Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Kirby, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 24, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
300.8 mi
484 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kirby, TX
Thomas balabaud
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Kirby, TX to McKinney, TX is 300.8 miles and takes about 5h 27m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, making for a straightforward drive across Texas. You'll transition from predominantly surface roads to a significant portion on the interstate. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, this route is ideal for a single-day excursion, allowing ample time for departure flexibility.
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
150.4 miles from Kirby, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 188.3 mi | 3h 18m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Connally Loop | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 18m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,999 veh/hr typical · worst 4,742
Quietest
2 AM
~661 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Kirby, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on Redding Drive
463 ft
·
25 sec
·
Redding Drive
2
Turn left onto Autumn Lane
0.2 mi
·
44 sec
·
Autumn Lane
3
Turn right onto Crown Lane
0.1 mi
·
39 sec
·
Crown Lane
4
Turn left onto Crest Lane
0.1 mi
·
30 sec
·
Crest Lane
5
Turn right onto Binz-Engleman Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Binz-Engleman Road
6
Turn left onto Springfield Road
0.2 mi
·
38 sec
·
Springfield Road
7
Turn right onto Wehman Drive
0.2 mi
·
46 sec
·
Wehman Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward I 410 North
9
Merge onto I 410
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35; I 410
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
22
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
23
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
27
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
32
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
33
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
34
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
35
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Aim for an early morning departure from Kirby to maximize your daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a total travel time of just over five hours, you can comfortably complete this drive in one day. Consider a single fuel and rest stop around the halfway point to break up the 188.3-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you near McKinney, as services can become more spaced out on some stretches of I 35E.
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 150.4 miles from Kirby, TX, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 66 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.4 miles or 2h 45m 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 25m
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 Kirby, 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 Kirby, TX
This is one driving day of about 300.8 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Kirby, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
150 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 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 150.4 miles from Kirby, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.3 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.
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Minuteman Press
1.5 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
1.5 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.7 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.8 mi from route
TA
1.9 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+18304024603
Visit websiteChildren's Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15123938400
Visit websiteCalaboose African American History Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15123938421
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 websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteUS Army Medical Department Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Fort Sam Houston, Texas
+12102216358
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Early stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteSan Antonio Botanical Garden
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~11 min detour
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+12105361400
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 6 and 296.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
6 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
210.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 47m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
266.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 46m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
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 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
8
268.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 48m in
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
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 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
8
296.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 20m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.16 one way
$90.31 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
105 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $49.96 | $99.93 |
| premium | $4.57 | $54.06 | $108.12 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $74.32 | $148.65 |
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
$45
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.58 | $14.44 |
| Efficient EV | 75.2 | 0 | $26.32 | $12.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.3 | 1 | $42.11 | $19.25 |
Gas CO2
105 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Kirby, TX
Night in Kirby on Friday
Local time
10:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
E 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
McKinney, TX
Night in McKinney on Friday
Local time
10:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
57°F
Troy, TX
150 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
29 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 27m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 176.3
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
11 mi from route
~27 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is a mix of highway and surface roads, with 34% of the drive on interstates. You'll experience a long stretch of 188.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail before merging onto I 35E. Expect a noticeable shift in driving conditions as you transition from surface roads to faster-paced interstate cruising. The latter part of the drive will feature more frequent exits and merging traffic typical of major highway corridors.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6 miles in near North Pan Am Expressway.
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 23 significant decision points across 300.8 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 6 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 210.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 266.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
790 ft
484 ft
Total Climb
806 ft
Total Descent
864 ft
Highest Point
790 ft
~90.7 mi in
Elevation Range
306 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.
Between Kirby, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Bryan Street East.
Fort Worth
266.8 mi in
|
~4h 46m
Texarkana
266.8 mi in
|
~4h 46m
Convention Center
266.8 mi in
|
~4h 46m
Bryan Street East
269 mi in
|
~4h 50m
About the Cities
Starting in Kirby, TX
Full guide →Founded 1955
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 5h 27m. Total distance: 300.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 36 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 210.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 266.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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