Cherokee County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from McKinney, TX to Nederland, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 8m
Distance
311.8 mi
502 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 55m
★
6 AM
6h 8m
8 AM
6h 34m
10 AM
6h 17m
12 PM
6h 15m
3 PM
6h 18m
5 PM
6h 32m
8 PM
6h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Nederland, TX
Job1505 De waal
Trip Overview
McKinney, TX to Nederland, TX is 311.8 miles and takes about 6h 8m via US Highway 69 South, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface roads as you make your way southeast. With one recommended stop and a drive time under seven hours, this is a manageable one-day trip, making it a good option for a quick transition between locations.
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
155.9 miles from McKinney, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 69 South | 86.4 mi | 1h 38m |
| East Denman Avenue | 38.5 mi | 43m |
| US Highway 69 North | 33 mi | 37m |
| Toll 49 | 27.1 mi | 29m |
| West Princeton Drive | 24 mi | 28m |
| West Lennon Drive | 23 mi | 27m |
| Rusk Street | 15.1 mi | 19m |
| North Pacific Street | 10 mi | 12m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 69 South
— 86.4 mi, about 1h 38m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,960 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~423 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 7 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 Nederland, 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 sharp right onto US 380
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
East University Drive
5
Continue on US 380
24 mi
·
28 min
·
West Princeton Drive
6
Take the exit onto US 380
5.5 mi
·
7 min
·
US 380
7
Continue on US 69
23 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 69 South
8
Continue on US 69
23 mi
·
27 min
·
West Lennon Drive
9
Merge onto US 69
10.0 mi
·
12 min
·
North Pacific Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Turn right onto Toll 49
27 mi
·
29 min
·
Toll 49
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
34 sec
Toward US 69: Tyler, Jacksonville
12
Keep slight right at fork
200 ft
·
6 sec
13
Merge onto US 69
0.3 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Broadway Avenue
14
Continue on US 69
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US Highway 69 North
15
Continue on US 69
5.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Jackson Street
16
Continue on US 69
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 North
17
Continue on US 69
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
North Dickinson Drive
18
Continue on US 69
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
US Highway 69 South
19
Continue on US 69
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Marcus Street
20
Continue on US 69
11 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 69 South
21
Continue on US 69
15 mi
·
19 min
·
Rusk Street
22
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
23
Continue on Loop 287 Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
24
Continue on Loop 287
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Loop 287 Frontage Road
25
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Kurth Drive
26
Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus; TX 103
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Timberland Drive
27
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Chestnut Street
28
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
39 mi
·
43 min
·
East Denman Avenue
29
Continue on US 69
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Wheeler Avenue
30
Continue on US 69
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US Highway 69 North
31
Continue on US 69
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Magnolia Street
32
Continue on US 69; US 287
42 mi
·
48 min
·
US Highway 69 South
33
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US 69; US 96; US 287
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
35
Merge onto I 10; US 90
0.8 mi
·
59 sec
·
I 10; US 90
Toward Lake Charles
36
Take the exit
492 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 854
Toward Spur 380: Martin Luther King Parkway, Magnolia Avenue
37
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East Frontage Road
488 ft
·
13 sec
·
Interstate 10 East Frontage Road
38
Turn right onto Spur 380
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Gulf Street
39
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 347
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
TX 347
Use the straight / left lanes.
40
Turn right onto Boston Avenue
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Boston Avenue
41
Arrive at destination
Boston Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour drive time, leaving McKinney in the morning will allow you to arrive in Nederland with plenty of daylight. Plan for one stop to break up the 311.8 miles; this could be a good opportunity to refuel and grab a quick bite. The fuel cost is estimated at $45, so keep that in mind for your budget. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility, but be mindful of the 86.4-mile stretch on US Highway 69 South, which might offer fewer immediate services compared to more developed highway sections.
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 155.9 miles from McKinney, TX, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.4 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 69 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.9 miles or 3h 1m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nederland, 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 311.8 miles and 6h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 69 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 US Highway 69 South for about 86.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
156 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 69 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155.9 miles from McKinney, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 69 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.4 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.
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.8 mi from route
Minuteman Press
0.9 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.7 mi from route
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 websitePort Neches Riverfront Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Port Neches, Texas
Hours: 8 am–8 pm
+14097194280
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 306.2 — 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
6
81.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 36m in
|
US 69 / North Pacific Street
Merge onto US 69 / North Pacific Street
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
298.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 47m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East: Lake Charles
6
300.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 50m in
Take the exit toward Spur 380: Martin Luther King Parkway, Magnolia Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 854
Toward Spur 380: Martin Luther King Parkway, Ma...
6
306.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 59m in
|
TX 347
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 347
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.74 one way
$95.48 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $52.69 | $105.37 |
| premium | $4.64 | $56.93 | $113.87 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $75.85 | $151.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 109.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.5 | 1 | $32.74 | $14.97 |
| Efficient EV | 78 | 0 | $27.28 | $12.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.7 | 1 | $43.65 | $19.96 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Origin
McKinney, TX
Late night in McKinney on Monday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
45°F
Partly Cloudy
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Nederland, TX
Late night in Nederland on Monday
Local time
2:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
61°F
Jacksonville, TX
156 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
8 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 8m 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?
This route is a 45% highway drive, meaning you'll spend a significant portion on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on the highway is 86.4 miles along US Highway 69 South. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads as you navigate through various towns and cities. Be prepared for typical merging and exiting scenarios common to mixed highway and surface road profiles.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 86.4 mi on US Highway 69 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 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 19 significant decision points across 311.8 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 81.1 miles (US 69 / North Pacific Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 298.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
697 ft
19 ft
Total Climb
417 ft
Total Descent
1,027 ft
Highest Point
697 ft
~133.6 mi in
Elevation Range
679 ft
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.
On the drive from McKinney, TX to Nederland, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Jacksonville along the way.
Jacksonville
118.1 mi in
|
~2h 17m
About the Cities
Starting in McKinney, TX
Full guide →Founded 1848
McKinney is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Heard-Craig House — historic place in McKinney, Collin County, Texas
Arriving in Nederland, TX
Full guide →Founded 1897
Nederland is a small city in Southeast Texas, USA. It is a part of an area called "The Golden Triangle".
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 8m. Total distance: 311.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 8m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 86.4 miles on US Highway 69 South. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 Nederland, 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Hunt Street): Navigation decision point; at 81.1 miles (US 69 / North Pacific Street): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 298.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.1 hours each way, a round trip means 12.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Nederland, 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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