How far is Plano, TX from Buchanan Dam, TX?
The driving distance from Plano, TX to Buchanan Dam, TX is about 225.7 miles (363.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 13m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 187.5 miles (301.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 26m 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 04h 13m.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Plano and Buchanan Dam.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano and Buchanan Dam.
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1
Start on East 15th Street
1 km · 1 min · East 15th Street
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2
Turn left onto Central Expressway
919 ft · 18 sec · Central Expressway
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3
Take the ramp slight left toward US 75 South
798 ft · 19 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Central Expressway
16.6 mi · 18 min · Central Expressway
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5
Take the exit slight left toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
153 m · 12 sec
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6
Continue on North Central Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · North Central Expressway
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7
Turn right onto Elm Street
93 m · 11 sec · Elm Street
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8
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
1086 ft · 29 sec · North Pearl Expressway
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9
Turn right onto Young Street
572 ft · 20 sec · Young Street
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10
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
96 m · 8 sec · South Harwood Street
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11
Turn right onto Canton Street
2105 ft · 48 sec · Canton Street
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12
Take the ramp slight left toward I 30 West
1773 ft · 38 sec
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13
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
607 ft · 15 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
67 m · 5 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South: Waco
1915 ft · 30 sec
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16
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
2866 ft · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
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17
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 1 hr 32 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
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18
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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19
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
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20
Keep slight left
8.9 mi · 9 min
-
21
Take the exit slight right toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
1453 ft · 35 sec
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22
Turn straight onto South Robertson Road
663 ft · 12 sec · South Robertson Road
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23
Continue on South I-35 Frontage Road
3142 ft · 54 sec · South I-35 Frontage Road
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24
Turn slight right
14.6 mi · 18 min
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25
At the end of the road, turn right onto FM 487
2.4 mi · 3 min · FM 487
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26
Continue on East Main Street
714 ft · 15 sec · East Main Street
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27
Take the ramp right toward TX 195 North
1712 ft · 42 sec
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28
Merge slight left
1562 ft · 18 sec
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29
Take the exit slight right toward TX 138: Lampasas
1658 ft · 47 sec
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30
Turn left onto State Highway 138
6.9 mi · 8 min · State Highway 138
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31
At the end of the road, turn right onto North US Highway 183
941 ft · 18 sec · North US Highway 183
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32
Turn left onto East Ranch Road 243
2916 ft · 42 sec · East Ranch Road 243
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33
Continue on East RM 243
1 mi · 1 min · East RM 243
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34
Keep slight left to continue on East RM 243
11.1 mi · 15 min · East RM 243
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35
Turn right onto West State Highway 29
9 mi · 11 min · West State Highway 29
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36
Continue on East Polk Street
1.8 mi · 3 min · East Polk Street
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37
Continue on Buchanan Drive
1.9 mi · 3 min · Buchanan Drive
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38
Continue on TX 29
10.9 mi · 13 min · TX 29
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39
Turn right onto Island Lodges Drive
43 m · 6 sec · Island Lodges Drive
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Island Lodges Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plano and Buchanan Dam.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South R L Thornton Freeway
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 01h 32m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Plano and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buchanan Dam.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Plano to Buchanan Dam?
The road trip is about 225.7 miles (363.2 km) and usually takes 04h 13m 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 miles from Plano and 112.7 miles from Buchanan Dam.
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 38.2 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 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:34 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $30.08 one way or $60.16 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 70.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Plano and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buchanan Dam.
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 Plano and Buchanan Dam. Straight-line distance: 187.46 mi (301.69 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Buchanan Dam
Place in Texas
| Population | 1,519 |
| Coordinates | 30.7399000, -98.4311400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buchanan Dam (-98.43114, 30.7399)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 363 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 31m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 38m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 48m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $30.08 | $60.16 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $33.85 | $67.69 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $36.54 | $73.09 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $31.78 | $63.57 |
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.