Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Frisco, TX to Port Lavaca, 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
6h 37m
Distance
347.3 mi
559 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 25m
★
6 AM
6h 37m
8 AM
7h 1m
10 AM
6h 46m
12 PM
6h 43m
3 PM
6h 47m
5 PM
7h 0m
8 PM
6h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Port Lavaca, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 347.3-mile journey from Frisco, Texas, to Port Lavaca, Texas, is estimated to take about 6 hours and 37 minutes of driving time. It's a feasible one-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $53. The route primarily utilizes local roads, indicated by its high turn count and 0% highway share, offering a more intimate travel experience through the Great Plains region of Texas. With only one recommended stop, you'll find this drive to be a direct and uncomplicated passage to the coast.
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
173.7 miles from Frisco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 77 | 120.2 mi | 2h 20m |
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| United States Highway 77 | 44.5 mi | 53m |
| Robinson Drive | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| Port Lavaca Drive | 21.3 mi | 25m |
| US 87 | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 4.3 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
US 77
— 120.2 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 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 Port Lavaca, 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
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 333A
Toward Loop 396
17
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.1 mi
·
24 sec
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
18
Turn left onto Loop 396
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Valley Mills Drive
19
Enter roundabout onto Robinson Drive
125 ft
·
5 sec
·
Robinson Drive
20
Continue on Robinson Drive
29 mi
·
33 min
·
Robinson Drive
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Continue on US 77
19 mi
·
21 min
·
US 77
22
Turn left onto US 77; US 190; TX 36
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
East 4th Street
23
Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Kemp Street
24
Continue on US 77; US 190; TX 36
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
East 1st Street
25
Take the exit onto US 77
101 mi
·
1 hr 58 min
·
US 77
26
Turn right onto US 77; US 90 Alt
0.3 mi
·
20 sec
·
West 4th Street
27
Continue on US 77; US 90 Alt
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
Fairwinds Street
28
Turn left onto US 77
45 mi
·
53 min
·
United States Highway 77
Use the straight / left lanes.
29
Turn left onto US 87
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Goodwin Avenue
Use the left lane.
30
Continue on US 87
21 mi
·
25 min
·
Port Lavaca Drive
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
5.4 mi
·
7 min
·
US 87
32
Arrive at destination
US 87
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour 37-minute duration, departing from Frisco early in the morning is advisable to reach Port Lavaca comfortably within daylight hours. Since this is a single-day trip with a manageable 347.3 miles, you have flexibility in pacing your single recommended stop. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the $53 estimated cost suggests consistent refueling might be necessary on these local roads. A practical tip for this 'turn-heavy' route is to ensure your navigation system is fully charged and updated, as you'll be making frequent turns.
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 173.7 miles from Frisco, TX, or about 3h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.2 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 76 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.7 miles or 3h 11m 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 24m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Port Lavaca, 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 347.3 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 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 77 for about 120.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 173.7 miles from Frisco, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.2 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
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
QuikTrip
1 mi from route
290 Travel Plaza
1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
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 websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Early stretch
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
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 205 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 25.3 — 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.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.57 one way
$95.14 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
122 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $53.13 | $106.27 |
| premium | $4.23 | $57.77 | $115.54 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $65.58 | $131.15 |
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
$48
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$74–$99
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.2 | 1 | $36.47 | $16.67 |
| Efficient EV | 86.8 | 0 | $30.39 | $13.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 138.9 | 1 | $48.62 | $22.23 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 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
Late night in Frisco on Monday
Local time
4:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 10 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:02AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Port Lavaca, TX
Late night in Port Lavaca on Monday
Local time
4:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 8 to 14 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 6:02AM CDT until July 17 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 5:03AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
15 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 37m 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.
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 119.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' for this entire 347.3-mile route. With no highway segments, you'll be navigating through various local roads, including 5th Street, Parkwood Boulevard, and Stonebrook Parkway in the initial stages. The absence of long highway stretches means you'll likely experience a more varied pace, with frequent intersections and changes in speed limits. This type of driving requires consistent attention but can also offer a more grounded perspective of the Texas landscape as you traverse.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120.2 mi on US 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 77 and South R L Thornton 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 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 20 significant decision points across 347.3 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 ft
18 ft
Total Climb
338 ft
Total Descent
1,016 ft
Highest Point
696 ft
Elevation Range
678 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 Port Lavaca, TX, road signs point toward Dallas Zoo and Loop 396.
Dallas Zoo
28 mi in
|
~34m
|
via I 35E
Loop 396
121.5 mi in
|
~2h 10m
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 Port Lavaca, TX
Full guide →Port Lavaca is a city on the South Barrier Coast of Texas and is the county seat of Calhoun County.
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 6h 37m. Total distance: 347.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 120.2 miles on US 77. 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 18 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 Lavaca, 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 18 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.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Port Lavaca, TX before the return drive.
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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