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Trip from McKinney, TX to Boerne, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 50m

Distance

324 mi

521 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 38m ★
6 AM
5h 51m
8 AM
6h 17m
10 AM
6h 0m
12 PM
5h 58m
3 PM
6h 1m
5 PM
6h 16m
8 PM
5h 43m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Collin County, Texas, United States

McKinney, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Kendall County, Texas, United States

Boerne, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

McKinney to Boerne is 324 miles and takes about 5 hours 50 minutes via Purple Heart Trail and I-35, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path with mostly highway driving. It's a practical choice for a single-day trip, connecting two points within the state with minimal fuss. You'll experience a consistent driving environment for the majority of the trip.

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

162 miles from McKinney, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 53m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 99.6 mi 1h 46m
South R L Thornton Freeway 89.9 mi 1h 32m
I 35 55.8 mi 58m
Central Expressway 29.2 mi 31m
Anderson Loop 16.7 mi 18m
I 10 14.5 mi 15m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
North Pan Am Expressway 1.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

5 PM

~4,090 veh/hr typical

Quietest

2 AM

~671 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.1×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 51 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 Boerne, TX.

1

Start on North Tennessee Street

119 ft · 12 sec · North Tennessee Street
2

Turn left onto East Virginia Street

1.4 mi · 3 min · East Virginia Street
3

Turn left onto South Central Expressway

0.6 mi · 52 sec · South Central Expressway
4

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto US 75; TX 121

29 mi · 31 min · Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Take the exit

501 ft · 12 sec
Exit 284C Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway Use the slight left lane.
7

Continue on North Central Expressway

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8

Turn right onto Elm Street

304 ft · 10 sec · Elm Street
9

Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn right onto Young Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Young Street
11

Turn left onto South Harwood Street

315 ft · 8 sec · South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
12

Turn right onto Canton Street

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Canton Street
13

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 30 West
14

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
15

Keep slight left at fork

221 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 35E South: Waco Use the left / right lanes.
17

Continue on I 35E

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
18

Continue on I 35E

89 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426 Toward Dallas Zoo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290

50 mi · 54 min · Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street Use the slight left lane.
23

Continue on I 35

1.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Continue on I 35

1.8 mi · 1 min · North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Exit 172 Toward Loop 1604: Anderson Loop Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West: Anderson Loop Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 13 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West
29

Merge onto Loop 1604

17 mi · 18 min · Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 20 sec
Toward Frontage Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31

Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · North Loop 1604 West
32

Turn right onto Interstate 10 West

0.3 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West
33

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
34

Merge onto I 10; US 87

1.1 mi · 1 min · I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

13 mi · 14 min · I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
36

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 17 sec
Exit 540 Toward TX 46: New Braunfels, Bandera Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 West

0.2 mi · 25 sec · Interstate 10 West
38

Turn right onto Christus Parkway

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Christus Parkway
39

Turn left onto US 87 Bus

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Main Street
40

Turn right onto RM 474

66 ft · 1 sec · East Blanco Road
41

Arrive at destination

RM 474

Trip Plan

Given the 5 hour 50 minute estimated drive time, departing McKinney in the morning should allow you to reach Boerne with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $51, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services can be spaced out. You'll want to plan your refueling before hitting that longer segment to ensure a smooth onward journey.

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 162 miles from McKinney, TX, or about 2h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 71 miles or 1h 19m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 162 miles or 2h 53m 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 44m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boerne, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from McKinney, TX

This is one driving day of about 324 miles and 5h 50m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from McKinney, 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 99.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Bell County, Texas

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

162 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

Waxahachie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162 miles from McKinney, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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.

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

0 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Buc-ee's

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

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

Flying J Travel Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.2 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.2 mi from route

Marlstone Retail Center

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

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

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

0.4 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.4 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.5 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.6 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.6 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.6 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.6 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.6 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.7 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.9 mi from route

Minuteman Press

1.3 mi from route

SoPac Trail Rest Area

1.9 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.4 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2.5 mi from route

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

New Braunfels, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18304024603

Visit website

Maui Maui Kids Play Island

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–6 pm

+12102578118

Visit website

Get Out of My Escape Room

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour

Hill Country Village, Texas

Hours: Closed

+12104753174

Visit website

Children's Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

San Marcos, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+15123938400

Visit website

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 website

Calaboose African American History Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

San Marcos, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15123938421

Visit website

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

Cascade Caverns

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Boerne, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18307558080

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 30

5 decision points cluster between mile 31.5 and 322.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
31.5 mi into trip | ~36m in

Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 284C Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
33.6 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
33.7 mi into trip | ~40m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / right lanes. Toward I 35E South: Waco
8
224.2 mi into trip | ~3h 59m in | I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
322.1 mi into trip | ~5h 46m in

Take the exit toward TX 46: New Braunfels, Bandera

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 540 Toward TX 46: New Braunfels, Bandera

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.38 one way

$88.76 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.89 $49.57 $99.14
premium $4.23 $53.89 $107.79
diesel $4.80 $61.18 $122.35

Estimated Tolls: $2.44

Central Expressway (30.5 mi) $2.44

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

$44

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: 113.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97.2 1 $34.02 $15.55
Efficient EV 81 0 $28.35 $12.96
EV Truck/SUV 129.6 1 $45.36 $20.74

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 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.

Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026

Origin

McKinney, TX

Late night in McKinney on Monday

Local time

1:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Mostly Clear

S 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 20 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 21 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Boerne, TX

Late night in Boerne on Monday

Local time

1:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSE 5 to 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 20 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 19 at 2:06AM CDT until July 21 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

96°F

Troy, TX

162 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

4 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 50m 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

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 122.9
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

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...

19 mi from route ~48 min detour Free near mile 290.5
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 mostly highway, with 62% of the total mileage on interstates. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 99.6 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, indicating a significant portion of the drive will be on high-speed roads. Expect a consistent driving experience with fewer transitions between highway and surface streets until later in the drive.

62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 30 significant decision points across 324 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 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,406 ft 535 ft

Total Climb

1,273 ft

Total Descent

494 ft

Highest Point

1,406 ft

~324 mi in

Elevation Range

872 ft

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 Boerne, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco, Dallas Zoo and Loop 1604 West.

Downtown

31.5 mi in | ~36m

Denton

33.5 mi in | ~40m

Waco

33.6 mi in | ~40m

Dallas Zoo

34.6 mi in | ~41m | via I 35E

Loop 1604 West

290 mi in | ~5h 11m

About the Cities

Starting in McKinney, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1848

McKinney is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas.

Arriving in Boerne, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1849

Top landmarks

  • Kendall Inn — historic place in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas
  • Herff-Rozelle Farm — historic district in Boerne, Kendall County, Texas
  • Kendall County Courthouse and Jail — historic place in Boerne, Kendall 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 50m. Total distance: 324 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 50m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $2.44 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 44 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 Boerne, 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 44 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Boerne, 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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