How far is McKinney, TX from The Woodlands, TX?
The driving distance from McKinney, TX to The Woodlands, TX is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 220.2 miles (354.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 39m 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 19m.
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 and county seat of Freestone County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McKinney and The Woodlands.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKinney and The Woodlands.
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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
205.5 mi · 3 hr 31 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward Robinson Road, Woodlands Parkway
1626 ft · 40 sec
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9
Turn straight onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
1584 ft · 32 sec · Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
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10
Turn slight right onto Lake Woodlands Drive
1031 ft · 45 sec
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11
Turn straight onto Lake Woodlands Drive
1.3 km · 2 min · Lake Woodlands Drive
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12
Turn left onto Grogans Mill Road
1.2 km · 2 min · Grogans Mill Road
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13
Turn slight right
2430 ft · 51 sec
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14
Turn straight onto Woodlands Parkway
1.3 km · 1 min · Woodlands Parkway
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15
Turn right onto East Panther Creek Drive
156 m · 15 sec · East Panther Creek Drive
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16
Turn right onto Pebble Cove Drive
1009 ft · 35 sec · Pebble Cove Drive
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Pebble Cove Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McKinney and The Woodlands.
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
206 mi · 03h 31m
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 Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near The Woodlands.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McKinney to The Woodlands?
The road trip is about 244.3 miles (393.2 km) and usually takes 04h 19m 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?
Fairfield is a useful midpoint, sitting about 122.4 miles from McKinney and 122 miles from The Woodlands.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 220.2 miles (354.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 24.1 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 8:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.57 one way or $65.15 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around McKinney and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near The Woodlands.
Stop Ideas Near Fairfield
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 Fairfield.
Waco, TX
Tyler, TX
Bryan, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McKinney and The Woodlands. Straight-line distance: 220.2 mi (354.38 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 The Woodlands
A city in Montgomery County, Texas.
| Population | 93,847 |
| Coordinates | 30.1579900, -95.4893800 |
| Altitude | 43 |
| Country | United States |
End: The Woodlands (-95.48938, 30.15799)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 393 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 08m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 53m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 04m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 02m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $32.57 | $65.15 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.65 | $73.30 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $39.57 | $79.15 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $34.42 | $68.84 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.