Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from McKinney, TX to Pasadena, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 5m
Distance
283.6 mi
456 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 52m
★
6 AM
5h 5m
8 AM
5h 32m
10 AM
5h 15m
12 PM
5h 12m
3 PM
5h 16m
5 PM
5h 31m
8 PM
4h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Pasadena, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 283.6-mile drive from McKinney, TX to Pasadena, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 5 minutes to complete. With 87% of the journey on highways, you'll find it to be a focused drive, largely utilizing major arteries like Julius Schepps Freeway and Central Expressway. Your estimated fuel cost for this Texas-to-Texas journey is around $43. The Great Plains region provides the backdrop for this efficient transit, making it a practical option for those prioritizing speed and directness over extended sightseeing. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B without much 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
141.8 miles from McKinney, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 213.6 mi | 3h 40m |
| Central Expressway | 29.2 mi | 31m |
| HTR | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| North Loop East | 10.5 mi | 13m |
| La Porte Freeway | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| East Virginia Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| South Shaver Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Central Expressway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 213.6 mi, about 3h 40m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical · worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Pasadena, TX.
1
Start on North Tennessee Street
119 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Tennessee Street
2
Turn left onto East Virginia Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Virginia Street
3
Turn left onto South Central Expressway
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Central Expressway
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
29 mi
·
31 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 45
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
210 mi
·
3 hr 36 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto HTR
22 mi
·
25 min
·
HTR
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 East
10
Merge onto I 610
11 mi
·
13 min
·
North Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 30B
Toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
Use the straight / right lanes.
12
Merge onto TX 225
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on TX 225
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Pasadena Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Shaver Street, Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
16
Turn right onto South Shaver Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Shaver Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17
Turn left onto Southmore Avenue
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Southmore Avenue
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto South Main Street
84 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given this route's 5-hour duration, starting your drive from McKinney early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic delays. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $43, you can plan your expenses accordingly. The longest stretch without a break is over 200 miles, so be mindful of this when planning your own rest stops. A good tip for this route is to ensure your navigation is set for Pasadena, TX, as the extensive highway system can sometimes present numerous lane choices.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 141.8 miles from McKinney, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 213.6 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 62 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.8 miles or 2h 30m 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 4m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pasadena, 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 283.6 miles and 5h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 213.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.8 miles from McKinney, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 213.6 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1 mi from route
Minuteman Press
1.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.6 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
The Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteHeard 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 websiteDennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteDark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 2 and 283.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
7
245.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
|
HTR
Take the exit onto HTR toward Hardy Toll Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 72B
Toward Hardy Toll Road South
8
278.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 30B
Toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
7
281.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m in
Take the exit toward Shaver Street, Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Shaver Street, Main Street
7
283.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 5m in
|
South Main Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.84 one way
$77.69 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.39 | $86.78 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.17 | $94.35 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.55 | $107.10 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.38
Central Expressway
(29.7 mi)
$2.38
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
$39
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.1 | 1 | $29.78 | $13.61 |
| Efficient EV | 70.9 | 0 | $24.82 | $11.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.4 | 1 | $39.70 | $18.15 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Night in McKinney on Monday
Local time
9:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:32PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:22PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Pasadena, TX
Night in Pasadena on Monday
Local time
9:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:32PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:22PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
100°F
Italy, TX
142 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
3 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
5h 5m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 283.6-mile trip, with 87% of your travel occurring on major roads. The personality of this route is largely defined by its efficiency, featuring a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 213.6 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. While the specific road names might change, the feel remains consistent: a steady pace on well-traveled routes. You'll experience a relatively uniform driving environment for most of the 5-hour journey, allowing for consistent progress as you head south.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 213.6 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Central Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.
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 283.6 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 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 245.1 miles (HTR): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
630 ft
27 ft
Total Climb
343 ft
Total Descent
945 ft
Highest Point
630 ft
~20.3 mi in
Elevation Range
603 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 Pasadena, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Hardy Toll Road South along the way.
Hardy Toll Road South
245.1 mi in
|
~4h 16m
|
via HTR
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 5h 5m. Total distance: 283.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 213.6 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.38 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. 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 31 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 Pasadena, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 245.1 miles (HTR): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.3 miles: 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pasadena, 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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