How far is Plano, TX from Carthage, TX?
The driving distance from Plano, TX to Carthage, TX is about 168.8 miles (271.6 km), with a travel time of about 03h 11m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 149.8 miles (241.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 22m 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 11m.
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.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Plano and Carthage.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano and Carthage.
-
1
Start on East 15th Street
1 km · 1 min · East 15th Street
-
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
6.8 mi · 7 min · Central Expressway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 635
1474 ft · 32 sec
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 635 East
1.3 km · 1 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 635 East
2765 ft · 1 min
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8
Merge slight left onto Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
1426 ft · 17 sec · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
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9
Continue on Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
11.2 mi · 12 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
-
10
Take the exit slight right toward US 80 East: Terrell
1 km · 1 min
-
11
Keep slight left to continue on US 80 East: Terrell
1373 ft · 33 sec
-
12
Merge slight left
15.2 mi · 16 min
-
13
Continue straight
4.5 mi · 5 min
-
14
Merge slight left
91.8 mi · 1 hr 32 min
-
15
Take the exit slight right toward FM 2011, FM 2087
766 ft · 19 sec
-
16
Continue straight
2.8 mi · 4 min
-
17
Turn left onto FM 349
4.8 mi · 6 min · FM 349
-
18
Turn right
25.8 mi · 38 min
-
19
Continue on Cottage Road
1.3 mi · 2 min · Cottage Road
-
20
Turn right onto North Saint Mary Street
1 km · 56 sec · North Saint Mary Street
-
21
Turn left
97 m · 12 sec
-
22
Turn left onto North Shelby Street
61 m · 5 sec · North Shelby Street
-
23
Turn right onto Panola Street
35 m · 5 sec · Panola Street
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24
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Panola Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plano and Carthage.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US 80 East
Merge slight left
91.8 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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Plano and Mostly Cloudy near Carthage.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Plano to Carthage?
The road trip is about 168.8 miles (271.6 km) and usually takes 03h 11m 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?
Van is a useful midpoint, sitting about 84.3 miles from Plano and 84.4 miles from Carthage.
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 19 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 10:38 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.49 one way or $44.97 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 52.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Plano and Mostly Cloudy near Carthage.
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 Plano and Carthage. Straight-line distance: 149.82 mi (241.12 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 Carthage
City in Texas
| Population | 6,354 |
| Coordinates | 32.1573800, -94.3374200 |
| Altitude | 95 |
| Country | United States |
End: Carthage (-94.33742, 32.15738)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 272 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 22m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 48m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 24m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $22.49 | $44.97 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.30 | $50.60 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $27.32 | $54.63 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $23.76 | $47.52 |
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.