How far is Wharton, TX from McKinney, TX?
The driving distance from Wharton, TX to McKinney, TX is about 310.1 miles (499 km), with a travel time of about 05h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 270.2 miles (434.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 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 05h 20m.
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, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Sunny
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Wharton and McKinney.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Wharton and McKinney.
-
1
Start on West Milam Street
34 m · 6 sec · West Milam Street
-
2
Turn right onto North Richmond Road
1 mi · 2 min · North Richmond Road
-
3
Turn left
1.7 mi · 3 min
-
4
Merge slight left onto US Highway 59
15.7 mi · 18 min · US Highway 59
-
5
Take the exit slight right
1551 ft · 38 sec
-
6
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road
-
7
Continue straight
2146 ft · 59 sec
-
8
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
-
9
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
-
10
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North
1304 ft · 32 sec
-
11
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
20.1 mi · 22 min · Southwest Freeway
-
12
Take the exit slight right toward Sam Houston Tollway
1215 ft · 17 sec
-
13
Keep slight left
1.1 km · 1 min
-
14
Merge slight left onto West Sam Houston Parkway South
1 km · 43 sec · West Sam Houston Parkway South
-
15
Continue on West Sam Houston Tollway South
12.2 mi · 14 min · West Sam Houston Tollway South
-
16
Take the exit slight right toward West Sam Houston Tollway North
2106 ft · 27 sec · West Sam Houston Tollway North
-
17
Merge slight left onto West Sam Houston Tollway North
9.8 mi · 11 min · West Sam Houston Tollway North
-
18
Keep slight right to continue on North Sam Houston Tollway West
2.6 mi · 3 min · North Sam Houston Tollway West
-
19
Continue on North Sam Houston Parkway West
1.2 km · 53 sec · North Sam Houston Parkway West
-
20
Take the exit slight right toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown
952 ft · 23 sec
-
21
Keep slight left to continue on I 45 North: Dallas
1.5 mi · 3 min
-
22
Merge slight left onto North Freeway
224.2 mi · 3 hr 53 min · North Freeway
-
23
Continue on North Central Expressway
26.6 mi · 29 min · North Central Expressway
-
24
Take the exit slight right toward SRT South, TX 5: Sam Rayburn Tollway
1776 ft · 22 sec
-
25
Keep slight right
1.2 km · 1 min
-
26
Merge slight left
1.5 km · 1 min
-
27
Continue on South McDonald Street
1.6 km · 2 min · South McDonald Street
-
28
Turn slight left
86 m · 10 sec
-
29
Continue on South Tennessee Street
1.1 mi · 3 min · South Tennessee Street
-
30
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Tennessee Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Wharton and McKinney.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Wharton and Mostly Cloudy near McKinney.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Wharton to McKinney?
The road trip is about 310.1 miles (499 km) and usually takes 05h 20m 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?
Leona is a useful midpoint, sitting about 164.5 miles from Wharton and 145.6 miles from McKinney.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 270.2 miles (434.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 39.9 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 6:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $41.34 one way or $82.68 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 97.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Wharton and Mostly Cloudy near McKinney.
Stop Ideas Near Leona
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 Leona.
Bryan, TX
Waco, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Wharton and McKinney. Straight-line distance: 270.2 mi (434.84 km).
#1 Wharton
City in Texas, USA
| Population | 8,615 |
| Coordinates | 29.3116400, -96.1027400 |
| Altitude | 31 |
| 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: 499 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 19m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 45m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 12m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 10m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 52m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $41.34 | $82.68 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $46.52 | $93.03 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $50.23 | $100.45 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $43.68 | $87.37 |
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.