How far is McKinney, TX from Watauga, TX?
The driving distance from McKinney, TX to Watauga, TX is about 53.3 miles (85.7 km), with a travel time of about 01h 02m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.9 miles (70.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 02h 05m 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 01h 02m.
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.
A city in Dallas County, Texas.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between McKinney and Watauga.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between McKinney and Watauga.
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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
70 m · 13 sec · East Virginia Street
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3
Turn left onto North Kentucky Street
72 m · 16 sec · North Kentucky Street
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4
Turn left onto East Louisiana Street
1034 ft · 29 sec · East Louisiana Street
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5
Turn right onto South McDonald Street
2.4 mi · 4 min · South McDonald Street
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6
Continue on Spur 399
1.4 km · 1 min · Spur 399
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7
Continue on Sam Rayburn Tollway
20.3 mi · 22 min · Sam Rayburn Tollway
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8
Continue straight
1.4 mi · 2 min
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9
Continue on Sam Rayburn Tollway
3.4 mi · 4 min · Sam Rayburn Tollway
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10
Continue straight
6.9 mi · 7 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on TX 121 South: Forth Worth, Arlington, Grand Praire
6.9 mi · 8 min
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12
Take the exit slight left toward TX 121 Express South Toll, TX 183 Express West Toll
1.1 km · 42 sec
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13
Continue on SH 121/183 TEXpress
3.4 mi · 3 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress
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14
Continue on SH 183 TEXpress
644 ft · 7 sec · SH 183 TEXpress
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15
Continue on SH 121/183 TEXpress
1.1 km · 43 sec · SH 121/183 TEXpress
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16
Continue on I 820 TEXpress
3.4 mi · 3 min · I 820 TEXpress
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17
Take the exit slight right toward US 377: Denton Highway, Haltom Road, Beach Street
2675 ft · 1 min
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18
Turn slight right onto US 377 North
67 m · 5 sec
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19
Turn slight right onto Denton Highway
1.5 km · 2 min · Denton Highway
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20
Turn right onto Shipp Drive
2785 ft · 1 min · Shipp Drive
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21
Turn left onto Whitley Road
1552 ft · 1 min · Whitley Road
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Whitley Road
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between McKinney and Watauga.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Sam Rayburn Tollway
Continue on Sam Rayburn Tollway
20.3 mi · 00h 22m
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.
Mostly Cloudy leaving McKinney and Mostly Cloudy near Watauga.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from McKinney to Watauga?
The road trip is about 53.3 miles (85.7 km) and usually takes 01h 02m 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?
Coppell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26.6 miles from McKinney and 26.6 miles from Watauga.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 43.9 miles (70.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 9.4 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 4:24 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.10 one way or $14.21 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around McKinney and Mostly Cloudy near Watauga.
Stop Ideas Near Coppell
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Clifford E 'Bill' Hall Park
City of Irving, City Hall
Galleria Dallas
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Coppell.
Union Station
Dallas, TX
Fort Worth Central Station
Mesquite, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between McKinney and Watauga. Straight-line distance: 43.86 mi (70.58 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 Watauga
City in Tarrant County, Texas, United States
| Population | 24,188 |
| Coordinates | 32.8579100, -97.2547400 |
| Altitude | 185 |
| Country | United States |
End: Watauga (-97.25474, 32.85791)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 86 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 46m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 19m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 03m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 53m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 39m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $7.10 | $14.21 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.99 | $15.99 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $8.63 | $17.26 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $7.51 | $15.01 |
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.