This 322.2-mile drive from Frisco, Texas, to Port Arthur, Texas, is designed as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 6 hours and 12 minutes. Primarily utilizing US Highway 69 South and the C F Hawn Freeway, this route offers a straightforward journey through the Great Plains region of Texas. With a projected fuel cost of around $49, it's an economical option for a quick getaway. While there's one recommended stop, the longest stretch without a break is about 63.3 miles, so plan your breaks accordingly. This highway-focused drive is well-suited for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
161.1 miles from Frisco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 3m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 69 South
63.3 mi
1h 11m
C F Hawn Freeway
58.5 mi
1h 3m
East Denman Avenue
38.5 mi
43m
US 69
25.4 mi
27m
US Highway 175 East
20.8 mi
22m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
18.5 mi
19m
US Highway 69 North
16.2 mi
18m
Rusk Street
15.1 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 69 South
— 63.3 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-635
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~5,274 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~569 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
9.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 9 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 Port Arthur, 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 SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Merge onto DNT
14 mi·15 min·Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Toward I 635 EastUse the right lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·18 sec
Toward I 635 East
10
Merge onto I 635
4.5 mi·4 min·Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway
Use the right lane.
11
Continue on I 635
19 mi·19 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
Exit 479BToward US 175 East: KaufmanUse the right lane.
13
Merge onto US 175
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·C F Hawn Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 175 Bus
151 ft·9 sec·US Highway 175 West
15
Turn left onto US 175 Bus; TX 31 Bus
2.5 mi·4 min·West Corsicana Street
16
Continue on US 175 Bus
21 mi·22 min·US Highway 175 East
17
Continue on US 175
2.0 mi·3 min·West Pine Street
18
Continue on US 175
13 mi·14 min·US Highway 175
19
Continue on US 175
0.6 mi·58 sec·Frankston Highway
20
Continue on US 175
0.2 mi·21 sec·Alexander Boulevard
21
At end of road, turn right onto US 69
3.3 mi·4 min·North Jackson Street
22
Continue on US 69
9.5 mi·10 min·US Highway 69 North
23
Continue on US 69
3.4 mi·3 min·North Dickinson Drive
24
Continue on US 69
9.3 mi·10 min·US Highway 69 South
25
Continue on US 69
1.5 mi·1 min·North Marcus Street
26
Continue on US 69
11 mi·13 min·US Highway 69 South
27
Continue on US 69
15 mi·19 min·Rusk Street
28
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
29
Continue on Loop 287 Frontage Road
0.5 mi·49 sec·Loop 287 Frontage Road
30
Continue on Loop 287
0.1 mi·17 sec·Loop 287 Frontage Road
31
Turn right onto US 69 Bus
2.1 mi·3 min·Kurth Drive
32
Turn straight onto US 59 Bus; US 69 Bus; TX 103
1.2 mi·2 min·North Timberland Drive
33
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
0.6 mi·1 min·South Chestnut Street
34
Turn left onto US 69 Bus
39 mi·43 min·East Denman Avenue
35
Continue on US 69
3.0 mi·3 min·North Wheeler Avenue
36
Continue on US 69
6.7 mi·7 min·US Highway 69 North
37
Continue on US 69
2.9 mi·3 min·North Magnolia Street
38
Continue on US 69; US 287
42 mi·48 min·US Highway 69 South
39
Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287
9.5 mi·10 min·US 69; US 96; US 287
40
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
3.1 mi·4 min·Eastex Freeway
Toward Houston, Port Arthur
41
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287
16 mi·17 min·US 69; US 96; US 287
Exit 849Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur
42
Take the exit
0.3 mi·43 sec
Toward TX 73 West: Winnie
43
Merge onto TX 73
0.6 mi·44 sec·TX 73
44
Turn slight right onto H O Mills Boulevard
0.4 mi·46 sec·H O Mills Boulevard
45
Turn left onto Spur 215
2.0 mi·3 min·Savannah Avenue
46
Turn right onto 17th Street
369 ft·15 sec·17th Street
47
Turn left onto Augusta Avenue
162 ft·4 sec·Augusta Avenue
48
Arrive at destination
Augusta Avenue
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour, 12-minute drive, consider departing from Frisco early in the morning to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With a total distance of 322.2 miles, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, but it's wise to plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs, especially given the longest stretch of 63.3 miles on US Highway 69 South. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $49, and services might be less frequent on certain highway segments. A practical tip for this particular route is to utilize navigation that highlights upcoming fuel stations, as this highway-focused drive can sometimes present longer distances between services.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 161.1 miles from Frisco, TX, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.3 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 71 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 161.1 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Arthur, 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 322.2 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 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 US Highway 69 South for about 63.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 39.5 — 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.
6
1.5 mi into trip|~3m in|Dallas Parkway
Turn left onto Dallas Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
1.7 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the ramp toward DNT Toll South
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward DNT Toll South
7
39.5 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Exit 479B
Toward US 175 East: Kaufman
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.13 one way
$88.26 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg113 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$49.29
$98.59
premium
$4.23
$53.59
$107.19
diesel
$4.80
$60.84
$121.67
Estimated Tolls: $1.13
Dallas North Tollway
(14.1 mi)$1.13
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
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
96.7
1
$33.83
$15.47
Efficient EV
80.6
0
$28.19
$12.89
EV Truck/SUV
128.9
1
$45.11
$20.62
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Frisco, TX
Morning
in Frisco on Sunday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 17 at 12:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Port Arthur, TX
Morning
in Port Arthur on Sunday
Local time
11:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Mostly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:01AM CDT until July 17 at 12:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
99°F
Jacksonville, TX
161 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
1 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
6h 12m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 322.2-mile trip, with about 70% of the journey on major roadways like US Highway 69 South. You'll experience a consistent pace for much of the 6-hour, 12-minute duration. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 63.3 miles on US Highway 69 South, so be prepared for extended periods of driving. While the route is predominantly highway, transitions onto roads like East Denman Avenue will mark your approach to the destination, offering a slight change in scenery and pace as you near Port Arthur.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 63.3 mi on US Highway 69 South.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 69 South and C F Hawn Freeway. 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 Effort9/10
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 24 significant decision points across 322.2 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 1.5 miles (Dallas Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
696 ft1 ft
Total Climb
238 ft
Total Descent
933 ft
Highest Point
696 ft
Elevation Range
696 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Frisco, TX to Port Arthur, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Houston along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 12m. Total distance: 322.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 63.3 miles on US Highway 69 South. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.13 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 5 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 Port Arthur, 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 5 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 1.5 miles (Dallas Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Arthur, TX before the return drive.
