Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from McKinney, TX to Alpine, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 4, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 31m
Distance
541.9 mi
872 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$82
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 23m
★
6 AM
9h 31m
8 AM
9h 49m
10 AM
9h 37m
12 PM
9h 36m
3 PM
9h 38m
5 PM
9h 48m
8 PM
9h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Alpine, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
McKinney to Alpine is 541.9 miles and takes about 9h 31m via I 20 and TX 349, with a fuel budget near $79 and an overnight recommendation. This long-haul drive crosses the Great Plains region of Texas, transitioning from the more populated northern areas to the vast, open landscapes of West Texas. It’s a straightforward, long-distance trek that’s best split over two days to avoid excessive fatigue. Plan for a full day of driving if attempting it in one go, but an overnight stop is highly advisable for safety and enjoyment.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
271 miles from McKinney, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 20 | 284.4 mi | 4h 47m |
| East 3rd Street | 57 mi | 1h |
| TX 349 | 42.1 mi | 43m |
| South US Higway 67 | 25.7 mi | 29m |
| Sam Rayburn Tollway | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| South US Highway 67 | 21.6 mi | 24m |
| Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway | 17.7 mi | 20m |
| TX 121 | 15.2 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 284.4 mi, about 4h 47m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,369 veh/hr typical · worst 1,769
Quietest
2 AM
~188 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 McKinney, TX and Alpine, TX.
1
Start on North Tennessee Street
119 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Tennessee Street
2
Turn left onto East Virginia Street
228 ft
·
13 sec
·
East Virginia Street
3
Turn left onto North Kentucky Street
236 ft
·
15 sec
·
North Kentucky Street
4
Turn left onto East Louisiana Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
East Louisiana Street
5
Turn right onto TX 5
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
South McDonald Street
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on SRT
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on TX 121
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 121
9
Continue on SRT
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
TX 121
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
TX 121
Toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand Praire
Use the left / right lanes.
12
Take the exit onto TX 121 Express
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
TX 121 Express
Toward TX 121 Express South Toll, TX 183 Express West Toll
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 183 TEXpress
0.1 mi
·
7 sec
·
SH 183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
0.7 mi
·
42 sec
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
16
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express West Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Merge onto I 820
0.4 mi
·
24 sec
·
Northeast Loop
18
Continue on I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Exit 3A
Toward I 30 West: Weatherford
Use the slight right lane.
20
Merge onto I 30
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
West Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto I 20
284 mi
·
4 hr 47 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
Toward SH 349 Business, SH 349: Lamesa, Rankin
23
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
349 ft
·
9 sec
·
East Interstate 20
24
Turn left onto TX 349 Bus
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
Rankin Highway
25
Continue on TX 349
10 mi
·
10 min
·
South State Highway 349
26
Continue on TX 349
42 mi
·
43 min
·
TX 349
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn right onto US 67; TX 349
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Trooper Sammy Long Memorial HIghway
28
Continue on US 67
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
East 3rd Street
29
Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Exit 246
Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University
30
Continue on US 67
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
31
Turn left onto US 67
26 mi
·
29 min
·
South US Higway 67
32
Continue on US 67
22 mi
·
24 min
·
South US Highway 67
33
Continue on US 67; US 90
7.6 mi
·
8 min
·
East US Highway 90
34
Continue on US 67; US 90
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
East Avenue E
35
Arrive at destination
US 67; US 90
Trip Plan
For this 9.5-hour drive, an overnight split is strongly recommended, making a two-day trip ideal. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 541.9 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the longer stretches of I 20 where services might be spaced further apart. The estimated fuel cost is around $79, so budget accordingly.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 271 miles from McKinney, TX, or about 4h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 284.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 119 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 271 miles or 4h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 271 miles or 4h 42m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alpine, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving McKinney, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from McKinney, TX
Aim for roughly 271 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Alpine, TX
Aim for roughly 271 miles and 4.8 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 119 miles from McKinney, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 20 for about 284.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
179 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
358 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Big Spring, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
271 mi · about 4.8h in
A practical overnight split lands near Rotan, TX after about 271 miles or 4.8 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 119 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 271 miles from McKinney, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 284.4 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 271 miles or 4.8 hours on the road.
