How far is Gatesville, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance from Gatesville, TX to McKinney, TX is about 158.4 miles (254.9 km), with a travel time of about 02h 54m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 48m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
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 02h 54m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
Town in Ellis County, Texas, United States of America
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Gatesville and McKinney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Gatesville and McKinney.
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1
Start on the route
46 m · 13 sec
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2
Turn right
23 m · 11 sec
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3
Turn left onto East Main Street
19 mi · 23 min · East Main Street
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4
Continue on West McGregor Drive
2.8 mi · 4 min · West McGregor Drive
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5
Continue on West US Highway 84
5.3 mi · 6 min · West US Highway 84
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6
Continue on George W Bush Parkway
7.3 mi · 9 min · George W Bush Parkway
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7
Take the exit slight right toward Spur 298: Franklin Avenue
1.5 mi · 2 min
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8
Turn slight right
79 m · 10 sec
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9
Take the ramp straight toward South Valley Mills Drive
671 ft · 18 sec · South Valley Mills Drive
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10
Keep slight left
556 ft · 15 sec
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11
Merge slight left onto South Valley Mills Drive
1.5 mi · 3 min · South Valley Mills Drive
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12
Turn left onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
1.5 km · 2 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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13
Take the ramp straight toward I 35 North, US 77 North
135 m · 11 sec
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14
Continue straight
1419 ft · 35 sec
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15
Merge slight left onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
3.3 mi · 4 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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16
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
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17
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
56.2 mi · 58 min
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18
Take the exit slight right toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
2094 ft · 42 sec
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19
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
129 m · 6 sec
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20
Keep slight right to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
2206 ft · 33 sec
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21
Keep slight left to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana
117 m · 6 sec
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22
Continue on East R L Thornton Freeway
1.2 km · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
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23
Take the exit slight right toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
2421 ft · 46 sec
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24
Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: McKinney
2512 ft · 1 min
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25
Keep slight right to continue on US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
1697 ft · 27 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway
1.2 km · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway
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27
Continue on North Central Expressway
26.6 mi · 29 min · North Central Expressway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
1776 ft · 22 sec
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29
Keep slight right
1.2 km · 1 min
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30
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
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31
Continue on South McDonald Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South McDonald Street
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32
Turn slight left
86 m · 10 sec
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33
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Tennessee Street
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34
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tennessee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Gatesville and McKinney.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
I 35E
Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas
56.2 mi · 00h 58m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Sunny leaving Gatesville and Sunny near McKinney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Gatesville to McKinney?
The road trip is about 158.4 miles (254.9 km) and usually takes 02h 54m 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?
Milford is a useful midpoint, sitting about 83.1 miles from Gatesville and 75.4 miles from McKinney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 138.4 miles (222.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 20 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 12:42 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $21.12 one way or $42.25 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 49.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Sunny around Gatesville and Sunny near McKinney.
Stop Ideas Near Milford
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Historic City Hall
Frost City Hall
Town Hall Estates Hillsboro
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Milford.
Cleburne
Waco, TX
Union Station
Dallas, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Gatesville and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 138.46 mi (222.83 km).
#1 Gatesville
City in Texas, United States
| Population | 12,550 |
| Coordinates | 31.4351600, -97.7439100 |
| Altitude | 246 |
| 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: 255 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 16m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 10m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 38m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 15m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $21.12 | $42.25 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $23.77 | $47.54 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $25.66 | $51.33 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $22.32 | $44.64 |
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 31, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.