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Trip from Port Arthur, TX to McKinney, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 15m

Distance

323.8 mi

521 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 3m ★
6 AM
6h 15m
8 AM
6h 41m
10 AM
6h 24m
12 PM
6h 22m
3 PM
6h 25m
5 PM
6h 39m
8 PM
6h 8m

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 Jefferson County, Texas, United States

Port Arthur, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Collin County, Texas, United States

McKinney, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 340.8-mile journey from Port Arthur, TX to McKinney, TX is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 5 hours and 26 minutes. You'll navigate primarily local roads, indicated by its 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile, rather than high-speed highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $52, making it an economical option. With only one recommended stop and no particularly long uninterrupted stretches, this route offers a flexible pace. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout your drive.

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

161.9 miles from Port Arthur, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 9m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 69 150.1 mi 2h 53m
US Highway 175 West 68.6 mi 1h 14m
US Highway 175 20.8 mi 22m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 18.8 mi 20m
North Central Expressway 16.8 mi 18m
Memorial Freeway 15.8 mi 16m
Eastex Freeway 10.2 mi 11m
East Corsicana Street 2.5 mi 4m
Longest stretch: US 69 — 150.1 mi, about 2h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Arthur, TX and McKinney, TX.

1

Start on Augusta Avenue

197 ft · 10 sec · Augusta Avenue
2

Turn left onto TX 87

0.9 mi · 1 min · Gulfway Drive
3

Turn slight left onto Bluebonnet Avenue

0.4 mi · 1 min · Bluebonnet Avenue
4

At end of road, turn left onto US 69; US 96; US 287

1.6 mi · 2 min · Memorial Boulevard
5

Continue on US 69; US 96; US 287

16 mi · 16 min · Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287

0.2 mi · 22 sec · US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
7

Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287

2.8 mi · 3 min · US 69; US 96; US 287
Toward I 10 East, US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lake Charles, Lufkin
8

Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287

10 mi · 11 min · Eastex Freeway
Exit 853A Toward US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lufkin, Jasper
9

Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; US 287

94 mi · 1 hr 46 min · US 69; US 287
Toward US 69 North, US 287 North: Kountze, Lufkin
10

Turn right onto US 69 Bus

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Chestnut Street
11

Turn straight

304 ft · 11 sec
12

Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Timberland Drive
13

Turn left onto US 69 Bus; TX 103

2.1 mi · 3 min · Kurth Drive
14

At end of road, turn left onto TX 103; Loop 287

0.6 mi · 59 sec · Loop 287 Frontage Road
15

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 21 sec
16

Merge onto US 69

54 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 69
17

Turn left onto US 175

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Alexander Boulevard
18

Continue on US 175

0.6 mi · 56 sec · Frankston Highway
19

Continue on US 175

9.6 mi · 10 min · US Highway 175 West
20

Turn slight right

3.8 mi · 4 min
21

Merge onto US 175

1.9 mi · 2 min · East Pine Street
22

Continue on US 175

21 mi · 22 min · US Highway 175
23

Continue on US 175 Bus

2.5 mi · 4 min · East Corsicana Street
24

Keep slight right at fork onto US 175 Bus

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US Highway 175 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 20 East, I 635 North Use the straight / right lanes.
26

Merge onto I 20

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
27

Keep slight right at fork onto I 635

19 mi · 20 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Exit 480 Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland Use the straight / right lanes.
28

Continue on I 635

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
29

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Exit 19A Toward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinney Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 54 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
31

Merge onto US 75

17 mi · 18 min · North Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Exit 38C Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the slight right lane.
34

Merge onto Spur 399

0.9 mi · 1 min · Spur 399
35

Continue on TX 5

1.0 mi · 1 min · South McDonald Street
36

Turn slight left

281 ft · 10 sec
37

Continue on South Tennessee Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · South Tennessee Street
38

Arrive at destination

North Tennessee Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5-hour 26-minute duration, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach McKinney without feeling rushed. The route's 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile suggests planning for more frequent, shorter stops rather than one extended break, especially since only one stop is recommended. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can sometimes have fewer service stations than major highways. A practical tip for this particular route is to familiarize yourself with your GPS or map app's turn-by-turn directions beforehand, as the prevalence of turns might make it easy to miss a crucial junction.

