Origin
Ennis, TX
Late night in Ennis on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ennis, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 15m
Distance
66 mi
106 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 9m
★
6 AM
1h 15m
8 AM
1h 27m
10 AM
1h 19m
12 PM
1h 18m
3 PM
1h 20m
5 PM
1h 26m
8 PM
1h 12m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ennis, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Ennis, TX to McKinney, TX is 66 miles and takes about 1 hour 15 minutes via I 45 and North Central Expressway, with a fuel budget near $10 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward trip north through Texas. With a highway share of 92%, expect a quick and efficient journey. Since it's a short drive with no recommended stops, you have the flexibility to depart whenever it suits your schedule. Consider this route for a simple, direct connection between these two North Texas cities.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 34.1 mi | 36m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Spur 399 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Ennis Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| North Interstate 45 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Tennessee Street | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 34.1 mi, about 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ennis, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on this road
179 ft
·
18 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto US 287 Bus
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Ennis Avenue
3
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
North Interstate 45
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 45 North
5
Merge onto I 45
34 mi
·
36 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
10
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
11
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
12
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
13
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
33 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 15 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 33 miles from Ennis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 75 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 62.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 45 North
Navigation decision point
Toward I 45 North
5
1.1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
61.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m 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
62.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.97 one way
$19.95 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $10.92 | $21.83 |
| premium | $4.54 | $11.78 | $23.57 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.57 | $29.14 |
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$2
Total
$12
Estimated CO2 emission: 23.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.8 | 0 | $6.93 | $3.17 |
| Efficient EV | 16.5 | 0 | $5.77 | $2.64 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 26.4 | 0 | $9.24 | $4.22 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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.
Destination
McKinney, TX
Late night in McKinney on Tuesday
Local time
5:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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
1h 15m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 92% of the journey utilizing major roadways like I 45 and North Central Expressway. You'll experience a largely uninterrupted drive, including a longest stretch of 34.1 miles on I 45. The route is designed for speed and efficiency, meaning you won't encounter many winding roads or slow-downs. Expect a consistent pace as you travel north, making it easy to maintain your momentum throughout the 66-mile trip.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 34.1 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and North Central Expressway. You will hit about 7 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 66 miles you will encounter 7 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Ennis, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Srt South along the way.
Srt South
61.9 mi in
|
~1h 7m
About the Cities
Starting in Ennis, TX
Full guide →Founded 1872
Ennis is in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Ennis High School — building in Ennis, Ellis 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 1h 15m. Total distance: 66 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 34.1 miles on I 45. 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. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 287 Bus / East Ennis Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles: Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (I 45): 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.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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