Cidercade Houston
Near the start, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 14m
Distance
287.1 mi
462 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Friendswood, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
This 287.1-mile drive from Friendswood, TX to Frisco, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can comfortably be completed in about 5 hours and 14 minutes. Given its manageable duration, this route is an excellent candidate for a single-day trip, eliminating the need for an overnight stop. You'll be navigating primarily on the North Freeway and the Dallas North Tollway, with a significant portion of your travel, 89%, occurring on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $43. Since both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, expect a consistent driving environment throughout.
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
143.6 miles from Friendswood, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North Freeway | 236.3 mi | 4h 8m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.8 mi | 25m |
| Gulf Freeway | 18.5 mi | 21m |
| Friendswood Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| East Edgewood Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Parkwood Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Olive Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| Gulf Freeway Frontage Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Friendswood, TX and Frisco, TX.
Start on FM 518
Continue on FM 518
Turn right onto FM 2351
Continue on FM 2351
Continue on FM 2351
Turn left onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 45
Continue on I 45
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Elm Street
Turn right onto North Olive Street
Continue on McKinnon Street
Take the ramp
Continue on DNT
Take the exit
Turn straight onto CR 13
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
Turn left onto Parkwood Boulevard
Continue on 5th Street
Turn right onto Elm Street
Turn left onto 6th Street
Turn left onto Main Street
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 5-hour, 14-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Friendswood to bypass potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas area. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 236.3 miles, you have flexibility in pacing your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as your estimated cost is $43, and plan your refill strategically before you begin the longest segment on the North Freeway. This route is well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to arrive in Frisco with plenty of time to spare.
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.
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 63 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.6 miles or 2h 36m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frisco, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Friendswood, 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 Friendswood, TX
This is one driving day of about 287.1 miles and 5h 14m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 143.6 miles from Friendswood, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 236.3 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Restaurant
Houston, Texas
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Downtown Aquarium
Houston, Texas
Top Coffee Stop
Houston, Texas
Near the start, short detour
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+17135221138
Near the start, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm
+17132233474
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+17135221138
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, right off the route
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+17135267577
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Houston, Texas
+17132598070
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Friendswood, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+12814826055
Near the start, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17137520314
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+17135336500
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17139266368
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 285.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward Elm Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Stonebrook Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$43.38 one way
$86.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $47.48 | $94.97 |
| premium | $4.54 | $51.26 | $102.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $63.39 | $126.78 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$43
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.1 | 1 | $30.15 | $13.78 |
| Efficient EV | 71.8 | 0 | $25.12 | $11.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.8 | 1 | $40.19 | $18.37 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Friendswood on Sunday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Destination
Late night in Frisco on Sunday
Local time
2:36 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Mostly Sunny
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
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
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.
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 89% of the mileage dedicated to high-speed travel. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 236.3 miles on the North Freeway, which means extended periods of consistent driving. While the profile is largely highway, the transition to roads like the Dallas North Tollway will likely offer a slightly different, perhaps more modern, highway experience as you approach your destination. Expect efficient travel with minimal interruptions on this primarily interstate-style journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North Freeway and Dallas North Tollway. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in near Gulf Freeway Frontage Road.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 287.1 miles you will encounter 13 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: at 3.8 miles (Gulf Freeway Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 259.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 260.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Friendswood, TX and Frisco, TX, road signs point toward Main Street West and Dnt Toll.
Main Street West
Dnt Toll
Founded 1960
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 5h 14m. Total distance: 287.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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