Origin
McKinney, TX
Night in McKinney on Thursday
Local time
11:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from McKinney, TX to Irving, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
47m
Distance
38.9 mi
63 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$6
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
0h 43m
★
6 AM
0h 47m
8 AM
0h 55m
10 AM
0h 50m
12 PM
0h 49m
3 PM
0h 50m
5 PM
0h 55m
8 PM
0h 45m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward 38.9-mile drive from McKinney to Irving, Texas, is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 47 minutes. You'll primarily be on major roadways like Central Expressway, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, and North Walton Walker Boulevard, with about 76% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $6, making it an economical option for a quick transit. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout. It’s a functional route, perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without much fuss.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 47m. Total distance: 38.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience for the majority of this 38.9-mile trip, with 76% of the drive on freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 19.4 miles along Central Expressway. This route is characterized by its steady, high-speed travel, punctuated by efficient transitions between major arteries like the Lyndon B Johnson Freeway and North Walton Walker Boulevard. While not particularly varied, the road offers a predictable and direct path, allowing for consistent progress toward your destination in Irving.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Central Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 19.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central Expressway 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 2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
Focused - lots of decisions in a short distance, but it is over quickly
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 38.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 47m.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
2 mi into trip
|
~4m in
Take the ramp toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
7
21.8 mi into trip
|
~25m in
Take the exit toward I 635
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 21
Toward I 635
7
22 mi into trip
|
~26m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 635 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 West
7
30.1 mi into trip
|
~34m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Exit 27C
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
9
32.7 mi into trip
|
~38m in
|
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 436A
Toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between McKinney, TX and Irving, TX, road signs point toward Loop 12 South: Irving and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Loop 12 South: Irving
32.7 mi in
|
~38m
|
via North Walton Walker Boulevard
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
32.7 mi in
|
~38m
|
via North Walton Walker Boulevard
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central Expressway | 19.4 mi | 20m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| North Walton Walker Boulevard | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway | 2.4 mi | 2m |
| South Stemmons Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| East Virginia Street | 1.4 mi | 3m |
| East Irving Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| South Central Expressway | 0.6 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Central Expressway
— 19.4 mi, about 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKinney, TX and Irving, TX.
1
Start on North Tennessee Street
119 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Tennessee Street
2
Turn left onto East Virginia Street
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East Virginia Street
3
Turn left onto South Central Expressway
0.6 mi
·
52 sec
·
South Central Expressway
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
19 mi
·
20 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 21
Toward I 635
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.9 mi
·
55 sec
Toward I 635 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 635
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 635
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 27C
Toward I 35E South: Dallas
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35E
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto North Walton Walker Boulevard
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Walton Walker Boulevard
Exit 436A
Toward Loop 12 South: Irving, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward TX 356
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto South Loop 12
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
South Loop 12
15
Turn right onto TX 356
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
East State Highway 356
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on TX 356
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Irving Boulevard
17
Continue on West Irving Boulevard
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Irving Boulevard
18
Turn right onto North Ohio Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Ohio Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Ohio Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 19.5 mi from McKinney, TX · 23m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
19 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 38.9 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 19.5 miles from McKinney, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Irving, TX
Allow a few extra minutes for the final approach into Irving, TX if you are unfamiliar with the area.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$5.88 one way
$11.76 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
14 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $6.43 | $12.87 |
| premium | $4.54 | $6.95 | $13.89 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $8.59 | $17.18 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.60
Central Expressway
(20 mi)
$1.60
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$6
Tolls
$2
Total
$7
Estimated CO2 emission: 13.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $4 in charging · 0 stops · 64% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 11.7 | 0 | $4.08 | $1.87 |
| Efficient EV | 9.7 | 0 | $3.40 | $1.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 15.6 | 0 | $5.45 | $2.49 |
Gas CO2
14 kg
EV CO2
5 kg (64% 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
Irving, TX
Night in Irving on Thursday
Local time
11:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°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
2 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
47m 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 McKinney, TX to Irving, TX covers 38.9 miles and takes about 47m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Central Expressway, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, North Walton Walker Boulevard. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 19.5 miles from McKinney, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $5.88 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 short but busy drive. With 13 decision points packed into just 38.9 miles, you will need to pay attention to lane changes and exits — but the whole thing is over in 47m.
The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 22 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between McKinney, TX and Irving, TX, road signs point toward Loop 12 South: Irving and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
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