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Trip from Rusk, TX to McKinney, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 57m

Distance

154.9 mi

249 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 46m ★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 20m
10 AM
3h 5m
12 PM
3h 3m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m

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 and county seat of Cherokee County, Texas, United States

Rusk, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Collin County, Texas, United States

McKinney, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 155-mile drive from Rusk, TX to McKinney, TX will take you about 3 hours, making it a perfect day trip. You'll primarily be on US Highway 175 West and then US Highway 175, with a short stint on the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway. With 87% highway driving, expect a straightforward journey. The estimated fuel cost is around $24, and with only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so you'll experience a consistent landscape throughout.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

77.5 miles from Rusk, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
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
US Highway 69 North 9.5 mi 10m
South Jackson Street 3.3 mi 4m
East Corsicana Street 2.5 mi 4m
East Pine Street 1.9 mi 2m
Longest stretch: US Highway 175 West — 68.6 mi, about 1h 14m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on US 84

257 ft · 9 sec · East 6th Street
2

Turn left onto US 84

0.4 mi · 42 sec · North Henderson Street
3

Turn left onto US 69

1.5 mi · 1 min · North Dickinson Drive
4

Continue on US 69

9.5 mi · 10 min · US Highway 69 North
5

Continue on US 69

3.3 mi · 4 min · South Jackson Street
6

Turn left onto US 175

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Alexander Boulevard
7

Continue on US 175

0.6 mi · 56 sec · Frankston Highway
8

Continue on US 175

9.6 mi · 10 min · US Highway 175 West
9

Turn slight right

3.8 mi · 4 min
10

Merge onto US 175

1.9 mi · 2 min · East Pine Street
11

Continue on US 175

21 mi · 22 min · US Highway 175
12

Continue on US 175 Bus

2.5 mi · 4 min · East Corsicana Street
13

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.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 20 East, I 635 North Use the straight / right lanes.
15

Merge onto I 20

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
16

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.
17

Continue on I 635

0.1 mi · 9 sec · Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
18

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.
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 54 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
20

Merge onto US 75

17 mi · 18 min · North Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Exit 38C Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the slight right lane.
23

Merge onto Spur 399

0.9 mi · 1 min · Spur 399
24

Continue on TX 5

1.0 mi · 1 min · South McDonald Street
25

Turn slight left

281 ft · 10 sec
26

Continue on South Tennessee Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · South Tennessee Street
27

Arrive at destination

North Tennessee Street

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of just under 3 hours, this trip offers great flexibility. You can depart Rusk in the morning and arrive in McKinney by lunchtime, or opt for a later start. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the 155 miles. The longest stretch without a significant change in major road is over 68 miles, so ensure you have adequate fuel before embarking on that segment. The $24 fuel estimate is a good budget point to keep in mind.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.5 miles from Rusk, TX, or about 1h 29m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 68.6 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 34 miles or 40m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 77.5 miles or 1h 29m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 23m

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 Rusk, 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 Rusk, TX

This is one driving day of about 154.9 miles and 2h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Rusk, 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 Highway 175 West for about 68.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Kaufman County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kaufman, TX

77 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.

Popular next leg

Kaufman, TX to McKinney, TX

62.4 mi · 1h 11m

Pacing Suggestions

Frankston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 34 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kemp, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 77.5 miles from Rusk, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US Highway 175 West if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 68.6 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.

Cultivar Coffee Roasting Co.

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

Final third 4.6 mi from route ~11 min detour Inexpensiv

Dallas, Texas

Hours: 7 am–3 pm

+14693876289

Visit website

Xcape Adventures

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

Mesquite, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19729822073

Visit website

Heard 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 website

Dark Hour Haunted House

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Plano, Texas

+14692980556

Visit website

Heritage Farmstead Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

Plano, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19728810140

Visit website

11th Hour Escape

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour

Plano, Texas

Hours: 12–5:30 pm

+14692095978

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 113.2 and 150.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
113.2 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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
113.6 mi into trip | ~2h 8m 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
132.4 mi into trip | ~2h 29m 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
133.3 mi into trip | ~2h 30m 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
150.8 mi into trip | ~2h 49m 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

$23.41 one way

$46.81 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 54 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $25.62 $51.24
premium $4.54 $27.66 $55.31
diesel $5.61 $34.20 $68.40

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

$23

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$50–$75

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 54.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 46.5 0 $16.26 $7.44
Efficient EV 38.7 0 $13.55 $6.20
EV Truck/SUV 62 0 $21.69 $9.91

Gas CO2

54 kg

EV CO2

18 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Rusk, TX

Late night in Rusk on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

McKinney, TX

Late night in McKinney on Tuesday

Local time

4:22 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°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

16 degrees warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 57m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a highway-focused drive, with 87% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch of 68.6 miles on US Highway 175 West. The overall profile suggests a fairly direct and efficient journey, primarily on well-maintained highways. Expect a consistent pace as you navigate through Texas.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 68.6 mi on US Highway 175 West.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 175 West and US Highway 175. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 113.2 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 14 significant decision points across 154.9 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 113.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.6 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.4 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

652 ft 333 ft

Total Climb

448 ft

Total Descent

338 ft

Highest Point

652 ft

~143.9 mi in

Elevation Range

319 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Rusk, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Garland along the way.

Garland

113.6 mi in | ~2h 8m | via I 635

About the Cities

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 2h 57m. Total distance: 154.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 68.6 miles on US Highway 175 West. 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.

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 113.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 113.6 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 132.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at McKinney, TX before heading back.

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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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