How far is Wharton, TX from Plano, TX?

The driving distance from Wharton, TX to Plano, TX is about 297.3 miles (478.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 258.6 miles (416.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 11m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
297.27 mi
05h 05m
Flight
258.62 mi
416.21 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Wharton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
258.62 mi
Kilometers
416.21 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
297.27 mi
Kilometers
478.41 km
Drive Time
05h 05m

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 05h 05m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Plano
Thu, Apr 23, 1:30 AM CDT
Return by in Wharton
Thu, Apr 23, 6:36 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Wharton
2026-04-22T20:24
Arrive Plano
Thu, Apr 23, 1:30 AM CDT
Route Timing
05h 05m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
11:06 AM to 1:06 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
6:48 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Wharton
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Madisonville
TX

City in Texas, USA

From Wharton
157.8 mi
02h 32m
To Plano
139.4 mi
02h 32m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
82°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
77°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Wharton and Plano.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Wharton and Plano.

  1. 1

    Start on West Milam Street

    34 m · 6 sec · West Milam Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Richmond Road

    1 mi · 2 min · North Richmond Road

  3. 3

    Turn left

    1.7 mi · 3 min

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto US Highway 59

    15.7 mi · 18 min · US Highway 59

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right

    1551 ft · 38 sec

  6. 6

    Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road

    1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road

  7. 7

    Continue straight

    2146 ft · 59 sec

  8. 8

    Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

    2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

  9. 9

    Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

    1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

  10. 10

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North

    1304 ft · 32 sec

  11. 11

    Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway

    20.1 mi · 22 min · Southwest Freeway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward Sam Houston Tollway

    1215 ft · 17 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left

    1.1 km · 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left onto West Sam Houston Parkway South

    1 km · 43 sec · West Sam Houston Parkway South

  15. 15

    Continue on West Sam Houston Tollway South

    12.2 mi · 14 min · West Sam Houston Tollway South

  16. 16

    Take the exit slight right toward West Sam Houston Tollway North

    2106 ft · 27 sec · West Sam Houston Tollway North

  17. 17

    Merge slight left onto West Sam Houston Tollway North

    9.8 mi · 11 min · West Sam Houston Tollway North

  18. 18

    Keep slight right to continue on North Sam Houston Tollway West

    2.6 mi · 3 min · North Sam Houston Tollway West

  19. 19

    Continue on North Sam Houston Parkway West

    1.2 km · 53 sec · North Sam Houston Parkway West

  20. 20

    Take the exit slight right toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown

    952 ft · 23 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight left to continue on I 45 North: Dallas

    1.5 mi · 3 min

  22. 22

    Merge slight left onto North Freeway

    224.2 mi · 3 hr 53 min · North Freeway

  23. 23

    Continue on North Central Expressway

    15.2 mi · 16 min · North Central Expressway

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward Plano Parkway, 15th Street

    2162 ft · 53 sec

  25. 25

    Turn straight onto North Central Expressway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway

  26. 26

    Turn right onto East 15th Street

    3101 ft · 1 min · East 15th Street

  27. 27

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East 15th Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Wharton and Plano.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
27 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
11
5 merges, 6 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
North Freeway
224 mi · 75%
Southwest Freeway
20.1 mi · 7%
North Central Expressway
16.6 mi · 6%
US Highway 59
16 mi · 5%
West Sam Houston Tollway South
12.2 mi · 4%
West Sam Houston Tollway North
10.2 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

North Freeway

Merge slight left onto North Freeway

224 mi · 03h 53m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
05h 05m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
10h 12m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+38.7 mi
258.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Madisonville
02h 32m from Wharton
Leave By
6:48 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Wharton and Slight 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 Wharton to Plano?

The road trip is about 297.3 miles (478.4 km) and usually takes 05h 05m 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?

Madisonville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 157.8 miles from Wharton and 139.4 miles from Plano.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 258.6 miles (416.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 38.7 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 6:48 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.64 one way or $79.28 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93.2 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Wharton and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Plano.

Stop Ideas Near Madisonville

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Madisonville, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Madisonville.

BUS

Bryan, TX

54 mi away
301 East 26th Street
BUS

Prairie View, TX

98 mi away
44814 US Highway 290 Business \r\n

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Wharton and Plano. Straight-line distance: 258.62 mi (416.21 km).

Wharton

#1 Wharton

City in Texas, USA

Population8,615
Coordinates29.3116400, -96.1027400
Altitude31
CountryUnited States
Plano

#2 Plano

The second most populous city in Texas and the center of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

Population291,296
Coordinates33.0198400, -96.6988900
Altitude203
CountryUnited States
Start: West Milam Street (-96.102749, 29.311615)
End: East 15th Street (-96.698873, 33.019694)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 478 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 54m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 25m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 56m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 57m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 14m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 42m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.49 gal
39.71 L · about $39.64
Round trip
$79.28
20.98 gal · 79.42 L
Estimated CO2
93.2 kg one way
Round trip: 186.4 kg / 411 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $39.64 $79.28
Mid-grade $4.25 $44.60 $89.21
Premium $4.59 $48.16 $96.32
Diesel $3.99 $41.89 $83.77

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 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Wharton and Plano. The current time is 20:24:13.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.