Origin
Weatherford, TX
Morning in Weatherford on Friday
Local time
11:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Weatherford, TX to McKinney, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 41m
Distance
86.8 mi
140 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 34m
★
6 AM
1h 42m
8 AM
1h 57m
10 AM
1h 47m
12 PM
1h 45m
3 PM
1h 48m
5 PM
1h 56m
8 PM
1h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Weatherford, TX
Wikimedia Commons
McKinney, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 86.8-mile drive from Weatherford, TX to McKinney, TX will take you approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes. As a focused highway trip within the Great Plains region of Texas, it's perfectly suited for a single day. With an estimated fuel cost of $13, it's an economical choice for a quick journey. The route primarily utilizes the Sam Rayburn Tollway, Jim Wright Freeway, and TX 121 Express, making it a straightforward drive. You'll find this trip efficient and practical, ideal for those looking to cover ground without a lengthy commitment.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.4 miles from Weatherford, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 51m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 41m. Total distance: 86.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (61%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused experience on this 86.8-mile route, with 61% of your travel on major roadways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 23.8 miles along the Sam Rayburn Tollway, offering a period of consistent speed. While largely a high-speed transit, the combination of highways like the Jim Wright Freeway and TX 121 Express means you'll be navigating a dynamic, multi-lane environment. This drive is less about winding country roads and more about efficient travel between points.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Sam Rayburn Tollway is the longest continuous segment at about 23.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Sam Rayburn Tollway and Jim Wright Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 13.3 miles in near I 30 / West Freeway.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.8 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 13.3 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.6 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
13.3 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
I 30 / West Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30 / West Freeway toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
7
18.9 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Take the exit toward I 820 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
7
32.6 mi into trip
|
~40m in
|
I 820 TEXpress
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas E...
6
43.9 mi into trip
|
~52m in
|
TX 121 Express
Take the exit onto TX 121 Express toward TX 121 North: DFW Airport North Entry
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 121 North: DFW Airport North Entry
8
52.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 2m in
|
TX 121
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121 toward TX 121 North, I 635 East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 121 North, I 635 East
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Rayburn Tollway | 23.8 mi | 25m |
| Jim Wright Freeway | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| TX 121 Express | 8.9 mi | 10m |
| I 820 TEXpress | 6.9 mi | 6m |
| TX 121 | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| I 20 | 6.5 mi | 6m |
| Fort Worth Highway | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| West Freeway | 5.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Sam Rayburn Tollway
— 23.8 mi, about 25m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Weatherford, TX and McKinney, TX.
1
Start on FM 51
221 ft
·
11 sec
·
North Main Street
2
Continue on FM 51
272 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Main Street
3
Enter roundabout onto US 180
456 ft
·
14 sec
·
Fort Worth Highway
4
Continue on US 180
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Fort Worth Highway
Use the left lane.
5
Take the ramp onto US 180
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 180
6
Merge onto I 20
6.5 mi
·
6 min
·
I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 30
5.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Freeway
Exit 421
Toward I 30 East: Downtown Fort Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 5B
Toward I 820 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 820
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 820
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
Northeast Loop
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 820 TEXpress
6.9 mi
·
6 min
·
I 820 TEXpress
Toward I 820 Express East: DFW Airport Dallas Entrance
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Continue on TX 121 TEXpress; TX 183 TEXpress
4.4 mi
·
4 min
·
SH 121/183 TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit onto TX 121 Express
8.9 mi
·
10 min
·
TX 121 Express
Toward TX 121 North: DFW Airport North Entry
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 121
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
TX 121
Toward TX 121 North, I 635 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on SRT
3.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 121
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 121
17
Continue on SRT
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on Spur 399
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 399
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 5
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South McDonald Street
20
Turn slight left
281 ft
·
10 sec
21
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Tennessee Street
22
Arrive at destination
North Tennessee Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short 1 hour and 41-minute duration, you have the flexibility to depart at your convenience. Leaving in the late morning can help you avoid the most congested rush hour periods. While there are no mandated stops, consider a brief break during the longest 23.8-mile stretch on the Sam Rayburn Tollway to stretch your legs. With a modest fuel cost of $13, you won't need to worry extensively about finding gas stations, but it's always wise to be mindful of your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning between different highway sections.
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 43.4 miles from Weatherford, TX, or about 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 23.8 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 19 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.4 miles or 51m 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 25m
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 Weatherford, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Weatherford, TX
This is one driving day of about 86.8 miles and 1h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Weatherford, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Sam Rayburn Tollway for about 23.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 43.4 mi from Weatherford, TX · 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.4 miles from Weatherford, 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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$13.12 one way
$26.23 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $14.36 | $28.71 |
| premium | $4.54 | $15.50 | $31.00 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.16 | $38.33 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.91
Sam Rayburn Tollway
(23.8 mi)
$1.91
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
$13
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 26 | 0 | $9.11 | $4.17 |
| Efficient EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.59 | $3.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.7 | 0 | $12.15 | $5.56 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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
Morning in McKinney on Friday
Local time
11:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
S 15 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 12:44PM CDT until April 16 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 12:44PM CDT until April 17 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
74°F
Bedford, TX
43 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
16 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
1h 41m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Weatherford, TX to McKinney, TX covers 86.8 miles and takes about 1h 41m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Sam Rayburn Tollway, Jim Wright Freeway, TX 121 Express. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 43.4 miles from Weatherford, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $13.12 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 drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.8 miles you will encounter 10 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: at 13.3 miles (I 30 / West Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.6 miles (I 820 TEXpress): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Weatherford, TX to McKinney, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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