Traveling from McKinney to Kermit covers 424.4 miles across the Great Plains, typically requiring about 7 hours and 33 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because this journey stays within the state of Texas, you will navigate a mix of the Sam Rayburn Tollway, I-20, and State Highway 302. While it is physically possible to complete this trip in a single day, be prepared for a long stint on the road. Budget roughly $65 for fuel to cover the distance. Since the route is entirely highway-focused, it functions best as a straightforward transit drive rather than a leisurely sightseeing tour.
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
212.2 miles from McKinney, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 43m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 20
299.7 mi
5h 4m
State Highway 302
40.4 mi
51m
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
East 42nd Street
5.6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 20
— 299.7 mi, about 5h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKinney, TX and Kermit, 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 PraireUse 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 TollUse 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 TollUse 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 3AToward I 30 West: WeatherfordUse 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
300 mi·5 hr 4 min·I 20
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward Loop 338: Odessa
23
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
235 ft·4 sec·East Interstate 20
24
Turn right onto Loop 338
0.7 mi·53 sec·Southeast Loop 338
25
Continue on Loop 338
1.6 mi·2 min·Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
26
Turn left onto State Highway 191 East
0.5 mi·43 sec·State Highway 191 East
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on TX 191
5.6 mi·6 min·East 42nd Street
Use the straight lane.
28
At end of road, turn right onto Spur 450
0.4 mi·34 sec·Kermit Highway
Use the right lane.
29
Continue on TX 302
40 mi·51 min·State Highway 302
30
Continue on TX 302
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Jim Sharp Boulevard
31
Turn right onto TX 18
0.8 mi·1 min·South Poplar Street
32
Turn right onto TX 115
167 ft·5 sec·East Austin Street
33
Turn right
111 ft·8 sec
34
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To manage the 7.5-hour duration effectively, plan for at least two deliberate stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue, especially given the lengthy 299.7-mile stretch on I-20. Keep a close watch on your fuel gauge during that long interstate segment, as finding consistent service options can be easier if you plan your stops in advance. Since the drive is a single-day commitment, prioritize comfort and hydration to stay alert. A helpful tip for this specific route is to monitor your fuel consumption early on, ensuring you have enough in the tank to handle the final transition onto State Highway 302 without stress.
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 212.2 miles from McKinney, TX, or about 3h 43m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.7 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 93 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 212.2 miles or 3h 43m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kermit, 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 424.4 miles and 7h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 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 I 20 for about 299.7 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 382.3 — 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
7
382.3 mi into trip|~6h 38m in|Spur 450 / Kermit Highway
At end of road, turn right onto Spur 450 / Kermit Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$64.13 one way
$128.26 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg149 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$70.19
$140.39
premium
$4.54
$75.77
$151.55
diesel
$5.61
$93.70
$187.40
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
$64
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 148.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $45 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
127.3
1
$44.56
$20.37
Efficient EV
106.1
1
$37.14
$16.98
EV Truck/SUV
169.8
2
$59.42
$27.16
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
50 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 Apr 13, 2026
Origin
McKinney, TX
Late night
in McKinney on Tuesday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
S 15 mph30% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 11:43PM CDT until April 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 12 at 11:43PM CDT until April 14 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Kermit, TX
Late night
in Kermit on Tuesday
Local time
3:57 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 12 at 11:43PM CDT until April 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 12 at 11:43PM CDT until April 14 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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 33m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed, highway-focused experience, as 91% of your journey takes place on major roads. The most significant portion of your travel involves a 299.7-mile stretch on I-20, which sets the tone for the majority of the trip. Transitioning from the tollways near McKinney onto the interstate creates a consistent, high-velocity drive that eventually shifts as you exit onto State Highway 302 for the final leg. You should anticipate a fairly monotonous pace, so prepare for long periods of steady cruising. The route remains firmly within the Great Plains, offering a consistent landscape for the duration of your drive.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 299.7 mi on I 20.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and State Highway 302. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 424.4 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
2,861 ft751 ft
Total Climb
2,110 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
2,861 ft
~424.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,110 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 Kermit, TX, road signs point toward Arlington, Grand Praire and Loop 338: Odessa.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 33m. Total distance: 424.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 299.7 miles on I 20. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Kermit, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kermit, TX before the return drive.
