This 374.8-mile journey from Beeville, TX, to McKinney, TX, is designed for a single day of driving, with an estimated travel time of 5 hours and 47 minutes. You'll be navigating a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, so expect frequent adjustments rather than a straight shot. With a projected fuel cost of around $57, this route offers a budget-friendly option for covering the distance. Since both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, you'll experience a consistent landscape throughout your trip. This drive is best suited for those who don't mind a more involved driving experience with multiple turns.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
182.4 miles from Beeville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 23m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,007 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,783
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Beeville, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on North Madison A
125 ft·7 sec·North Madison A
2
Turn right onto West Corpus Christi Street
376 ft·23 sec·West Corpus Christi Street
3
Turn left onto US 181 Bus
0.9 mi·1 min·North Washington Street
4
Continue on US 181 Bus
0.2 mi·17 sec·Northeast Washington Street
5
Continue on US 181 Bus
1.2 mi·2 min·North Saint Mary's Street
6
Turn slight right onto FM 3355
1.0 mi·1 min·Charco Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·31 sec
8
Continue on US 181
26 mi·30 min·US Highway 181 North
9
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi·1 min·South Sunset Strip Drive
10
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·West Main Street
11
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft·3 sec·East Main Street
12
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Helena Road
13
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi·25 min·State Highway 80
14
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi·2 min·South Nixon Avenue
15
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi·35 min·State Highway 80 North
16
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
17
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·South Colorado Street
18
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi·16 sec·United States Highway 183
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
20
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35 North: WacoUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 35
65 mi·1 hr 6 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi·58 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
26
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse the slight right lane.
27
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
29
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft·6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
30
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi·1 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 46Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinneyUse the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left lane.
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
34
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi·49 sec·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on US 75
27 mi·28 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Take the exit
0.3 mi·21 sec
Exit 38CToward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn TollwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Use the slight right lane.
38
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi·1 min·Spur 399
39
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi·1 min·South McDonald Street
40
Turn slight left
281 ft·10 sec
41
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi·2 min·South Tennessee Street
42
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 47-minute drive covering 374.8 miles, starting early is recommended to make the most of your day and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach McKinney. With only one stop suggested, you have flexibility in pacing yourself, but remember the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be actively navigating for a significant portion of the journey. Keep an eye on your fuel, as local roads can sometimes mean less frequent service stations compared to major highways, and budget approximately $57 for gas. A good tip is to familiarize yourself with the specific turns and junctions in the latter half of the route before you depart to ensure a smoother arrival.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 182.4 miles from Beeville, TX, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 182.4 miles or 3h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McKinney, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Beeville, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Beeville, TX
This is one driving day of about 364.8 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Beeville, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 169.4 and 360.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
169.4 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
274.1 mi into trip|~4h 58m in|I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
330.3 mi into trip|~5h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
8
332 mi into trip|~5h 59m in
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
8
360.6 mi into trip|~6h 30m in
Take the exit toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.97 one way
$99.93 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg128 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$55.81
$111.62
premium
$4.23
$60.68
$121.36
diesel
$4.80
$68.88
$137.76
Estimated Tolls: $2.13
Central Expressway
(26.6 mi)$2.13
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
109.4
1
$38.30
$17.51
Efficient EV
91.2
1
$31.92
$14.59
EV Truck/SUV
145.9
1
$51.07
$23.35
Gas CO2
128 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Beeville, TX
Late night
in Beeville on Monday
Local time
2:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 9 mph9% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:45AM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:45AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Late night
in McKinney on Monday
Local time
2:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:45AM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:45AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this 374.8-mile trip, meaning you won't be on the interstate much, with a highway share of 0%. The route emphasizes local roads, so you'll be making frequent turns and adjustments. While the specific longest uninterrupted stretch isn't detailed, the profile suggests a driving experience that is constantly engaging rather than monotonous. Expect a dynamic journey where the road conditions and your navigation will be key from start to finish. This isn't a high-speed cruise; it's a more hands-on local connection across Texas.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
42 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 169.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 364.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 169.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 274.1 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
781 ft211 ft
Total Climb
937 ft
Total Descent
519 ft
Highest Point
781 ft
~182.4 mi in
Elevation Range
571 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Beeville, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Bryan Street East.
Waco
110.4 mi in|~2h 14m
Fort Worth
330.7 mi in|~5h 57m
Texarkana
330.7 mi in|~5h 57m
Convention Center
330.8 mi in|~5h 57m
Bryan Street East
333 mi in|~6h
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 38m. Total distance: 364.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.13 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 30 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at McKinney, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 169.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 274.1 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at McKinney, TX before the return drive.
