Origin
Terrell, TX
Night in Terrell on Thursday
Local time
11:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Terrell, TX to McKinney, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
1h 5m
Distance
55.7 mi
90 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$9
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 0m
★
6 AM
1h 6m
8 AM
1h 16m
10 AM
1h 9m
12 PM
1h 8m
3 PM
1h 10m
5 PM
1h 16m
8 PM
1h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Terrell, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Terrell to McKinney, this 55.7-mile journey is a straightforward trek across the Great Plains that typically takes about 1 hour and 5 minutes. Because the distance is relatively short, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You will navigate primarily via US 80, the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, and the North Central Expressway. With a fuel budget of approximately $9, the trip is quite economical for most travelers. Whether you are heading north for business or a quick visit, this route offers a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Texas cities.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 5m. Total distance: 55.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive, as 84% of your time on the road will be spent on major thoroughfares. The experience is characterized by steady, fast-paced interstate travel rather than meandering backroads. You will encounter your longest uninterrupted stretch during a 16.8-mile segment on the North Central Expressway. As you transition between these major arteries, the rhythm of the drive remains consistent and efficient. It is a functional commute that prioritizes speed and directness over technical or scenic maneuvers.
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.
North Central Expressway is the longest continuous segment at about 16.8 miles.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
668 ft
424 ft
Total Climb
328 ft
Total Descent
208 ft
Highest Point
668 ft
~47.7 mi in
Elevation Range
244 ft
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Central Expressway and US 80. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.6 miles in near US 80.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 11 significant decision points across 55.7 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 5.6 miles (US 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
5.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
US 80
Take the exit onto US 80 toward US 80 West: Dallas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 80 West: Dallas
6
21.2 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward I 635 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 635 North
8
33.2 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
34.1 mi into trip
|
~39m 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
51.6 mi into trip
|
~58m 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 Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Terrell, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Srt South along the way.
Srt South
51.6 mi in
|
~58m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Central Expressway | 16.8 mi | 18m |
| US 80 | 15.6 mi | 16m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 11.4 mi | 12m |
| West US Highway 80 | 3 mi | 3m |
| East Moore Avenue | 2.6 mi | 3m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
| Spur 399 | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North Central Expressway
— 16.8 mi, about 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Terrell, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on Spur 226
148 ft
·
5 sec
·
South Virginia Street
2
Turn right
322 ft
·
15 sec
3
Turn right onto South Adelaide Street
189 ft
·
9 sec
·
South Adelaide Street
4
Turn left onto US 80
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
East Moore Avenue
5
Continue on US 80
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
West US Highway 80
6
Take the exit onto US 80
16 mi
·
16 min
·
US 80
Toward US 80 West: Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 635 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 635
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 635
0.1 mi
·
9 sec
·
Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
10
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.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto US 75
17 mi
·
18 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
16
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
17
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
18
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
19
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 27.8 mi from Terrell, TX · 31m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
28 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 55.7 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 27.8 miles from Terrell, 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
$8.51 one way
$17.02 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
20 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $9.32 | $18.65 |
| premium | $4.59 | $10.07 | $20.14 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $12.37 | $24.75 |
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.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$9
Tolls
$1
Total
$10
Estimated CO2 emission: 19.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $6 in charging · 0 stops · 63% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 16.7 | 0 | $5.85 | $2.67 |
| Efficient EV | 13.9 | 0 | $4.87 | $2.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 22.3 | 0 | $7.80 | $3.56 |
Gas CO2
19 kg
EV CO2
7 kg (63% 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
Night in McKinney on Thursday
Local time
11:43 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
12 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 5m 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 Terrell, TX to McKinney, TX covers 55.7 miles and takes about 1h 5m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Central Expressway, US 80, Lyndon B Johnson Freeway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 27.8 miles from Terrell, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $8.51 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 11 significant decision points across 55.7 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 5.6 miles (US 80): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Terrell, TX to McKinney, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Srt South along the way.
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