Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 10m
Distance
50.6 mi
81 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$8
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Decatur, TX
Thomas balabaud
Decatur, TX to Frisco, TX is 50.6 miles and takes about 1 hour 10 minutes via East US Highway 380 and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $8 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward journey between two North Texas communities. Given its short duration and highway-focused profile, it’s an ideal option for a quick trip or a segment of a larger road adventure. Plan for this to be a simple, functional drive without extensive detours.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East US Highway 380 | 19.9 mi | 22m |
| I 35E | 8.3 mi | 8m |
| Main Street | 4 mi | 7m |
| West Eldorado Parkway | 3.8 mi | 6m |
| West University Drive | 3.3 mi | 4m |
| East Eldorado Parkway | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| West Swisher Road | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Decatur, TX and Frisco, TX.
Start on North Market Street
Turn right onto US 81 Bus; US 287 Bus; US 380 Bus; FM 51
Turn left onto US 380 Bus; FM 51
Turn slight right onto US 380 Bus; FM 51
Turn straight onto FM 51
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 380
Continue on US 380
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35; US 77
Continue on I 35E; US 77
Take the exit
Turn straight onto South Interstate 35E
Turn left onto West Swisher Road
Continue on LLTB
Continue on West Eldorado Parkway
Continue on FM 720
Turn right onto Witt Road
Turn left onto King Road
Continue on Main Street
Turn left onto 5th Street
Turn right onto Oak Street
Turn right onto 6th Street
Turn right onto Main Street
Arrive at destination
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
25 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.
A short stop after about 11 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 25.3 miles from Decatur, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 50.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn right onto US 81 Bus; US 287 Bus; US 380 Bus; FM 51 / East Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto US 380 Bus; FM 51 / North Cates Street
Navigation decision point
Take the ramp toward I 35 South
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FM 2181: Swisher Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$7.65 one way
$15.29 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $8.37 | $16.74 |
| premium | $4.54 | $9.03 | $18.07 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $11.17 | $22.34 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.15
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$8
Tolls
$0
Total
$8
Estimated CO2 emission: 17.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $5 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 15.2 | 0 | $5.31 | $2.43 |
| Efficient EV | 12.7 | 0 | $4.43 | $2.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 20.2 | 0 | $7.08 | $3.24 |
Gas CO2
18 kg
EV CO2
6 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Decatur on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Frisco on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
62°F
Corinth, TX
25 mi in
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
This route is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 73% of the journey on major roadways. You'll experience a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 19.9 miles on East US Highway 380 before transitioning to I 35E and then Main Street. Expect a mix of faster highway speeds and more urban road conditions as you approach your destination. The character is largely functional, designed for efficient travel rather than scenic exploration.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East US Highway 380 and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 81 Bus; US 287 Bus; US 380 Bus; FM 51 / East Walnut Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 50.6 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 81 Bus; US 287 Bus; US 380 Bus; FM 51 / East Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (US 380 Bus; FM 51 / North Cates Street): Navigation decision point; at 24.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here.
Founded 1904
Frisco is a suburb of Dallas and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Top landmarks
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 10m. Total distance: 50.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (73%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Decatur, TX or browse trips ending in Frisco, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
