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Trip from Frisco, TX to South Houston, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 59m

Distance

276.7 mi

445 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$42

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min
4 AM
4h 46m ★
6 AM
5h 0m
8 AM
5h 27m
10 AM
5h 9m
12 PM
5h 7m
3 PM
5h 11m
5 PM
5h 25m
8 PM
4h 52m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Harris County, Texas, United States

South Houston, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Frisco, TX to South Houston, TX is 276.7 miles and takes about 4h 59m via Julius Schepps Freeway and Gulf Freeway, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. With a 90% highway focus, expect a straightforward drive that's well-suited for a single day. Plan for a total drive time under five hours, making it an efficient journey for those looking to cover ground quickly. The primary roads are the Julius Schepps Freeway and the Gulf Freeway, offering a direct path south.

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

138.4 miles from Frisco, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 31m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Julius Schepps Freeway 237.2 mi 4h 9m
Dallas North Tollway 22.9 mi 25m
Gulf Freeway 10.3 mi 12m
Winkler Drive 1.1 mi 1m
Parkwood Boulevard 1 mi 1m
Galveston Road 0.6 mi <1m
North Pearl Street 0.4 mi 1m
Harry Hines Boulevard 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Julius Schepps Freeway — 237.2 mi, about 4h 9m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Frisco, TX and South Houston, 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 left at fork

0.3 mi · 44 sec
Toward Harry Hines Boulevard, Downtown
9

Continue on Harry Hines Boulevard

0.4 mi · 53 sec · Harry Hines Boulevard
Use the straight lane.
10

Turn slight left

370 ft · 11 sec
Use the left / straight lanes.
11

Turn straight onto Moody Street

327 ft · 8 sec · Moody Street
12

Continue on North Pearl Street

0.4 mi · 1 min · North Pearl Street
13

Turn left onto Woodall Rodgers Freeway

288 ft · 5 sec · Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Use the left lane.
14

Take the ramp

0.7 mi · 1 min
Toward I 45 South Use the straight / slight left lanes.
15

Merge onto I 45

3.1 mi · 3 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16

Keep slight left at fork onto I 45

234 mi · 4 hr 5 min · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 45

10 mi · 12 min · Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / left lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Exit 38 Toward TX 3: Monroe Road Use the slight right lane.
19

Turn straight onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road

0.3 mi · 31 sec · Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
20

Turn left onto TX 3

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Monroe Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
21

Continue on TX 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · Winkler Drive
22

Turn right onto TX 3

0.6 mi · 58 sec · Galveston Road
Use the right lane.
23

Arrive at destination

TX 3

Trip Plan

Given the relatively short duration of under five hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. You could depart in the morning and arrive in South Houston by midday, leaving plenty of time for afternoon activities. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel; while the estimated cost is $42, it's always wise to top off before embarking on the longest stretch of 237.2 miles on the Julius Schepps Freeway.

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 138.4 miles from Frisco, TX, or about 2h 31m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 237.2 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 61 miles or 1h 10m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 138.4 miles or 2h 31m 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 4m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near South Houston, 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 276.7 miles and 4h 59m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 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 Julius Schepps Freeway for about 237.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Corsicana, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corsicana, TX

138 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

Waxahachie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 61 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Corsicana, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 138.4 miles from Frisco, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 237.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

The Woodlands Waterway

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 237.2

The Woodlands, Texas

Visit website

Dennis Johnston Park

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.8 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 237.2

Spring, Texas

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+17132740930

Visit website

Visit 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 website

Kids 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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 274.4 — 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.
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
274.4 mi into trip | ~4h 55m in

Take the exit toward TX 3: Monroe Road

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 38 Toward TX 3: Monroe Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$41.81 one way

$83.62 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 97 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $45.76 $91.53
premium $4.54 $49.40 $98.81
diesel $5.61 $61.09 $122.18

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

$42

Tolls

$2

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 96.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 83 1 $29.05 $13.28
Efficient EV 69.2 0 $24.21 $11.07
EV Truck/SUV 110.7 1 $38.74 $17.71

Gas CO2

97 kg

EV CO2

32 kg (67% 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 Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Frisco, TX

Morning in Frisco on Sunday

Local time

9:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

60°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

South Houston, TX

Morning in South Houston on Sunday

Local time

9:18 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

17 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 59m 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?

This is largely a highway-focused drive, with 90% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Julius Schepps Freeway, including one uninterrupted stretch of 237.2 miles. Expect a consistent pace for most of the journey, as the primary roads are designed for higher speeds and direct travel. The character of the drive remains primarily highway-centric throughout, offering a predictable experience for drivers.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 237.2 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

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.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 276.7 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.

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 South Houston, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.

Downtown

24.8 mi in | ~29m

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

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 59m. Total distance: 276.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 237.2 miles on Julius Schepps 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.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

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 South Houston, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at South Houston, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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