Origin
McKinney, TX
Morning in McKinney on Tuesday
Local time
6:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from McKinney, TX to Lamesa, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 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
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
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.
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
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
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKinney, TX and Lamesa, 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
243 mi
·
4 hr 5 min
·
I 20
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 177
Toward US 87: San Angelo, Lamesa
23
Turn slight left onto West Interstate 20
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
West Interstate 20
24
Turn right onto US 87 Bus
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North US Highway 87
25
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
26
Merge onto US 87
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
27
Continue on US 87
15 mi
·
15 min
·
North US Highway 87
28
Continue on US 87
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
William Crooker Highway
29
Continue on US 87
18 mi
·
18 min
·
South US Highway 87
30
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Dallas Avenue
31
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lynn Avenue
32
Turn left
160 ft
·
11 sec
33
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
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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
Fuel checkTop up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 243.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 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.
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
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
$54.49 one way
$108.98 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
126 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $59.64 | $119.28 |
| premium | $4.54 | $64.38 | $128.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $79.62 | $159.23 |
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
$54
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Destination
Lamesa, TX
Morning in Lamesa on Tuesday
Local time
6:09 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 warmer 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.
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 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 →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.
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 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. 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 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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