Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Dayton, TX to Frisco, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
279.8 mi
450 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dayton, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Dayton, TX to Frisco, TX is 279.8 miles and takes about 5h 2m via I 45 and Dallas North Tollway, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily takes you through the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a largely highway experience. It's a straightforward trip that's easily manageable in a single day, making it a convenient option for getting from Southeast Texas to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, so expect consistent speeds for the majority of the trip.
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
139.9 miles from Dayton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 211.5 mi | 3h 38m |
| East Grand Parkway North | 32.5 mi | 34m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.8 mi | 25m |
| West Clayton Street | 5.1 mi | 6m |
| Interstate 45 North Frontage Road | 2 mi | 3m |
| Parkwood Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Olive Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| McKinnon Street | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 211.5 mi, about 3h 38m
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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Dayton, TX and Frisco, TX.
1
Start on this road
87 ft
·
8 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
155 ft
·
16 sec
3
Turn left
225 ft
·
19 sec
4
Turn right onto FM 1409
142 ft
·
11 sec
·
South Winfree Street
5
Turn left onto US 90; TX 146
0.3 mi
·
25 sec
·
United States Highway 90 East
6
Turn right onto TX 321
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
North Cleveland Street
7
Turn left onto FM 1960
5.1 mi
·
6 min
·
West Clayton Street
8
Turn right onto East Grand Parkway North
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Grand Parkway North
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
10
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
32 mi
·
34 min
·
East Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward Houston, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn right onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
Toward I 45 North
14
Merge onto I 45
212 mi
·
3 hr 38 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Elm Street
18
Turn right onto North Olive Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Olive Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Continue on McKinnon Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
McKinnon Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Toward DNT Toll
21
Continue on DNT
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Stonebrook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto CR 13
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
24
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Stonebrook Parkway
Use the right lane.
25
Turn left onto Parkwood Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Parkwood Boulevard
26
Continue on 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
5th Street
27
Turn right onto Elm Street
353 ft
·
20 sec
·
Elm Street
28
Turn left onto 6th Street
346 ft
·
15 sec
·
6th Street
29
Turn left onto Main Street
309 ft
·
14 sec
·
Main Street
30
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid potential rush hour congestion in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 211.5-mile stretch on I 45, as services can be spaced out. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so budget accordingly. Consider a quick stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs before tackling the final leg into Frisco.
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 139.9 miles from Dayton, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 211.5 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 62 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.9 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 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 Dayton, 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 Dayton, TX
This is one driving day of about 279.8 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Dayton, 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 211.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
140 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.9 miles from Dayton, 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 211.5 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
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
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
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
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
Dennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteThe Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
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 225 decision points cluster between mile 38.5 and 278.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
38.5 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward Houston, Dallas
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.
Toward Houston, Dallas
8
252.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m 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
252.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m 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
6
277.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m 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
278.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 58m in
|
Stonebrook Parkway
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.00 one way
$84.01 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $46.48 | $92.95 |
| premium | $4.57 | $50.29 | $100.57 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $69.13 | $138.27 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.83
Dallas North Tollway
(22.8 mi)
$1.83
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
$42
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 83.9 | 1 | $29.38 | $13.43 |
| Efficient EV | 70 | 0 | $24.48 | $11.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 111.9 | 1 | $39.17 | $17.91 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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
Dayton, TX
Night in Dayton on Thursday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Frisco, TX
Night in Frisco on Thursday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
58°F
Italy, TX
140 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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 2m 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?
This route is 88% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for most of the drive. The longest continuous stretch of highway is 211.5 miles, primarily on I 45. You'll transition to surface roads as you approach your destination in Frisco, with the Dallas North Tollway serving as a key connector. Expect a steady flow of traffic and numerous exits as you get closer to the urban areas of North Texas.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 211.5 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and East Grand Parkway North. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 38.5 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 22 significant decision points across 279.8 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 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
696 ft
81 ft
Total Climb
932 ft
Total Descent
317 ft
Highest Point
696 ft
~279.8 mi in
Elevation Range
616 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 Dayton, TX and Frisco, TX, road signs point toward Houston, Dallas, Main Street West and Dnt Toll.
Houston
38.5 mi in
|
~43m
Dallas
38.5 mi in
|
~43m
Main Street West
252.5 mi in
|
~4h 26m
Dnt Toll
254.4 mi in
|
~4h 31m
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
- • 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 2m. Total distance: 279.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 211.5 miles on I 45. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.83 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 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 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 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 38.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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