Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Pflugerville, TX to McKinney, 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
3h 51m
Distance
215.8 mi
347 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 39m
★
6 AM
3h 52m
8 AM
4h 17m
10 AM
4h 1m
12 PM
3h 58m
3 PM
4h 2m
5 PM
4h 16m
8 PM
3h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pflugerville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Planning a trip from Pflugerville, TX to McKinney, TX? This drive covers 215.8 miles and will take approximately 3 hours and 51 minutes. It's a manageable one-day trip, making it perfect for a quick transition between the Great Plains regions of Texas. You'll primarily navigate via the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with about half of your journey on highways. Expect a fuel cost of around $33 for this route. The overall feel is a practical, efficient transit between two points within the same state.
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
107.9 miles from Pflugerville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| Pickle Parkway | 16.2 mi | 15m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| FM 685 | 2.4 mi | 4m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,007 veh/hr typical · worst 4,783
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Pflugerville, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on South Railroad Avenue
37 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Railroad Avenue
2
Turn right onto FM 1825
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
·
East Pecan Street
3
Turn slight left
0.1 mi
·
36 sec
Use the left lane.
4
At end of road, turn left onto FM 685
2.4 mi
·
4 min
·
FM 685
Use the left lane.
5
Turn left onto FM 685
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
State Highway 130
6
Continue on FM 685
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 130 Frontage Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 428A
Toward TX 130 Toll North
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
8
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
16 mi
·
15 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
17
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
18
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
19
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
22
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
26
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
27
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
28
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
29
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
30
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
For this 3 hour and 51-minute drive, leaving Pflugerville in the morning is a good idea to make the most of your day in McKinney. With a total distance of 215.8 miles and only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to depart at your leisure. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $33, and ensure you're topped off before heading out. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, so plan your break accordingly.
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 107.9 miles from Pflugerville, TX, or about 1h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.9 miles or 1h 54m 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 Pflugerville, 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 Pflugerville, TX
This is one driving day of about 215.8 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Pflugerville, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 107.9 miles from Pflugerville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 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.
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
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
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
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
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
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 websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.3 mi from route
~11 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 20.4 and 211.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
20.4 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
125.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 11m 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
181.3 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
183 mi into trip
|
~3h 12m 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
8
211.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m 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
$29.56 one way
$59.12 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $33.02 | $66.03 |
| premium | $4.23 | $35.90 | $71.79 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $40.75 | $81.49 |
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
$30
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.66 | $10.36 |
| Efficient EV | 54 | 0 | $18.88 | $8.63 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.3 | 1 | $30.21 | $13.81 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% 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
Pflugerville, TX
Evening in Pflugerville on Monday
Local time
7:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SSW 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 11:09AM CDT until July 21 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 10:53AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
McKinney, TX
Evening in McKinney on Monday
Local time
7:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
100°F
Sunny
SW 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 11:09AM CDT until July 21 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 10:53AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
100°F
Italy, TX
108 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
5 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
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 90.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed profile, with 51% of the journey on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster-paced driving, including a significant 97.7-mile segment on the Purple Heart Trail. The route transitions between different road types, offering a varied driving experience. Expect the North Central Expressway to feature more urban or suburban driving as you approach your destination. It's not a monotonous journey, but rather a blend of efficient travel and more localized road segments.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 20.4 miles in.
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 20 significant decision points across 215.8 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 20.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.3 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
885 ft
436 ft
Total Climb
685 ft
Total Descent
775 ft
Highest Point
885 ft
~30.8 mi in
Elevation Range
449 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 Pflugerville, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Bryan Street East.
Fort Worth
181.7 mi in
|
~3h 10m
Texarkana
181.7 mi in
|
~3h 10m
Convention Center
181.8 mi in
|
~3h 10m
Bryan Street East
184 mi in
|
~3h 14m
About the Cities
Starting in Pflugerville, TX
Full guide →Pflugerville is a suburb of Austin, Texas.
Arriving 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 3h 51m. Total distance: 215.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 20.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 125.1 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.3 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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