Origin
Plano, TX
Afternoon in Plano on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Plano, TX to Irving, TX
Drive Time
30m
Distance
25 mi
40 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 28m
★
6 AM
0h 31m
8 AM
0h 36m
10 AM
0h 32m
12 PM
0h 32m
3 PM
0h 33m
5 PM
0h 36m
8 PM
0h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
If you are planning a quick commute or connection between Plano and Irving, you are looking at a straightforward 25-mile trip that typically takes about 30 minutes. This journey remains entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, making it a simple, one-day affair that requires no overnight stops. With a fuel budget of approximately $4, it is an economical route for solo travelers and families alike. Because the trip is so efficient, you can easily complete it in a single morning or afternoon without needing to account for long-distance fatigue. Expect a direct, no-fuss experience that gets you from point A to point B with minimal planning required.
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
12.5 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 14m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused drive that utilizes the Central Expressway, the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, and North Walton Walker Boulevard. Roughly 67% of your time behind the wheel will be spent on these major highways, keeping the pace steady and predictable. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 7 miles while navigating the Central Expressway, which dictates the flow of the initial leg. The transition between these arterial roads creates a functional, high-speed environment rather than a scenic tour. You should be prepared for a standard urban driving experience where the focus is on lane discipline and maintaining momentum through the metro area.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 18 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 7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central Expressway and Lyndon B Johnson 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 13 significant decision points across 25 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 13 key pointsThese 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 right at fork toward I 635 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 West
7
16.1 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Exit 27C
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
9
18.8 mi into trip
|
~21m in
|
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the none lane.
Exit 436A
Toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth...
Towns Along This Route
Between Plano, TX and Irving, TX, road signs point toward Loop 12 South: Irving and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Loop 12 South: Irving
18.8 mi in
|
~21m
|
via North Walton Walker Boulevard
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
18.8 mi in
|
~21m
|
via North Walton Walker Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Expressway | 7 mi | 7m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| North Walton Walker Boulevard | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| South Stemmons Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| East Irving Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East 15th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East State Highway 356 | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Central Expressway
— 7 mi, about 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the none 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 none / 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 right at fork
0.9 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 635 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 635
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the none lane.
8
Continue on I 635
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the none lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 27C
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35E
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
Use the none lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Exit 436A
Toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Use the none lane.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward TX 356
Use the slight right lane.
13
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Loop 12
14
Turn right onto TX 356
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East State Highway 356
Use the right lane.
15
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Irving Boulevard
Use the none lane.
16
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Irving Boulevard
17
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Ohio Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a short 30-minute trip, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though it is always wise to check traffic patterns on the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway before you head out. You will not need to plan for any formal stops, as the duration is brief enough to complete in one go. Keep your $4 fuel budget in mind when filling up, as you will likely not need to refuel mid-journey. Make sure to pay close attention to your GPS when navigating the transition onto North Walton Walker Boulevard to stay on track. Enjoy the ease of this quick transit, as its short distance allows you to focus more on your destination rather than the logistics of the drive itself.
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 12.5 miles from Plano, TX, or about 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 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 25 miles or 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 12.5 miles or 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Irving, 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 25 miles and 30m.
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 7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 12.5 mi from Plano, TX · 14m 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 25 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 12.5 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Irving, TX
The final approach into Irving, 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 Irving, 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
$3.82 one way
$7.64 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
9 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.19 | $8.37 |
| premium | $4.59 | $4.52 | $9.04 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $5.55 | $11.11 |
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
$4
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 8.7 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 | 7.5 | 0 | $2.63 | $1.20 |
| Efficient EV | 6.3 | 0 | $2.19 | $1.00 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 10 | 0 | $3.50 | $1.60 |
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
Irving, TX
Afternoon in Irving on Sunday
Local time
3:28 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
30m 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 Irving, TX covers 25 miles and takes about 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Expressway, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, North Walton Walker 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 12.5 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 $3.82 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 is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 25 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.
Between Plano, TX and Irving, TX, road signs point toward Loop 12 South: Irving and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
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