McKinney to Dumas is 403 miles and takes about 7 hours 26 minutes via US Highway 287, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, taking you from the Great Plains region of McKinney to the Great Plains of Dumas. It's a straightforward, mostly highway drive, making it a solid choice for a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time cruising on major roadways, so plan for efficient travel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.5 miles from McKinney, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 287
75.4 mi
1h 17m
North US Highway 287
72.5 mi
1h 15m
US 87
43.5 mi
44m
US Highway 287 East
40.5 mi
42m
East 11th Street
28.7 mi
32m
Boykin Drive
26.2 mi
28m
US Highway 287 West
25.7 mi
26m
US Highway 380 West
21.5 mi
24m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 287
— 75.4 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKinney, TX and Dumas, TX.
1
Start on North Tennessee Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·North Tennessee Street
2
Turn right onto Hunt Street
0.2 mi·47 sec·Hunt Street
3
Turn left onto TX 5
0.8 mi·1 min·North McDonald Street
4
Turn left onto US 380
7.1 mi·10 min·West University Drive
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 380
9.0 mi·12 min·East University Drive
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on US 380
8.9 mi·13 min·US Highway 380 East
Use the left lane.
7
Continue on US 377; US 380
11 mi·18 min·East University Drive
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 380
22 mi·24 min·US Highway 380 West
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
10
Merge onto US 81; US 287
72 mi·1 hr 15 min·North US Highway 287
11
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.8 mi·58 sec·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
12
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
2.4 mi·3 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287
5.3 mi·5 min·Northwest Freeway
Exit 3AToward US 287 North: Vernon, AmarilloUse the slight left / straight lanes.
14
Continue on US 287
40 mi·42 min·US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
15
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
4.1 mi·4 min·Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 287
26 mi·26 min·US Highway 287 West
Use the straight lane.
17
Continue on US 287
29 mi·32 min·East 11th Street
18
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi·3 min·Avenue F Northeast
19
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
20
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·1 min·Burnett Street
21
Continue on US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
22
Turn straight onto US 287
26 mi·28 min·Boykin Drive
23
Continue on US 287
1.6 mi·1 min·East 2nd Street
24
Continue on US 287
28 mi·28 min·US Highway 287
25
Continue on US 287; FM 1151
1.1 mi·2 min·East 1st Street
26
Continue on US 287
20 mi·20 min·US Highway 287
27
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive
329 ft·8 sec·East Interstate Drive
Toward East 3rd Avenue
28
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
2.6 mi·3 min·Southeast 3rd Avenue
29
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
30
Merge onto Loop 335
4.1 mi·4 min·North Lakeside Drive
31
Continue on Loop 335
0.6 mi·36 sec·East Loop 335 North
32
Continue on Loop 335
4.7 mi·5 min·East Saint Francis Avenue
33
Turn right onto Dumas Drive
0.1 mi·15 sec·Dumas Drive
34
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
35
Merge onto US 87; US 287
43 mi·44 min·US 87; US 287
36
Arrive at destination
US 287
Trip Plan
Given the 7 hour 26 minute duration, leaving McKinney in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Dumas with daylight to spare. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 403 miles to stay refreshed. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 75.4 miles on US Highway 287, so plan one of your breaks around this point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during longer highway segments, as services can be spread out in some portions of this route. Your estimated fuel cost is around $59.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.5 miles from McKinney, TX, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 75.4 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 89 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.5 miles or 3h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Dumas, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from McKinney, TX
This is one driving day of about 403 miles and 7h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from McKinney, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 287 for about 75.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 347.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|Hunt Street
Turn right onto Hunt Street
Navigation decision point
4
1.1 mi into trip|~2m in|US 380 / West University Drive
Turn left onto US 380 / West University Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
9
134.9 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 3A
Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo
5
347 mi into trip|~6h 26m in|East Interstate Drive
Keep slight right at fork onto East Interstate Drive toward East 3rd Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward East 3rd Avenue
4
347.1 mi into trip|~6h 26m in|Southeast 3rd Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto Southeast 3rd Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.20 one way
$110.40 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$61.66
$123.31
premium
$4.23
$67.03
$134.07
diesel
$4.80
$76.09
$152.19
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
12 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: good
Chevrolet Charging Station
Amarillo, Texas
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Dumas, Texas
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
Universal Charging Station
Dumas, Texas
Other
1 DCFC
Flying J EV Charging Station
Amarillo, Texas
Other
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Amarillo, Texas
Tesla
1 DCFC
Tesla Destination Charger
Dumas, Texas
Tesla Destination
1 DCFC
EVgo Charging Station
Amarillo, Texas
EVgo
1 DCFC
Tesla Supercharger
Amarillo, Texas
Tesla
1 DCFC
Other: 6
Tesla Destination: 3
Tesla: 2
EVgo: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.9
1
$42.32
$19.34
Efficient EV
100.8
1
$35.26
$16.12
EV Truck/SUV
161.2
2
$56.42
$25.79
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 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.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
McKinney, TX
Late night
in McKinney on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:40PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:31PM CDT until July 18 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Dumas, TX
Late night
in Dumas on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Clear
S 5 to 10 mph8% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:40PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:31PM CDT until July 18 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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.
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
11 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
7h 26m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 375.2
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
15 mi from route
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 375.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly on highways, with 73% of the 403 miles covered on major roads like US Highway 287 and US 87. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 75.4 miles on US Highway 287, meaning extended periods of consistent cruising. The transition from highway to surface roads will occur as you approach your destination, so be prepared for a change in pace and potentially more local traffic.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 75.4 mi on US Highway 287.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 287 and North US Highway 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Hunt Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 403 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 0.1 miles (Hunt Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 380 / West University Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 134.9 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,659 ft588 ft
Total Climb
3,821 ft
Total Descent
790 ft
Highest Point
3,659 ft
~403 mi in
Elevation Range
3,072 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from McKinney, TX to Dumas, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.
Amarillo
134.9 mi in|~2h 41m|via US 287
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 26m. Total distance: 403 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 75.4 miles on US Highway 287. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 33 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 Dumas, 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 33 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Hunt Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.1 miles (US 380 / West University Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 134.9 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Dumas, TX before the return drive.
