Origin
Terrell, TX
Late night in Terrell on Tuesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Terrell, TX to McKinney, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
55.7 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Terrell, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Terrell to McKinney, this 55.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Great Plains that typically takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via US 80, the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, and the North Central Expressway. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the trip is quite economical for most travelers. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick visit, this route offers a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Texas cities.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| US 80 | 15.6 mi | 16m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| West US Highway 80 | 3 mi | 3m |
| East Moore Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Spur 399 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North Central Expressway
— 16.8 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Terrell, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on Spur 226
148 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Virginia Street
2
Turn right
322 ft
·
15 sec
3
Turn right onto South Adelaide Street
189 ft
·
9 sec
·
South Adelaide Street
4
Turn left onto US 80
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Moore Avenue
5
Continue on US 80
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West US Highway 80
6
Take the exit onto US 80
16 mi
·
16 min
·
US 80
Toward US 80 West: Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 635 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 635
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 635
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
10
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.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 75
17 mi
·
18 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
16
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
17
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
18
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 12 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from Terrell, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 5.6 and 51.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 80
Take the exit onto US 80 toward US 80 West: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 80 West: Dallas
6
21.2 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward I 635 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 North
8
33.2 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
34.1 mi into trip
|
~39m 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
51.6 mi into trip
|
~58m 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
$8.42 one way
$16.83 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $9.21 | $18.42 |
| premium | $4.54 | $9.94 | $19.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $12.30 | $24.60 |
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$1
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.85 | $2.67 |
| Efficient EV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.87 | $2.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.80 | $3.56 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (63% 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.
Destination
McKinney, TX
Late night in McKinney on Tuesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
3 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
1h 5m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive, as 84% of your time on the road will be spent on major thoroughfares. The experience is characterized by steady, fast-paced interstate travel rather than meandering backroads. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch during a 16.8-mile segment on the North Central Expressway. As you transition between these major arteries, the rhythm of the drive remains consistent and efficient. It is a functional commute that prioritizes speed and directness over technical or scenic maneuvers.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 16.8 mi on North Central Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Central Expressway and US 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near US 80.
Driving Effort
10/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 55.7 miles you will encounter 11 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: at 5.6 miles (US 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 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
668 ft
424 ft
Total Climb
328 ft
Total Descent
208 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
~47.7 mi in
Elevation Range
244 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.
On the drive from Terrell, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Srt South along the way.
Srt South
51.6 mi in
|
~58m
About the Cities
Starting in Terrell, TX
Full guide →Founded 1874
Top landmarks
- • Porter Farm — historic site in Terrell (vicinity), Kaufman County, Texas
- • Matthew Cartwright House — historic place in Terrell, Kaufman 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 1h 5m. Total distance: 55.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 16.8 miles on North Central Expressway. 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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.6 miles (US 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 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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