Trip from McKinney, TX to Lamesa, 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

6h 15m

Distance

360.6 mi

580 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

6h 3m ★

6 AM

6h 16m

8 AM

6h 41m

10 AM

6h 24m

12 PM

6h 22m

3 PM

6h 26m

5 PM

6h 40m

8 PM

6h 8m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Collin County, Texas, United States

McKinney, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Dawson County, Texas, United States

Lamesa, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 360.6-mile journey from McKinney, Texas, to Lamesa, Texas, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes. The route primarily utilizes I-20 and Sam Rayburn Tollway, with 90% of the drive on highways, making it a highway-focused experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $54, this trip is budget-friendly for a day trip. Both McKinney and Lamesa are situated within the Great Plains region, so you'll experience consistent open landscapes throughout your drive. This efficient route is ideal if you're looking for a straightforward drive with minimal fuss.

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

180.3 miles from McKinney, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 20	243.1 mi	4h 5m
Sam Rayburn Tollway	23.8 mi	25m
South US Highway 87	18.1 mi	18m
North US Highway 87	17.5 mi	18m
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: I 20 — 243.1 mi, about 4h 5m

Traffic on I-20

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 72 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 Lamesa, TX.

Start on North Tennessee Street

119 ft · 12 sec · North Tennessee Street

Turn left onto East Virginia Street

228 ft · 13 sec · East Virginia Street

Turn left onto North Kentucky Street

236 ft · 15 sec · North Kentucky Street

Turn left onto East Louisiana Street

0.2 mi · 28 sec · East Louisiana Street

Turn right onto TX 5

2.4 mi · 4 min · South McDonald Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on Spur 399

0.9 mi · 1 min · Spur 399

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on SRT

20 mi · 21 min · Sam Rayburn Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121

1.4 mi · 1 min · TX 121

Continue on SRT

3.4 mi · 3 min · Sam Rayburn Tollway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121

6.9 mi · 7 min · TX 121

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

3.4 mi · 3 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 183 TEXpress

0.1 mi · 7 sec · SH 183 TEXpress

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress

0.7 mi · 42 sec · SH 121/183 TEXpress

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.

Merge onto I 820

0.4 mi · 24 sec · Northeast Loop

Continue on I 820

13 mi · 14 min · Jim Wright Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 1 min

Exit 3A Toward I 30 West: Weatherford Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 30

6.0 mi · 6 min · West Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 20

243 mi · 4 hr 5 min · I 20

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 27 sec

Exit 177 Toward US 87: San Angelo, Lamesa

Turn slight left onto West Interstate 20

0.1 mi · 15 sec · West Interstate 20

Turn right onto US 87 Bus

2.3 mi · 3 min · North US Highway 87

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Merge onto US 87

0.4 mi · 25 sec · William B Crooker Memorial Highway

Continue on US 87

15 mi · 15 min · North US Highway 87

Continue on US 87

4.3 mi · 4 min · William Crooker Highway

Continue on US 87

18 mi · 18 min · South US Highway 87

Continue on US 87; US 180

1.3 mi · 1 min · South Dallas Avenue

Continue on US 87; US 180

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Lynn Avenue

Turn left

160 ft · 11 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 6-hour and 15-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from McKinney to maximize daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. The longest stretch on I-20 is over 240 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before entering this segment. The $54 fuel cost is manageable, but it's always wise to check current gas prices. This route is well-suited for a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, you could split it, though it's not necessary.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 180.3 miles from McKinney, TX, or about 3h 11m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 243.1 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 79 miles or 1h 28m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 180.3 miles or 3h 11m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 12m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lamesa, 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 360.6 miles and 6h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 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 I 20 for about 243.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Dublin, TX

180 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

Weatherford, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Albany, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 180.3 miles from McKinney, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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

Minuteman Press

1.5 mi from route

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 317.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.

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...

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...

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

317.1 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in

Take the exit toward US 87: San Angelo, Lamesa

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

Exit 177 Toward US 87: San Angelo, Lamesa

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.39 one way

$98.78 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$55.17	$110.34
premium	$4.23	$59.98	$119.96
diesel	$4.80	$68.09	$136.18

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

$49

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 126.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	108.2	1	$37.86	$17.31
Efficient EV	90.2	1	$31.55	$14.42
EV Truck/SUV	144.2	1	$50.48	$23.08

Gas CO2

126 kg

EV CO2

42 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 17, 2026

Origin

McKinney, TX

Late night in McKinney on Monday

Local time

12:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 mph 10% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:47AM CDT until July 17 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:40AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

Lamesa, TX

Late night in Lamesa on Monday

Local time

12:57 AM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 5 mph 28% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:47AM CDT until July 17 at 5:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 3:40AM CDT until July 17 at 6:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

98°F

Dublin, TX

180 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

9 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

6h 15m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 360.6-mile trip, with 90% of your time spent on major roads like I-20 and Sam Rayburn Tollway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 243.1 miles along I-20, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. This route is characterized by its efficiency rather than winding backroads or dramatic scenic changes. You'll likely experience the open, expansive feel typical of drives through the Great Plains.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 243.1 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 20 and Sam Rayburn Tollway. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 360.6 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

2,993 ft 459 ft

Total Climb

2,937 ft

Total Descent

573 ft

Highest Point

2,993 ft

~360.6 mi in

Elevation Range

2,534 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 Lamesa, TX, road signs point toward Arlington and Grand Praire.

Arlington

35.7 mi in | ~40m | via TX 121

Grand Praire

35.7 mi in | ~40m | via TX 121

About the Cities

Starting in McKinney, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1848

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

Arriving in Lamesa, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1903

Lamesa is a city in the Llano Estacado region of Texas. It is heavy on the agriculture sector and gives off an authentic feel of provincial Texan life.

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 6h 15m. Total distance: 360.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 243.1 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.

Yes — we found about 32 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 Lamesa, 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lamesa, 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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Explore more options from McKinney, TX or browse trips ending in Lamesa, TX.

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Trip from McKinney, TX to Lamesa, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-20

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Mitchell County Westbound Rest Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

US-87 Knotts Picnic Area

I-20 Westbound Picnic Area

I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Howard County Eastbound Rest Area

Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area

Eastland County Westbound Rest Area

Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Road Ranger

Pilot Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Petro Stopping Centers

Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area

Callahan County Westbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Picnic Area

Minuteman Press

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

McKinney, TX

Lamesa, TX

Same local time

9 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 15m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in McKinney, TX

Arriving in Lamesa, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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