Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Frisco, TX to Marble Falls, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 22m
Distance
233 mi
375 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 9m
★
6 AM
4h 22m
8 AM
4h 49m
10 AM
4h 31m
12 PM
4h 29m
3 PM
4h 33m
5 PM
4h 47m
8 PM
4h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Marble Falls, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Frisco, TX to Marble Falls, TX is 233 miles and takes about 4h 22m via South R L Thornton Freeway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive through Texas. With a highway share of 71%, you'll spend a good portion of your time on well-maintained roads. It's a manageable one-day trip, perfect if you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss. Plan for a comfortable drive that gets you to your destination without feeling rushed.
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
116.5 miles from Frisco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m 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 |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| FM 2843 | 14.6 mi | 18m |
| East RM 243 | 12.1 mi | 15m |
| South US Highway 281 | 10.7 mi | 12m |
| West State Highway 29 | 9 mi | 10m |
| I 35 | 8.9 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,081 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~841 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 43 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 Marble Falls, 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
8.9 mi
·
8 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 283
Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto South Robertson Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
South Robertson Road
20
Continue on South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
53 sec
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
21
Turn slight right onto FM 2843
15 mi
·
18 min
·
FM 2843
22
At end of road, turn right onto FM 487
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 487
23
Continue on FM 487
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East Main Street
24
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward TX 195 North
25
Merge onto TX 195
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
·
TX 195
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
Toward TX 138: Lampasas
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn left onto TX 138
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
State Highway 138
28
At end of road, turn right onto US 183
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
North US Highway 183
29
Turn left onto RM 243
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
East Ranch Road 243
30
Continue on RM 243
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East RM 243
31
Keep slight left at fork onto RM 243
11 mi
·
14 min
·
East RM 243
32
Turn right onto TX 29; RM 243
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
West State Highway 29
33
Continue on TX 29
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Polk Street
34
Turn left onto US 281
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
South Water Street
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on US 281
11 mi
·
12 min
·
South US Highway 281
36
Turn slight right onto Avenue J
0.2 mi
·
51 sec
·
Avenue J
37
Turn right onto 9th Street
125 ft
·
5 sec
·
9th Street
38
Arrive at destination
9th Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, consider leaving Frisco in the morning to maximize daylight, especially since it's a single-day trip. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, you should be able to make it to Marble Falls on a single tank, but it's always wise to top off before you leave. The route features one significant stretch of highway, so try to pace yourself accordingly. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility if you need to make an unplanned stop, but keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the 233-mile mark.
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 116.5 miles from Frisco, TX, or about 2h 5m 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 51 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.5 miles or 2h 5m 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 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Marble Falls, 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 233 miles and 4h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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
117 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.5 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.
Flying J Travel Center
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
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
1.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Marble Falls Walkway of Lights
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Marble Falls, Texas
Hours: 6–10 pm
+18446354448
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteDead Man's Hole Historical Landmark
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Marble Falls, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18306932815
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 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 websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~10 min detour
Final third
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 170.7 — 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
8
170.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
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 283
Toward FM 2268, FM 2843: Holland, Florence
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.91 one way
$63.83 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $35.65 | $71.29 |
| premium | $4.23 | $38.76 | $77.51 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.99 | $87.99 |
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
$32
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.47 | $11.18 |
| Efficient EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.39 | $9.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.2 | 1 | $32.62 | $14.91 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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
Late night in Frisco on Monday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Marble Falls, TX
Late night in Marble Falls on Monday
Local time
5:51 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 22m 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 120.5
View on nps.gov
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
30 mi from route
~75 min detour
Free
near mile 233
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 71% of the drive on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, indicating significant stretches of uninterrupted driving. After this predominantly highway portion, you'll transition to surface roads for the remainder of the trip. Expect a significant number of exits and potential merging traffic as you navigate through the Dallas area before opening up.
71% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 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 23 significant decision points across 233 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
698 ft
621 ft
Total Climb
76 ft
Total Descent
0 ft
Highest Point
698 ft
~149.8 mi in
Elevation Range
76 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 Marble Falls, TX, road signs point toward Dallas Zoo, Fm 2268, Fm 2843: Holland and Florence.
Dallas Zoo
28 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 35E
Fm 2268
170.7 mi in
|
~3h 1m
Fm 2843: Holland
170.7 mi in
|
~3h 1m
Florence
170.7 mi in
|
~3h 1m
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 Marble Falls, TX
Full guide →Founded 1887
Top landmarks
- • Roper Hotel — historic place in Marble Falls, Burnet County, Texas
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 22m. Total distance: 233 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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 21 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 Marble Falls, 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 21 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 and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Marble Falls, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Marble Falls, TX
Explore more options from Frisco, TX or browse trips ending in Marble Falls, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.