Drive Time
37m
Distance
27.3 mi
Drive Score
6/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$4
one way
The drive from McKinney, TX to Carrollton, TX covers 27.3 miles and takes about 37m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on East Virginia Street, North Kentucky Street, East Davis Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $4.06 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
13.7 miles from McKinney, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 18m into the drive .
Expect a 37m drive with frequent turns across 27.3 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Virginia Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Kentucky Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Davis Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Tennessee Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South McDonald Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Spur 399 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Sam Rayburn Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Parkwood Boulevard | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between McKinney, TX and Carrollton, TX.
Start on North Tennessee Street
Turn left onto East Virginia Street
Turn left onto North Kentucky Street
Turn left onto East Davis Street
Turn right onto South Tennessee Street
Turn slight right onto South McDonald Street
Continue on Spur 399
Continue on Sam Rayburn Tollway
Take the exit slight right toward Parkwood Boulevard, Dallas Parkway
Turn straight onto State Highway 121
Turn left onto Dallas Parkway
Take the ramp slight left toward DNT Toll South
Merge slight left onto Dallas North Tollway
Take the exit slight right toward PGBT: President George Bush Turnpike
Keep slight right to continue on PGBT West: President George Bush Turnpike
Merge slight left onto President George Bush Turnpike
Take the exit slight right toward Josey Lane, McCoy Road
Turn straight onto East Trinity Mills Road
Turn left onto North Josey Lane
Turn left onto East Belt Line Road
Turn slight left
Turn sharp left onto East Belt Line Road
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 27.3 miles or 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 13.7 miles or 18m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carrollton, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving McKinney, 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 McKinney, TX
This is one driving day of about 27.3 miles and 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 13.7 mi from McKinney, TX · 18m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
14 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.
A short stop after about 27.3 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 13.7 miles from McKinney, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Carrollton, 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 Carrollton, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$4.06 one way
$8.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $4.57 | $9.14 |
| premium | $4.59 | $4.93 | $9.87 |
| diesel | $3.99 | $4.29 | $8.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$29–$54
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 9.6 kg one way.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in McKinney on Saturday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Carrollton on Saturday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
59°F
Frisco, TX
14 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Explore more options from McKinney, TX or browse trips ending in Carrollton, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
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