How far is McKinney, TX from Dayton, TX?
The driving distance from McKinney, TX to Dayton, TX is about 285.3 miles (459.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 05m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 240.3 miles (386.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 10m 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 05h 05m.
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 Leon County, Texas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McKinney and Dayton.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKinney and Dayton.
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1
Start on North Tennessee Street
36 m · 12 sec · North Tennessee Street
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2
Turn left onto East Virginia Street
1.4 mi · 3 min · East Virginia Street
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3
Turn left onto South Central Expressway
3105 ft · 53 sec · South Central Expressway
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4
Take the ramp slight left toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
1722 ft · 42 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto Central Expressway
29.2 mi · 31 min · Central Expressway
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6
Continue on Julius Schepps Freeway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
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7
Keep slight left to continue on Julius Schepps Freeway
209.3 mi · 3 hr 36 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Grand Parkway
1067 ft · 26 sec
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9
Turn straight onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
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10
Turn left onto North Grand Parkway West
116 m · 9 sec · North Grand Parkway West
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11
Take the ramp straight toward TX 99 Toll East
1536 ft · 38 sec
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12
Merge slight left onto North Grand Parkway East
32.3 mi · 35 min · North Grand Parkway East
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13
Take the exit slight right toward FM 1960: Dayton, Humble
2361 ft · 1 min
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14
Turn left
5.1 mi · 7 min
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15
Turn right onto North Cleveland Street
1028 ft · 25 sec · North Cleveland Street
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16
Turn left onto United States Highway 90 West
1497 ft · 27 sec · United States Highway 90 West
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17
Turn right onto South Winfree Street
43 m · 9 sec · South Winfree Street
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18
Turn left
69 m · 18 sec
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19
Turn right
47 m · 16 sec
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20
Turn left
27 m · 6 sec
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McKinney and Dayton.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Julius Schepps Freeway
Keep slight left to continue on Julius Schepps Freeway
209 mi · 03h 36m
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving McKinney and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Dayton.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McKinney to Dayton?
The road trip is about 285.3 miles (459.2 km) and usually takes 05h 05m 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 142.9 miles from McKinney and 142.5 miles from Dayton.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 240.3 miles (386.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 45 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 6:50 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.05 one way or $76.11 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.5 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around McKinney and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms near Dayton.
Stop Ideas Near Buffalo
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Buffalo.
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Waco, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McKinney and Dayton. Straight-line distance: 240.32 mi (386.76 km).
#1 McKinney
The third most populous city in Collin County, Texas.
| Population | 208,272 |
| Coordinates | 33.1976200, -96.6152700 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Dayton
City in Liberty County, Texas, United States
| Population | 8,628 |
| Coordinates | 30.0466100, -94.8852000 |
| Altitude | 25 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dayton (-94.8852, 30.04661)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 459 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 08m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 42m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 45m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 33m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $38.05 | $76.11 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.82 | $85.64 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $46.23 | $92.46 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $40.21 | $80.42 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.