Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from McKinney, TX to Del Rio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 19m
Distance
456.2 mi
734 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 12m
★
6 AM
8h 20m
8 AM
8h 35m
10 AM
8h 25m
12 PM
8h 23m
3 PM
8h 26m
5 PM
8h 34m
8 PM
8h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Del Rio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
McKinney, TX to Del Rio, TX is 456.2 miles and takes about 8h 19m via US 277 / I-20 / US Highway 277 South, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, primarily traversing Texas. Given the mostly highway profile, expect a straightforward drive. With 2 recommended days, you can comfortably break up the 8+ hour drive to avoid fatigue and make the most of your time on the road.
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
228.1 miles from McKinney, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 277 | 152.8 mi | 2h 50m |
| I 20 | 137.3 mi | 2h 19m |
| US Highway 277 South | 78.6 mi | 1h 24m |
| Sam Rayburn Tollway | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| TX 121 | 15.2 mi | 16m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.8 mi | 14m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.9 mi | 6m |
| West Freeway | 6 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
US 277
— 152.8 mi, about 2h 50m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,819 veh/hr typical · worst 2,291
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.1×
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 Del Rio, 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
137 mi
·
2 hr 19 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 283A
Toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, Ballinger, Anson
23
Merge onto US 83; US 277
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Winters Freeway
24
Take the exit onto US 277
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 South: San Angelo
25
Turn right onto US 277
79 mi
·
1 hr 24 min
·
US Highway 277 South
26
Keep slight right at fork onto US 277
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
US 277
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 277
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
US 277
Toward US 67 South, US 277 South: San Angelo
28
Take the exit onto US 277
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
US 277
Toward US 87, US 277 South
29
Turn left onto US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Bryant Boulevard
30
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Abe Street
31
Continue on US 87; US 277
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
South Bryant Boulevard
32
Take the exit onto US 277
60 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 South: Eldorado
33
Turn left onto US 277; Loop 467
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Crockett Avenue
34
Turn right onto US 277
22 mi
·
24 min
·
US 277
35
Keep slight right at fork onto US 277
64 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
US 277
36
Turn left onto US 90; US 277; US 377
4.5 mi
·
7 min
·
Veterans Boulevard
37
Continue on Spur 297
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Spur 297
38
Turn left onto US 277 Spur
377 ft
·
30 sec
·
East Garfield Street
39
Turn left onto Spur 297
107 ft
·
2 sec
·
Spur 297
40
Arrive at destination
Spur 297
Trip Plan
To make this 8+ hour drive manageable, consider splitting it over two days, as recommended. Leaving McKinney in the morning will allow you to cover a significant portion of the distance. Plan for approximately 2 stops along the way to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch without frequent exits is 152.8 miles, so ensure you have enough fuel before embarking on that segment of US 277. Budgeting around $69 for fuel is a good estimate for this 456.2-mile trip.
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 228.1 miles from McKinney, TX, or about 4h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.8 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 100 miles or 1h 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 228.1 miles or 4h 2m 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 228.1 miles or 4h 2m
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 7h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Del Rio, 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 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Del Rio, TX
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 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 US 277 for about 152.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
228 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 Tye, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
228 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Tye, TX after about 228 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 228.1 miles from McKinney, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 277 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 152.8 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 228 miles or 4.2 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Road Ranger
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Rest 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
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
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
Minuteman Press
1.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
Coppell Nature Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Coppell, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19723043581
Visit websiteWhite Settlement Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
White Settlement, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+18172469719
Visit websiteGrapevine Vintage Railroad
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Grapevine, Texas
Hours: Closed
+18174103185
Visit websiteHeard 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 websiteHouse of Shine
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Grapevine, Texas
Hours: 12–5 pm
+18176018850
Visit websiteAndrew Brown Park West
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Coppell, Texas
Hours: 7 am–11 pm
+19724625100
Visit websiteProducers Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
San Angelo, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+13256574279
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 245 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 211.3 — 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
211.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, Ballinger, Anson
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 283A
Toward US 83 South, US 277 South: San Angelo, B...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.49 one way
$124.97 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
160 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $69.80 | $139.59 |
| premium | $4.23 | $75.88 | $151.77 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $86.14 | $172.28 |
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
$62
Tolls
$2
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$194–$304
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 136.9 | 1 | $47.90 | $21.90 |
| Efficient EV | 114.1 | 1 | $39.92 | $18.25 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 182.5 | 2 | $63.87 | $29.20 |
Gas CO2
160 kg
EV CO2
53 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
McKinney, TX
Morning in McKinney on Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
46% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Del Rio, TX
Morning in Del Rio on Sunday
Local time
10:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 to 10 mph
81% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth 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
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
8h 19m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Amistad National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-b...
12 mi from route
~31 min detour
Free
near mile 440.5
Park Closure: Diablo East Marina Cove, Scuba Cove, and Walkway Access Are Closed
Caution: Help Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Infestation
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 91% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 152.8 miles, also on US 277. You’ll transition from highway to surface roads after this segment. Expect a generally rural cruising feel for much of the drive, with fewer exits and more open stretches.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.8 mi on US 277.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 277 and I 20. 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
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 24 significant decision points across 456.2 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
Gently rolling terrain
2,300 ft
548 ft
Total Climb
2,147 ft
Total Descent
1,811 ft
Highest Point
2,300 ft
~358.5 mi in
Elevation Range
1,753 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 Del Rio, TX, road signs point toward Arlington, Grand Praire, Ballinger and Anson.
Arlington
35.7 mi in
|
~40m
|
via TX 121
Grand Praire
35.7 mi in
|
~40m
|
via TX 121
Ballinger
211.3 mi in
|
~3h 43m
Anson
211.3 mi in
|
~3h 43m
About the Cities
Starting in McKinney, TX
Full guide →Founded 1848
McKinney is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas.
Arriving in Del Rio, TX
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.8 miles on US 277. 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 228 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 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 Del Rio, 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 24 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.
Yes — Amistad National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.3 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Del Rio, 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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