How far is Stafford, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance from Stafford, TX to McKinney, TX is about 289.9 miles (466.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 34m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 255.2 miles (410.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 08m 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 34m.
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Stafford and McKinney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stafford and McKinney.
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1
Start on the route
34 m · 11 sec
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2
Turn right onto North Main Street
2340 ft · 55 sec · North Main Street
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3
Take the exit right
1381 ft · 26 sec
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4
Turn straight onto Murphy Road
1.2 mi · 2 min · Murphy Road
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5
Turn left onto West Airport Boulevard
1.1 km · 1 min · West Airport Boulevard
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6
Turn right onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
545 ft · 11 sec · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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7
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North
1534 ft · 37 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
1.2 km · 58 sec · Southwest Freeway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Sam Houston Tollway
1215 ft · 17 sec
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10
Keep slight left
1.1 km · 1 min
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11
Merge slight left onto West Sam Houston Parkway South
1 km · 43 sec · West Sam Houston Parkway South
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12
Continue on West Sam Houston Tollway South
12.2 mi · 14 min · West Sam Houston Tollway South
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13
Take the exit slight right toward West Sam Houston Tollway North
2106 ft · 27 sec · West Sam Houston Tollway North
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14
Merge slight left onto West Sam Houston Tollway North
9.8 mi · 11 min · West Sam Houston Tollway North
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15
Keep slight right to continue on North Sam Houston Tollway West
2.6 mi · 3 min · North Sam Houston Tollway West
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16
Continue on North Sam Houston Parkway West
1.2 km · 53 sec · North Sam Houston Parkway West
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17
Take the exit slight right toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown
952 ft · 23 sec
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18
Keep slight left to continue on I 45 North: Dallas
1.5 mi · 3 min
-
19
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
224.2 mi · 3 hr 53 min · North Freeway
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20
Continue on North Central Expressway
26.6 mi · 29 min · North Central Expressway
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21
Take the exit slight right toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
1776 ft · 22 sec
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22
Keep slight right
1.2 km · 1 min
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23
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
-
24
Continue on South McDonald Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South McDonald Street
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25
Turn slight left
86 m · 10 sec
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26
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Tennessee Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tennessee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Stafford 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
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
224 mi · 03h 53m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Stafford and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near McKinney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Stafford to McKinney?
The road trip is about 289.9 miles (466.6 km) and usually takes 04h 34m 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 144.2 miles from Stafford and 145.8 miles from McKinney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 255.2 miles (410.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 34.7 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 7:52 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.66 one way or $77.32 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 90.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Stafford and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 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.
Bryan, TX
Waco, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Stafford and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 255.19 mi (410.69 km).
#1 Stafford
City in Texas
| Population | 17,052 |
| Coordinates | 29.6160700, -95.5577200 |
| Altitude | 26 |
| 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: 467 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 08m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 37m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $38.66 | $77.32 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $43.50 | $87.00 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $46.97 | $93.93 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $40.85 | $81.70 |
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.