Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Spring, 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 23m
Distance
248 mi
399 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 10m
★
6 AM
4h 23m
8 AM
4h 50m
10 AM
4h 33m
12 PM
4h 30m
3 PM
4h 34m
5 PM
4h 49m
8 PM
4h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Spring, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Spring to McKinney covers 248.5 miles of the Great Plains, typically requiring about 3 hours and 53 minutes of drive time. Because this journey is manageable within a single day, you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. Budget approximately $38 for fuel to cover the distance. Navigating the route involves a blend of East Noble Street, West Hardy Road, and Main Street. Since this is a turn-heavy local drive, it offers a distinct alternative to standard interstate travel for those who prefer staying off the major highways.
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
124 miles from Spring, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 10m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 214.8 mi | 3h 42m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Spur 399 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Spring Cypress Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Interstate 45 South Frontage Road | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Main Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 214.8 mi, about 3h 42m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical · worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Spring, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on East Hardy Road
258 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Hardy Road
2
Turn left onto East Noble Street
155 ft
·
11 sec
·
East Noble Street
3
Turn left onto West Hardy Road
356 ft
·
7 sec
·
West Hardy Road
4
Turn straight onto Main Street
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Main Street
5
Continue on Spring Cypress Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spring Cypress Road
6
Turn slight right
213 ft
·
10 sec
7
Turn right onto Interstate 45 South Frontage Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 45 South Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
8
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 45 North
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
9
Merge onto I 45
215 mi
·
3 hr 42 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
14
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
15
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
16
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
17
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Since this 3 hour and 53 minute trip relies on local roads, planning your departure is key to avoiding heavy traffic congestion. You should account for at least one planned stop during the 248.5-mile drive to keep your energy up and manage the frequent turns. Keep your $38 fuel budget in mind, as local roads may result in different consumption rates than highway driving. Given the nature of the route, stay alert at intersections and ensure your GPS is updated for the specific turns on East Noble Street and West Hardy Road. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to pace the drive comfortably without the pressure of highway speed limits.
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 124 miles from Spring, TX, or about 2h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 214.8 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 55 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 miles or 2h 10m 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 32m
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 Spring, 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 Spring, TX
This is one driving day of about 248 miles and 4h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Spring, 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 I 45 for about 214.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124 miles from Spring, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 214.8 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
Minuteman Press
1.5 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Dennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
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 websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteDark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 244.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
East Noble Street
Turn left onto East Noble Street
Navigation decision point
5
1.3 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Interstate 45 South Frontage Road
Turn right onto Interstate 45 South Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward I 45 North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 45 North
8
243.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 15m 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
6
244.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.97 one way
$67.94 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $37.94 | $75.88 |
| premium | $4.23 | $41.25 | $82.50 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $46.83 | $93.65 |
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
$34
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.04 | $11.90 |
| Efficient EV | 62 | 0 | $21.70 | $9.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.72 | $15.87 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 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
Spring, TX
Late night in Spring on Monday
Local time
3:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Partly Sunny
S 0 to 5 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:39AM CDT until July 19 at 6:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:38AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
McKinney, TX
Late night in McKinney on Monday
Local time
3:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:39AM CDT until July 19 at 6:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 5:38AM CDT until July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Italy, TX
124 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 23m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience, as this route is characterized by a turn-heavy local path rather than a straightforward interstate grind. With 0% of the trip spent on major highways, you will navigate through local thoroughfares, requiring your full attention behind the wheel. The road maintains a consistent, technical feel as you transition between the specified local streets. Because the journey relies entirely on local roads, you should prepare for a drive that demands more engagement than a typical high-speed cruise through the region.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
17 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 214.8 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and North Central Expressway. You will hit about 8 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near East Noble Street.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 248 miles you will encounter 8 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Noble Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (Interstate 45 South Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
664 ft
116 ft
Total Climb
741 ft
Total Descent
229 ft
Highest Point
664 ft
~230.3 mi in
Elevation Range
548 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Spring, 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 4h 23m. Total distance: 248 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 214.8 miles on I 45. 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 23 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 23 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (East Noble Street): Navigation decision point; at 1.3 miles (Interstate 45 South Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.8 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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