Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Frisco, TX to Stafford, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 8m
Distance
283.5 mi
456 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 55m
★
6 AM
5h 8m
8 AM
5h 35m
10 AM
5h 18m
12 PM
5h 15m
3 PM
5h 19m
5 PM
5h 34m
8 PM
5h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Stafford, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 283.5-mile drive from Frisco, TX to Stafford, TX is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours and 8 minutes. You'll be navigating local roads for the entirety of this journey, as indicated by the 0% highway share. Budget approximately $43 for fuel, and plan for about one stop along the way. The overall feel is a turn-heavy local drive, characteristic of traversing within the Great Plains region. This route is best suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
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
141.7 miles from Frisco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Julius Schepps Freeway | 224.4 mi | 3h 53m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| North Sam Houston Tollway West | 20.1 mi | 23m |
| West Sam Houston Tollway South | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Stafford Road | 2.2 mi | 4m |
| West Sam Houston Parkway South | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| BW 8 | 1.1 mi | 2m |
| Parkwood Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Julius Schepps Freeway
— 224.4 mi, about 3h 53m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,256 veh/hr typical · worst 3,806
Quietest
2 AM
~407 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 48 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 Stafford, 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
221 mi
·
3 hr 49 min
·
Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 60B
Toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto BW 8
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
North Sam Houston Parkway West
20
Continue on SHT
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
18 mi
·
20 min
·
North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on BW 8
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Sam Houston Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit onto BW 8
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
BW 8
Toward Stafford
Use the slight right lane.
25
Turn right onto Stafford Road
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Stafford Road
26
Take the ramp onto Stafford Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Stafford Road
27
Turn right onto US 90 Alt
132 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Main Street
28
Turn left
55 ft
·
6 sec
29
Turn right
53 ft
·
3 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration and turn-heavy nature of this 283.5-mile trip, departing in the morning is recommended to avoid potential traffic congestion, especially as you get closer to Stafford. With only one planned stop and a fuel cost of around $43, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel level, as you won't have the convenience of easily accessible highway gas stations. The numerous turns mean you'll want to stay alert and perhaps review your route on 5th Street, Parkwood Boulevard, and Stonebrook Parkway before you begin to familiarize yourself with the transitions.
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 141.7 miles from Frisco, TX, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 224.4 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 62 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.7 miles or 2h 33m 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 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stafford, 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 283.5 miles and 5h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 224.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
142 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.7 miles from Frisco, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Julius Schepps Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 224.4 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA Express
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA Express
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.4 mi from route
TA
1.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.7 mi from route
Dennis Johnston Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Spring, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+17132740930
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
Visit websiteJumping World
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 1–9 pm
+17139967811
Visit websiteEscape Again Rooms
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18329994572
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 websiteFort Bend Children's Discovery Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.7 mi from route
~12 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+18327422800
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 215 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 251.8 — 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.
8
251.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 27m in
Take the exit toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West
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 60B
Toward BW 8 East, SHT West: Bush Intercontinent...
7
251.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 28m in
Keep slight right at fork toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.83 one way
$77.66 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.37 | $86.75 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.16 | $94.31 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.53 | $107.06 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.88
Sam Houston Tollway
(25.6 mi)
$2.05
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
$39
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.1 | 1 | $29.77 | $13.61 |
| Efficient EV | 70.9 | 0 | $24.81 | $11.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.4 | 1 | $39.69 | $18.14 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Origin
Frisco, TX
Late night in Frisco on Sunday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
42% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:33PM CDT until July 16 at 4:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:29PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Stafford, TX
Late night in Stafford on Sunday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 10 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:33PM CDT until July 16 at 4:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:29PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
100°F
Italy, TX
142 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
5h 8m 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?
Expect a route with a high number of turns, characteristic of a local drive rather than an open highway. With a 0% highway share, this journey primarily utilizes surface streets and connecting roads such as 5th Street, Parkwood Boulevard, and Stonebrook Parkway. There isn't a longest uninterrupted stretch to highlight, as the nature of the drive suggests frequent intersections and changes in direction. This means you'll be actively engaged with the road conditions, experiencing a more intimate connection with the Texas landscape as you make your way south.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 224.4 mi on Julius Schepps Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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
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 21 significant decision points across 283.5 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 1.5 miles (Dallas Parkway): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
696 ft
77 ft
Total Climb
295 ft
Total Descent
914 ft
Highest Point
696 ft
Elevation Range
619 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 Stafford, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Bw 8 East, Sht West: Bush Intercontinental Airport, Sam Houston Tollway West and Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway.
Downtown
24.8 mi in
|
~29m
Bw 8 East
251.2 mi in
|
~4h 27m
Sht West: Bush Intercontinental Airport
251.2 mi in
|
~4h 27m
Sam Houston Tollway West
251.2 mi in
|
~4h 27m
Sht West: Sam Houston Tollway
251.8 mi in
|
~4h 28m
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 Stafford, TX
Full guide →Stafford is a city in the North Barrier Coast region of 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 5h 8m. Total distance: 283.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 224.4 miles on Julius Schepps Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $3.88 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston 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 26 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 Stafford, 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 26 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 5.1 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stafford, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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