Origin
Texas City, TX
Night in Texas City on Tuesday
Local time
10:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Texas City, TX to McKinney, TX
Data updated 4 hours ago
Drive Time
5h 36m
Distance
310.6 mi
500 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 24m
★
6 AM
5h 37m
8 AM
6h 3m
10 AM
5h 46m
12 PM
5h 43m
3 PM
5h 47m
5 PM
6h 2m
8 PM
5h 29m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Texas City, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 310.6-mile drive from Texas City, TX, to McKinney, TX, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 36 minutes. You'll primarily be on the North Freeway, Gulf Freeway, and North Central Expressway, with 98% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $47. Given its relatively straightforward highway focus and manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout your journey.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
155.3 miles from Texas City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a predominantly highway-focused drive for this 310.6-mile trip. With 98% of the route on major roadways, you'll experience mostly high-speed travel. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is an impressive 237.4 miles on the North Freeway. This means you'll be on a consistent, fast-paced road for a significant portion of your journey, with minimal detours or slower sections. The profile suggests a steady progression on well-maintained freeways, making for efficient travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Freeway is the longest continuous segment at about 237.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Gulf Freeway. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Spur 197 / 6th Street.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 310.6 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Spur 197 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
3
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Spur 197 / 6th Street
Turn left onto Spur 197 / 6th Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
9th Avenue North
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
9.4 mi into trip
|
~13m in
|
I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Merge onto I 45 / Gulf Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
306.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m 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
6
306.8 mi into trip
|
~5h 29m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 237.4 mi | 4h 9m |
| Gulf Freeway | 33 mi | 38m |
| North Central Expressway | 26.6 mi | 28m |
| Emmett F Lowry Expressway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Palmer Highway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
| 9th Avenue North | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| South Tennessee Street | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| South McDonald Street | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
North Freeway
— 237.4 mi, about 4h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Texas City, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on this road
48 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Spur 197
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
6th Street
3
Turn left onto 9th Avenue North
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
9th Avenue North
Use the left lane.
4
Continue on FM 1764
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Palmer Highway
5
Continue on FM 1764
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
Emmett F Lowry Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Merge onto I 45
33 mi
·
38 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 45
237 mi
·
4 hr 9 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 75
27 mi
·
28 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 38C
Toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto Spur 399
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
12
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
13
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
14
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
15
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour and 36-minute drive, starting early is your best bet to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With only one stop recommended, you have flexibility in pacing. Plan your fuel stops strategically; while the total fuel cost is estimated at $47, it's always wise to top off before embarking on the 237.4-mile stretch on the North Freeway to ensure a smooth journey. Given the highway-focused nature, keeping an eye on your GPS for real-time traffic updates will be most beneficial.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.3 miles from Texas City, TX, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.4 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 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.3 miles or 2h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 34m
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 Texas City, 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 Texas City, TX
This is one driving day of about 310.6 miles and 5h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Texas City, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on North Freeway for about 237.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 155.3 mi from Texas City, TX · 2h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
155 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 155.3 miles from Texas City, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.4 miles.
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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.93 one way
$93.86 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
109 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $51.37 | $102.74 |
| premium | $4.54 | $55.46 | $110.91 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $68.58 | $137.15 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.13
Central Expressway
(26.6 mi)
$2.13
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
$47
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 93.2 | 1 | $32.61 | $14.91 |
| Efficient EV | 77.7 | 0 | $27.18 | $12.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 124.2 | 1 | $43.48 | $19.88 |
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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 Tuesday
Local time
10:12 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
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
5h 36m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Texas City, TX to McKinney, TX covers 310.6 miles and takes about 5h 36m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Freeway, Gulf 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 155.3 miles from Texas City, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $46.93 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 310.6 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Spur 197 / 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (9th Avenue North): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.4 miles (I 45 / Gulf Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Texas City, TX to McKinney, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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