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Trip from Robstown, 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
7h 36m
Distance
417.4 mi
672 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 27m
★
6 AM
7h 36m
8 AM
7h 56m
10 AM
7h 43m
12 PM
7h 41m
3 PM
7h 44m
5 PM
7h 55m
8 PM
7h 31m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Robstown, TX
Thomas balabaud
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 450.1-mile drive from Robstown, TX to McKinney, TX is estimated to take about 6 hours and 28 minutes of driving time. While it can be completed in a single day, the "turn-heavy local drive" profile suggests a more relaxed pace might be preferable. Budget around $69 for fuel, and be prepared for a route that involves frequent turns rather than long stretches of highway. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so you'll experience a consistent landscape throughout your journey. This trip is best suited for those who don't mind navigating local roads.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
208.7 miles from Robstown, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 55m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| I 37 | 19.7 mi | 19m |
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 Robstown, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on East Main Avenue
81 ft
·
8 sec
·
East Main Avenue
2
Turn left onto South 1st Street
372 ft
·
17 sec
·
South 1st Street
3
Turn left onto TX 44 Business
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Avenue A
4
At end of road, turn left onto TX 44
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South US Highway 77
Use the straight / left lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward County Road 44
6
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
7
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi
·
1 min
9
Continue on I 37
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
11
Turn right onto TX 359
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 359
12
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 8th Street
13
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US Highway 181 South
14
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
15
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
16
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
17
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
18
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
19
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
20
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
21
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
22
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
23
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
25
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
32
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
33
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
34
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
35
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
36
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
37
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
38
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
39
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
43
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
44
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
45
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
46
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
47
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6 hours and 28 minutes of estimated driving time and the "turn-heavy local drive" profile, starting early is recommended if you plan to complete this 450.1-mile journey in one day. With only one suggested stop, plan your breaks strategically, especially since you'll be on local roads more than highways. Keep your fuel tank topped off, as finding convenient gas stations might be less predictable on this type of route. A practical tip for this drive: closely monitor your GPS for frequent turns and be aware of your surroundings, as many local roads can have varying speed limits and traffic patterns. The $69 fuel cost is an estimate, so confirm pricing as you go.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 208.7 miles from Robstown, TX, or about 3h 55m 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 92 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 208.7 miles or 3h 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 6h 28m
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 Robstown, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Robstown, TX
This is one driving day of about 417.4 miles and 7h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Robstown, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
209 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 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 208.7 miles from Robstown, 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.
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
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
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
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
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
NTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
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 websiteGonzalo Paiz Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Mathis, Texas
+13615472113
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 285 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 413.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
TX 44 / South US Highway 77
At end of road, turn left onto TX 44 / South US Highway 77
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
222 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m 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
382.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 54m 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
384.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 57m 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
413.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 29m 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
$57.17 one way
$114.34 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
146 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $63.86 | $127.72 |
| premium | $4.23 | $69.43 | $138.86 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $78.81 | $157.63 |
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
$57
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 146 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 125.2 | 1 | $43.83 | $20.04 |
| Efficient EV | 104.4 | 1 | $36.52 | $16.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 167 | 2 | $58.44 | $26.71 |
Gas CO2
146 kg
EV CO2
49 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.
Origin
Robstown, TX
Morning in Robstown on Sunday
Local time
10:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 12 to 16 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT until July 17 at 4:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Morning in McKinney on Sunday
Local time
10:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
25% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT until July 17 at 4:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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.
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 36m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 310.4
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 "turn-heavy local drive" for this 450.1-mile trip, with a highway share of 0%. This means you'll be navigating primarily through local streets and roads, with no significant interstate driving. The absence of long highway stretches suggests a more engaging, albeit potentially slower, journey where you'll be frequently adjusting your direction. Without a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, it's wise to anticipate needing to stop or adjust course more often than on a typical highway route. The character of the drive will likely involve a series of interconnected local roads as you make your way north.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
47 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 Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near TX 44 / South US Highway 77.
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 28 significant decision points across 417.4 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 1 miles (TX 44 / South US Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here; at 222 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 382.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
704 ft
73 ft
Total Climb
1,012 ft
Total Descent
456 ft
Highest Point
704 ft
~238.5 mi in
Elevation Range
631 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 Robstown, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore, Waco, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Bryan Street East.
Skidmore
28.3 mi in
|
~31m
Waco
163.1 mi in
|
~3h 12m
Fort Worth
383.3 mi in
|
~6h 55m
Texarkana
383.3 mi in
|
~6h 55m
Convention Center
383.4 mi in
|
~6h 55m
Bryan Street East
385.6 mi in
|
~6h 59m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Corner Cafe
Cafe
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Jarrell, TX
Cuisine: breakfast;dessert;american
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-14:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
McKinney, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Sa 05:00-22:00; Su 05:30-22:00
Visit websiteBill Smith Cafe
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Cuisine: american;breakfast;diner
Overflow Coffee Company
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hillsboro
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-19:00; Sa 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.7 mi from route
~7 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 04:00-20:00
Visit websiteZocalo Cafe
Cafe
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Spoons Cafe
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Cuisine: american
Wendy's
Fast_food
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Jarrell, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Mo-Sa 06:30-01:00; Su 07:00-01:00
Visit websiteSquare Burger
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: burger
Rick's Chop House
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: steak_house
MG’s Pizza
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Tu-Fr 10:30-22:00; Sa 12:00-22:00
Cadillac Pizza
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Cuisine: pizza
Snake Encounters
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Lancaster, TX
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-20:00
Visit websiteMcBrayer Park
Park
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
American Legion Park
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Family Viewing Area
Viewpoint
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Collin McKinney Cabin Historical Marker
Building
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
TX
Visit websiteRobstown's Vegetable Growing and Railroad Shipping History
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
HIstoric McKinney Jail
Yes
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Collin County Central Museum at the Old Post Office
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Collin County Mill and Elevator Company Building
Yes
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
TX
Fork in the Road
Artwork
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.1 mi from route
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Robstown, 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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 36m. Total distance: 417.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 36m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 32 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (TX 44 / South US Highway 77): Lane positioning matters here; at 222 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 382.9 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 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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