Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Huntsville, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
201.6 mi
324 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 19m
★
6 AM
3h 31m
8 AM
3h 56m
10 AM
3h 40m
12 PM
3h 37m
3 PM
3h 41m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Huntsville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Huntsville to McKinney is 201.6 miles and takes about 3h 31m via I 45, with a fuel budget near $29 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently. Expect a predictable experience with minimal detours.
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
100.8 miles from Huntsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 43m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 100.3 mi | 1h 42m |
| US 190 | 68.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| 11th Street | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Spur 399 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Interstate 45 North | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 100.3 mi, about 1h 42m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 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 Huntsville, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on University Avenue
90 ft
·
11 sec
·
University Avenue
2
Turn left onto US 190; TX 30
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
11th Street
3
Turn right onto US 190
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 45 North
4
Take the ramp onto US 190
69 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
US 190
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 45
100 mi
·
1 hr 42 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
Trip Plan
Since this drive can be completed in under four hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive with plenty of daylight. The fuel cost is estimated at $29, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Huntsville, as major services are more frequent on I 45. There's only one recommended stop, but with the drive being so short, you might not even need it. The biggest consideration will be navigating potential traffic as you near 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 100.8 miles from Huntsville, TX, or about 1h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.3 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 44 miles or 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.8 miles or 1h 43m 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 49m
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 Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, TX
This is one driving day of about 201.6 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 44 miles from Huntsville, 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 100.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.8 miles from Huntsville, 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 100.3 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
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
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
QuikTrip
0.3 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
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Dark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
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 websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 197.8 — 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
|
US 190; TX 30 / 11th Street
Turn left onto US 190; TX 30 / 11th Street
Navigation decision point
3
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 190 / Interstate 45 North
Turn right onto US 190 / Interstate 45 North
Navigation decision point
4
1.8 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
US 190
Take the ramp onto US 190
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
197.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 23m 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
197.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.61 one way
$55.23 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $30.84 | $61.69 |
| premium | $4.23 | $33.53 | $67.07 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.07 | $76.13 |
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
$28
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.5 | 0 | $21.17 | $9.68 |
| Efficient EV | 50.4 | 0 | $17.64 | $8.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.6 | 1 | $28.22 | $12.90 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Huntsville, TX
Late night in Huntsville on Monday
Local time
12:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:33PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:30PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Late night in McKinney on Monday
Local time
12:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:33PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:30PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 31m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 97% of your time on highways, which means you'll cover a lot of ground quickly. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 100.3 miles on I 45. You'll transition to surface roads for the final part of the drive as you approach McKinney. Expect numerous exits and potential traffic as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
97% 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: 100.3 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
3/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and US 190. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 190; TX 30 / 11th Street.
Driving Effort
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 31m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 190; TX 30 / 11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (US 190 / Interstate 45 North): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (US 190): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
628 ft
209 ft
Total Climb
481 ft
Total Descent
223 ft
Highest Point
628 ft
~201.6 mi in
Elevation Range
419 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Huntsville, TX
Full guide →Founded 1836
Huntsville is a small city of about 45,000 residents, located in Walker County, part of the Piney Woods region of Texas. Huntsville is famous as the home of Texas hero, General Sam Houston with an enormous statue of Sam Houston next to Interstate 45, it's famous as a prison town, and is also home to Sam Houston State University.
Top landmarks
- • Woodland — building in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas
- • Steamboat House — historic place in Walker County, Texas
- • Sam Houston Memorial Museum
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 3h 31m. Total distance: 201.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 100.3 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 21 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 190; TX 30 / 11th Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles (US 190 / Interstate 45 North): Navigation decision point; at 1.8 miles (US 190): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.0 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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