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Trip from Terrell Hills, 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

5h 25m

Distance

299.8 mi

483 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
5h 12m ★
6 AM
5h 26m
8 AM
5h 53m
10 AM
5h 35m
12 PM
5h 32m
3 PM
5h 36m
5 PM
5h 51m
8 PM
5h 18m

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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Downtown Terrell Hills, TX, TX

Terrell Hills, TX

Jeff Stapleton

city in Collin County, Texas, United States

McKinney, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking from Terrell Hills, TX, to McKinney, TX, this 299.8-mile journey is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 25 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a 33% highway share. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is $45, and it's designed as a single-day adventure, so no overnight stays are strictly necessary. This route traverses the Great Plains region in both Texas, offering a consistent landscape for your drive.

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

149.9 miles from Terrell Hills, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 44m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 188.3 mi 3h 18m
I 35E 56.2 mi 58m
North Central Expressway 26.6 mi 28m
North Pan Am Expressway 6.8 mi 7m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
Austin Highway 3.5 mi 5m
Interstate Highway 35 1.9 mi 2m
South Tennessee Street 1.1 mi 2m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 188.3 mi, about 3h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Garraty Road

129 ft · 5 sec · Garraty Road
2

Turn right onto Eldon Road

0.7 mi · 1 min · Eldon Road
3

At end of road, turn left onto Rittiman Road

318 ft · 15 sec · Rittiman Road
4

Turn sharp right onto Loop 368

3.5 mi · 5 min · Austin Highway
5

Take the ramp

523 ft · 12 sec
Toward I 410 West, I 35, I 410 South: Austin
6

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Toward I 35, I 410 South: Austin
7

Merge onto I 410

0.5 mi · 32 sec · Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 41 sec
Toward I 35 North: Austin
9

Merge onto I 35

6.8 mi · 7 min · North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 35

1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 35

48 mi · 52 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290

96 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

56 mi · 58 min · I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.
17

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street Use the slight right lane.
18

Keep slight left at fork

422 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
19

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
20

Keep slight left at fork

385 ft · 6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
21

Continue on I 30; US 67

0.8 mi · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
22

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 45 sec
Exit 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney Use the slight right lane.
23

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left lane.
24

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
25

Merge onto US 75

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Continue on US 75

27 mi · 28 min · North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
27

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Exit 38C Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the slight right lane.
29

Merge onto Spur 399

0.9 mi · 1 min · Spur 399
30

Continue on TX 5

1.0 mi · 1 min · South McDonald Street
31

Turn slight left

281 ft · 10 sec
32

Continue on South Tennessee Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · South Tennessee Street
33

Arrive at destination

North Tennessee Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour, 25-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Terrell Hills to maximize your time and avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of around $45, planning your fuel and rest stops is straightforward. Keep an eye on the Purple Heart Trail section, as its 188.3-mile length means you'll want to ensure you're fueled up before entering it. This single-day route offers flexibility, allowing you to adjust your pace as needed.

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 149.9 miles from Terrell Hills, TX, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 66 miles or 1h 15m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 149.9 miles or 2h 44m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 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 Terrell Hills, 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 Terrell Hills, TX

This is one driving day of about 299.8 miles and 5h 25m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Terrell Hills, 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 188.3 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Hewitt, TX

150 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

Hewitt, TX to McKinney, TX

135.5 mi · 2h 28m

Pacing Suggestions

Austin, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149.9 miles from Terrell Hills, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.3 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.

Round1 Bowling & Arcade North Star Mall

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4 mi from route ~10 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+12104482030

Visit website

Children's Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Marcos, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+15123938400

Visit website

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

New Braunfels, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18304024603

Visit website

US Army Medical Department Museum

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fort Sam Houston, Texas

+12102216358

Visit website

San Antonio Botanical Garden

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 8 am–6 pm

+12105361400

Visit website

Calaboose African American History Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

First break 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Marcos, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15123938421

Visit website

The DoSeum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12102124453

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

San Antonio Museum of Art

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour Moderately

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12109788100

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 21

5 decision points cluster between mile 209.2 and 295.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
209.2 mi into trip | ~3h 45m 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
265.4 mi into trip | ~4h 44m 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
267.1 mi into trip | ~4h 46m 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
7
267.5 mi into trip | ~4h 47m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 75 North: McKinney
8
295.7 mi into trip | ~5h 18m 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

$45.30 one way

$90.60 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $49.59 $99.17
premium $4.54 $53.53 $107.05
diesel $5.61 $66.19 $132.38

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

$45

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 89.9 1 $31.48 $14.39
Efficient EV 75 0 $26.23 $11.99
EV Truck/SUV 119.9 1 $41.97 $19.19

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Terrell Hills, TX

Late night in Terrell Hills on Tuesday

Local time

5:46 AM

CDT

Current temp

90°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

McKinney, TX

Late night in McKinney on Tuesday

Local time

5:46 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

8 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

5h 25m 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

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 175.8
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

11 mi from route ~28 min detour Free
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

The drive presents a mixed profile, with a significant portion on the Purple Heart Trail, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 188.3 miles. While 33% of the route is on highways, you'll also experience less direct, potentially slower-paced sections. This blend means the drive isn't a constant interstate grind but offers a varied experience behind the wheel, transitioning between faster travel and more local road conditions as you progress toward McKinney.

33% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 209.2 miles in near I 35E.

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 21 significant decision points across 299.8 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 209.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 265.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

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

Between Terrell Hills, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Bryan Street East.

Fort Worth

265.8 mi in | ~4h 44m

Texarkana

265.8 mi in | ~4h 44m

Convention Center

265.8 mi in | ~4h 44m

Bryan Street East

268 mi in | ~4h 48m

About the Cities

Starting in Terrell Hills, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1919

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 5h 25m. Total distance: 299.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 188.3 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 209.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 265.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 267.1 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 and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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McKinney, TX to Terrell Hills, TX

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300.3 mi 5h 26m

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