How far is Watauga, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance from Watauga, TX to McKinney, TX is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 56m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 43.9 miles (70.6 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 52m 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 00h 56m.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Watauga and McKinney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Watauga and McKinney.
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1
Start on Whitley Road
1552 ft · 1 min · Whitley Road
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2
Turn right onto Shipp Drive
2785 ft · 1 min · Shipp Drive
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3
At the end of the road, turn left onto Denton Highway
1 mi · 2 min · Denton Highway
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4
Take the ramp left toward I 820 Express East, I 820 East
142 m · 11 sec
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5
Keep slight left to continue on I 820 East Express Toll
2492 ft · 1 min
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6
Merge slight left onto I 820 TEXpress
3.3 mi · 3 min · I 820 TEXpress
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7
Continue on SH 121/183 TEXpress
4.4 mi · 4 min · SH 121/183 TEXpress
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8
Take the exit slight right toward TX 121 North: DFW Airport North Entry
8.9 mi · 10 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on TX 121 North, I 635 East
5.5 mi · 6 min
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10
Continue on Sam Rayburn Tollway
3.6 mi · 4 min · Sam Rayburn Tollway
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11
Continue straight
1.3 mi · 1 min
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12
Continue on Sam Rayburn Tollway
20.2 mi · 22 min · Sam Rayburn Tollway
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13
Continue straight
1.2 mi · 2 min
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14
Continue on South McDonald Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South McDonald Street
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15
Turn slight left
86 m · 10 sec
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16
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Tennessee Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tennessee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Watauga and McKinney.
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
20.2 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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Watauga 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 Watauga to McKinney?
The road trip is about 53.3 miles (85.8 km) and usually takes 00h 56m 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 26.5 miles from Watauga and 26.8 miles from McKinney.
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 4:38 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 Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Watauga and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near McKinney.
Stop Ideas Near Coppell
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Clifford E 'Bill' Hall Park
Richardson 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 Watauga and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 43.86 mi (70.58 km).
#1 Watauga
City in Tarrant County, Texas, United States
| Population | 24,188 |
| Coordinates | 32.8579100, -97.2547400 |
| Altitude | 185 |
| 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: 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.