Trip from Plano, TX to Groves, TX

Drive Time

6h 1m

Distance

311.5 mi

501 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Plano, TX

Thomas balabaud

Groves, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

The drive from Plano, TX to Groves, TX covers 311.5 miles and takes about 6h 1m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US Highway 69 South, C F Hawn Freeway, East Denman Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 63.3 miles on US Highway 69 South. At current regular gas prices, budget about $47.58 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

155.8 miles from Plano, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 1m highway drive covering 311.5 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 69 South and C F Hawn Freeway. The longest continuous stretch is about 63.3 miles on US Highway 69 South.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 48 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US Highway 69 South is the longest continuous segment at about 63.3 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

579 ft 10 ft

Total Climb

210 ft

Total Descent

779 ft

Highest Point

579 ft

~13 mi in

Elevation Range

570 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 69 South and C F Hawn Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.6 miles in near Central Expressway.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 311.5 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 0.6 miles (Central Expressway): Lane positioning matters here; at 7.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Central Expressway

Turn left onto Central Expressway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

7.8 mi into trip | ~9m in

Take the exit toward I 635

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 21 Toward I 635

8.1 mi into trip | ~9m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 635 East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 635 East

28.2 mi into trip | ~32m in

Take the exit toward US 175 East: Kaufman

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Exit 479B Toward US 175 East: Kaufman

288.3 mi into trip | ~5h 32m in | US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway toward Houston, Port Arthur

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Houston, Port Arthur

Towns Along This Route

Between Plano, TX and Groves, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Port Arthur.

Houston

288.3 mi in | ~5h 32m | via US 69; US 96; US 287

Port Arthur

288.3 mi in | ~5h 32m | via US 69; US 96; US 287

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US Highway 69 South	63.3 mi	1h 11m
C F Hawn Freeway	58.5 mi	1h 3m
East Denman Avenue	38.5 mi	43m
US 69	26.1 mi	28m
US Highway 175 East	20.8 mi	22m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway	18.5 mi	19m
US Highway 69 North	16.2 mi	18m
Rusk Street	15.1 mi	19m

Longest stretch: US Highway 69 South — 63.3 mi, about 1h 11m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Groves, TX.

Start on East 15th Street

0.6 mi · 1 min · East 15th Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Central Expressway

0.2 mi · 17 sec · Central Expressway

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward US 75 South

Merge onto US 75

6.8 mi · 7 min · Central Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 21 Toward I 635 Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward I 635 East Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward I 635 East

Merge onto I 635

0.3 mi · 17 sec · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway

Continue on I 635

19 mi · 19 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 479B Toward US 175 East: Kaufman Use the right lane.

Merge onto US 175

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · C F Hawn Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 175 Bus

151 ft · 9 sec · US Highway 175 West

Turn left onto US 175 Bus; TX 31 Bus

2.5 mi · 4 min · West Corsicana Street

Continue on US 175 Bus

21 mi · 22 min · US Highway 175 East

Continue on US 175

2.0 mi · 3 min · West Pine Street

Continue on US 175

13 mi · 14 min · US Highway 175

Continue on US 175

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Frankston Highway

Continue on US 175

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Alexander Boulevard

At end of road, turn right onto US 69

3.3 mi · 4 min · North Jackson Street

Continue on US 69

9.5 mi · 10 min · US Highway 69 North

Continue on US 69

3.4 mi · 3 min · North Dickinson Drive

Continue on US 69

9.3 mi · 10 min · US Highway 69 South

Continue on US 69

1.5 mi · 1 min · North Marcus Street

Continue on US 69

11 mi · 13 min · US Highway 69 South

Continue on US 69

15 mi · 19 min · Rusk Street

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Continue on Loop 287 Frontage Road

0.5 mi · 49 sec · Loop 287 Frontage Road

Continue on Loop 287

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Loop 287 Frontage Road

Turn right onto US 69 Bus

2.1 mi · 3 min · Kurth Drive

Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus; TX 103

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Timberland Drive

Turn left onto US 69 Bus

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Chestnut Street

Turn left onto US 69 Bus

39 mi · 43 min · East Denman Avenue

Continue on US 69

3.0 mi · 3 min · North Wheeler Avenue

Continue on US 69

6.7 mi · 7 min · US Highway 69 North

Continue on US 69

2.9 mi · 3 min · North Magnolia Street

Continue on US 69; US 287

42 mi · 48 min · US Highway 69 South

Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287

9.5 mi · 10 min · US 69; US 96; US 287

Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287

3.1 mi · 4 min · Eastex Freeway

Toward Houston, Port Arthur

Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287

17 mi · 18 min · US 69; US 96; US 287

Exit 849 Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur

Turn left onto 39th Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · 39th Street

Turn left onto 9th Avenue

0.3 mi · 47 sec · 9th Avenue

Turn right onto Highway 73

0.2 mi · 20 sec · Highway 73

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward TX 73 East

Merge onto TX 73

1.0 mi · 1 min · TX 73

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward Groves

Turn straight onto West Parkway Street

0.1 mi · 17 sec · West Parkway Street

Turn slight left onto 39th Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · 39th Street

Arrive at destination

39th 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 155.8 miles from Plano, TX, or about 2h 57m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 80 miles or 1h 29m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 155.8 miles or 2h 57m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Groves, 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 311.5 miles and 6h 1m.

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.

The longest stretch is on US Highway 69 South for about 63.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 155.8 mi from Plano, TX · 2h 57m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houston, TX

156 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

Dallas, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.8 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 US Highway 69 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 63.3 miles.

Arriving in Groves, TX

The final approach into Groves, 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 Groves, 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

$47.58 one way

$95.17 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$52.15	$104.29
premium	$4.59	$56.30	$112.61
diesel	$5.64	$69.20	$138.41

Estimated Tolls: $0.56

Central Expressway (7 mi) $0.56

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

$48

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$73–$98

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 109 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	93.5	1	$32.71	$14.95
Efficient EV	77.9	0	$27.26	$12.46
EV Truck/SUV	124.6	1	$43.61	$19.94

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

36 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 5 hours ago

Origin

Plano, TX

Afternoon in Plano on Sunday

Local time

2:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

S 15 mph 89% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 8:43AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued April 12 at 8:38AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Groves, TX

Afternoon in Groves on Sunday

Local time

2:39 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°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

9 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

6h 1m 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 Groves, TX covers 311.5 miles and takes about 6h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US Highway 69 South, C F Hawn Freeway, East Denman Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 155.8 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 $47.58 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Plano, TX and Groves, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Port Arthur.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 10 ft to 579 ft elevation with about 210 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Groves, TX to Plano, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

310.3 mi 5h 59m

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Trip from Plano, TX to Groves, TX

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Groves, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Plano, TX

Groves, TX

Same local time

9 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 1m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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