Trip from Frisco, TX to Baytown, 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
5h 13m
Distance
288.4 mi
464 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Baytown, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Frisco, TX to Baytown, TX is 288.4 miles and takes about 5h 13m via Julius Schepps Freeway, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. It's primarily a highway route, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll be on well-traveled roads for most of the trip, so plan for standard traffic conditions. This route is best suited for a single day of driving.
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
144.2 miles from Frisco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 213.3 mi | 3h 40m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| HTR | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| East Freeway | 12.7 mi | 15m |
| North Loop East | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| Decker Drive | 5.9 mi | 7m |
| Parkwood Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Pearl Street | 0.4 mi | 1m |
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
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 Frisco, TX and Baytown, TX.
Start on Main Street
Turn left onto 5th Street
Continue on Parkwood Boulevard
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
Turn left onto Dallas Parkway
Take the ramp
Merge onto DNT
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on Harry Hines Boulevard
Turn slight left
Turn straight onto Moody Street
Continue on North Pearl Street
Turn left onto Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 45
Keep slight left at fork onto I 45
Take the exit onto HTR
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 610
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 330
Take the exit
Continue on Decker Drive
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 13m estimated drive time, leaving Frisco in the morning should allow you to reach Baytown well before sunset. With only one recommended stop and a mostly highway profile, you can be flexible with breaks. Keep an eye on fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $45, and it’s always wise to top off before embarking on a drive of this length. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the advantage of not needing to plan overnight accommodations. A good strategy is to use the 213.3-mile stretch on Julius Schepps Freeway as your main driving segment before looking for a convenient place to take your break.
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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.2 miles or 2h 35m 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 10m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Baytown, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
Open the route before leaving Frisco, 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 Frisco, TX
This is one driving day of about 288.4 miles and 5h 13m.
Where to Stop
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.
Pacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 144.2 miles from Frisco, 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 213.3 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
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
Buc-ee's
Love's Travel Stop
Road Ranger
TA Express
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
Pilot Travel Center
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
TA Express
Buc-ee's
QuikTrip
QuikTrip
Flying J Travel Center
Pilot Travel Center
Service Plaza
Flying J Travel Center
TA
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
Service Plaza
Love's Travel Stop
TA
Flying J Travel Center
Buc-ee's
Service Plaza
Bicentennial Park
Near the end, right off the route
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12814206597
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteARs Entertainment Hub Baytown
Near the end, short detour
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18889999440
Visit websiteAllenbrook Park
Near the end, short detour
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12814206597
Visit websiteCarl Barton Jr Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 6 am–8:30 pm
+19365223000
Visit websiteW.L. Jenkins Park
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Baytown, Texas
Hours: 5 am–10 pm
+12814206597
Visit websiteDennis Johnston Park
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteVisit Frisco
Near the start, short detour
Frisco, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19722925250
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 282.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto HTR toward Hardy Toll Road South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 10: Beaumont, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto Spur 330 / Decker Drive toward Spur 330: Baytown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.50 one way
$79.00 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $44.12 | $88.25 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.97 | $95.94 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $54.46 | $108.91 |
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
$40
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.5 | 1 | $30.28 | $13.84 |
| Efficient EV | 72.1 | 0 | $25.24 | $11.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.4 | 1 | $40.38 | $18.46 |
Gas CO2
101 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Frisco, TX
Afternoon in Frisco on Sunday
Local time
12:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:13PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:12PM MDT until July 17 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Baytown, TX
Afternoon in Baytown on Sunday
Local time
12:30 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:13PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:12PM MDT until July 17 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
100°F
Italy, TX
144 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 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 13m 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 be on highways for about 79% of this 288.4-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a main road, Julius Schepps Freeway, is 213.3 miles. After that, expect a transition from highway driving to surface streets as you approach your destination. The extensive highway share means you'll experience consistent speeds for the majority of the drive, with a noticeable change in pace as you enter the urban areas near Baytown.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Julius Schepps Freeway and Dallas North Tollway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near 5th Street.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 288.4 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: near the start (5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 240.1 miles (HTR): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 268.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
207 ft
Total Descent
880 ft
Highest Point
696 ft
Elevation Range
674 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 Frisco, TX and Baytown, TX, road signs point toward Downtown and Hardy Toll Road South.
Downtown
Hardy Toll Road South
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Conroe, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Conroe, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Frisco, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Conroe, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteRandy's Steakhouse
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Frisco
Cuisine: steak_house
Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-22:00
Visit websiteSimply Thai Bistro
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Cuisine: thai
Visit websiteMOD Pizza
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Conroe, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Hours: Mo-We 10:30-22:00; Th-Sa 10:30-23:00; Su...
Visit websitePizza Hut
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Conroe, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Visit websiteJack in the Box
Fast_food
Later in the drive, right off the route
Conroe, TX
Cuisine: burger
Visit websiteBabe's Chicken Dinner House
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Frisco
Cuisine: regional
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-14:00,17:00-21:00, Sa-Su 11:...
Visit websiteRochester Park
Park
Near the start, short detour
N C Foote Park
Park
Near the end, short detour
Fiji Senior Sign
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
Baytown Historical Museum
Museum
Near the end, right off the route
Baytown, TX
Visit websiteOverton Cemetery
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
Ennis Railroad and Cultural Heritage Museum
Museum
Early in the drive, short detour
TX
Visit websiteJoppe Community
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
Joppee Community
Memorial
Near the start, short detour
The W. A. "Bay" Evans Home
Memorial
Later in the drive, short detour
Homewood Suites by Hilton Conroe
Hotel
Later in the drive, short detour
Value Place
Motel
Later in the drive, right off the route
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Baytown, TX
Full guide →Baytown is a city in Texas. When you are in Baytown, you can rest assured you are in one of the most industrialized places of the world. With Exxon's Baytown Refinery on the west, Chevron's Cedar Bayou Plant on the northeast, the Covestro Baytown Industrial Plant on the east, and a smattering of other industries in between, you're likely to see flare stacks and storage tanks or tanker cars wherever you go, and might think you need a gas mask. But, in spite of this, there are still natural and cultural attractions to behold. And Garey Busey and Renee Zellweger used to call this place home.
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 13m. Total distance: 288.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Baytown, TX
More trips to Baytown, TX
Explore more options from Frisco, TX or browse trips ending in Baytown, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.