How far is South Houston, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance from South Houston, TX to McKinney, TX is about 284.6 miles (458 km), with a travel time of about 04h 17m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 257.4 miles (414.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 34m 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 17m.
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between South Houston and McKinney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between South Houston and McKinney.
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1
Start on Galveston Road
1 km · 1 min · Galveston Road
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2
Turn left onto Winkler Drive
1.1 mi · 2 min · Winkler Drive
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3
Continue on Monroe Road
148 m · 8 sec · Monroe Road
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4
Turn right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
933 ft · 20 sec · Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 45 North
881 ft · 21 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto Gulf Freeway
10.4 mi · 12 min · Gulf Freeway
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7
Continue on North Freeway
237.4 mi · 4 hr 9 min · North Freeway
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8
Continue on North Central Expressway
26.6 mi · 29 min · North Central Expressway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
1776 ft · 22 sec
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10
Keep slight right
1.2 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
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12
Continue on South McDonald Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South McDonald Street
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13
Turn slight left
86 m · 10 sec
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14
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Tennessee Street
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15
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tennessee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between South Houston and McKinney.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
North Freeway
Continue on North Freeway
237 mi · 04h 09m
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.
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy leaving South Houston and Mostly Sunny near McKinney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from South Houston to McKinney?
The road trip is about 284.6 miles (458 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?
Buffalo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.6 miles from South Houston and 144 miles from McKinney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 257.4 miles (414.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 27.2 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 8:26 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $37.94 one way or $75.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy around South Houston and Mostly Sunny near McKinney.
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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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between South Houston and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 257.4 mi (414.25 km).
#1 South Houston
City in Harris County, Texas, United States
| Population | 17,446 |
| Coordinates | 29.6630100, -95.2354900 |
| Altitude | 9 |
| Country | United States |
#2 McKinney
The third most populous city in Collin County, Texas.
| Population | 208,272 |
| Coordinates | 33.1976200, -96.6152700 |
| Altitude | 192 |
| Country | United States |
End: North Tennessee Street (-96.61506, 33.19762)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 458 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 28m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 06m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 41m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 03m |
| 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 | $37.94 | $75.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $42.69 | $85.38 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $46.09 | $92.19 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $40.09 | $80.18 |
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.