Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Buda, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
241.6 mi
389 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 22m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 47m
8 PM
4h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buda, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Buda, TX to McKinney, TX is 241.6 miles and takes about 4h 21m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, primarily traversing Texas. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface road driving, making it a straightforward, single-day excursion. With only one recommended stop and a predictable duration, this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient drive between these two Texas cities.
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
120.8 miles from Buda, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 141.2 mi | 2h 28m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| North Main Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Interstate 35 | 1.3 mi | 2m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 141.2 mi, about 2h 28m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,190 veh/hr typical · worst 4,823
Quietest
2 AM
~681 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Buda, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on North Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
2
Turn left onto South Interstate 35
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Interstate 35
3
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 35 North
4
Merge onto I 35
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
10
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
12
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
13
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
17
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
22
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
23
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
24
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
25
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
For this 4h 21m drive, leaving Buda, TX early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic closer to McKinney, TX. While the route is manageable in one day, consider one planned stop to break up the 241.6 miles. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 141.2-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail. The mixed highway and surface road nature means you'll want to stay alert for changes in speed limits and road conditions.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 120.8 miles from Buda, TX, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.2 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 53 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.8 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 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 Buda, 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 Buda, TX
This is one driving day of about 241.6 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Buda, 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 141.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
121 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 120.8 miles from Buda, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Minuteman Press
1.5 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
1.5 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.7 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteHeard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
McKinney, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+19725625566
Visit websiteDark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit websiteAustin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteToybrary Austin
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+15124343927
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 150.9 and 237.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
150.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 41m 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
207.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m 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
208.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m 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
7
209.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
237.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m 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
$33.09 one way
$66.18 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
85 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $36.96 | $73.93 |
| premium | $4.23 | $40.19 | $80.37 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $45.62 | $91.24 |
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
$33
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 72.5 | 0 | $25.37 | $11.60 |
| Efficient EV | 60.4 | 0 | $21.14 | $9.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 96.6 | 1 | $33.82 | $15.46 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Buda, TX
Night in Buda on Monday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Night in McKinney on Monday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:54AM CDT until July 22 at 11:40AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
100°F
Italy, TX
121 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 21m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 116.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 38% highway travel, with the longest continuous stretch covering 141.2 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. You'll experience a transition from highway speeds to surface roads, likely noticing a change in traffic density and exit frequency as you progress. The profile indicates a mixed highway and surface road experience, so be prepared for varying driving conditions and speeds throughout the 241.6-mile trip.
38% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.2 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 150.9 miles in near I 35E.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 241.6 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 150.9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.9 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
908 ft
441 ft
Total Climb
904 ft
Total Descent
985 ft
Highest Point
908 ft
~51.8 mi in
Elevation Range
467 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buda, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Bryan Street East.
Fort Worth
207.5 mi in
|
~3h 40m
Texarkana
207.5 mi in
|
~3h 40m
Convention Center
207.6 mi in
|
~3h 40m
Bryan Street East
209.8 mi in
|
~3h 44m
About the Cities
Starting in Buda, TX
Full guide →Founded 1881
Top landmarks
- • Downtown Buda Historic District — historic district in Buda, Hays County, Texas
Arriving in McKinney, TX
Full guide →Founded 1848
McKinney is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 21m. Total distance: 241.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.2 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 28 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 150.9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 207.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 208.9 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at McKinney, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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