Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Parker, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 51m
Distance
211.6 mi
341 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
29 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 38m
★
6 AM
3h 51m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 0m
12 PM
3h 57m
3 PM
4h 1m
5 PM
4h 15m
8 PM
3h 43m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Parker, TX
Thomas balabaud
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Parker, TX to McKinney, TX is 211.6 miles and takes about 3h 51m via I 35E, North State Highway 6, and Purple Heart Trail, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive within the Great Plains region, connecting two points in Texas. With a highway share of 72%, you'll spend most of your time on faster roads, making for an efficient trip. It's a single-day excursion, ideal if you're looking for a direct connection without a significant time commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
105.8 miles from Parker, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| North State Highway 6 | 43.6 mi | 43m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 31.5 mi | 31m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| South State Highway 6 | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| East State Highway 6 | 9.1 mi | 9m |
| West Old San Antonio Road | 8.1 mi | 10m |
| East Loop 340 | 4.9 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
I 35E
— 56.2 mi, about 58m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,870 veh/hr typical · worst 5,788
Quietest
2 AM
~665 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 79 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 Parker, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on FM 50
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Farm to Market Road 50
2
Turn right onto TX 21; FM 50
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 21; FM 50
3
Turn left onto TX OSR
8.1 mi
·
10 min
·
West Old San Antonio Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
5
Merge onto US 190; TX 6
11 mi
·
12 min
·
South State Highway 6
6
Continue on US 190; TX 6
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Market Street
7
Continue on US 79; TX 6
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
North State Highway 6
8
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 6
5.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North State Highway 6
9
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
10
Continue on TX 6
37 mi
·
37 min
·
North State Highway 6
11
Continue on TX 6
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Memorial Street
12
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 6
13
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
TX 6
14
Turn right onto Loop 340
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Loop 340
15
Take the exit
354 ft
·
10 sec
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 North
17
Merge onto I 35; US 77
31 mi
·
31 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
22
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
23
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
24
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
27
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
31
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
32
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
33
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
34
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
35
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 51m estimated drive time, starting in the morning will give you ample daylight to complete this 211.6-mile trip. With only one stop recommended and a fuel cost around $31, this route is quite manageable for a single day. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto the 56.2-mile stretch of I 35E, as services can sometimes be more spread out on major highways. This is a flexible route, so you can adjust your pace as needed without feeling rushed.
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 105.8 miles from Parker, TX, or about 1h 55m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 56.2 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 47 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.8 miles or 1h 55m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near McKinney, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Parker, 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 Parker, TX
This is one driving day of about 211.6 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Parker, 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 35E for about 56.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.8 miles from Parker, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Minuteman Press
1.5 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Dark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteHeard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
McKinney, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4 pm
+19725625566
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Halfway reset
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 121 and 207.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
121 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
177.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
8
178.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 11m in
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
7
179.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
207.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
Take the exit toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
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.
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.76 one way
$63.53 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $35.15 | $70.29 |
| premium | $4.57 | $38.03 | $76.06 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $52.28 | $104.57 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.13
Central Expressway
(26.6 mi)
$2.13
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
$32
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
EV Charging Along Route
29 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Dallas, TX - South Riverfront Boulevard - Tesla Supercharger
Dallas, TX
Tesla
34 DCFC
Hillsboro, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Hillsboro, TX
Tesla
24 DCFC
Waco, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Bellmead, TX
Tesla
22 DCFC
Red Oak, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Red Oak, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Hearne TX
Hearne, TX
SHELL_RECHARGE
12 DCFC
TA State Highway 77, Hillsboro, TX
Hillsboro, TX
BP_PULSE
12 DCFC
Waxahachie, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Waxahachie, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
TA Bonnie View Road, Dallas, TX
Dallas, TX
BP_PULSE
12 DCFC
Tesla: 9
eVgo Network: 6
BP_PULSE: 2
Blink Network: 2
SHELL_RECHARGE: 1
Non-Networked: 1
RIVIAN_ADVENTURE: 1
EV Connect: 1
Electrify America: 1
MERCEDES_BENZ: 1
RED_E: 1
ChargePoint Network: 1
WALMART: 1
IONNA: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.22 | $10.16 |
| Efficient EV | 52.9 | 0 | $18.52 | $8.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.6 | 1 | $29.62 | $13.54 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Parker, TX
Night in Parker on Thursday
Local time
10:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Sunny
NE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
McKinney, TX
Night in McKinney on Thursday
Local time
10:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Sunny
ESE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
58°F
Italy, TX
106 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
2 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
3h 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 87.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 72% of this 211.6-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on I 35E covers 56.2 miles, offering a good opportunity for steady cruising. Expect a significant amount of time on main roads before transitioning to surface roads as you approach your destination. The high highway percentage suggests more developed road conditions and potentially more frequent exits in certain sections.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 56.2 mi on I 35E.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35E and North State Highway 6. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 121 miles in near I 35E.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 211.6 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 121 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.9 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
654 ft
243 ft
Total Climb
648 ft
Total Descent
263 ft
Highest Point
654 ft
~115.7 mi in
Elevation Range
411 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.
Between Parker, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Bryan Street East.
Fort Worth
177.6 mi in
|
~3h 10m
Texarkana
177.6 mi in
|
~3h 10m
Convention Center
177.6 mi in
|
~3h 10m
Bryan Street East
179.8 mi in
|
~3h 13m
About the Cities
Starting in Parker, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Southfork Ranch — conference and event center located in Parker, Texas, U.S.
Arriving 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
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 3h 51m. Total distance: 211.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 56.2 miles on I 35E. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.13 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 16 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 McKinney, 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 121 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at McKinney, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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