Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Channelview, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
282.4 mi
454 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Channelview, TX
Thomas balabaud
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Channelview, TX to McKinney, TX is 282.4 miles and takes about 5h 5m via I 45 and Hardy Toll Road, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip is focused on highway driving, predominantly on I 45, making it a straightforward, single-day journey. You'll be traveling through the Great Plains region of Texas for both your departure and arrival points. Expect a direct route designed for efficiency, with minimal deviations from major roadways, making it ideal for those prioritizing arrival time over a leisurely exploration.
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
141.2 miles from Channelview, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 213.7 mi | 3h 40m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| Hardy Toll Road | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| East Freeway | 7.3 mi | 9m |
| East Loop North | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Spur 399 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 213.7 mi, about 3h 40m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical · worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Channelview, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on 1st Street
234 ft
·
16 sec
·
1st Street
2
Turn left onto Pemberton Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Pemberton Street
3
Turn right onto Sheldon Road
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
Sheldon Road
4
Turn left onto East Freeway Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
48 sec
·
East Freeway Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 10 West
6
Merge onto I 10
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 775A
Toward I 610 South, I 610 North
Use the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 610
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
East Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 19B
Toward Hardy Toll Road North
Use the slight right lane.
11
Continue on HTR
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Hardy Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 45
214 mi
·
3 hr 40 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
17
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
18
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
19
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive in Channelview in the morning will allow you to reach McKinney with plenty of daylight remaining. While only one stop is indicated, consider a brief break around the halfway point to stretch your legs, especially during the 213.7-mile stretch on I 45. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $42 estimate suggests consistent travel through areas that might have fewer service stations between major towns. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you have the flexibility to depart when it's most convenient for you.
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 141.2 miles from Channelview, TX, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 213.7 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 62 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.2 miles or 2h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 8m
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 Channelview, 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 Channelview, TX
This is one driving day of about 282.4 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Channelview, 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 I 45 for about 213.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.2 miles from Channelview, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 213.7 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Minuteman Press
1.5 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.8 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
The Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
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 websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 135 decision points cluster between mile 8.8 and 278.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.8 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 610 South, I 610 North
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 775A
Toward I 610 South, I 610 North
7
9 mi into trip
|
~13m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 610 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 610 North
7
15.5 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward Hardy Toll Road North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19B
Toward Hardy Toll Road North
8
278.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m 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
6
278.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.68 one way
$77.36 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.20 | $86.41 |
| premium | $4.23 | $46.97 | $93.95 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.32 | $106.64 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.87
Central Expressway
(26.6 mi)
$2.13
Hardy Toll Road
(21.8 mi)
$1.74
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
$39
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.7 | 1 | $29.65 | $13.56 |
| Efficient EV | 70.6 | 0 | $24.71 | $11.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113 | 1 | $39.54 | $18.07 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Channelview, TX
Afternoon in Channelview on Sunday
Local time
12:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:49PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:48PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Afternoon in McKinney on Sunday
Local time
12:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:49PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:48PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
100°F
Italy, TX
141 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
3 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
5h 5m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is overwhelmingly a highway-focused experience, with 88% of the route utilizing major roadways like I 45 and North Central Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans an impressive 213.7 miles on I 45, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent driving. While the majority is high-speed highway, the inclusion of the Hardy Toll Road adds a modern, potentially faster segment. This route is built for covering ground quickly, so anticipate a steady pace with minimal scenic detours.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 213.7 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and North Central Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 282.4 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 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
628 ft
24 ft
Total Climb
921 ft
Total Descent
318 ft
Highest Point
628 ft
~282.4 mi in
Elevation Range
604 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.
On the drive from Channelview, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Hardy Toll Road North along the way.
Hardy Toll Road North
15.5 mi in
|
~21m
About the Cities
Starting in Channelview, TX
Full guide →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 5h 5m. Total distance: 282.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 213.7 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.87 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 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 15.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 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.
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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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