Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Seguin, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
288.1 mi
464 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seguin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 288.1-mile drive from Seguin, TX to McKinney, TX is a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 58 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I-35E, with 61% of the journey on highways. Budget around $44 for fuel for this journey through the Great Plains region of Texas. Given its manageable length and focused highway profile, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure and arrival times.
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
144 miles from Seguin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 85.4 mi | 1h 18m |
| I 35E | 56.2 mi | 58m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| East Kingsbury Street | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 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 Seguin, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on US 90 Alt
30 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Court Street
2
Turn left onto TX 123 Bus
0.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Austin Street
3
Turn right onto US 90
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
East Kingsbury Street
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward Toll 130 North
5
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
85 mi
·
1 hr 18 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
11
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
14
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
15
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East R L Thornton Freeway
16
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Use the slight right lane.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
19
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / 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
For this 4-hour and 58-minute trip, starting your drive in the morning will give you ample time to reach McKinney without feeling rushed. While the drive is manageable in one day, you can take advantage of its shorter duration by stopping at one designated point along the way for a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a major road change is nearly 100 miles, so plan your refueling accordingly before you hit that segment. The $44 fuel cost is a good estimate to keep in mind for your budget.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 144 miles from Seguin, TX, or about 2h 23m 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 63 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 59m
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 Seguin, 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 Seguin, TX
This is one driving day of about 288.1 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Seguin, 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 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
144 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 144 miles from Seguin, 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.
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
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
Jud's Travel Center
1.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
1.4 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
Doris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.2 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 websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 92.7 and 283.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
92.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 30m 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
7
197.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
253.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 17m 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
255.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m 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
283.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m 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
$39.46 one way
$78.92 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $44.08 | $88.15 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.92 | $95.84 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $54.40 | $108.80 |
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
$39
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.4 | 1 | $30.25 | $13.83 |
| Efficient EV | 72 | 0 | $25.21 | $11.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.2 | 1 | $40.33 | $18.44 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Seguin, TX
Late night in Seguin on Monday
Local time
1:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Late night in McKinney on Monday
Local time
1:47 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 15 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Troy, TX
144 mi in
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
1 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
4h 58m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
5 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 168.9
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 largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 61% of your travel time spent on faster roads. The drive features a significant uninterrupted stretch of 97.7 miles along the Purple Heart Trail, offering a consistent pace. As you progress, you'll transition between these main arteries, experiencing the typical characteristics of long-haul highway driving. This road personality suggests a journey where efficiency is key, with opportunities for steady progress between your origin and destination.
61% 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: 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 92.7 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 18 significant decision points across 288.1 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 92.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.6 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
903 ft
431 ft
Total Climb
905 ft
Total Descent
806 ft
Highest Point
903 ft
~102.9 mi in
Elevation Range
472 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 Seguin, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Bryan Street East.
Fort Worth
254 mi in
|
~4h 17m
Texarkana
254 mi in
|
~4h 17m
Convention Center
254.1 mi in
|
~4h 18m
Bryan Street East
256.2 mi in
|
~4h 21m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Land of a Thousand Hills
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:30-16:00; Sa-Su 06:00-18:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Waco, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteAllGood Cafe
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Hours: Mo-We 08:00-15:00; Th-Sa 08:00-21:00; Su...
Visit websiteWeekend Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Hours: 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteHope Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Visit website
Opening Bell Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-We 07:00-18:00; Th-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa...
Visit websiteAngry Dog
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: american
Hours: Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr 11:00-24:00; Sa 10...
Visit websiteThe Free Man
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: cajun
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-02:00
Visit websiteCane Rosso
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: pizza;italian
Hours: Mo-Sa 11:00-22:00; Su 11:00-21:00
Visit websiteTrujillo's Comedor Y Cantina
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Waco, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Tu-Sa 11:00-22:00
Visit websiteTexas Roadhouse
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, TX
Cuisine: steak_house
Hours: Mo-Th 15:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-23:00; Su...
Visit websitePizza Hut
Restaurant
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: 10:00-23:00; Fr,Sa 10:00-24:00
Visit websiteWaco Traffic Circle
Attraction
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Giant Eye
Attraction
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Santa Fe Kids Stop
Park
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Temple, TX
Texas Star
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Trinity River Greenbelt Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Legacy of Love Monument
Attraction
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.5 mi from route
~6 min detour
Hours: 24/7
Sebastopol House
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Seguin, TX
Hours: Th-Su 09:00-16:00
Visit websiteCollin McKinney Cabin Historical Marker
Building
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
TX
Visit websiteHIstoric 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
Bird Creek Indian Battle
Memorial
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Days Inn
Hotel
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Waco, TX
Visit websiteKyle Hotel
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
TX
Hotel Crescent Court
Hotel
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
Dallas, TX
WoodSpring Suites
Hotel
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Lucky's RV Park
Caravan_site
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Temple, TX
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Seguin, TX
Full guide →Founded 1838
Seguin is a city in the Post Oak Savannah region of Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Saffold Dam — historic site in Seguin, Guadalupe County, Texas
- • ZDT's Amusement Park — amusement park in Seguin, Texas, United States
- • Los Nogales — historic place in Seguin, Guadalupe 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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 58m. Total distance: 288.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
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 31 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 92.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 197.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 253.6 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.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at McKinney, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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