Origin
Forest Hill, TX
Late night in Forest Hill on Friday
Local time
2:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Forest Hill, TX to McKinney, TX
Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology
Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
64.8 mi
104 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 13m
★
6 AM
1h 20m
8 AM
1h 32m
10 AM
1h 24m
12 PM
1h 23m
3 PM
1h 25m
5 PM
1h 32m
8 PM
1h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Forest Hill, TX
Eddie O.
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 64.8-mile drive from Forest Hill, TX, to McKinney, TX, is a straightforward journey that should take about 1 hour and 19 minutes. It's primarily a highway-focused experience, with 67% of the route utilizing major roadways like US Highway 82 West and South State Highway 121. Given its relatively short duration and minimal stops, this route is perfectly suited as a single-day trip, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule. The estimated fuel cost is around $10, which is quite budget-friendly for a trip of this length. Both your starting point and destination are within the Great Plains region, so you can expect a consistent landscape throughout your drive.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 19m. Total distance: 64.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 19m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (67%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive on this route, with a significant 67% of the journey on main roads. You'll encounter stretches like US Highway 82 West, which offers the longest uninterrupted segment at 21.1 miles. The Sam Rayburn Highway is also a key part of this drive. While it's not an interstate, the pace is generally brisk, allowing for efficient travel. The road character remains fairly consistent, emphasizing direct travel over scenic detours.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 13 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 82 West is the longest continuous segment at about 21.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 82 West and South State Highway 121. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 38.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Forest Hill, TX to McKinney, TX is easy. At 1h 19m with 67% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 38): Navigation decision point; at 24.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.9 miles (TX 121 / North State Highway 121): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 7 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
FM 38
Turn left onto FM 38
Navigation decision point
6
24.6 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the exit toward TX 121: Randolph, Trenton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 670
Toward TX 121: Randolph, Trenton
4
24.9 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
TX 121 / North State Highway 121
Turn left onto TX 121 / North State Highway 121
Navigation decision point
4
26.9 mi into trip
|
~34m in
|
TX 56; TX 121 / West Sam Rayburn Drive
Turn right onto TX 56; TX 121 / West Sam Rayburn Drive
Navigation decision point
5
64.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 19m in
|
South Tennessee Street
Turn right onto South Tennessee Street
Navigation decision point
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 Forest Hill, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Trenton along the way.
Trenton
24.6 mi in
|
~31m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 82 West | 21.1 mi | 23m |
| South State Highway 121 | 16.9 mi | 18m |
| Sam Rayburn Highway | 14.7 mi | 16m |
| North McDonald Street | 5.5 mi | 8m |
| FM 38 | 3.5 mi | 8m |
| North State Highway 121 | 2 mi | 2m |
| West Sam Rayburn Drive | 0.5 mi | <1m |
| West US Highway 82 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US Highway 82 West
— 21.1 mi, about 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Forest Hill, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on County Road 35050
231 ft
·
15 sec
·
County Road 35050
2
Turn left onto FM 38
3.5 mi
·
8 min
·
FM 38
3
Turn right onto US 82
21 mi
·
23 min
·
US Highway 82 West
4
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 670
Toward TX 121: Randolph, Trenton
5
Turn straight onto West US Highway 82
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
West US Highway 82
6
Turn left onto TX 121
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North State Highway 121
7
Turn right onto TX 56; TX 121
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
West Sam Rayburn Drive
8
Turn slight left onto TX 121
17 mi
·
18 min
·
South State Highway 121
9
Continue on TX 121
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
10
Turn slight left onto TX 5
5.5 mi
·
8 min
·
North McDonald Street
11
Turn right onto East Cloyd Street
0.1 mi
·
35 sec
·
East Cloyd Street
12
Turn right onto South Tennessee Street
375 ft
·
12 sec
·
South Tennessee Street
13
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 32.4 mi from Forest Hill, TX · 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
32 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 14 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 32.4 miles from Forest Hill, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.79 one way
$19.58 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
23 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $10.72 | $21.44 |
| premium | $4.54 | $11.57 | $23.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $14.31 | $28.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 22.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 65% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 19.4 | 0 | $6.80 | $3.11 |
| Efficient EV | 16.2 | 0 | $5.67 | $2.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.07 | $4.15 |
Gas CO2
23 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (65% 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 Friday
Local time
2:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°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
1 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 19m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Forest Hill, TX to McKinney, TX covers 64.8 miles and takes about 1h 19m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 82 West, South State Highway 121, Sam Rayburn Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 32.4 miles from Forest Hill, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.79 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Forest Hill, TX to McKinney, TX is easy. At 1h 19m with 67% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 38): Navigation decision point; at 24.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.9 miles (TX 121 / North State Highway 121): Navigation decision point.
On the drive from Forest Hill, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Trenton along the way.
Data sources
The figures on this page are computed from open government and mapping datasets, not crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Full methodology, refresh cadence, and limitations are documented on the methodology page.
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