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 161.9 miles from Port Arthur, TX, or about 3h 9m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 150.1 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 71 miles or 1h 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 161.9 miles or 3h 9m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 8m

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 Port Arthur, 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 Port Arthur, TX

This is one driving day of about 323.8 miles and 6h 15m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from Port Arthur, 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 69 for about 150.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Downtown Grapeland, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Grapeland, TX

162 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

Orange County, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Grapeland, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 161.9 miles from Port Arthur, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 69 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 150.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Top Restaurant

Tilt Studio Beaumont

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Beaumont, Texas

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 23.1

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14092424301

Visit website

Tilt Studio Beaumont

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.8 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 23.1

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8 pm

+14092424301

Visit website

Museum of the Gulf Coast

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour

Port Arthur, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+14099827000

Visit website

Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

1.9 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 23.1

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 4–8 pm

+14092402404

Visit website

Colorado Canyon

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.1 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 23.1

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 12–9 pm

+14093474386

Visit website

Roger's Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.4 mi from route ~6 min detour mile 23.1

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 7 am–9 pm

+14098611929

Visit website

Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 323.8

McKinney, Texas

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+19725625566

Visit website

World’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 23.1

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+14098803927

Visit website

Beaumont Children's Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 23.1

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 9 am–4 pm

+14093477919

Visit website

Imagination Station

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 23.1

Beaumont, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+14098611929

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 282 and 319.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
282 mi into trip | ~5h 26m in

Take the exit toward I 20 East, I 635 North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward I 20 East, I 635 North
9
282.5 mi into trip | ~5h 27m in | I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / right lanes. Exit 480 Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland
8
301.3 mi into trip | ~5h 47m in

Take the exit toward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinney

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 19A Toward US 75 South, US 75 North: Dallas, McKinn...
7
302.2 mi into trip | ~5h 48m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
319.7 mi into trip | ~6h 7m 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

$48.93 one way

$97.85 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $53.55 $107.11
premium $4.54 $57.81 $115.62
diesel $5.61 $71.49 $142.98

Estimated Tolls: $1.35

Central Expressway (16.8 mi) $1.35

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

$49

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 113.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97.1 1 $34.00 $15.54
Efficient EV 81 0 $28.33 $12.95
EV Truck/SUV 129.5 1 $45.33 $20.72

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 kg (66% 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 15, 2026

Origin

Port Arthur, TX

Night in Port Arthur on Saturday

Local time

9:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

McKinney, TX

Night in McKinney on Saturday

Local time

9:51 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

6 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

6h 15m 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 highly engaging drive characterized by frequent turns and local road navigation, with a 0% highway share. This 'Turn-heavy local drive' profile means you'll be interacting with the road network at a more intimate level, rather than cruising on interstates. While there's no specific 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving noted, the constant changes in direction will keep you actively involved. The road's personality is defined by its local nature, requiring your full attention as you move through various communities.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 150.1 mi on US 69.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 69 and US Highway 175 West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 282 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 22 significant decision points across 323.8 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 282 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.5 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 301.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Port Arthur, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Lufkin, Jasper and Garland.

Lufkin

18.7 mi in | ~22m | via US 69; US 96; US 287

Jasper

21.7 mi in | ~26m | via US 69; US 96; US 287

Garland

282.5 mi in | ~5h 27m | via I 635

About the Cities

Starting in Port Arthur, TX

Full guide →

Port Arthur is in the Gulf Coast region of Texas.

Arriving in McKinney, TX

Full guide →

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 6h 15m. Total distance: 323.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 15m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 150.1 miles on US 69. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.35 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.

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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 282 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.5 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 301.3 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 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at McKinney, 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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