How far is Plano, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance from Plano, TX to Waco, TX is about 113.4 miles (182.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 04m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 104.9 miles (168.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 09m 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 04m.
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.
City in Bowie County, Texas, United States
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 Plano and Waco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Plano and Waco.
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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 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
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18
Take the exit slight right toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
1531 ft · 37 sec
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19
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
801 ft · 18 sec · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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20
Turn right onto East Waco Drive
3.3 mi · 7 min · East Waco Drive
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21
Continue on West Waco Drive
34 m · 8 sec · West Waco Drive
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Waco Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Plano and Waco.
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 mi · 01h 31m
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 Plano and Mostly Cloudy near Waco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Plano to Waco?
The road trip is about 113.4 miles (182.5 km) and usually takes 02h 04m 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?
Nash is a useful midpoint, sitting about 56.8 miles from Plano and 56.6 miles from Waco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 104.9 miles (168.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.5 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 2:20 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $15.12 one way or $30.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 35.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Plano and Mostly Cloudy near Waco.
Stop Ideas Near Nash
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 Nash.
Cleburne
Union Station
Dallas, TX
Mesquite, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Plano and Waco. Straight-line distance: 104.91 mi (168.84 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 Waco
The 11th most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 141,377 |
| Coordinates | 31.5493300, -97.1466700 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waco (-97.14667, 31.54933)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 183 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 16m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 24m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $15.12 | $30.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $17.01 | $34.02 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $18.36 | $36.73 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $15.97 | $31.94 |
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.