This straightforward 133.2-mile drive from McKinney, TX to Woodway, TX is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 27 minutes. With a 94% highway share, it's a predominantly highway-focused experience designed for efficient travel. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $20, making it a budget-friendly option. You'll be traversing the Great Plains region throughout, so expect a consistent landscape. This route is ideal for those looking to get from point A to point B with minimal fuss.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
66.6 miles from McKinney, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 14m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 27m. Total distance: 133.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 133.2-mile journey, with 94% of the route utilizing major roadways like South R L Thornton Freeway and North Jack Kultgen Expressway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, meaning you can settle in for a substantial period without significant changes in road type. This profile suggests a drive characterized by steady speeds and efficient progress, rather than winding scenic byways. The road's personality is one of directness and speed, facilitating a quick transit between your Texas starting and ending points.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 34 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South R L Thornton Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 89.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and Central Expressway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 31.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 24 significant decision points across 133.2 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 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
31.5 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
33.6 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
33.7 mi into trip|~40m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Waco
7
130.1 mi into trip|~2h 22m in|South Valley Mills Drive
Keep slight right at fork onto South Valley Mills Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
132.8 mi into trip|~2h 26m in
Take the exit toward Texas Central Parkway, Santa Fe Drive
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.
Toward Texas Central Parkway, Santa Fe Drive
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 Woodway, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
Downtown
31.5 mi in|~36m
Denton
33.5 mi in|~40m
Waco
33.6 mi in|~40m
Dallas Zoo
34.6 mi in|~41m|via I 35E
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
Central Expressway
29.2 mi
31m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
4.3 mi
4m
East Virginia Street
1.4 mi
3m
South Valley Mills Drive
1.4 mi
2m
Franklin Avenue
1.4 mi
2m
US 84
0.8 mi
1m
North Central Expressway
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKinney, TX and Woodway, 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 SouthUse the left lane.
5
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
29 mi·31 min·Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
501 ft·12 sec
Exit 284CToward Downtown, Good-Latimer ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
7
Continue on North Central Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn right onto Elm Street
304 ft·10 sec·Elm Street
9
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
10
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Young Street
11
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
315 ft·8 sec·South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn right onto Canton Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·Canton Street
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 30 West
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
15
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E South: WacoUse the left / right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
18
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35; US 77
4.3 mi·4 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi·30 sec
Exit 333AToward Loop 396
21
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
426 ft·11 sec·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
22
Turn right onto Loop 396
1.4 mi·2 min·South Valley Mills Drive
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi·35 sec
24
Keep slight right at fork onto South Valley Mills Drive
107 ft·4 sec·South Valley Mills Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Turn left onto Spur 298
1.4 mi·2 min·Franklin Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Take the ramp onto Spur 298
0.3 mi·21 sec·Spur 298
27
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 298
0.2 mi·16 sec·Spur 298
Toward US 84
28
Merge onto US 84
0.8 mi·1 min·US 84
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward Texas Central Parkway, Santa Fe DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto Woodway Drive
0.2 mi·18 sec·Woodway Drive
31
Turn slight right
280 ft·13 sec
32
Turn slight right onto Santa Fe Drive
368 ft·14 sec·Santa Fe Drive
33
Turn right onto Old McGregor Road
79 ft·2 sec·Old McGregor Road
34
Arrive at destination
Old McGregor Road
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 2 hours and 27 minutes, this 133.2-mile trip is perfect for a single day. You can depart McKinney, TX any time that suits your schedule, but an early morning start will allow you to maximize your time in Woodway, TX. With no designated stops, you have the flexibility to pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch on South R L Thornton Freeway is quite long at 89.9 miles, and plan your refueling accordingly. The $20 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra for unforeseen circumstances.
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 66.6 miles from McKinney, TX, or about 1h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 29 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 66.6 miles or 1h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 58m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Woodway, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 133.2 miles and 2h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 29 miles from McKinney, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 66.6 mi from McKinney, TX
· 1h 14m into the drive
The midpoint is around 66.6 miles from McKinney, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 miles.
Arriving in Woodway, TX
The final approach into Woodway, 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 Woodway, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$20.13 one way
$40.25 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg47 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$22.03
$44.06
premium
$4.54
$23.78
$47.56
diesel
$5.61
$29.41
$58.82
Estimated Tolls: $2.44
Central Expressway
(30.5 mi)$2.44
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
$20
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$48–$73
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
40
0
$13.99
$6.39
Efficient EV
33.3
0
$11.65
$5.33
EV Truck/SUV
53.3
0
$18.65
$8.52
Gas CO2
47 kg
EV CO2
16 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
McKinney, TX
Evening
in McKinney on Thursday
Local time
5:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Woodway, TX
Evening
in Woodway on Thursday
Local time
5:31 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°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
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
2h 27m 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 Woodway, TX covers 133.2 miles and takes about 2h 27m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South R L Thornton Freeway, Central Expressway, North Jack Kultgen 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 66.6 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 $20.13 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 24 significant decision points across 133.2 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 31.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between McKinney, TX and Woodway, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument.
