Trip from Cloverleaf, TX to Frisco, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h
Distance
274.6 mi
442 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$41
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cloverleaf, TX
Thomas balabaud
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 274.6 miles, this journey from Cloverleaf to Frisco is a straightforward trek across the Texas landscape. You can comfortably complete the drive in about 5 hours, making it an ideal day trip if you get an early start. The route relies heavily on major arteries, specifically I-45, the Hardy Toll Road, and the Dallas North Tollway. Budget approximately $42 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the entire trip stays within the same region and state, the transition feels consistent rather than jarring. It is a practical, no-nonsense commute that connects two distinct parts of the state with efficiency.
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
137.3 miles from Cloverleaf, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 212.6 mi | 3h 39m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.8 mi | 25m |
| Hardy Toll Road | 21.8 mi | 25m |
| East Loop North | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| East Freeway | 3.7 mi | 4m |
| Parkwood Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Olive Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Freeway Frontage Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,985 veh/hr typical · worst 2,601
Quietest
2 AM
~289 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 88 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 Cloverleaf, TX and Frisco, TX.
Start on Hollywood Street
Turn right onto Greenville Street
Turn left onto Freeport Street
Turn right onto East Freeway Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 610
Take the exit
Continue on HTR
Merge onto I 45
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Elm Street
Turn right onto North Olive Street
Continue on McKinnon Street
Take the ramp
Continue on DNT
Take the exit
Turn straight onto CR 13
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
Turn left onto Parkwood Boulevard
Continue on 5th Street
Turn right onto Elm Street
Turn left onto 6th Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour drive smooth, aim for a departure time that avoids peak congestion near major urban centers. Since the itinerary includes one recommended stop, use that break to refuel and stretch your legs mid-way through the 212.6-mile stretch on I-45. Keep in mind that toll roads like the Hardy Toll Road and Dallas North Tollway will require electronic payment, so ensure your toll tag is active before you leave Cloverleaf. Being a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace, but staying consistent on the interstate will help you reach Frisco without unnecessary delays. Prioritize a mid-route rest to ensure you remain alert for the final transition into the destination.
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.
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 60 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.3 miles or 2h 30m 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 1m
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 Cloverleaf, 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 Cloverleaf, TX
This is one driving day of about 274.6 miles and 5h.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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
A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 137.3 miles from Cloverleaf, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 212.6 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.
Love's Travel Stop
Buc-ee's
Love's Travel Stop
Road Ranger
TA Express
QuikTrip
Love's Travel Stop
Pilot Travel Center
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
Love's Travel Stop
TA Express
Buc-ee's
QuikTrip
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
QuikTrip
Service Plaza
Flying J Travel Center
Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Flying J Travel Center
The Woodlands Waterway
Near the start, short detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteVisit Frisco
Near the end, short detour
Frisco, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19722925250
Visit websiteKids Colony
Near the end, ~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 195 decision points cluster between mile 5.5 and 247.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward I 610 South, I 610 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward I 610 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Hardy Toll Road North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork toward Elm Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.22 one way
$82.44 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $45.61 | $91.22 |
| premium | $4.57 | $49.35 | $98.70 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $67.85 | $135.70 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.57
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
$41
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.4 | 1 | $28.83 | $13.18 |
| Efficient EV | 68.7 | 0 | $24.03 | $10.98 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.8 | 1 | $38.44 | $17.57 |
Gas CO2
96 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (67% 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
Cloverleaf, TX
Late night in Cloverleaf on Sunday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Frisco, TX
Late night in Frisco on Sunday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
60°F
Italy, TX
137 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
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused experience, as 79% of this trip takes place on high-speed roads. The vast majority of your time will be spent on I-45, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch of 212.6 miles. Because you are primarily navigating major interstates and tollways, the driving remains fast-paced and efficient throughout the duration. You won't encounter many technical local roads, meaning the personality of this route is defined by steady, long-distance interstate travel. Stay prepared for the shift from open highway stretches to the more congested, infrastructure-heavy approach as you transition onto the Dallas North Tollway to reach Frisco.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Dallas North Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.5 miles in.
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 274.6 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 5.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
998 ft
Total Descent
329 ft
Highest Point
696 ft
~274.6 mi in
Elevation Range
669 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.
Between Cloverleaf, TX and Frisco, TX, road signs point toward Main Street West and Dnt Toll.
Main Street West
Dnt Toll
About the Cities
Starting in Cloverleaf, 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
- • Universal Kids Resort — resort in Frisco, Texas
- • 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. Total distance: 274.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Frisco, TX
More from Cloverleaf, TX
More trips to Frisco, TX
Explore more options from Cloverleaf, TX or browse trips ending in Frisco, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.