Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Frisco, TX to Lago Vista, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 5m
Distance
220.5 mi
355 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 53m
★
6 AM
4h 6m
8 AM
4h 32m
10 AM
4h 15m
12 PM
4h 12m
3 PM
4h 16m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lago Vista, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Frisco, TX to Lago Vista, TX is 220.5 miles and takes about 4h 5m via I 35, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to a similar landscape. Expect a mostly highway drive for the bulk of your travel time. With a single day recommended, you can complete this route without needing an overnight stay, making it a convenient option for a quick getaway or a direct journey.
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
110.3 miles from Frisco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| I 35 | 36.6 mi | 37m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| East Whitestone Boulevard | 8.6 mi | 11m |
| RM 1431 | 7.4 mi | 10m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| West Whitestone Boulevard | 3.5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,944 veh/hr typical · worst 4,817
Quietest
2 AM
~666 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Lago Vista, TX.
1
Start on Main Street
87 ft
·
9 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn left onto 5th Street
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
5th Street
Use the left lane.
3
Continue on Parkwood Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Parkwood Boulevard
4
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
·
Stonebrook Parkway
Use the right lane.
5
Turn left onto Dallas Parkway
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
Use the left lane.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
Toward DNT Toll South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto DNT
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35E South
Use the right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
329 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 35E South
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Stemmons Freeway
11
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 35E South
12
Merge onto I 35E
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
14
Continue on I 35E
89 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426
Toward Dallas Zoo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
37 mi
·
37 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Exit 256
Toward RM 1431: Cedar Park
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
North Interstate 35
20
Keep slight right at fork
394 ft
·
16 sec
Use the right lane.
21
Turn straight onto RM 1431
8.6 mi
·
11 min
·
East Whitestone Boulevard
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on RM 1431
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
West Whitestone Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on RM 1431
7.4 mi
·
10 min
·
RM 1431
24
Turn left onto Lohman Ford Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Lohman Ford Road
25
Turn right onto Park Drive
70 ft
·
3 sec
·
Park Drive
26
Continue on Park Drive
0.1 mi
·
29 sec
·
Park Drive
27
Continue on Park Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Drive
28
Continue on Park Drive
422 ft
·
18 sec
·
Park Drive
29
Arrive at destination
Park Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 5m estimated drive time and 220.5 miles, leaving Frisco in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. You'll want to factor in one stop for a break or to refuel, as the longest stretch without a significant road change is nearly 90 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $32, so be sure to budget for that. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but pay attention to traffic as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
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 110.3 miles from Frisco, TX, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 49 miles or 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.3 miles or 1h 58m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lago Vista, 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 220.5 miles and 4h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Frisco, 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.3 miles from Frisco, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Lakeline Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Cedar Park, Texas
+15124015500
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteVisit Frisco
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Frisco, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19722925250
Visit websiteCity Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
First break
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteKids Colony
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~12 min detour
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 198.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
5th Street
Turn left onto 5th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.2 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Stonebrook Parkway
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
24.8 mi into trip
|
~29m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35E South
7
25.3 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
7
198.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
Take the exit toward RM 1431: Cedar Park
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 256
Toward RM 1431: Cedar Park
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.76 one way
$67.52 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $37.26 | $74.52 |
| premium | $4.64 | $40.26 | $80.53 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $53.64 | $107.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.83
Dallas North Tollway
(22.9 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
$34
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.15 | $10.58 |
| Efficient EV | 55.1 | 0 | $19.29 | $8.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.2 | 1 | $30.87 | $14.11 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 kg (66% 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
Frisco, TX
Morning in Frisco on Sunday
Local time
8:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
NNE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Lago Vista, TX
Morning in Lago Vista on Sunday
Local time
8:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Sunny
NNE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
65°F
Italy, TX
110 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
2 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
4h 5m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 114.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 65% of the route on major roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway before transitioning to other main roads like Purple Heart Trail and I 35. Be prepared for urban merging and dense exits, especially in the earlier parts of the drive as you leave the Frisco area.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. 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.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 220.5 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 1.2 miles (Stonebrook Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
855 ft
542 ft
Total Climb
645 ft
Total Descent
565 ft
Highest Point
855 ft
~204.8 mi in
Elevation Range
313 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 Lago Vista, TX, road signs point toward Dallas Zoo and Rm 1431: Cedar Park.
Dallas Zoo
28 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 35E
Rm 1431: Cedar Park
198.4 mi in
|
~3h 30m
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
- • Universal Kids Resort — resort in Frisco, Texas
- • Videogame History Museum — computer museum in Texas, USA
Arriving in Lago Vista, TX
Full guide →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 5m. Total distance: 220.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 5m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. 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 24 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 Lago Vista, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (5th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.2 miles (Stonebrook Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 24.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Lago Vista, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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