How far is Denton, TX from McKinney, TX?

The driving distance from Denton, TX to McKinney, TX is about 32.9 miles (53 km), with a travel time of about 00h 52m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 30 miles (48.2 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 44m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
32.94 mi
00h 52m
Flight
29.96 mi
48.21 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Denton.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
29.96 mi
Kilometers
48.21 km
Flight Time
00h 03m

Driving Distance

Road route
32.94 mi
Kilometers
53.01 km
Drive Time
00h 52m

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 00h 52m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in McKinney
Wed, Apr 22, 9:10 PM CDT
Return by in Denton
Wed, Apr 22, 10:02 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Denton
2026-04-22T20:18
Arrive McKinney
Wed, Apr 22, 9:10 PM CDT
Route Timing
00h 52m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:52 AM to 10:52 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:46 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Denton
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
Prosper
TX

Suburban town located in Collin and Denton counties, Texas

From Denton
16.4 mi
00h 26m
To McKinney
16.5 mi
00h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Wednesday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE
Destination
76°F
Wednesday

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SSE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Denton and McKinney.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Denton and McKinney.

  1. 1

    Start on West Hickory Street

    56 m · 15 sec · West Hickory Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto North Locust Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · North Locust Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East University Drive

    5.6 mi · 9 min · East University Drive

  4. 4

    Continue on US Highway 380 East

    8.2 mi · 12 min · US Highway 380 East

  5. 5

    Continue on West University Drive

    7.6 mi · 10 min · West University Drive

  6. 6

    Continue on West University Drive

    7.6 mi · 11 min · West University Drive

  7. 7

    Take the exit slight right toward US 75 South, TX 121 South

    69 m · 6 sec

  8. 8

    Turn slight right onto North Central Expressway

    81 m · 5 sec · North Central Expressway

  9. 9

    Continue on North Central Expressway

    1.2 mi · 2 min · North Central Expressway

  10. 10

    Turn left onto West Louisiana Street

    1.4 mi · 3 min · West Louisiana Street

  11. 11

    Turn left onto North Tennessee Street

    36 m · 3 sec · North Tennessee Street

  12. 12

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Tennessee Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Denton and McKinney.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Turn-heavy local drive

The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.

Directions
12 steps
5 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
1
0 merges, 1 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
36.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West University Drive
15.1 mi · 46%
US Highway 380 East
8.25 mi · 25%
East University Drive
5.61 mi · 17%
West Louisiana Street
1.44 mi · 4%
North Central Expressway
1.23 mi · 4%
North Locust Street
1.12 mi · 3%
Longest Stretch

US Highway 380 East

Continue on US Highway 380 East

8.25 mi · 00h 12m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 52m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 44m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+2.9 mi
30 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Prosper
00h 26m from Denton
Leave By
4:46 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Denton and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near McKinney.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Denton to McKinney?

The road trip is about 32.9 miles (53 km) and usually takes 00h 52m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Prosper is a useful midpoint, sitting about 16.4 miles from Denton and 16.5 miles from McKinney.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 30 miles (48.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 2.9 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:46 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $4.38 one way or $8.77 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 10.3 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Denton and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near McKinney.

Stop Ideas Near Prosper

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Prosper and the surrounding midpoint area.
Town of Prosper City Hall
Scenic stop 4.2 mi away

Town of Prosper City Hall

Prosper , TX
250 W First St, Prosper, TX 75078
Rating 4.8/5 23 reviews Government office,Museum,Tourist attraction
George A. Purefoy Municipal Center
Meeting point 5.3 mi away

George A. Purefoy Municipal Center

Frisco , TX
6101 Frisco Square Blvd, Frisco, TX 75034
Rating 3.4/5 20 reviews City Hall,City government office
The Colony Public Library and City Hall
Nearby stop 8.5 mi away

The Colony Public Library and City Hall

The Colony , TX
6800 Main St, The Colony, TX 75056
Rating 4.8/5 53 reviews Public library

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Prosper.

RAIL

Union Station

51 mi away
400 South Houston St.
BUS

Dallas, TX

51 mi away
205 South Lamar Street
BUS

Mesquite, TX

52 mi away
1331 Highway 80 East \r\n1331 Highway 80 East \r\n
RAIL

Gainesville

53 mi away
605 East California Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Denton and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 29.96 mi (48.21 km).

Denton

#1 Denton

The seventh most populous city in Texas.

Population147,515
Coordinates33.2148400, -97.1330700
Altitude201
CountryUnited States
McKinney

#2 McKinney

The third most populous city in Collin County, Texas.

Population208,272
Coordinates33.1976200, -96.6152700
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Start: West Hickory Street (-97.133071, 33.21453)
End: North Tennessee Street (-96.61506, 33.19762)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 53 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 05m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)00h 49m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)00h 39m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 28m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 24m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.16 gal
4.4 L · about $4.38
Round trip
$8.77
2.32 gal · 8.8 L
Estimated CO2
10.3 kg one way
Round trip: 20.6 kg / 45 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $4.38 $8.77
Mid-grade $4.25 $4.93 $9.86
Premium $4.59 $5.33 $10.65
Diesel $3.99 $4.63 $9.26

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 · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Denton and McKinney. The current time is 20:18:02.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.