Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Canyon Lake, TX to Frisco, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 22m
Distance
288.4 mi
464 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 9m
★
6 AM
5h 22m
8 AM
5h 49m
10 AM
5h 32m
12 PM
5h 29m
3 PM
5h 33m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Canyon Lake, TX
Artūras Kokorevas
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Canyon Lake, TX to Frisco, TX is 288.4 miles and takes about 5h 22m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same vast area, offering a relatively straightforward drive. Expect a mix of highway and local roads, making it a manageable single-day journey. It's a practical route for getting from point A to point B within the state without too much complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
144.2 miles from Canyon Lake, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 176.4 mi | 3h 5m |
| I 35E | 59.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.5 mi | 25m |
| RM 2722 | 7.8 mi | 10m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Cranes Mill Road | 3.6 mi | 5m |
| State Highway 46 West | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| North Walnut Avenue | 2.8 mi | 6m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 176.4 mi, about 3h 5m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 104 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,151 veh/hr typical · worst 4,855
Quietest
2 AM
~718 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Canyon Lake, TX and Frisco, TX.
1
Start on Sherwood Drive
87 ft
·
3 sec
·
Sherwood Drive
2
Continue on Canyon Lake Drive
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Canyon Lake Drive
3
Continue on Robin Hood Drive
510 ft
·
26 sec
·
Robin Hood Drive
4
Continue on Robin Hood Drive
528 ft
·
23 sec
·
Robin Hood Drive
5
Turn left onto Lighthouse Drive
0.2 mi
·
48 sec
·
Lighthouse Drive
6
Continue on Oblate Drive
1.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Oblate Drive
7
At end of road, turn left onto FM 2673
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
Cranes Mill Road
8
Keep slight right at fork onto RM 2722
7.8 mi
·
10 min
·
RM 2722
9
At end of road, turn left
0.3 mi
·
1 min
10
Turn straight onto TX 46
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 46 West
11
Continue on TX 46 Bus
2.8 mi
·
6 min
·
North Walnut Avenue
12
Turn left onto Interstate 35 South
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 35 South
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35 North
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 35
363 ft
·
4 sec
·
Interstate Highway 35
15
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
20
Take the exit
411 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight right at fork
468 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Oak Lawn Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Oak Lawn Avenue
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward DNT North
24
Merge onto DNT
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Stonebrook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn straight onto CR 13
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
27
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Stonebrook Parkway
Use the right lane.
28
Turn left onto Parkwood Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Parkwood Boulevard
29
Continue on 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
5th Street
30
Turn right onto Elm Street
353 ft
·
20 sec
·
Elm Street
31
Turn left onto 6th Street
346 ft
·
15 sec
·
6th Street
32
Turn left onto Main Street
309 ft
·
14 sec
·
Main Street
33
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 22m estimated duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Aim to depart Canyon Lake in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for any unexpected delays. With one recommended stop, plan to refuel and stretch your legs midway through the journey, perhaps around the 176.4-mile mark on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches on local roads. The $44 fuel cost is an estimate, so it’s wise to budget slightly more for peace of mind.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 144.2 miles from Canyon Lake, TX, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 63 miles or 1h 21m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.2 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frisco, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Canyon Lake, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Canyon Lake, TX
This is one driving day of about 288.4 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Canyon Lake, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 176.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 144.2 miles from Canyon Lake, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.4 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
The Sophienburg Museum & Archives
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18306291572
Visit websiteTube Chute
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
+18302214000
Visit websiteChildren's Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15123938400
Visit websiteCalaboose African American History Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15123938421
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteBarton Creek Greenbelt
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+15129746700
Visit websiteVisit Frisco
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Frisco, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19722925250
Visit websiteAnimal World & Snake Farm Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+18304024603
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 68.7 and 286.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
68.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
203.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
263.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
Take the exit toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
7
263.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
286.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 17m in
Take the exit toward Stonebrook Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Stonebrook Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.50 one way
$79.00 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $44.12 | $88.25 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.97 | $95.94 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $54.46 | $108.91 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.80
Dallas North Tollway
(22.5 mi)
$1.80
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.5 | 1 | $30.28 | $13.84 |
| Efficient EV | 72.1 | 0 | $25.24 | $11.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.4 | 1 | $40.38 | $18.46 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Canyon Lake, TX
Night in Canyon Lake on Monday
Local time
9:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:33AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:32AM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Frisco, TX
Night in Frisco on Monday
Local time
9:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSW 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:33AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:32AM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Troy, TX
144 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 22m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 169
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is characterized by its 'turn-heavy local drive' profile, with a highway share of only 27%. While you'll encounter some interstate driving on I 35E, a significant portion involves navigating local roads, especially on the Purple Heart Trail. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 176.4 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, so be prepared for more frequent turns and varying speed limits as you transition between different road types. This driving experience is less about high-speed cruising and more about attentive navigation through varied Texas landscapes.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 176.4 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.7 miles in near I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 288.4 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 68.7 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 203.9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 263.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
967 ft
485 ft
Total Climb
789 ft
Total Descent
1,060 ft
Highest Point
967 ft
Elevation Range
483 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Canyon Lake, TX to Frisco, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dnt North along the way.
Dnt North
263.6 mi in
|
~4h 52m
About the Cities
Starting in Canyon Lake, TX
Full guide →Arriving in Frisco, TX
Full guide →Founded 1904
Frisco is a suburb of Dallas and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Top landmarks
- • Videogame History Museum — computer museum in Texas, USA
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 22m. Total distance: 288.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 176.4 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.80 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 30 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Frisco, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 68.7 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 203.9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 263.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Frisco, TX before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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