Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Livingston, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 21m
Distance
244.6 mi
394 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 8m
★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 48m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 28m
3 PM
4h 32m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Livingston, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Livingston, TX to McKinney, TX is 244.6 miles and takes about 4h 21m via I 45 and US 190, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a fairly straightforward drive across Texas. Expect a primarily highway experience with minimal overnight stops needed. It's a practical choice if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without a lot of detours.
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
122.3 miles from Livingston, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 100.3 mi | 1h 42m |
| US 190 | 68.7 mi | 1h 8m |
| West Church Street | 42.5 mi | 49m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| 11th Street | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Spur 399 | 0.9 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 Livingston, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on US 59 Business
11 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Washington Avenue
2
Turn right onto US 190
42 mi
·
49 min
·
West Church Street
3
Continue on US 190; TX 30
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
11th Street
4
Turn right onto US 190
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 45 North
5
Take the ramp onto US 190
69 mi
·
1 hr 8 min
·
US 190
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 45
100 mi
·
1 hr 42 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
11
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
12
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
13
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
14
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 21m drive time and 244.6 miles, leaving in the morning from Livingston, TX, will comfortably get you to McKinney, TX, before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in pacing your drive; consider a brief break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $36, and plan to refuel before you're running on empty, especially during longer highway stretches. The route profile suggests mostly highway driving, so be aware of changing speed limits and potential traffic.
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 122.3 miles from Livingston, TX, or about 2h 11m 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 54 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 122.3 miles or 2h 11m 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 31m
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 Livingston, 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 Livingston, TX
This is one driving day of about 244.6 miles and 4h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Livingston, 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
122 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 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 122.3 miles from Livingston, 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
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
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 websiteDark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 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 65 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 240.8 — 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 / West Church Street
Turn right onto US 190 / West Church Street
Navigation decision point
3
44.2 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
US 190 / Interstate 45 North
Turn right onto US 190 / Interstate 45 North
Navigation decision point
4
44.8 mi into trip
|
~53m in
|
US 190
Take the ramp onto US 190
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
240.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m 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
240.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.50 one way
$67.00 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
86 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $37.42 | $74.84 |
| premium | $4.23 | $40.69 | $81.37 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $46.19 | $92.37 |
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
$34
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73.4 | 0 | $25.68 | $11.74 |
| Efficient EV | 61.2 | 0 | $21.40 | $9.78 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.8 | 1 | $34.24 | $15.65 |
Gas CO2
86 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (66% 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
Livingston, TX
Evening in Livingston on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Evening in McKinney on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
S 15 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Italy, TX
122 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
3 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 21m 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?
This trip is about 80% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on major roads like I 45. The longest continuous stretch on this highway is 100.3 miles, so you can settle in for some cruising. You'll transition to surface roads, including West Church Street, as you approach your destination. Be prepared for a higher density of exits and potential merging traffic as you get closer to urban areas.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 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 / West Church 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 4h 21m 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 / West Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.2 miles (US 190 / Interstate 45 North): Navigation decision point; at 44.8 miles (US 190): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
653 ft
166 ft
Total Climb
762 ft
Total Descent
304 ft
Highest Point
653 ft
~227.1 mi in
Elevation Range
487 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Livingston, TX
Full guide →Founded 1902
Top landmarks
- • Polk County Courthouse and 1905 Courthouse Annex — building in Livingston, Polk 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 4h 21m. Total distance: 244.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). 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 / West Church Street): Navigation decision point; at 44.2 miles (US 190 / Interstate 45 North): Navigation decision point; at 44.8 miles (US 190): Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 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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