Quality Services Towing & Tires
0 mi from route
Trip from Progreso, 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 4m
Distance
546.1 mi
879 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$75
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 55m
★
6 AM
10h 4m
8 AM
10h 23m
10 AM
10h 11m
12 PM
10h 9m
3 PM
10h 12m
5 PM
10h 22m
8 PM
9h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Progreso, TX
Thomas balabaud
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Progreso to McKinney is 546.1 miles and takes about 10 hours and 4 minutes via Purple Heart Trail and I-69C, with a fuel budget near $79 and an overnight stay recommended. This long-haul drive traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape for much of the trip. Given the 10-hour duration, breaking this drive into two days is a practical approach to avoid fatigue and make the most of your travel time. It's a straightforward route primarily on major highways, making it a good option for those prioritizing direct travel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
273 miles from Progreso, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 69C | 92 mi | 1h 43m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| US 281 | 57.1 mi | 1h |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
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 Progreso, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on East Palm Avenue
430 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Palm Avenue
2
Turn right onto FM 1015 Spur
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 1015 Spur
3
Turn right onto Gonzalez Road
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Gonzalez Road
4
Turn left onto FM 1015
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
FM 1015
5
Turn left onto Expressway 83
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Expressway 83
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 2 West, US 83 West
7
Merge onto I 2; US 83
13 mi
·
14 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 146A
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 69C
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 69C
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 281
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 281
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 69C; US 281
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
13
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
14
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
15
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
16
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
17
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
18
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
19
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
20
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
21
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
22
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
24
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
30
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
32
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
33
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
34
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
35
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
37
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
38
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
42
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
43
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
44
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
45
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
46
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
For this 546.1-mile drive, planning an overnight stop is highly advisable to ensure a safe and comfortable trip. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight driving. Consider splitting the drive roughly in half, perhaps around the 5-hour mark, to get a good night's rest. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. The estimated fuel cost of $79 is a good starting point for budgeting.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 273 miles from Progreso, TX, or about 5h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 120 miles or 2h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 273 miles or 5h 16m 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 273 miles or 5h 16m
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 8h 56m
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 Progreso, 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 Progreso, TX
Aim for roughly 273 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into McKinney, TX
Aim for roughly 273 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 120 miles from Progreso, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
180 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
360 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
273 mi · about 5h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 273 miles or 5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 120 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 273 miles from Progreso, 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.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 273 miles or 5 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
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 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
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot 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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
0.5 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
Estero Llano Grande State Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Weslaco, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+19565653919
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 18.9 and 541.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
18.9 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
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 146A
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
7
350.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m 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
511.6 mi into trip
|
~9h 22m 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
513.3 mi into trip
|
~9h 25m 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
541.9 mi into trip
|
~9h 57m 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
$74.80 one way
$149.60 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
191 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $83.55 | $167.10 |
| premium | $4.23 | $90.84 | $181.68 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $103.11 | $206.23 |
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
$75
Tolls
$2
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 191.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $57 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 163.8 | 2 | $57.34 | $26.21 |
| Efficient EV | 136.5 | 1 | $47.78 | $21.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 218.4 | 2 | $76.45 | $34.95 |
Gas CO2
191 kg
EV CO2
64 kg (66% 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
Progreso, TX
Late night in Progreso on Sunday
Local time
2:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 18 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:33PM CDT until July 16 at 4:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:29PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Late night in McKinney on Sunday
Local time
2:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
40% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:33PM CDT until July 16 at 4:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:29PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth 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
7 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 4m 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.
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 414.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is heavily highway-based, with 70% of the driving on major roads. You'll encounter a 97.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, which is the longest continuous segment before transitioning to other highways. Expect a significant amount of cruising on interstates, punctuated by periods on arterial roads as you enter and exit urban areas. The constant progression on highways means fewer opportunities for spontaneous stops, so plan your breaks accordingly.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and I 69C. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18.9 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 26 significant decision points across 546.1 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 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 350.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 511.6 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
707 ft
70 ft
Total Climb
815 ft
Total Descent
257 ft
Highest Point
707 ft
~351 mi in
Elevation Range
637 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 Progreso, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Bryan Street East.
Waco
291.7 mi in
|
~5h 40m
Fort Worth
512 mi in
|
~9h 23m
Texarkana
512 mi in
|
~9h 23m
Convention Center
512.1 mi in
|
~9h 23m
Bryan Street East
514.2 mi in
|
~9h 27m
About the Cities
Starting in Progreso, TX
Full guide →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 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 273 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 40 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 350.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 511.6 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.1 hours each way, a round trip means 20.1 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From McKinney, TX
More from Progreso, TX
More trips to McKinney, TX
Explore more options from Progreso, TX or browse trips ending in McKinney, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.