Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Slaton, 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
6h 14m
Distance
357.5 mi
575 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 1m
★
6 AM
6h 14m
8 AM
6h 39m
10 AM
6h 23m
12 PM
6h 20m
3 PM
6h 24m
5 PM
6h 38m
8 PM
6h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Slaton, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Slaton to McKinney is 357.5 miles and takes about 6h 14m via US 84 and Sam Rayburn Tollway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route mostly stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive across the state. With 90% of the trip on highways, you'll experience a good amount of cruising time. It's a solid option if you're looking for a single-day trip without excessive driving time.
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
178.7 miles from Slaton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 4m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 84 | 183 mi | 3h 5m |
| US Highway 84 | 73.9 mi | 1h 14m |
| Sam Rayburn Tollway | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| East Highway 84 | 20 mi | 20m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| TX 121 Express | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.9 mi | 6m |
| TX 121 | 6.8 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
US 84
— 183 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-20
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,680 veh/hr typical · worst 2,135
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Slaton, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on this road
231 ft
·
19 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto South 8th Street
207 ft
·
7 sec
·
South 8th Street
3
Turn right onto West Lubbock Street
384 ft
·
16 sec
·
West Lubbock Street
4
Turn left onto US 84 Bus; FM 400
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
South 9th Street
5
Turn right onto FM 41
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
West Division Street
6
Turn sharp left onto South Highway 84
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
South Highway 84
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
8
Merge onto US 84
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
20 min
·
East Highway 84
10
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
11
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
East 15th Street
12
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Ralls Road
13
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Avenue F
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US Highway 84
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
183 mi
·
3 hr 5 min
·
US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Northeast Loop
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit onto TX 121 Express
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
TX 121 Express
Toward TX 121 North: DFW Airport North Entry
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
TX 121
Toward TX 121 North, I 635 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on SRT
3.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on TX 121
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 121
26
Continue on SRT
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on Spur 399
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
29
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
30
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
31
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 14m estimated drive time, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost of $52 is based on 357.5 miles, so factor that into your budget. Since the longest stretch is 183 miles on US 84, plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. You'll have plenty of flexibility to stop for a meal or a break during this drive.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 178.7 miles from Slaton, TX, or about 3h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 183 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 79 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 178.7 miles or 3h 4m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 6m
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 Slaton, 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 Slaton, TX
This is one driving day of about 357.5 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Slaton, 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 84 for about 183 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
179 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 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 178.7 miles from Slaton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 84 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 183 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Westbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
I-20 Eastbound Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Eastland County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Nolan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Callahan County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Minuteman Press
1.5 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.4 mi from route
Andrew Brown Park West
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Coppell, Texas
Hours: 7 am–11 pm
+19724625100
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 websiteiFLY Indoor Skydiving - Fort Worth
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Hurst, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–6:30 pm
+18178184359
Visit websiteOak Hills Splash Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Carrollton, Texas
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+19724663080
Visit websiteParamount Theatre
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Abilene, Texas
+13256769620
Visit websiteAdamson-Spalding Storybook Garden
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Visit website12th Armored Division Memorial
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Halfway reset
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Abilene, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13256776515
Visit websiteCoppell Nature Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Coppell, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19723043581
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 100.9 and 323.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
100.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m in
|
US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
8
283.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
|
I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
289.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 56m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
7
303.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m in
|
I 820 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas E...
8
323.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 34m in
|
TX 121
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121 toward TX 121 North, I 635 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 121 North, I 635 East
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.97 one way
$97.93 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
125 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $54.69 | $109.39 |
| premium | $4.23 | $59.47 | $118.93 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $67.50 | $135.01 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.91
Sam Rayburn Tollway
(23.8 mi)
$1.91
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
$49
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 125.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 107.3 | 1 | $37.54 | $17.16 |
| Efficient EV | 89.4 | 1 | $31.28 | $14.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 143 | 1 | $50.05 | $22.88 |
Gas CO2
125 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Slaton, TX
Late night in Slaton on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:05AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:02AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Late night in McKinney on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
10% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:05AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 4:02AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
99°F
Albany, TX
179 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
9 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
6h 14m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 90% of your 357.5-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on US 84 spans 183 miles, offering a good period of consistent cruising. As you approach McKinney, you'll transition to the Sam Rayburn Tollway, which will likely involve more frequent exits and potentially denser traffic as you enter a more urbanized area.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 183 mi on US 84.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 84 and US Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 100.9 miles in near US 84.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 357.5 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 100.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 289.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,085 ft
449 ft
Total Climb
355 ft
Total Descent
2,812 ft
Highest Point
3,085 ft
Elevation Range
2,636 ft
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 6h 14m. Total distance: 357.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 183 miles on US 84. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.91 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Rayburn Tollway. 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 100.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 283.9 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 289.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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