How far is Buchanan Dam, TX from Plano, TX?
The driving distance from Buchanan Dam, TX to Plano, TX is about 222.6 miles (358.3 km), with a travel time of about 03h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.5 miles (301.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 42m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 03h 51m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
The 11th most populous city in Texas.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buchanan Dam and Plano.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan Dam and Plano.
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1
Start on Island Lodges Drive
43 m · 11 sec · Island Lodges Drive
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2
Turn left
23.6 mi · 31 min
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3
Turn left onto North Grange Street
916 ft · 22 sec · North Grange Street
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4
Keep slight right
6.4 mi · 8 min
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5
Keep slight left to continue on East RM 243
5.5 mi · 7 min · East RM 243
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6
Continue on East Ranch Road 243
2916 ft · 44 sec · East Ranch Road 243
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7
Turn right onto North US Highway 183
941 ft · 18 sec · North US Highway 183
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8
Turn left onto State Highway 138
6.8 mi · 8 min · State Highway 138
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9
Take the ramp right toward TX 195 South
1700 ft · 41 sec
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10
Merge slight left
1493 ft · 17 sec
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11
Take the exit slight right toward FM 487: Florence, Jarrell
1738 ft · 47 sec
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12
Turn left onto East Main Street
1189 ft · 25 sec · East Main Street
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13
Continue on FM 487
2.4 mi · 3 min · FM 487
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14
Turn left
14.6 mi · 18 min
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15
Turn right onto South I-35 Frontage Road
3038 ft · 1 min · South I-35 Frontage Road
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16
Turn left onto FM 2115
148 m · 21 sec · FM 2115
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17
Turn sharp left onto South I-35 Frontage Road
1 km · 52 sec · South I-35 Frontage Road
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18
Take the ramp straight toward I 35 North
1435 ft · 25 sec
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19
Merge slight left
87.2 mi · 1 hr 29 min
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
56.2 mi · 58 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
2094 ft · 42 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
129 m · 6 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
2206 ft · 33 sec
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24
Keep slight left to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana
117 m · 6 sec
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25
Continue on East R L Thornton Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
2421 ft · 46 sec
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27
Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: McKinney
2512 ft · 1 min
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28
Keep slight right to continue on US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
1697 ft · 27 sec
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29
Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway
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30
Continue on North Central Expressway
15.2 mi · 16 min · North Central Expressway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
2162 ft · 53 sec
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32
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway
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33
Turn right onto East 15th Street
3101 ft · 1 min · East 15th Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 15th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buchanan Dam 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 35 North
Merge slight left
87.2 mi · 01h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Buchanan Dam and 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 Buchanan Dam to Plano?
The road trip is about 222.6 miles (358.3 km) and usually takes 03h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Waco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 113.9 miles from Buchanan Dam and 108.7 miles from Plano.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 187.5 miles (301.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 35.1 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:18 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.70 one way or $59.41 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 69.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Buchanan Dam and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Plano.
Stop Ideas Near Waco
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Riesel City Hall
Waco City Hall
Robinson City Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Waco.
Waco, TX
McGregor
Temple
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buchanan Dam and Plano. Straight-line distance: 187.46 mi (301.69 km).
#1 Buchanan Dam
Place in Texas
| Population | 1,519 |
| Coordinates | 30.7399000, -98.4311400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| 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: 358 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 25m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 33m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 46m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $29.70 | $59.41 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.42 | $66.84 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $36.09 | $72.17 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $31.38 | $62.77 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.