Spanning 160.6 miles across the Great Plains, this route from Burkburnett to McKinney is a straightforward journey typically taking about 2 hours and 28 minutes. Because the total duration is quite manageable, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend approximately $24 on fuel for the trip, making it a budget-friendly option for travelers. You will navigate through North Avenue D, Sheppard Road, and the South Red River Expressway to reach your destination. Since both cities are located within the Texas Great Plains, the environment remains consistent throughout the journey. It is a practical path that works well for those looking to travel between these two points efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
73.5 miles from Burkburnett, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Central East Freeway
72.5 mi
1h 16m
West University Drive
26.5 mi
39m
West US Highway 380
21.8 mi
25m
Central Freeway
9.5 mi
10m
US Highway 380 East
8.2 mi
12m
South Red River Expressway
2.9 mi
3m
West Louisiana Street
1.4 mi
3m
North Central Expressway
1.2 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 72.5 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burkburnett, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on TX 240
70 ft·9 sec·East 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto Loop 267
0.7 mi·1 min·North Avenue D
3
Continue on Loop 267
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheppard Road
4
Continue on TX 240
0.2 mi·19 sec·South Red River Expressway
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South: Wichita Falls
6
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281
2.7 mi·2 min·South Red River Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 44; US 277; US 281
9.5 mi·10 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
10
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
70 mi·1 hr 13 min·Central East Freeway
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
13
Keep slight left at fork
147 ft·4 sec
14
Turn left onto US 380
22 mi·25 min·West US Highway 380
15
Continue on US 380
11 mi·18 min·West University Drive
Use the straight lane.
16
Continue on US 377; US 380
8.2 mi·12 min·US Highway 380 East
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Continue on US 380
7.6 mi·10 min·West University Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 380
7.6 mi·11 min·West University Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Take the exit
227 ft·6 sec
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
20
Turn slight right onto North Central Expressway
267 ft·4 sec·North Central Expressway
21
Continue on North Central Expressway
1.2 mi·1 min·North Central Expressway
22
Turn left onto West Louisiana Street
1.4 mi·3 min·West Louisiana Street
23
Turn left onto North Tennessee Street
119 ft·3 sec·North Tennessee Street
24
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short trip, you have the flexibility to plan your departure time based on your personal schedule rather than worrying about long-haul fatigue. I recommend topping off your tank before heading out to keep your costs near the $24 estimate without needing to hunt for fuel mid-route. Because the entire drive consists of local roads, keep a close watch on your GPS to navigate the frequent turns accurately. Without any formal planned stops, you have total control over your pace, allowing you to pull over whenever you need a quick break. My top tip for this specific route is to stay alert for turn-heavy sections, as the lack of highway miles means you will be navigating local intersections for the duration of the 160.6-mile trip.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.5 miles from Burkburnett, TX, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.5 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 32 miles or 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.5 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 17m
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 Burkburnett, 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 Burkburnett, TX
This is one driving day of about 146.9 miles and 2h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from Burkburnett, 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 Central East Freeway for about 72.5 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 144.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|Loop 267 / North Avenue D
Turn left onto Loop 267 / North Avenue D
Navigation decision point
5
1.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South: Wichita Falls
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South: W...
5
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in|I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
87.6 mi into trip|~1h 34m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
144.2 mi into trip|~2h 51m in
Take the exit toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.20 one way
$44.39 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg51 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$24.30
$48.59
premium
$4.54
$26.23
$52.46
diesel
$5.61
$32.43
$64.87
Estimated Tolls: $0.09
Central Expressway
(1.2 mi)$0.09
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
$22
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
44.1
0
$15.42
$7.05
Efficient EV
36.7
0
$12.85
$5.88
EV Truck/SUV
58.8
0
$20.57
$9.40
Gas CO2
51 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Burkburnett, TX
Night
in Burkburnett on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
McKinney, TX
Night
in McKinney on Saturday
Local time
11:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Aurora, TX
73 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
14 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
2h 56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This journey is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. With 0% of the route on major highways, you should prepare for a more involved experience behind the wheel. The longest stretch of the drive is 0 miles on North Avenue D, which highlights the frequent turns you will encounter as you maneuver through local roads. Because the route relies entirely on local navigation, you will find it requires more attention and focus compared to a standard highway haul. Be ready for a dynamic driving experience that keeps you engaged as you navigate the transition from Burkburnett to McKinney.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.5 mi on Central East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and West University Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Loop 267 / North Avenue D.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 146.9 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: near the start (Loop 267 / North Avenue D): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 56m. Total distance: 146.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.5 miles on Central East Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.09 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.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Loop 267 / North Avenue D): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at McKinney, TX before heading back.