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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Mitchell County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Howard County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Minuteman Press
1.5 mi from route
Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
McKinney, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+19725625566
Visit websiteGrapevine Vintage Railroad
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Grapevine, Texas
Hours: Closed
+18174103185
Visit websiteHouse of Shine
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Grapevine, Texas
Hours: 12–5 pm
+18176018850
Visit websiteEvents Midland
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Final third
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Midland, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14325565867
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 486.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.3 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
TX 5 / South McDonald Street
Turn right onto TX 5 / South McDonald Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
35.7 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
TX 121
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121 toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand Praire
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Gr...
7
42.6 mi into trip
|
~48m in
|
TX 121 Express
Take the exit onto TX 121 Express toward TX 121 Express South Toll, TX 183 Express West Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward TX 121 Express South Toll, TX 183 Expres...
7
67.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward I 30 West: Weatherford
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3A
Toward I 30 West: Weatherford
6
486.1 mi into trip
|
~8h 27m in
|
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Take the exit onto La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross State University
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 246
Toward US 67 south, FM 1776: Alpine, Sul Ross S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$82.27 one way
$164.53 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
190 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $90.67 | $181.34 |
| premium | $4.58 | $97.71 | $195.43 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $114.14 | $228.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.91
Sam Rayburn Tollway
(23.8 mi)
$1.91
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
$82
Tolls
$2
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$214–$324
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 189.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $57 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 162.6 | 2 | $56.90 | $26.01 |
| Efficient EV | 135.5 | 1 | $47.42 | $21.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 216.8 | 2 | $75.87 | $34.68 |
Gas CO2
190 kg
EV CO2
63 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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
McKinney, TX
Evening in McKinney on Wednesday
Local time
7:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
E 5 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 10:13PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 10:02PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Alpine, TX
Evening in Alpine on Wednesday
Local time
7:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 to 10 mph
25% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 10:13PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued June 2 at 10:02PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
10 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
9h 31m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This route covers 541.9 miles, with 76% on highways. You'll spend the majority of your time on I 20, cruising for up to 284.4 miles without a major change in road type. The final leg will involve transitioning to surface roads like East 3rd Street and TX 349 as you approach Alpine. Expect long stretches of rural cruising with fewer exits once you leave the interstate.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 284.4 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and East 3rd Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near TX 5 / South McDonald Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 541.9 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 0.3 miles (TX 5 / South McDonald Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles (TX 121): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles (TX 121 Express): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,477 ft
599 ft
Total Climb
4,213 ft
Total Descent
364 ft
Highest Point
4,477 ft
~541.9 mi in
Elevation Range
3,878 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 McKinney, TX and Alpine, TX, road signs point toward Arlington, Grand Praire, Sh 349 Business, Sh 349: Lamesa, Rankin and Fm 1776: Alpine - among others.
Arlington
35.7 mi in
|
~40m
|
via TX 121
Grand Praire
35.7 mi in
|
~40m
|
via TX 121
Sh 349 Business
358.3 mi in
|
~6h 11m
Sh 349: Lamesa
358.3 mi in
|
~6h 11m
Rankin
358.3 mi in
|
~6h 11m
Fm 1776: Alpine
486.1 mi in
|
~8h 27m
|
via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
Sul Ross State University
486.1 mi in
|
~8h 27m
|
via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
About the Cities
Starting in McKinney, TX
Full guide →Founded 1848
McKinney is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas.
Arriving in Alpine, TX
Full guide →Alpine is a city of 6,000 people (2019) in Texas. It has an historic downtown, and is a good base for exploring Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and Davis Mountains State Park.
Top landmarks
- • The Holland Hotel — historic place in Alpine, Brewster County, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 284.4 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 271 miles on day one.
Expect about $1.91 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Rayburn Tollway. 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 39 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 Alpine, 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 39 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (TX 5 / South McDonald Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 35.7 miles (TX 121): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles (TX 121 Express): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 19.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alpine, 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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