Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Hempstead, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 34m
Distance
238.9 mi
385 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 34m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hempstead, TX
Jeff Stapleton
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hempstead to McKinney is 238.9 miles and takes about 4h 34m via I 45 and State Highway 90, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route takes you through the Great Plains region of Texas, predominantly on highways. Given its relatively short duration and mostly highway profile, it's a straightforward trip. You'll likely spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a convenient option for a quick transit between these two Texas locations.
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
119.5 miles from Hempstead, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 139.6 mi | 2h 22m |
| State Highway 90 | 41.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| TX 6 | 19.2 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 75 North | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| South May Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| US 290 Business | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 139.6 mi, about 2h 22m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,266 veh/hr typical · worst 2,949
Quietest
2 AM
~317 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 63 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 Hempstead, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on US 290 Bus
63 ft
·
6 sec
·
Austin Street
2
Turn right onto US 290 Business
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
US 290 Business
Use the straight lane.
3
Continue on TX 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 6
Use the straight / right lanes.
4
Turn straight onto TX 6
8.5 mi
·
9 min
·
TX 6
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward TX 90, TX 105 West: Anderson, Brenham
6
Turn straight onto TX 105
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
State Highway 6
7
Turn right onto TX 90
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
East Washington Avenue
8
Continue on TX 90
41 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
State Highway 90
9
Turn right onto TX 90
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
East South Street
10
Turn left onto TX 75
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South May Street
11
Continue on TX 75
3.3 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 75 North
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
13
Merge onto I 45
140 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
18
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
19
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
20
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
21
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour and 34-minute drive, leaving in the morning is a good idea to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a total distance of 238.9 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel as the estimated cost is $35, and it's wise to refuel before hitting longer stretches like the 139.6 miles on I 45. Since this is a single-day trip, you can adjust your departure time based on traffic, especially as you get closer to McKinney.
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 119.5 miles from Hempstead, TX, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.6 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 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.5 miles or 2h 27m 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 45m
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 Hempstead, 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 Hempstead, TX
This is one driving day of about 238.9 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Hempstead, 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 139.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 119.5 miles from Hempstead, 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 139.6 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
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 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
TA
1.6 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.7 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Buc-ee's
2.1 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteDark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
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 website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 235.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 290 Business
Turn right onto US 290 Business
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
20.7 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward TX 90, TX 105 West: Anderson, Brenham
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 90, TX 105 West: Anderson, Brenham
5
68.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
|
I 45
Merge onto I 45
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
234.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m 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
235.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$36.58 one way
$73.16 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $40.37 | $80.74 |
| premium | $4.64 | $43.62 | $87.25 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $58.12 | $116.23 |
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
$37
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.7 | 0 | $25.08 | $11.47 |
| Efficient EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.90 | $9.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.6 | 1 | $33.45 | $15.29 |
Gas CO2
84 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
Hempstead, TX
Morning in Hempstead on Monday
Local time
7:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
McKinney, TX
Morning in McKinney on Monday
Local time
7:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
85°F
Italy, TX
119 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
15 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
4h 34m 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?
Expect to be on highways for about 97% of this 238.9-mile drive. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 139.6 miles, primarily on I 45. You'll transition from I 45 to State Highway 90 and finally North Central Expressway. The high percentage of highway driving means you'll encounter frequent exits and opportunities for merging as you approach more populated areas.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.6 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and State Highway 90. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 290 Business.
Driving Effort
6/10
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 238.9 miles you will encounter 9 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 290 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.6 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
661 ft
201 ft
Total Climb
688 ft
Total Descent
301 ft
Highest Point
661 ft
~221.9 mi in
Elevation Range
460 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 Hempstead, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Brenham along the way.
Brenham
20.7 mi in
|
~23m
About the Cities
Starting in Hempstead, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Liendo Plantation — historic place in Hempstead, Waller County, Texas
Arriving in McKinney, TX
Full guide →Founded 1848
McKinney is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Heard-Craig House — historic place in McKinney, Collin County, 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 34m. Total distance: 238.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.6 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 — we found about 19 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 290 Business): Lane positioning matters here; at 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 68.6 miles (I 45): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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