Medina County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Crystal City, TX to Frisco, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 29m
Distance
414.9 mi
668 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 20m
★
6 AM
7h 30m
8 AM
7h 50m
10 AM
7h 37m
12 PM
7h 35m
3 PM
7h 38m
5 PM
7h 49m
8 PM
7h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Crystal City, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embark on a 414.9-mile journey from Crystal City, Texas, to Frisco, Texas, a drive that will take approximately 7 hours and 29 minutes. This one-day trip is entirely within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape as you travel north. You'll primarily navigate the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a portion on West US Highway 57, experiencing a mixed drive profile. With an estimated fuel cost of $63 and planned stops, this route is manageable for a single day, though you can adjust your pace. Consider this a straightforward, practical transit between South Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
207.4 miles from Crystal City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 47m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 221.8 mi | 3h 52m |
| I 35E | 59.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| West US Highway 57 | 52 mi | 56m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.5 mi | 25m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 21.5 mi | 26m |
| North US Highway 83 | 16.9 mi | 19m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 221.8 mi, about 3h 52m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,666 veh/hr typical · worst 4,243
Quietest
2 AM
~627 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Crystal City, TX and Frisco, TX.
1
Start on this road
42 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto FM 582
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
East Lake Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto FM 582; FM 1433
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North 7th Avenue
4
Merge onto US 83
17 mi
·
19 min
·
North US Highway 83
5
Turn right onto US 57; Loop 305
52 mi
·
56 min
·
West US Highway 57
6
At end of road, turn left onto Interstate 35 North
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
Interstate 35 North
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
8
Merge onto I 35
34 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
10 mi
·
13 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Use the straight lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
To make the most of this 7-hour and 29-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from Crystal City. This allows you to cover a significant portion of the 414.9 miles before midday, utilizing the Purple Heart Trail's longest stretch. With two planned stops, you can strategically break up the drive, perhaps one mid-morning and another for lunch. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 221.8-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, and budget around $63 for fuel. Arriving in Frisco in the late afternoon or early evening provides ample time to settle in.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 207.4 miles from Crystal City, TX, or about 3h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 221.8 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 91 miles or 1h 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 207.4 miles or 3h 47m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 21m
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 Crystal City, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Crystal City, TX
This is one driving day of about 414.9 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Crystal City, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 221.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
207 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 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 207.4 miles from Crystal City, 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 221.8 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.
Medina County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Road Ranger
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
San Antonio Botanical Garden
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+12105361400
Visit websiteThe DoSeum
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12102124453
Visit websiteSan Antonio Museum of Art
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Moderately
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12109788100
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteSan Antonio River Lock & Dam
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
+12102271373
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
Visit websiteThe Sophienburg Museum & Archives
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18306291572
Visit websiteUS Army Medical Department Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Fort Sam Houston, Texas
+12102216358
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 115.7 and 389.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
115.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 6m in
|
I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christ...
7
126.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
330.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 56m 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
389.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 58m 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
389.7 mi into trip
|
~6h 58m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.83 one way
$113.66 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
145 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $63.48 | $126.95 |
| premium | $4.23 | $69.01 | $138.03 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $78.34 | $156.68 |
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
$57
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 145.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 124.5 | 1 | $43.56 | $19.92 |
| Efficient EV | 103.7 | 1 | $36.30 | $16.60 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 166 | 2 | $58.09 | $26.55 |
Gas CO2
145 kg
EV CO2
49 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
Crystal City, TX
Morning in Crystal City on Sunday
Local time
8:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 to 10 mph
27% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT until July 17 at 4:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Frisco, TX
Morning in Frisco on Sunday
Local time
8:50 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
30% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:03PM CDT until July 17 at 4:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 29m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 300.4
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
8 mi from route
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 114.4
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 presents a mixed drive, with 40% of your journey on highways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 221.8 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, so be prepared for an extended period on this particular road. While I-35E offers faster travel, the inclusion of other highways means you'll experience varying speed limits and road conditions. Expect a blend of open-road driving and potentially more varied traffic as you approach your destination in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
40% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 221.8 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 115.7 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.
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 22 significant decision points across 414.9 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 115.7 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.2 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
858 ft
413 ft
Total Climb
1,062 ft
Total Descent
926 ft
Highest Point
858 ft
~237.1 mi in
Elevation Range
445 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 Crystal City, TX and Frisco, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi, Johnson City and Dnt North.
Corpus Christi
115.7 mi in
|
~2h 6m
|
via I 35
Johnson City
115.7 mi in
|
~2h 6m
|
via I 35
Dnt North
390.1 mi in
|
~6h 59m
About the Cities
Starting in Crystal City, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Crystal City Internment Camp — building in Crystal City, Zavala County, 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 7h 29m. Total distance: 414.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 221.8 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 38 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 115.7 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 126.2 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 330.4 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Frisco, TX
More trips to Frisco, TX
Explore more options from Crystal City, TX or browse trips ending in Frisco, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.