Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Katy, 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
5h 7m
Distance
287.5 mi
463 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 54m
★
6 AM
5h 7m
8 AM
5h 34m
10 AM
5h 17m
12 PM
5h 14m
3 PM
5h 18m
5 PM
5h 33m
8 PM
4h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Katy, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 287.5-mile drive from Katy, TX to McKinney, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 7 minutes. With 97% highway driving, it's a straightforward journey primarily on I 45 and West Grand Parkway North, leading you through the Great Plains region of Texas. Expect a fuel cost of around $43 for this route. While it's a direct path, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 214 miles, so planning for a single stop is advisable. This highway-focused route offers efficiency for getting 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
143.8 miles from Katy, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 214 mi | 3h 41m |
| West Grand Parkway North | 37.8 mi | 41m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Highway Boulevard | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Spur 399 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Katy Freeway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 214 mi, about 3h 41m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 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 Katy, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on US 90
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
Highway Boulevard
2
Turn left onto US 90
227 ft
·
4 sec
·
Katy Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
3
Take the ramp onto US 90
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
·
US 90
Toward I 10 East
4
Merge onto I 10; US 90
0.8 mi
·
52 sec
·
Katy Freeway
5
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 743B
Toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll North
8
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
38 mi
·
41 min
·
West Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
3 min
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 45
214 mi
·
3 hr 41 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
15
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
16
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
17
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
18
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your drive from Katy, TX early in the morning is recommended to avoid potential traffic as you approach McKinney, TX. With only one planned stop suggested, make it a comfortable one to break up the 214-mile stretch on I 45. The estimated fuel cost of $43 means you can budget accordingly, and it's wise to ensure your tank is full before departing Katy. Since this is a direct, highway-centric route, flexibility with your timing is key.
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 143.8 miles from Katy, TX, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 214 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 63 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.8 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 9m
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 Katy, 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 Katy, TX
This is one driving day of about 287.5 miles and 5h 7m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Katy, 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 214 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 143.8 miles from Katy, 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 214 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
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
Buc-ee's
1.5 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Katy Heritage Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+12813914840
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteZube Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Hockley, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12813538100
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 websiteKleb Woods Nature Preserve and Center
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Tomball, Texas
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+12813575324
Visit websiteHouston Area Live Steamers
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Hockley, Texas
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~9 min detour
Early stretch
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteAndretti Indoor Karting & Games Katy
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Katy, Texas
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+18329742201
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 2.3 and 283.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
2.3 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
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 743B
Toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Par...
7
2.7 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
6
41.3 mi into trip
|
~46m in
Take the exit toward I 45 North: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
8
283.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m 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
283.8 mi into trip
|
~5h in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.38 one way
$78.76 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.99 | $87.97 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.82 | $95.64 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $54.29 | $108.57 |
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
$39
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.3 | 1 | $30.19 | $13.80 |
| Efficient EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.16 | $11.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115 | 1 | $40.25 | $18.40 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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
Katy, TX
Late night in Katy on Monday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Late night in McKinney on Monday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 15 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Italy, TX
144 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
1 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 7m 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?
The personality of this drive is overwhelmingly highway-focused, with 97% of the journey taking place on major roadways like I 45 and West Grand Parkway North. You'll experience a consistent pace for the majority of the trip, especially during the substantial 214-mile stretch on I 45. This route is designed for forward momentum, minimizing detours and maximizing your time on the road. The character remains largely consistent, prioritizing speed and directness over varied scenery.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 214 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and West Grand Parkway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 12 significant decision points across 287.5 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 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
628 ft
133 ft
Total Climb
882 ft
Total Descent
392 ft
Highest Point
628 ft
~287.5 mi in
Elevation Range
495 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Katy, TX
Full guide →Founded 1945
Katy is a town in Southeastern Texas, just west of Houston, with rich history and a little bit of small town charm. It used to be a railroad town along the Missouri–Kansas–Texas railroad. In the 1960s, Houston started growing, eventually making Katy part of its surrounding area. Katy is a place to see for its heritage and historical sights, as well as other attractions to visit, with many being more popular than historical locations.
Top landmarks
- • B. Ray and Charlotte Woods House — building in Katy, Fort Bend 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 5h 7m. Total distance: 287.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 7m 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 214 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 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 41.3 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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