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Trip from McKinney, TX to Monahans, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 10m

Distance

414.3 mi

667 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min
4 AM
7h 0m ★
6 AM
7h 11m
8 AM
7h 33m
10 AM
7h 18m
12 PM
7h 16m
3 PM
7h 19m
5 PM
7h 31m
8 PM
7h 4m

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 in Ward and Winkler counties in Texas, United States, that is the county seat of Ward County

Monahans, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 414.3-mile drive from McKinney, Texas, to Monahans, Texas, will take you approximately 7 hours and 10 minutes to complete. As a single-day trip, it's manageable, especially considering the estimated fuel cost of $63. You'll navigate primarily through local streets, including East Virginia Street, North Kentucky Street, and East Louisiana Street, with no highway driving involved. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. With two planned stops, you can break up the journey effectively. This drive is a straightforward, turn-heavy local road experience.

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

207.1 miles from McKinney, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 20 337 mi 5h 41m
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
SH 121/183 TEXpress 4.1 mi 4m
East Interstate 20 3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: I 20 — 337 mi, about 5h 41m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between McKinney, TX and Monahans, 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

337 mi · 5 hr 41 min · I 20
Use the slight right lane.
22

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 11 sec
Exit 83 Toward I 20 Business West: Monahans
23

Continue on I 20 Bus

0.1 mi · 11 sec · East Sealy Avenue
24

Continue on I 20 Bus

3.0 mi · 5 min · East Interstate 20
25

Turn left onto TX 18

178 ft · 8 sec · South Main Avenue
26

Turn left

104 ft · 7 sec
27

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

Given the 7-hour duration and 414.3-mile distance, starting your trip from McKinney early in the morning is advisable to ensure a comfortable arrival in Monahans. With two recommended stops, plan to take your first break around the halfway point to refuel and stretch your legs. The fuel cost is estimated at $63, so budget accordingly. Since this is a local road-heavy route, pay close attention to GPS and speed limits within towns. A practical tip for this specific drive is to ensure your navigation system is updated, as frequent turns on local roads can be disorienting without accurate directions.

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 207.1 miles from McKinney, TX, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 337 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 91 miles or 1h 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 207.1 miles or 3h 38m 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 7m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Monahans, 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 414.3 miles and 7h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 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 337 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Shackelford County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Albany, TX

207 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 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Tye, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 207.1 miles from McKinney, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 20 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 337 miles.

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.

Andrew Brown Park West

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Coppell, Texas

Hours: 7 am–11 pm

+19724625100

Visit website

Coppell Nature Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 1.4 mi from route ~4 min detour

Coppell, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19723043581

Visit website

Adamson-Spalding Storybook Garden

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour

Abilene, Texas

Visit website

Paramount Theatre

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour

Abilene, Texas

+13256769620

Visit website

Heard 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 website

12th Armored Division Memorial

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Abilene, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13256776515

Visit website

Centennial Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour

Midland, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+14326878200

Visit website

Liberty City Rage Room

5.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour

Midland, Texas

Hours: Closed

+14324005911

Visit website

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 and 67.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Virginia Street

Turn left onto East Virginia Street

Navigation decision point

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$62.60 one way

$125.20 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 145 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $68.52 $137.05
premium $4.54 $73.97 $147.94
diesel $5.61 $91.47 $182.94

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

$63

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$90–$115

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 145 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 124.3 1 $43.50 $19.89
Efficient EV 103.6 1 $36.25 $16.57
EV Truck/SUV 165.7 2 $58.00 $26.52

Gas CO2

145 kg

EV CO2

48 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 Apr 20, 2026

Origin

McKinney, TX

Late night in McKinney on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Monahans, TX

Late night in Monahans on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

80°F

Albany, TX

207 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

22 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 10m 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 'turn-heavy local drive' for the entirety of this 414.3-mile journey. With a 0% highway share, you won't encounter long stretches of high-speed travel. Instead, your experience will be characterized by frequent turns and navigation through local streets. The longest uninterrupted stretch isn't specified, but the profile suggests a consistent pace dictated by city and town driving rather than open highway cruising. This means you'll be more engaged with the immediate surroundings as you make your way across Texas.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 337 mi on I 20.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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 early in the drive near East Virginia Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

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 414.3 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: near the start (East Virginia Street): Navigation decision point; 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.

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 Monahans, 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.

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 7h 10m. Total distance: 414.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 337 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 Monahans, 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: near the start (East Virginia Street): Navigation decision point; 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Monahans, 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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