How far is Katy, TX from McKinney, TX?

Fastest route

The route from Katy, Texas, USA to McKinney, Texas, USA is approximately 288 miles long and takes about 3 hours and 59 minutes via I-45 N. The route has tolls and some road sections may be closed at certain times or days.

Directions

  1. Start by getting on I-10 E in Harris County from Hwy Blvd.
  2. Head east on Hwy Blvd toward Danover Rd.
  3. Pass by McDonald's (on the right).
  4. Continue straight onto Katy Mills Blvd.
  5. Turn left onto Interstate 10 Frontage Rd E.
  6. Use the left lane to take the ramp onto I-10 E.
  7. Take TX-99/Grand Pkwy and I-45 N to S Central Expy N in McKinney. Take exit Exit 40A from US-75 N.

Tips & Suggestions

  • πŸš— Make sure to have enough cash or a compatible toll pass for the tolls on the route.
  • πŸ›£οΈ Stay updated with the current traffic conditions to choose the fastest route.
  • πŸ—ΊοΈ Use a navigation app or GPS device to follow the directions accurately.
  • ⚠️ Be aware that parts of I-345 may be closed at certain times or days.
  • 🚧 Exercise caution and follow traffic signs when merging or changing lanes.
  • β›½ It's recommended to have a full tank of gas before starting the journey.
  • πŸ“± Keep your mobile phone charged in case you need to make emergency calls or use navigation apps.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
288.55 mi
04h 17m
Flight
240.29 mi
386.71 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Katy.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
240.29 mi
Kilometers
386.71 km
Flight Time
00h 29m

Driving Distance

Road route
288.55 mi
Kilometers
464.37 km
Drive Time
04h 17m

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 17m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in McKinney
Thu, Apr 23, 2:15 AM CDT
Return by in Katy
Thu, Apr 23, 6:32 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Katy
2026-04-22T21:57
Arrive McKinney
Thu, Apr 23, 2:15 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 17m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:17 AM to 12:17 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:26 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Katy
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

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
Buffalo
TX

City in Leon County, Texas

From Katy
144 mi
02h 08m
To McKinney
144.5 mi
02h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
80Β°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph SE
Destination
76Β°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 Katy and McKinney.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on Highway Boulevard

    1.1 mi Β· 2 min Β· Highway Boulevard

  2. 2

    Turn left onto Katy Freeway Frontage Road

    69 m Β· 4 sec Β· Katy Freeway Frontage Road

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 10 East

    1776 ft Β· 44 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Katy Freeway

    1.3 km Β· 52 sec Β· Katy Freeway

  5. 5

    Take the exit slight right toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Parkway

    2346 ft Β· 45 sec

  6. 6

    Keep slight left to continue on TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway

    1 km Β· 1 min

  7. 7

    Keep slight left to continue on TX 99 Toll North

    854 ft Β· 21 sec

  8. 8

    Merge slight left onto West Grand Parkway North

    37.8 mi Β· 41 min Β· West Grand Parkway North

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight right toward I 45 North: Dallas

    1.4 mi Β· 3 min

  10. 10

    Merge slight left

    214 mi Β· 3 hr 41 min

  11. 11

    Continue on North Central Expressway

    26.6 mi Β· 29 min Β· North Central Expressway

  12. 12

    Take the exit slight right toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway

    1776 ft Β· 22 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight right

    1.2 km Β· 1 min

  14. 14

    Merge slight left

    1.5 km Β· 1 min

  15. 15

    Continue on South McDonald Street

    1.6 km Β· 2 min Β· South McDonald Street

  16. 16

    Turn slight left

    86 m Β· 10 sec

  17. 17

    Continue on South Tennessee Street

    1.1 mi Β· 3 min Β· South Tennessee Street

  18. 18

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m Β· 1 sec Β· North Tennessee Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
18 steps
2 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
4 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
6.2 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
I 45 North
215 mi Β· 75%
West Grand Parkway North
37.8 mi Β· 13%
North Central Expressway
26.6 mi Β· 9%
SRT South
1.96 mi Β· 1%
TX 99 Toll North
1.25 mi
South Tennessee Street
1.14 mi
Longest Stretch

I 45 North

Merge slight left

214 mi Β· 03h 41m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 17m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 34m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+48.3 mi
240.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Buffalo
02h 08m from Katy
Leave By
8:26 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Katy 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 Katy to McKinney?

The road trip is about 288.6 miles (464.4 km) and usually takes 04h 17m 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?

Buffalo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 144 miles from Katy and 144.5 miles from McKinney.

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

The direct path is about 240.3 miles (386.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 48.3 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 8:26 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.47 one way or $76.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Katy and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near McKinney.

Stop Ideas Near Buffalo

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Buffalo, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

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

BUS

Bryan, TX

93 mi away
301 East 26th Street
BUS

Waco, TX

102 mi away
301 South 8th Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Katy and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 240.29 mi (386.71 km).

Katy

#1 Katy

City in Texas, United States; within the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land metropolitan area

Population23,889
Coordinates29.7857900, -95.8244000
Altitude42
CountryUnited States
McKinney

#2 McKinney

The third most populous city in Collin County, Texas.

Population208,272
Coordinates33.1976200, -96.6152700
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Start: Highway Boulevard (-95.8244, 29.785777)
End: North Tennessee Street (-96.61506, 33.19762)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 464 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 36m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 12m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 46m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 48m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 07m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 35m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.18 gal
38.54 L Β· about $38.47
Round trip
$76.94
20.36 gal Β· 77.08 L
Estimated CO2
90.5 kg one way
Round trip: 180.9 kg / 399 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $38.47 $76.94
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.29 $86.57
Premium $4.59 $46.74 $93.47
Diesel $3.99 $40.65 $81.30

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 Β· Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Katy and McKinney. The current time is 21:57:48.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh β€” 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.