How far is Ames, TX from Plano, TX?
The driving distance from Ames, TX to Plano, TX is about 145.5 miles (234.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 39m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 121.3 miles (195.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 18m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 39m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Ames and Plano.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ames and Plano.
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1
Start on 36th Division Memorial Highway
4.1 mi · 4 min · 36th Division Memorial Highway
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2
Continue on North Highway 36 Bypass
3.1 mi · 4 min · North Highway 36 Bypass
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3
Turn straight
1890 ft · 48 sec
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4
Turn left onto East Main Street
17.3 mi · 20 min · East Main Street
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5
Continue on West McGregor Drive
2.8 mi · 4 min · West McGregor Drive
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6
Continue on West US Highway 84
5.3 mi · 6 min · West US Highway 84
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7
Continue on George W Bush Parkway
7.3 mi · 9 min · George W Bush Parkway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Spur 298: Franklin Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min
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9
Turn slight right
79 m · 10 sec
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10
Take the ramp straight toward South Valley Mills Drive
671 ft · 18 sec · South Valley Mills Drive
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11
Keep slight left
556 ft · 15 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto South Valley Mills Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · South Valley Mills Drive
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13
Turn left onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
1.5 km · 2 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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14
Take the ramp straight toward I 35 North, US 77 North
135 m · 11 sec
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15
Continue straight
1419 ft · 35 sec
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16
Merge slight left onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
3.3 mi · 4 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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17
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
56.2 mi · 58 min
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19
Take the exit slight right toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
2094 ft · 42 sec
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20
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
129 m · 6 sec
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21
Keep slight right to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
2206 ft · 33 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana
117 m · 6 sec
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23
Continue on East R L Thornton Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
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24
Take the exit slight right toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
2421 ft · 46 sec
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25
Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: McKinney
2512 ft · 1 min
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26
Keep slight right to continue on US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
1697 ft · 27 sec
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27
Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway
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28
Continue on North Central Expressway
15.2 mi · 16 min · North Central Expressway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
2162 ft · 53 sec
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30
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway
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31
Turn right onto East 15th Street
3101 ft · 1 min · East 15th Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 15th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Ames and Plano.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 35E
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
56.2 mi · 00h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Ames and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Plano.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Ames to Plano?
The road trip is about 145.5 miles (234.1 km) and usually takes 02h 39m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Hillsboro is a useful midpoint, sitting about 79.4 miles from Ames and 66.1 miles from Plano.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 121.3 miles (195.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:12 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $19.39 one way or $38.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 45.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Ames and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Plano.
Stop Ideas Near Hillsboro
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
Whitney City Hall
Town Hall Estates Nursing
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Hillsboro.
Cleburne
Waco, TX
McGregor
Fort Worth Central Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Ames and Plano. Straight-line distance: 121.29 mi (195.19 km).
#1 Ames
City in Liberty County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,275 |
| Coordinates | 31.5209900, -97.7794700 |
| Altitude | 281 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Plano
The second most populous city in Texas and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.
| Population | 291,296 |
| Coordinates | 33.0198400, -96.6988900 |
| Altitude | 203 |
| Country | United States |
End: East 15th Street (-96.698873, 33.019694)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 234 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 50m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $19.39 | $38.77 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $21.81 | $43.63 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $23.55 | $47.10 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $20.48 | $40.97 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Apr 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.