How far is Buda, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance from Buda, TX to McKinney, TX is about 254.6 miles (409.7 km), with a travel time of about 03h 48m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 226.8 miles (365 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 37m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 03h 48m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in McLennan County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buda and McKinney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buda and McKinney.
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1
Start on North Main Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
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2
Turn left onto South Interstate 35
1.3 mi · 2 min · South Interstate 35
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3
Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North
2129 ft · 52 sec
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4
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
12.6 mi · 15 min · Purple Heart Trail
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5
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
95.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
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6
Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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7
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
56.2 mi · 58 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
2094 ft · 42 sec
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10
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
129 m · 6 sec
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11
Keep slight right to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
2206 ft · 33 sec
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12
Keep slight left to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana
117 m · 6 sec
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13
Continue on East R L Thornton Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
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14
Take the exit slight right toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
2421 ft · 46 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: McKinney
2512 ft · 1 min
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16
Keep slight right to continue on US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
1697 ft · 27 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway
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18
Continue on North Central Expressway
26.6 mi · 29 min · North Central Expressway
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19
Take the exit slight right toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
1776 ft · 22 sec
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20
Keep slight right
1.2 km · 1 min
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21
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
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22
Continue on South McDonald Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South McDonald Street
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23
Turn slight left
86 m · 10 sec
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24
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Tennessee Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tennessee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buda and McKinney.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
95.6 mi · 01h 40m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Sunny leaving Buda and Sunny near McKinney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Buda to McKinney?
The road trip is about 254.6 miles (409.7 km) and usually takes 03h 48m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lacy-Lakeview is a useful midpoint, sitting about 121 miles from Buda and 133.5 miles from McKinney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 226.8 miles (365 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.8 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 9:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.94 one way or $67.87 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Buda and Sunny near McKinney.
Stop Ideas Near Lacy-Lakeview
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Riesel City Hall
Waco City Hall
Robinson City Police Department
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lacy-Lakeview.
Waco, TX
McGregor
Temple
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buda and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 226.79 mi (364.99 km).
#1 Buda
City in Hays County, Texas, United States
| Population | 17,544 |
| Coordinates | 30.0852100, -97.8402800 |
| Altitude | 214 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McKinney
The third most populous city in Collin County, Texas.
| Population | 208,272 |
| Coordinates | 33.1976200, -96.6152700 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Tennessee Street (-96.61506, 33.19762)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 410 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 38m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $33.94 | $67.87 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.18 | $76.37 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $41.23 | $82.45 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $35.86 | $71.71 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · May 13, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.