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Trip from Cloverleaf, TX to Frisco, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 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

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 47m ★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 7m
3 PM
5h 11m
5 PM
5h 26m
8 PM
4h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cloverleaf, TX, TX

Cloverleaf, TX

Thomas balabaud

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
Longest stretch: I 45 — 212.6 mi, about 3h 39m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cloverleaf, TX and Frisco, TX.

1

Start on Hollywood Street

194 ft · 10 sec · Hollywood Street
2

Turn right onto Greenville Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · Greenville Street
3

Turn left onto Freeport Street

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Freeport Street
4

Turn right onto East Freeway Frontage Road

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 22 sec
Toward I 10 West Use the left lane.
6

Merge onto I 10

3.7 mi · 4 min · East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 775A Toward I 610 South, I 610 North Use the slight right lane.
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 610 North Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9

Merge onto I 610

5.9 mi · 7 min · East Loop North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 19B Toward Hardy Toll Road North Use the slight right lane.
11

Continue on HTR

22 mi · 25 min · Hardy Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Merge onto I 45

213 mi · 3 hr 39 min · I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 284B Toward Main Street West, Elm Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward Elm Street Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15

Turn straight onto Elm Street

0.2 mi · 27 sec · Elm Street
16

Turn right onto North Olive Street

1.0 mi · 2 min · North Olive Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
17

Continue on McKinnon Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · McKinnon Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 44 sec
Toward DNT Toll
19

Continue on DNT

23 mi · 25 min · Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 27 sec
Toward Stonebrook Parkway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Turn straight onto CR 13

0.2 mi · 22 sec · Dallas Parkway
22

Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway

0.2 mi · 28 sec · Stonebrook Parkway
Use the right lane.
23

Turn left onto Parkwood Boulevard

1.0 mi · 1 min · Parkwood Boulevard
24

Continue on 5th Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · 5th Street
25

Turn right onto Elm Street

353 ft · 20 sec · Elm Street
26

Turn left onto 6th Street

346 ft · 15 sec · 6th Street
27

Turn left onto Main Street

309 ft · 14 sec · Main Street
28

Arrive at destination

Main Street

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 137.3 miles from Cloverleaf, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 212.6 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 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.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Cloverleaf, 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 I 45 for about 212.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Corsicana, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corsicana, TX

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

Conroe, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Corsicana, TX

Meal break

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 check

Top 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.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

The Woodlands Waterway

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 39.2

The Woodlands, Texas

Visit website

Visit Frisco

4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 274.6

Frisco, Texas

Hours: 8 am–5 pm

+19722925250

Visit website

Kids Colony

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 274.6

The Colony, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+19726251106

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 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.

8
5.5 mi into trip | ~9m in

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 775A Toward I 610 South, I 610 North
7
5.8 mi into trip | ~9m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 610 North

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 610 North
7
12.3 mi into trip | ~18m in

Take the exit toward Hardy Toll Road North

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 19B Toward Hardy Toll Road North
8
247.3 mi into trip | ~4h 24m in

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 284B Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
247.5 mi into trip | ~4h 24m in

Keep slight right at fork toward Elm Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward Elm Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.49 one way

$82.99 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 96 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $45.42 $90.83
premium $4.54 $49.03 $98.06
diesel $5.61 $60.63 $121.26

Estimated Tolls: $3.57

Dallas North Tollway (22.8 mi) $1.83
Hardy Toll Road (21.8 mi) $1.74

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, 2026-04-13.

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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Cloverleaf, TX

Afternoon in Cloverleaf on Sunday

Local time

1:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

66°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Frisco, TX

Afternoon in Frisco on Sunday

Local time

1:59 PM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

6 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.

79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 212.6 mi on I 45.

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.

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 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.

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

247.3 mi in | ~4h 24m

Dnt Toll

249.3 mi in | ~4h 28m

About the Cities

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. 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

The longest stretch is about 212.6 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $3.57 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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