How far is McKinney, TX from Dripping Springs, TX?
The driving distance from McKinney, TX to Dripping Springs, TX is about 249.4 miles (401.3 km), with a travel time of about 04h 32m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 225.1 miles (362.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 05m 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 32m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
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 McKinney and Dripping Springs.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKinney and Dripping Springs.
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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
Take the exit slight left toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
153 m · 12 sec
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7
Continue on North Central Expressway
1.2 km · 1 min · North Central Expressway
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8
Turn right onto Elm Street
93 m · 11 sec · Elm Street
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9
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
1086 ft · 29 sec · North Pearl Expressway
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10
Turn right onto Young Street
572 ft · 20 sec · Young Street
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11
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
96 m · 8 sec · South Harwood Street
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12
Turn right onto Canton Street
2105 ft · 48 sec · Canton Street
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13
Take the ramp slight left toward I 30 West
1773 ft · 38 sec
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14
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
607 ft · 15 sec
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15
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
67 m · 5 sec
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16
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South: Waco
1915 ft · 30 sec
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17
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
2866 ft · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
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18
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 1 hr 32 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
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19
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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20
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
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21
Keep slight left
42.1 mi · 43 min
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22
Take the exit slight right toward TX 45 Toll, TX 1 Toll
2490 ft · 1 min
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23
Keep slight right to continue on TX 45 Toll West, TX 1 Toll South: Round Rock, Austin
1.1 km · 1 min
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24
Merge slight left onto State Highway 45 North
2682 ft · 31 sec · State Highway 45 North
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 1 Toll South
1.3 km · 2 min
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26
Continue on North Mopac Expressway
4.2 mi · 4 min · North Mopac Expressway
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27
Keep slight left
10.5 mi · 11 min
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28
Merge slight right onto North Mopac Expressway
4.4 mi · 5 min · North Mopac Expressway
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29
Take the exit slight right toward US 290 West, TX 71 West: Johnson City, Llano
1 km · 1 min
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30
Keep slight left to continue on US 290 West, TX 71 West
97 m · 8 sec
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31
Merge slight left
3.7 mi · 4 min
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32
Continue on West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
136 m · 6 sec · West US Highway 290 Frontage Rd
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33
Continue on West US 290 Frontage Rd
1525 ft · 24 sec · West US 290 Frontage Rd
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34
Turn straight onto West US 290 Bypass Lanes
2551 ft · 33 sec · West US 290 Bypass Lanes
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35
Continue on West US Highway 290
115 m · 5 sec · West US Highway 290
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36
Continue on West US Highway 290
11.7 mi · 16 min · West US Highway 290
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37
Turn left onto Ranch Road 12
850 ft · 19 sec · Ranch Road 12
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38
Turn left
32 m · 13 sec
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39
Turn left
101 m · 24 sec
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40
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McKinney and Dripping Springs.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South R L Thornton Freeway
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 01h 32m
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 McKinney and Mostly Sunny near Dripping Springs.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McKinney to Dripping Springs?
The road trip is about 249.4 miles (401.3 km) and usually takes 04h 32m 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 124.9 miles from McKinney and 124.5 miles from Dripping Springs.
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 24.3 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 7:54 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 McKinney and Mostly Sunny near Dripping Springs.
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 McKinney and Dripping Springs. Straight-line distance: 225.07 mi (362.21 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 Dripping Springs
City in Texas
| Population | 6,587 |
| Coordinates | 30.1902100, -98.0866800 |
| Altitude | 350 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dripping Springs (-98.08668, 30.19021)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 401 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.