How far is Dripping Springs, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance from Dripping Springs, TX to McKinney, TX is about 249.5 miles (401.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 07m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.1 miles (362.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 14m 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 04h 07m.
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.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Dripping Springs and McKinney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dripping Springs and McKinney.
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1
Start on the route
101 m · 26 sec
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2
At the end of the road, turn right
32 m · 8 sec
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3
Turn right onto Ranch Road 12
850 ft · 20 sec · Ranch Road 12
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4
Turn right onto East US Highway 290
12.2 mi · 17 min · East US Highway 290
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5
Continue on West US Highway 290
1424 ft · 18 sec · West US Highway 290
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6
Take the exit slight left
892 ft · 22 sec
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7
Continue on West US Highway 290
2 mi · 2 min · West US Highway 290
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8
Continue straight
1.6 mi · 2 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 1 North
1.1 km · 2 min
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10
Merge slight left onto South Mopac Expressway
4.6 mi · 5 min · South Mopac Expressway
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11
Keep slight left
10.2 mi · 11 min
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12
Merge slight right onto North Mopac Expressway
4.3 mi · 4 min · North Mopac Expressway
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13
Keep slight right to continue on TX 45 Toll East
2829 ft · 1 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 35 North, Toll 45 East
655 ft · 16 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto State Highway 45 North
3080 ft · 35 sec · State Highway 45 North
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16
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Waco
1.3 mi · 3 min
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17
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
80 mi · 1 hr 23 min · Purple Heart Trail
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18
Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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19
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
56.2 mi · 58 min
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21
Take the exit slight right toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
2094 ft · 42 sec
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22
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
129 m · 6 sec
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23
Keep slight right to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
2206 ft · 33 sec
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24
Keep slight left to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana
117 m · 6 sec
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25
Continue on East R L Thornton Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
2421 ft · 46 sec
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27
Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: McKinney
2512 ft · 1 min
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28
Keep slight right to continue on US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
1697 ft · 27 sec
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29
Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway
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30
Continue on North Central Expressway
26.6 mi · 29 min · North Central Expressway
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31
Take the exit slight right toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
1776 ft · 22 sec
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32
Keep slight right
1.2 km · 1 min
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33
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
-
34
Continue on South McDonald Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South McDonald Street
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35
Turn slight left
86 m · 10 sec
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36
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Tennessee Street
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37
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tennessee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Dripping Springs 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
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
80 mi · 01h 23m
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 Dripping Springs and Mostly Sunny near McKinney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Dripping Springs to McKinney?
The road trip is about 249.5 miles (401.6 km) and usually takes 04h 07m 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?
Bellmead is a useful midpoint, sitting about 124.8 miles from Dripping Springs and 124.7 miles from McKinney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 225.1 miles (362.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.4 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 8:46 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.26 one way or $66.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 78.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Dripping Springs and Mostly Sunny near McKinney.
Stop Ideas Near Bellmead
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 Bellmead.
Waco, TX
McGregor
Temple
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Dripping Springs and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 225.07 mi (362.21 km).
#1 Dripping Springs
City in Texas
| Population | 6,587 |
| Coordinates | 30.1902100, -98.0866800 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| 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: 402 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 18m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 59m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 09m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 06m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $33.26 | $66.51 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.42 | $74.84 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $40.40 | $80.80 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $35.14 | $70.28 |
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 14, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.