Quality Services Towing & Tires
0 mi from route
Trip from Port Isabel, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
10h 47m
Distance
575.5 mi
926 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$79
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
10h 37m
★
6 AM
10h 47m
8 AM
11h 6m
10 AM
10h 54m
12 PM
10h 52m
3 PM
10h 55m
5 PM
11h 5m
8 PM
10h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Port Isabel, TX
Griffin Wooldridge
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 575.5-mile journey from Port Isabel, Texas, to McKinney, Texas, is a significant undertaking, estimated to take around 10 hours and 47 minutes of driving time. Given its length and the 77% highway share, it's best suited for a two-day trip to avoid exhaustion. You'll be traveling primarily on U.S. Highway 77, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is approximately $87. This route traverses the Great Plains region for both its origin and destination, suggesting a consistent landscape throughout your travels.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
287.8 miles from Port Isabel, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 126.7 mi | 2h 20m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 126.7 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 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 Port Isabel, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on South Musina Street
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
South Musina Street
2
Turn left onto TX 100
0.1 mi
·
23 sec
·
West Queen Isabella Boulevard
3
Turn straight onto TX 100
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 100
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto TX 48
14 mi
·
15 min
·
TX 48
Use the left lane.
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward TX 550
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
47 ft
·
1 sec
Toward TX 550
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
7
Turn right onto TX 550 Toll
3.6 mi
·
3 min
·
State Highway 550
8
Continue on FM 511
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 511
9
Continue on I 169; TX 550 Toll
0.9 mi
·
58 sec
·
I-169, TX 550 Toll
10
Continue on I 169; TX 550 Toll
3.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Interstate 169
11
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Expressway
12
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
102 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
14
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 69E; US 77
15
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
12 mi
·
12 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
17
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
485 ft
·
17 sec
·
US Highway 77 Frontage Road
18
Turn right onto County Road 10
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 10
19
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road 79
20
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
County Road 18
21
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi
·
2 min
22
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
23
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Driscoll Bypass
24
Continue on US 77
13 mi
·
14 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
25
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
26
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi
·
1 min
27
Continue on I 37
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
29
Turn right onto TX 359
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 359
30
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 8th Street
31
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US Highway 181 South
32
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
33
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
34
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
35
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
36
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
37
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
38
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
39
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
40
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
41
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
42
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
43
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
45
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
49
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
50
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
51
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
52
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
53
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
54
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
55
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
56
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
57
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
58
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
59
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
60
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
61
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
62
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
63
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
64
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
65
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
For this 575.5-mile drive, splitting the journey over two days is highly recommended to ensure a safe and comfortable experience. Aim to start early to maximize daylight hours and plan for your three scheduled stops to include both rest and refueling. The longest stretch of 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77 means you'll want to ensure you have sufficient fuel before entering this segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on these longer highway portions.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 287.8 miles from Port Isabel, TX, or about 5h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 127 miles or 2h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 287.8 miles or 5h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 287.8 miles or 5h 42m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 38m
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 Isabel, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Port Isabel, TX
Aim for roughly 288 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into McKinney, TX
Aim for roughly 288 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 127 miles from Port Isabel, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on U.S. Highway 77 for about 126.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
190 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
380 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Waxahachie, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
288 mi · about 5.4h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 288 miles or 5.4 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 127 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 287.8 miles from Port Isabel, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 288 miles or 5.4 hours on the road.
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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
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
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
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
Pirate's Landing Fishing Pier
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Port Isabel, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19569437437
Visit websitePort Isabel Historical Museum
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Port Isabel, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19569437602
Visit websiteTreasures of the Gulf Museum
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Port Isabel, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19569437602
Visit websiteThe Original Dolphin Watch
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
South Padre Island, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+19567614243
Visit websiteIsla Tours
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
South Padre Island, Texas
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+19567614752
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.3 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 websiteSPI Excursions
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
South Padre Island, Texas
Hours: 8 am–6:30 pm
+18887098283
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 375 decision points cluster between mile 15.6 and 571.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
15.6 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 550
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
Toward TX 550
7
380.2 mi into trip
|
~7h 18m 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
8
541.1 mi into trip
|
~10h 5m 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
542.8 mi into trip
|
~10h 7m 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
571.4 mi into trip
|
~10h 39m 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
$78.83 one way
$157.65 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
201 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $88.05 | $176.09 |
| premium | $4.23 | $95.73 | $191.46 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $108.67 | $217.33 |
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
$79
Tolls
$2
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 201.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 172.7 | 2 | $60.43 | $27.62 |
| Efficient EV | 143.9 | 1 | $50.36 | $23.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 230.2 | 2 | $80.57 | $36.83 |
Gas CO2
201 kg
EV CO2
67 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Port Isabel, TX
Late night in Port Isabel on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:31PM CDT until July 18 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:28PM CDT until July 18 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Late night in McKinney on Sunday
Local time
2:04 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:31PM CDT until July 18 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 10:28PM CDT until July 18 at 11:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
10h 47m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 19.8
View on nps.gov
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 456.4
View on nps.gov
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
27 mi from route
~68 min detour
$25
near mile 99.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a predominantly highway-driven experience on this route, with 77% of the drive utilizing major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 126.7 miles along U.S. Highway 77, offering a substantial period of consistent travel. While the route is largely highway-focused, the transition between U.S. Highway 77, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway will provide some variety. This drive is characterized by its long stretches, ideal for covering significant ground efficiently.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
65 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 126.7 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.6 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 37 significant decision points across 575.5 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 15.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 380.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 541.1 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
736 ft
8 ft
Total Climb
988 ft
Total Descent
368 ft
Highest Point
736 ft
~370 mi in
Elevation Range
728 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 Port Isabel, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore, Waco, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Bryan Street East.
Skidmore
186.4 mi in
|
~3h 42m
Waco
321.2 mi in
|
~6h 23m
Fort Worth
541.5 mi in
|
~10h 6m
Texarkana
541.5 mi in
|
~10h 6m
Convention Center
541.5 mi in
|
~10h 6m
Bryan Street East
543.7 mi in
|
~10h 9m
About the Cities
Starting in Port Isabel, TX
Full guide →The City of Port Isabel, population 6,300 in 2019, is the southernmost city and port on the Texas coast. It is a tourism, retirement, sports fishing and commercial fishing destination and the gateway to South Padre Island.
Top landmarks
- • Point Isabel Lighthouse — structure in Port Isabel, Cameron County, 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).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 288 miles on day one.
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 39 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 39 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 380.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 541.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park, Waco Mammoth National Monument and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.8 hours each way, a round trip means 21.6 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, 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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