Origin
Dalhart, TX
Afternoon in Dalhart on Thursday
Local time
12:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Dalhart, TX to McKinney, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
8h 10m
Distance
441.6 mi
711 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$67
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 3m
★
6 AM
8h 11m
8 AM
8h 27m
10 AM
8h 16m
12 PM
8h 15m
3 PM
8h 17m
5 PM
8h 26m
8 PM
8h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dalhart, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Dalhart, TX to McKinney, TX covers 441.6 miles and takes about 8h 10m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on US Highway 287, US 287, Central East Freeway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 112.6 miles on US Highway 287. At current regular gas prices, budget about $66.73 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
220.8 miles from Dalhart, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 56m into the drive .
Drive Character
This is a 8h 10m highway drive covering 441.6 miles, with most of the trip on US Highway 287 and US 287. The longest continuous stretch is about 112.6 miles on US Highway 287.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 287 is the longest continuous segment at about 112.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 287 and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 17 significant decision points across 441.6 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 50.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 305.7 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
50.1 mi into trip
|
~54m in
Take the ramp toward US 87 South, US 287 South: Amarillo
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 87 South, US 287 South: Amarillo
5
94 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
|
US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 78
Toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
6
305.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m in
|
US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...
5
306.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 26m in
|
I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
382.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 48m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
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 Dalhart, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 335 along the way.
Loop 335
81.2 mi in
|
~1h 25m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 287 | 112.6 mi | 1h 58m |
| US 287 | 77.2 mi | 1h 21m |
| Central East Freeway | 72.5 mi | 1h 16m |
| US Highway 287 East | 40.5 mi | 42m |
| West University Drive | 26.5 mi | 39m |
| West US Highway 380 | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| East 7th Street | 21.3 mi | 21m |
| US 385 | 14.6 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 287
— 112.6 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dalhart, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on US 87; US 385
9.5 mi
·
11 min
·
Railroad Street
2
Continue on US 87; US 385
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
US 87; US 385
3
Take the exit onto US 385
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 385
Toward US 385 South: Channing
4
Turn left onto TX 354
21 mi
·
21 min
·
East 7th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 87 South, US 287 South: Amarillo
6
Merge onto US 87; US 287
31 mi
·
30 min
·
US Highway 287
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Loop 335
8
Continue on Dumas Drive
477 ft
·
11 sec
·
Dumas Drive
9
Turn left onto Loop 335
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
West Saint Francis Avenue
10
Continue on Loop 335
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
East Loop 335 North
11
Continue on Loop 335
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
North Lakeside Drive
12
Turn left onto East Interstate Drive
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
East Interstate Drive
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
14
Merge onto I 40; US 287
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
I 40; US 287
15
Take the exit onto US 287
77 mi
·
1 hr 21 min
·
US 287
Exit 78
Toward US 287 South: Fort Worth
16
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi
·
13 min
·
US Highway 287
17
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
Burnett Street
18
Continue on US 287
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 287
19
Continue on US 287
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
Avenue F Northwest
20
Continue on US 287
54 mi
·
58 min
·
US Highway 287
21
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest Freeway
24
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
25
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
27
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
28
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
29
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
70 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
Central East Freeway
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
31
Keep slight left at fork
147 ft
·
4 sec
32
Turn left onto US 380
22 mi
·
25 min
·
West US Highway 380
33
Continue on US 380
11 mi
·
18 min
·
West University Drive
Use the straight lane.
34
Continue on US 377; US 380
8.2 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 380 East
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Continue on US 380
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
West University Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on US 380
7.6 mi
·
11 min
·
West University Drive
Use the left / straight lanes.
37
Take the exit
227 ft
·
6 sec
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
38
Turn slight right onto North Central Expressway
267 ft
·
4 sec
·
North Central Expressway
39
Continue on North Central Expressway
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North Central Expressway
40
Turn left onto West Louisiana Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
West Louisiana Street
41
Turn left onto North Tennessee Street
119 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Tennessee Street
42
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 220.8 miles from Dalhart, TX, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 97 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 220.8 miles or 3h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 220.8 miles or 3h 56m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 47m
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 Dalhart, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Dalhart, TX
Aim for roughly 221 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into McKinney, TX
Aim for roughly 221 miles and 4.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Dalhart, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US Highway 287 for about 112.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 220.8 mi from Dalhart, TX · 3h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
221 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Childress, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
221 mi · about 4.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Childress, TX after about 221 miles or 4.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 97 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 220.8 miles from Dalhart, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 287 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 221 miles or 4.1 hours on the road.
Arriving in McKinney, TX
The final approach into McKinney, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around McKinney, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach McKinney, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.73 one way
$133.45 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
155 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $73.04 | $146.08 |
| premium | $4.54 | $78.84 | $157.69 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $97.50 | $195.00 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.09
Central Expressway
(1.2 mi)
$0.09
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
$67
Tolls
$0
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$197–$307
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 154.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 132.5 | 1 | $46.37 | $21.20 |
| Efficient EV | 110.4 | 1 | $38.64 | $17.66 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 176.6 | 2 | $61.82 | $28.26 |
Gas CO2
155 kg
EV CO2
52 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.
Destination
McKinney, TX
Afternoon in McKinney on Thursday
Local time
12:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
13 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
8h 10m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Dalhart, TX to McKinney, TX covers 441.6 miles and takes about 8h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 287, US 287, Central East Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 221 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 220.8 miles from Dalhart, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $66.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 441.6 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 94 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 305.7 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Dalhart, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 335 along the way.
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