How far is The Woodlands, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance from The Woodlands, TX to McKinney, TX is about 245.1 miles (394.5 km), with a travel time of about 03h 50m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 220.2 miles (354.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 07h 40m 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 03h 50m.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between The Woodlands and McKinney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between The Woodlands and McKinney.
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1
Start on Pebble Cove Drive
1009 ft · 36 sec · Pebble Cove Drive
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2
Turn right onto East Panther Creek Drive
1.3 km · 2 min · East Panther Creek Drive
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3
Turn right onto Lake Woodlands Drive
2568 ft · 55 sec · Lake Woodlands Drive
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4
Turn left onto Lakeside Boulevard
2839 ft · 1 min · Lakeside Boulevard
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5
Turn right onto Research Forest Drive
1.4 mi · 3 min · Research Forest Drive
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6
Turn left onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
1 mi · 2 min · Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
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7
Take the ramp straight toward I 45 North
907 ft · 22 sec
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8
Merge slight left
207.6 mi · 3 hr 34 min
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9
Continue on North Central Expressway
26.6 mi · 29 min · North Central Expressway
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10
Take the exit slight right toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
1776 ft · 22 sec
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11
Keep slight right
1.2 km · 1 min
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12
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
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13
Continue on South McDonald Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South McDonald Street
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14
Turn slight left
86 m · 10 sec
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15
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Tennessee Street
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tennessee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between The Woodlands 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.
I 45 North
Merge slight left
208 mi · 03h 34m
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 Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy leaving The Woodlands 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 The Woodlands to McKinney?
The road trip is about 245.1 miles (394.5 km) and usually takes 03h 50m 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 121.7 miles from The Woodlands and 123.5 miles from McKinney.
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 24.9 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 9:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $32.69 one way or $65.38 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 76.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy around The Woodlands and Mostly Sunny near McKinney.
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.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between The Woodlands and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 220.2 mi (354.38 km).
#1 The Woodlands
A city in Montgomery County, Texas.
| Population | 93,847 |
| Coordinates | 30.1579900, -95.4893800 |
| Altitude | 43 |
| 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: 395 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 10m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 07m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 54m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 30m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 03m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $32.69 | $65.38 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $36.78 | $73.56 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $39.71 | $79.42 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $34.54 | $69.08 |
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.