Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Cedar Park, 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
3h 47m
Distance
209.2 mi
337 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 35m
★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 13m
10 AM
3h 56m
12 PM
3h 54m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cedar Park, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Cedar Park to Frisco is 209 miles and takes about 3 hours 47 minutes via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, transitioning from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. You'll encounter a mix of highway driving and surface roads, making it a straightforward, single-day trip. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this route is ideal for a quick transit between these two North Texas locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
104.6 miles from Cedar Park, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 107 mi | 1h 49m |
| I 35E | 59.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.5 mi | 25m |
| East Whitestone Boulevard | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| North Bell Boulevard | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Parkwood Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Interstate 35 | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 107 mi, about 1h 49m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,052 veh/hr typical · worst 4,849
Quietest
2 AM
~683 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Cedar Park, TX and Frisco, TX.
1
Start on US 183
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
North Bell Boulevard
Use the left lane.
2
Turn right onto RM 1431
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
East Whitestone Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn slight left
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Interstate 35
4
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Interstate 35
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward I 35 North
6
Merge onto I 35
74 mi
·
1 hr 16 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
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.
10
Take the exit
411 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
468 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Oak Lawn Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Oak Lawn Avenue
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward DNT North
14
Merge onto DNT
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Stonebrook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto CR 13
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
17
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Stonebrook Parkway
Use the right lane.
18
Turn left onto Parkwood Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Parkwood Boulevard
19
Continue on 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
5th Street
20
Turn right onto Elm Street
353 ft
·
20 sec
·
Elm Street
21
Turn left onto 6th Street
346 ft
·
15 sec
·
6th Street
22
Turn left onto Main Street
309 ft
·
14 sec
·
Main Street
23
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the drive duration of under four hours, leaving Cedar Park in the morning will get you to Frisco with plenty of daylight remaining. While only one stop is recommended, the flexibility of a single-day trip means you can take more breaks if needed. Keep an eye on fuel, especially before hitting the 107-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail, as gas stations might be less frequent. The $30 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices before you depart.
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 104.6 miles from Cedar Park, TX, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 107 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 46 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.6 miles or 1h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 2m
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 Cedar Park, 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 Cedar Park, TX
This is one driving day of about 209.2 miles and 3h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Cedar Park, 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 107 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.6 miles from Cedar Park, 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 107 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.
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Doris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteLakeline Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Cedar Park, Texas
+15124015500
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
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 websiteKids Colony
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
The Colony, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
+19726251106
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 124.7 and 207.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
124.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 13m 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
184 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m 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
184.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
207.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m 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
6
207.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m in
|
Stonebrook Parkway
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.65 one way
$57.31 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $32.01 | $64.01 |
| premium | $4.23 | $34.80 | $69.60 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.50 | $79.00 |
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
$29
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.97 | $10.04 |
| Efficient EV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.31 | $8.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.7 | 1 | $29.29 | $13.39 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Cedar Park, TX
Evening in Cedar Park on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:26PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:25PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Frisco, TX
Evening in Frisco on Monday
Local time
7:08 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:26PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:25PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
100°F
Italy, TX
105 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
3h 47m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 93.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is about 32% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 107 miles on Purple Heart Trail. Expect to transition from highway cruising to more frequent stops and slower speeds as you move between the main highways and local roads. You'll likely notice the change in traffic patterns and exit density as you approach more populated areas.
32% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 107 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 124.7 miles in near I 35E.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 209.2 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 124.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
906 ft
397 ft
Total Climb
730 ft
Total Descent
940 ft
Highest Point
906 ft
Elevation Range
509 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 Cedar Park, TX to Frisco, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dnt North along the way.
Dnt North
184.4 mi in
|
~3h 16m
About the Cities
Starting in Cedar Park, TX
Full guide →Founded 1887
Cedar Park is in Central Hill Country, Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Texas Museum of Science and Technology — science museum in Cedar Park, Texas
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 3h 47m. Total distance: 209.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 107 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 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 124.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Frisco, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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