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Trip from Plano, TX to Henderson, TX

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

2h 40m

Distance

147.4 mi

237 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

18 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 30m ★
6 AM
2h 41m
8 AM
3h 2m
10 AM
2h 48m
12 PM
2h 46m
3 PM
2h 49m
5 PM
3h 1m
8 PM
2h 35m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Collin and Denton counties in Texas, United States

Plano, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Rusk County, Texas, United States

Henderson, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Plano, TX to Henderson, TX covers 147.4 miles and takes about 2h 40m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on I 20, US 80, South Henderson Boulevard for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 83.7 miles on I 20. At current regular gas prices, budget about $22.27 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

73.7 miles from Plano, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 40m. Total distance: 147.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 40m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Drive Character

This is a 2h 40m highway drive covering 147.4 miles, with most of the trip on I 20 and US 80. The longest continuous stretch is about 83.7 miles on I 20.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 20 is the longest continuous segment at about 83.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and US 80. 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.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 22 significant decision points across 147.4 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 22 key points

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

6
0.6 mi into trip | ~1m in | Central Expressway

Turn left onto Central Expressway

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.
7
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
7
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
7
20.9 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward US 80 East: Terrell

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 6B Toward US 80 East: Terrell
7
21.5 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 80 East: Terrell

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 80 East: Terrell

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 Henderson, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Gladewater along the way.

Gladewater

125.2 mi in | ~2h 11m

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 83.7 mi 1h 23m
US 80 15.2 mi 16m
South Henderson Boulevard 12 mi 13m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 11.2 mi 12m
Central Expressway 7 mi 7m
Spur 557 4.5 mi 4m
State Highway 135 North 4.2 mi 5m
FM 2276 2.8 mi 3m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 83.7 mi, about 1h 23m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Henderson, 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

6.8 mi · 7 min · Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec
Exit 21 Toward I 635 Use the straight / right lanes.
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward I 635 East Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 635 East
8

Merge onto I 635

0.3 mi · 17 sec · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
9

Continue on I 635

11 mi · 12 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 6B Toward US 80 East: Terrell Use the slight right lane.
11

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Toward US 80 East: Terrell Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto US 80

15 mi · 16 min · US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on Spur 557

4.5 mi · 4 min · Spur 557
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Merge onto I 20

84 mi · 1 hr 23 min · I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward TX 135: Kilgore, Gladewater
16

Continue on I 20 Frontage Road

0.3 mi · 51 sec · I 20 Frontage Road
17

Turn right onto TX 135

4.2 mi · 5 min · State Highway 135 North
18

Keep slight left at fork

48 ft · 0 sec
19

Enter roundabout onto Houston Street

103 ft · 1 sec · Houston Street
20

Continue on Houston Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · Houston Street
21

At end of road, turn right onto US 259 Business; TX 42

12 mi · 13 min · South Henderson Boulevard
22

Turn right onto FM 2276

2.8 mi · 3 min · FM 2276
23

Turn left onto TX 323

1.7 mi · 3 min · TX 323
24

Turn left onto TX 64 Business

421 ft · 10 sec · West Depot Street
25

Turn right onto TX 64 Business

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Main Street
26

Turn left onto US 79 Business; TX 64 Business

72 ft · 3 sec · East Main Street
27

Arrive at destination

US 79 Business; TX 64 Business

Trip Plan

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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.7 miles from Plano, TX, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.7 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 32 miles or 37m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 73.7 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Henderson, 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 147.4 miles and 2h 40m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 I 20 for about 83.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 73.7 mi from Plano, TX · 1h 19m into the drive

city in Van Zandt County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Canton, TX

74 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

Mesquite, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grand Saline, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 73.7 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 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 83.7 miles.

Arriving in Henderson, TX

The final approach into Henderson, 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 Henderson, TX.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Xcape Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 21.1

Mesquite, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19729822073

Visit website

Dark Hour Haunted House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Plano, Texas

+14692980556

Visit website

11th Hour Escape

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Plano, Texas

Hours: 12–5:30 pm

+14692095978

Visit website

Heritage Farmstead Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour

Plano, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19728810140

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.27 one way

$44.54 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $24.38 $48.76
premium $4.54 $26.32 $52.63
diesel $5.61 $32.54 $65.09

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

$22

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

18 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Target - Tesla Supercharger

Plano, TX

Tesla

16 DCFC

Village on the Parkway - Tesla Supercharger

Dallas, TX

Tesla

16 DCFC

Walmart EV Charging

Plano, TX

WALMART

12 DCFC

Plano, TX Rechargery Relay - N Central Expy

Plano, TX

IONNA

10 DCFC

Walmart EV Charging

Murphy, TX

WALMART

8 DCFC

CityLine Market - Tesla Supercharger

Richardson, TX

Tesla

8 DCFC

901 W Park Blvd

Plano, TX

HYPERFUEL

6 DCFC

Chase Bank - 2000 W 15th St

Plano, TX

eVgo Network

6 DCFC

eVgo Network: 5 GRAVITI_ENERGY: 4 Tesla: 3 WALMART: 2 Blink Network: 2 IONNA: 1 HYPERFUEL: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.2 0 $15.48 $7.08
Efficient EV 36.9 0 $12.90 $5.90
EV Truck/SUV 59 0 $20.64 $9.43

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Plano, TX

Late night in Plano on Friday

Local time

1:43 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Henderson, TX

Late night in Henderson on Friday

Local time

1:43 AM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

72°F

Canton, TX

74 mi in

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

2h 40m 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 Henderson, TX covers 147.4 miles and takes about 2h 40m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 20, US 80, South Henderson Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 73.7 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 $22.27 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 147.4 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 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.
On the drive from Plano, TX to Henderson, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Gladewater along the way.

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Return Trip

Henderson, TX to Plano, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

147.3 mi 2h 40m

Explore more options from Plano, TX or browse trips ending in Henderson, TX.

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