Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Dallas, TX to Franklin, 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
4h 30m
Distance
238.7 mi
384 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 17m
★
6 AM
4h 30m
8 AM
4h 57m
10 AM
4h 40m
12 PM
4h 37m
3 PM
4h 41m
5 PM
4h 56m
8 PM
4h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dallas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Franklin, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Dallas, TX to Franklin, TX is 238.7 miles and takes about 4h 30m via Julius Schepps Freeway and TX 105, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, starting in the Great Plains region and ending in the same. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single day. If you're looking for a quick trip with minimal fuss, this is a solid choice.
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
119.3 miles from Dallas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 188.3 mi | 3h 11m |
| State Highway 105 | 15.2 mi | 22m |
| TX 105 | 12.6 mi | 18m |
| East Houston Street | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| Willis Waukegan Road | 5.8 mi | 8m |
| East Powell Street | 5.1 mi | 9m |
| North State Highway 75 | 2 mi | 3m |
| Interstate 45 North Frontage Road | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 11m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,927 veh/hr typical · worst 2,389
Quietest
2 AM
~288 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 45 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 Dallas, TX and Franklin, TX.
1
Start on North Lamar Street
433 ft
·
14 sec
·
North Lamar Street
2
Turn right onto McKinney Avenue
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
McKinney Avenue
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Toward US 75 North
4
Merge onto Spur 366
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Woodall Rodgers Freeway
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 45 South: Houston
Use the slight right lane.
6
Merge onto I 45
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
185 mi
·
3 hr 7 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Calvary Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
10
Turn left onto Calvary Road
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
Calvary Road
11
At end of road, turn right onto TX 75
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North State Highway 75
12
Continue on TX 75
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
North Danville Street
13
Turn left onto FM 2432
5.1 mi
·
9 min
·
East Powell Street
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on Willis Waukegan Road
5.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Willis Waukegan Road
15
Turn left onto TX 105
15 mi
·
22 min
·
State Highway 105
16
At end of road, turn left onto TX 105 Business; Loop 573
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Washington Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
17
Turn right onto TX 105 Business; TX 321
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
East Houston Street
18
Turn left onto TX 105
13 mi
·
18 min
·
TX 105
Use the left lane.
19
Arrive at destination
TX 105
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 30m estimated drive time, leaving Dallas in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and take advantage of the single recommended day. With only one stop suggested, you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on fuel, as the estimated cost is $35; it's always wise to top off before leaving Dallas. The longest stretch on Julius Schepps Freeway is quite substantial, so plan for a brief stop before or during that segment if needed.
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 119.3 miles from Dallas, TX, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 53 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.3 miles or 2h 2m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Franklin, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Dallas, 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 Dallas, TX
This is one driving day of about 238.7 miles and 4h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from Dallas, 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 53 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.3 miles from Dallas, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.3 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
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.6 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.7 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.8 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
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 0.9 and 226 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 South: Houston
6
4.5 mi into trip
|
~6m in
|
I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
189.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 13m in
Take the exit toward Calvary Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Calvary Road
6
219.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 1m in
|
TX 105 Business; Loop 573 / Washington Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto TX 105 Business; Loop 573 / Washington Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
6
226 mi into trip
|
~4h 11m in
|
TX 105
Turn left onto TX 105
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.69 one way
$65.39 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
84 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $36.52 | $73.04 |
| premium | $4.23 | $39.71 | $79.41 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $45.07 | $90.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.06 | $11.46 |
| Efficient EV | 59.7 | 0 | $20.89 | $9.55 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.5 | 1 | $33.42 | $15.28 |
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Dallas, TX
Afternoon in Dallas on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:49AM CDT until July 19 at 7:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:48AM CDT until July 20 at 5:25PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Franklin, TX
Afternoon in Franklin on Sunday
Local time
12:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 0 to 5 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:49AM CDT until July 19 at 7:12AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:48AM CDT until July 20 at 5:25PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Madisonville, TX
119 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
3 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
4h 30m 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?
You'll spend about 92% of your time on highways, with a long continuous stretch of 188.3 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. This means you'll experience mostly highway cruising with fewer turns for a significant portion of the drive. Expect a significant amount of exit and entrance ramps as you navigate the highway segments before transitioning to surface roads.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and State Highway 105. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
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 238.7 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 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
525 ft
60 ft
Total Climb
474 ft
Total Descent
842 ft
Highest Point
525 ft
~34.1 mi in
Elevation Range
465 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Weekend Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Hours: 07:00-15:00
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteCorner Bakery
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteOpening Bell Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-We 07:00-18:00; Th-Fr 07:00-21:00; Sa...
Visit websiteAllGood Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Dallas, TX
Hours: Mo-We 08:00-15:00; Th-Sa 08:00-21:00; Su...
Visit websiteMoak's Family Texas BBQ
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
Cuisine: barbecue
Hours: Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Visit websiteWingBucket
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: chicken
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-24:00
Visit websiteCommissary
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop;sandwich;american;ice_cream;bakery
Hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-16:00; Su 07:00-14:00
Visit websiteChop House Burger
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-22:00
Visit websitePressbox Grill
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-24:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-02:00
Visit websiteSapa House
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Cuisine: vietnamese;asian;sushi
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12...
Visit websiteGiant Eye
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Trinity River Greenbelt Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Legacy of Love Monument
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Hours: 24/7
Frank H. Caven Memorial Garden
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fiji Senior Sign
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Texas Star
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Museum of Illusions
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Dallas, TX
Hours: Su-Th 10:00-20:00; Fr-Sa 10:00-21:00
Visit websiteThe Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Dallas, TX
Hours: We-Su 10:00-17:00
Visit websiteWaples-Platter Buildings
Yes
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
TX
West End Historic District
District
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
JFK Assassination Site
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Harrow
Artwork
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Dallas, TX
Full guide →“Big D” · Founded 1841
Dallas, with a population of more than 1.3 million residents, is the ninth largest city in the United States and the third largest in the state of Texas. It is an impressive melting pot of culture and character. Boasting high-end luxury hotels, innumerable fine dining spots, and one of the busiest airports in the world, Dallas maintains an upscale ethos reflected by an affluent population, world-class museums, and a shimmering modern skyline. Its history was marred by the infamous assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, but there is more historic and contemporary heritage to be discovered in the city. As a center of the oil and cotton industries in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Dallas was a classic American boom town and remains one of the fastest growing cities in the nation.
Top landmarks
- • Dallas Museum of Art — art museum in Dallas, Texas
- • Texas School Book Depository — building in Dallas, Texas, United States
- • George W. Bush Presidential Center — Presidential library and museum for U.S. President George W. Bush, located in Da...
Arriving in Franklin, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Franklin Carnegie Library — historic place in Franklin, Robertson County, Texas
- • Robertson County Courthouse — courthouse at Deckerd St. at Alley St. Franklin, Texas
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 4h 30m. Total distance: 238.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.3 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 22 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 Franklin, 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 4.5 miles (I 45 / Julius Schepps Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 189.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Franklin, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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