforward 4h 29m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Plano, TX to Ballinger, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Plano, TX to Ballinger, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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