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Trip from Texas City, TX to McKinney, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 36m

Distance

310.6 mi

500 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 24m ★
6 AM
5h 37m
8 AM
6h 3m
10 AM
5h 46m
12 PM
5h 43m
3 PM
5h 47m
5 PM
6h 2m
8 PM
5h 29m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
Download GPX
city in Galveston County, Texas

Texas City, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Collin County, Texas, United States

McKinney, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 310.6-mile drive from Texas City, TX, to McKinney, TX, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes. You'll primarily be on the North Freeway, Gulf Freeway, and North Central Expressway, with 98% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $47. Given its relatively straightforward highway focus and manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your journey.

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

155.3 miles from Texas City, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Freeway 237.4 mi 4h 9m
Gulf Freeway 33 mi 38m
North Central Expressway 26.6 mi 28m
Emmett F Lowry Expressway 5.8 mi 7m
Palmer Highway 1.6 mi 2m
9th Avenue North 1.4 mi 2m
South Tennessee Street 1.1 mi 2m
South McDonald Street 1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: North Freeway — 237.4 mi, about 4h 9m

Traffic on I-45

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~3,256 veh/hr typical · worst 3,806

Quietest

2 AM

~407 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

8×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 48 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 Texas City, TX and McKinney, TX.

1

Start on this road

48 ft · 8 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Spur 197

0.7 mi · 1 min · 6th Street
3

Turn left onto 9th Avenue North

1.4 mi · 2 min · 9th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
4

Continue on FM 1764

1.6 mi · 2 min · Palmer Highway
5

Continue on FM 1764

5.8 mi · 7 min · Emmett F Lowry Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6

Merge onto I 45

33 mi · 38 min · Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Continue on I 45

237 mi · 4 hr 9 min · North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Continue on US 75

27 mi · 28 min · North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 21 sec
Exit 38C Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
Use the slight right lane.
11

Merge onto Spur 399

0.9 mi · 1 min · Spur 399
12

Continue on TX 5

1.0 mi · 1 min · South McDonald Street
13

Turn slight left

281 ft · 10 sec
14

Continue on South Tennessee Street

1.1 mi · 2 min · South Tennessee Street
15

Arrive at destination

North Tennessee Street

Trip Plan

For this 5-hour and 36-minute drive, starting early is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in pacing. Plan your fuel stops strategically; while the total fuel cost is estimated at $47, it's always wise to top off before embarking on the 237.4-mile stretch on the North Freeway to ensure a smooth journey. Given the highway-focused nature, keeping an eye on your GPS for real-time traffic updates will be most beneficial.

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 155.3 miles from Texas City, TX, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.4 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 68 miles or 1h 18m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 155.3 miles or 2h 49m 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 34m

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 Texas City, 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 Texas City, TX

This is one driving day of about 310.6 miles and 5h 36m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Texas City, 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 North Freeway for about 237.4 miles.

Where to Stop

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

town in Ellis County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Italy, TX

155 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

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Italy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.3 miles from Texas City, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.4 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.

Best meal stop · first break window

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Houston, Texas

Near the start, short detour

First break · 48min in 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Downtown Aquarium

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm

+17132233474

Visit website

Cidercade Houston

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

First break 3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–12 pm

+13462417524

Visit website

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

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

Flying J Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Navarro County Northbound Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

Buc-ee's

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

Service Plaza

0.4 mi from route

Rest Area

0.8 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.2 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

Service Plaza

1.5 mi from route

TA

1.6 mi from route

SoPac Trail Rest Area

1.9 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.3 mi from route

Bay Street Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Texas City, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+14099483111

Visit website

Dennis Johnston Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

Early stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Spring, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17132740930

Visit website

Frankie Carter Randolph Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.2 mi from route ~6 min detour

Friendswood, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12814826055

Lone Star Flight Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+13467082517

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

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+17137520314

Visit website

The Woodlands Waterway

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

Early stretch 3.4 mi from route ~9 min detour

The Woodlands, Texas

Visit website

Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

First break 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Houston, Texas

Hours: 7 am–8 pm

+17137520314

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 6

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 306.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

3
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | Spur 197 / 6th Street

Turn left onto Spur 197 / 6th Street

Navigation decision point

6
0.7 mi into trip | ~1m in | 9th Avenue North

Turn left onto 9th Avenue North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
5
9.4 mi into trip | ~13m in | I 45 / Gulf Freeway

Merge onto I 45 / Gulf Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
306.4 mi into trip | ~5h 29m 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
306.8 mi into trip | ~5h 29m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$42.54 one way

$85.08 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.89 $47.52 $95.04
premium $4.23 $51.66 $103.33
diesel $4.80 $58.65 $117.29

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

$43

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93.2 1 $32.61 $14.91
Efficient EV 77.7 0 $27.18 $12.42
EV Truck/SUV 124.2 1 $43.48 $19.88

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

36 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Texas City, TX

Morning in Texas City on Sunday

Local time

10:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

92°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Sunny

S 10 to 15 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:31AM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Destination

McKinney, TX

Morning in McKinney on Sunday

Local time

10:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

92°F

Mostly Sunny

SSW 5 to 10 mph 11% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:31AM CDT until July 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

100°F

Italy, TX

155 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 36m 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 predominantly highway-focused drive for this 310.6-mile trip. With 98% of the route on major roadways, you'll experience mostly high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is an impressive 237.4 miles on the North Freeway. This means you'll be on a consistent, fast-paced road for a significant portion of your journey, with minimal detours or slower sections. The profile suggests a steady progression on well-maintained freeways, making for efficient travel.

98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237.4 mi on North Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

5/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Gulf Freeway. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Spur 197 / 6th Street.

Driving Effort 5/10

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 310.6 miles you will encounter 6 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 (Spur 197 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

628 ft 6 ft

Total Climb

835 ft

Total Descent

213 ft

Highest Point

628 ft

~310.6 mi in

Elevation Range

622 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Texas City, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1911

Texas City is in Galveston County and lies on the Gulf Coast of the Texas mainland.

Top landmarks

  • • The Settlement Historic District — historic district in Texas City, Galveston 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 5h 36m. Total distance: 310.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 36m 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 237.4 miles on North Freeway. 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.

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: near the start (Spur 197 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.2 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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