Origin
Kaufman, TX
Afternoon in Kaufman on Sunday
Local time
3:29 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Kaufman, TX to McKinney, TX
Drive Time
1h 11m
Distance
62.4 mi
100 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 6m
★
6 AM
1h 12m
8 AM
1h 23m
10 AM
1h 16m
12 PM
1h 15m
3 PM
1h 16m
5 PM
1h 23m
8 PM
1h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Kaufman, TX
Thomas balabaud
McKinney, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Kaufman to McKinney, you can expect a straightforward 62.4-mile journey that typically takes about 1 hour and 11 minutes. This route is designed for efficiency, relying heavily on major arteries like US 175, the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, and the North Central Expressway. Because the drive is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day excursion, meaning you won't need to worry about overnight logistics. Budgeting around $10 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Both your starting point and destination sit within the Great Plains, ensuring a consistent regional feel as you navigate through North Texas.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
31.2 miles from Kaufman, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 89% of this 62.4-mile route consists of high-speed transit. You will spend a good portion of your time on major interstates, providing a steady, predictable pace for your journey. The drive features a longest uninterrupted stretch of 19.7 miles along US 175, allowing you to settle into a rhythm before transitioning to the busier loop and expressway sections. While the route lacks the winding character of rural backroads, its reliance on heavy-traffic corridors means you should be prepared for typical highway conditions. Staying alert is key as you maneuver through these interconnected freeway systems.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 175 is the longest continuous segment at about 19.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 175 and Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 20.7 miles in.
Route Complexity
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 62.4 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 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
20.7 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Take the exit toward I 20 East, I 635 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward I 20 East, I 635 North
9
21.1 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 480
Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland
8
40 mi into trip
|
~43m 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
40.9 mi into trip
|
~45m 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
58.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 4m 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
Towns Along This Route
Between Kaufman, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Garland and Srt South.
Garland
21.1 mi in
|
~23m
|
via I 635
Srt South
58.3 mi in
|
~1h 4m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 175 | 19.7 mi | 21m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 18.8 mi | 20m |
| North Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Spur 399 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| Ed Hall Drive | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
US 175
— 19.7 mi, about 21m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Kaufman, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on TX 243
85 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Mulberry Street
2
Turn right onto TX 243
233 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Washington Street
3
Turn left onto TX 243
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
West Grove Street
4
Turn straight onto TX 243
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Ed Hall Drive
5
Take the ramp onto TX 243
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
TX 243
Toward US 175 West
6
Merge onto US 175
20 mi
·
21 min
·
US 175
Use the none lane.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward I 20 East, I 635 North
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 20
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 635
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Exit 480
Toward I 635 North: Mesquite, Garland
Use the straight / right lanes.
10
Continue on I 635
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
11
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.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto US 75
17 mi
·
18 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the none lane.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
16
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
Use the none lane.
18
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
19
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
20
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a quick drive, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure around local traffic patterns rather than strict fatigue management. With no mandatory stops required to finish the 1 hour and 11-minute drive, you can easily complete the trip in one go. Keep in mind that your fuel costs will be modest, hovering around $10, so topping off your tank before leaving Kaufman will likely get you all the way to McKinney without a mid-trip visit to the pump. Because you are navigating major highways like the North Central Expressway, try to avoid peak rush hours to ensure your travel time stays closer to that 71-minute estimate. Prioritize checking real-time traffic reports for the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway before you head out to avoid potential delays.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 31.2 miles from Kaufman, TX, or about 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 19.7 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 62.4 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 31.2 miles or 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 58m
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 Kaufman, 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 Kaufman, TX
This is one driving day of about 62.4 miles and 1h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Kaufman, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on US 175 for about 19.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 31.2 mi from Kaufman, TX · 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
31 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 62.4 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 31.2 miles from Kaufman, 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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around McKinney, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$9.53 one way
$19.06 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
22 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $10.45 | $20.89 |
| premium | $4.59 | $11.28 | $22.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $13.86 | $27.73 |
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.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$36–$61
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 21.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $7 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 18.7 | 0 | $6.55 | $3.00 |
| Efficient EV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.46 | $2.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 25 | 0 | $8.74 | $3.99 |
Gas CO2
22 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (68% 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
Afternoon in McKinney on Sunday
Local time
3:29 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.
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
6 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
1h 11m 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 Kaufman, TX to McKinney, TX covers 62.4 miles and takes about 1h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 175, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, North Central Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 31.2 miles from Kaufman, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $9.53 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 62.4 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 20.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.1 miles (I 635 / Lyndon B Johnson Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 40 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Kaufman, TX and McKinney, TX, road signs point toward Garland and Srt South.
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