How far is New Braunfels, TX from McKinney, TX?

The driving distance from New Braunfels, TX to McKinney, TX is about 287 miles (461.9 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 257.3 miles (414.1 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 35m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
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
287.04 mi
04h 17m
Flight
257.31 mi
414.1 km direct

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

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from New Braunfels.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
257.31 mi
Kilometers
414.1 km
Flight Time
00h 31m

Driving Distance

Road route
287.04 mi
Kilometers
461.94 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
Sat, Apr 18, 3:21 AM CDT
Return by in New Braunfels
Sat, Apr 18, 7:39 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave New Braunfels
2026-04-17T23:03
Arrive McKinney
Sat, Apr 18, 3:21 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
10:18 AM to 12:18 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
8:24 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in New Braunfels
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
Lorena
TX

City in Texas

From New Braunfels
137.7 mi
02h 08m
To McKinney
149.3 mi
02h 08m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
89°F
Friday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 to 20 mph S
Destination
83°F
Friday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Fri, Apr 17 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
15 to 20 mph S

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between New Braunfels and McKinney.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between New Braunfels and McKinney.

  1. 1

    Start on Main Plaza

    711 ft · 25 sec · Main Plaza

  2. 2

    Exit the rotary onto South Seguin Avenue

    1.2 mi · 3 min · South Seguin Avenue

  3. 3

    Turn left onto Interstate 35 North

    1.1 km · 1 min · Interstate 35 North

  4. 4

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 North

    1371 ft · 33 sec

  5. 5

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    46.7 mi · 51 min · Purple Heart Trail

  6. 6

    Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail

    95.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail

  7. 7

    Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway

    6.6 mi · 8 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

  8. 8

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

  9. 9

    Keep slight right to continue on I 35E: Dallas

    56.2 mi · 58 min

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street

    2094 ft · 42 sec

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana

    129 m · 6 sec

  12. 12

    Keep slight right to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center

    2206 ft · 33 sec

  13. 13

    Keep slight left to continue on I 30 East: Texarkana

    117 m · 6 sec

  14. 14

    Continue on East R L Thornton Freeway

    1.2 km · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney

    2421 ft · 46 sec

  16. 16

    Keep slight left to continue on US 75 North: McKinney

    2512 ft · 1 min

  17. 17

    Keep slight right to continue on US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East

    1697 ft · 27 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Julius Schepps Freeway

    1.2 km · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway

  19. 19

    Continue on North Central Expressway

    26.6 mi · 29 min · North Central Expressway

  20. 20

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

    1776 ft · 22 sec

  21. 21

    Keep slight right

    1.2 km · 1 min

  22. 22

    Merge slight left

    1.5 km · 1 min

  23. 23

    Continue on South McDonald Street

    1.6 km · 2 min · South McDonald Street

  24. 24

    Turn slight left

    86 m · 10 sec

  25. 25

    Continue on South Tennessee Street

    1.1 mi · 3 min · South Tennessee Street

  26. 26

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · North Tennessee Street

Car Route Details

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

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
26 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
8
3 merges, 5 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
175 mi · 61%
I 35E
56.2 mi · 20%
North Central Expressway
26.6 mi · 9%
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.63 mi · 2%
SRT South
1.96 mi · 1%
South Seguin Avenue
1.22 mi
Longest Stretch

Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail

95.6 mi · 01h 40m

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 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+29.7 mi
257.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lorena
02h 08m from New Braunfels
Leave By
8:24 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving New Braunfels and Partly Sunny near McKinney.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from New Braunfels to McKinney?

The road trip is about 287 miles (461.9 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?

Lorena is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.7 miles from New Braunfels and 149.3 miles from McKinney.

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

The direct path is about 257.3 miles (414.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 29.7 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 8:24 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.28 one way or $76.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around New Braunfels and Partly Sunny near McKinney.

Stop Ideas Near Lorena

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

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Lorena, 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 Lorena.

RAIL

McGregor

19 mi away
1 Amtrak Blvd.
BUS

Waco, TX

20 mi away
301 South 8th Street
RAIL

Temple

35 mi away
315 West Ave B
BUS

Killeen, Texas

57 mi away
200 East Avenue C

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between New Braunfels and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 257.31 mi (414.1 km).

New Braunfels

#1 New Braunfels

The third most populous city in Comal County, Texas.

Population95,534
Coordinates29.7030000, -98.1244500
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
McKinney

#2 McKinney

The third most populous city in Collin County, Texas.

Population208,272
Coordinates33.1976200, -96.6152700
Altitude192
CountryUnited States
Start: Main Plaza (-98.124367, 29.702944)
End: North Tennessee Street (-96.61506, 33.19762)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 462 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 33m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 10m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 44m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 47m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 06m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.13 gal
38.34 L · about $38.28
Round trip
$76.56
20.26 gal · 76.68 L
Estimated CO2
90 kg one way
Round trip: 180.1 kg / 397 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $38.28 $76.56
Mid-grade $4.25 $43.07 $86.15
Premium $4.59 $46.51 $93.01
Diesel $3.99 $40.45 $80.90

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 18, 2026

There is no time difference between New Braunfels and McKinney. The current time is 23:03:27.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — 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.