How far is Carthage, TX from Plano, TX?
The driving distance from Carthage, TX to Plano, TX is about 170.1 miles (273.8 km), with a travel time of about 02h 47m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.8 miles (241.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 35m 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 47m.
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.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Carthage and Plano.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage and Plano.
-
1
Start on Panola Street
117 m · 12 sec · Panola Street
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2
Turn right onto North Saint Mary Street
3200 ft · 59 sec · North Saint Mary Street
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3
Turn left onto Cottage Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Cottage Road
-
4
Continue straight
25.8 mi · 38 min
-
5
Turn left
4.8 mi · 6 min
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6
Turn right
2.8 mi · 4 min
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7
Turn right onto FM 2087 South
877 ft · 21 sec · FM 2087 South
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8
Turn sharp left onto IH 20 Service Road
70 m · 4 sec · IH 20 Service Road
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9
Take the ramp slight left toward I 20
1271 ft · 31 sec
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10
Merge slight left
92 mi · 1 hr 32 min
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11
Keep slight right to continue on Dallas
4.4 mi · 5 min
-
12
Continue straight
15.3 mi · 16 min
-
13
Take the exit slight right toward I 635 North
2115 ft · 52 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
11.4 mi · 12 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
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15
Continue on Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
737 ft · 9 sec · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinney
1.5 km · 2 min
-
17
Keep slight right to continue on US 75 North: McKinney
1 km · 55 sec
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18
Merge slight left onto North Central Expressway
5.3 mi · 6 min · North Central Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street
2162 ft · 53 sec
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20
Turn straight onto North Central Expressway
1.4 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway
-
21
Turn right onto East 15th Street
3101 ft · 1 min · East 15th Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · East 15th Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Carthage and Plano.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
I 20
Merge slight left
92 mi · 01h 32m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Carthage and Mostly Cloudy near Plano.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Carthage to Plano?
The road trip is about 170.1 miles (273.8 km) and usually takes 02h 47m 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?
Van is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.3 miles from Carthage and 85.9 miles from Plano.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 149.8 miles (241.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 20.3 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 12:54 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.67 one way or $45.35 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Carthage and Mostly Cloudy near Plano.
Stop Ideas Near Van
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Van.
Mineola
Tyler, TX
Longview
Mesquite, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Carthage and Plano. Straight-line distance: 149.82 mi (241.12 km).
#1 Carthage
City in Texas
| Population | 6,354 |
| Coordinates | 32.1573800, -94.3374200 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| 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: 274 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 40m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 15m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 24m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $22.67 | $45.35 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.51 | $51.02 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $27.55 | $55.09 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $23.96 | $47.92 |
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 · May 05, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.