Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Leon Valley, TX to Frisco, 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
5h 28m
Distance
303.4 mi
488 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 15m
★
6 AM
5h 29m
8 AM
5h 55m
10 AM
5h 38m
12 PM
5h 35m
3 PM
5h 39m
5 PM
5h 54m
8 PM
5h 21m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Leon Valley, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Leon Valley to Frisco is 303.4 miles and takes about 5h 28m via Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and ending in the same area. Expect a route that's mostly surface roads, offering a more grounded feel compared to constant highway speeds. It's a single-day trip with one recommended stop, making it a manageable drive for most. If you're looking for a straightforward trip through Texas with a focus on surface roads, this route fits the bill.
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
151.7 miles from Leon Valley, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 188.3 mi | 3h 18m |
| I 35E | 59.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.5 mi | 25m |
| Connally Loop | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 6.8 mi | 7m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Bandera Road | 1.5 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 18m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 104 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~4,151 veh/hr typical · worst 4,855
Quietest
2 AM
~718 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Leon Valley, TX and Frisco, TX.
1
Start on TX 16
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Bandera Road
2
Turn left onto Northwest Loop 410
374 ft
·
7 sec
·
Northwest Loop 410
Use the straight lane.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 410 East
4
Merge onto I 410
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 35 North: Austin
6
Merge onto I 35
6.8 mi
·
7 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
14
Take the exit
411 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight right at fork
468 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn right onto Oak Lawn Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Oak Lawn Avenue
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward DNT North
18
Merge onto DNT
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Stonebrook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto CR 13
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
21
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Stonebrook Parkway
Use the right lane.
22
Turn left onto Parkwood Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Parkwood Boulevard
23
Continue on 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
5th Street
24
Turn right onto Elm Street
353 ft
·
20 sec
·
Elm Street
25
Turn left onto 6th Street
346 ft
·
15 sec
·
6th Street
26
Turn left onto Main Street
309 ft
·
14 sec
·
Main Street
27
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, starting in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight and allow for flexibility. With only one recommended stop, you can decide on the fly where to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the initial 188.3-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail, as services might be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost is around $44, so budget accordingly. Given it's a single-day trip, you have the advantage of adjusting your departure time based on local traffic conditions, particularly as you approach the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
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 151.7 miles from Leon Valley, TX, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 67 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 151.7 miles or 2h 45m 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 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Frisco, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leon Valley, 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 Leon Valley, TX
This is one driving day of about 303.4 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Leon Valley, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
152 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 151.7 miles from Leon Valley, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.3 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
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
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
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
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Cultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteToybrary Austin
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+15124343927
Visit websiteO. P. Schnabel Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+12102077275
Visit websiteDenman Estate Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12102077275
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.6 mi from route
~7 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteAustin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteVisit Frisco
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Frisco, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19722925250
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 83.7 and 301.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
83.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
218.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
278.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
7
278.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 57m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
301.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 23m in
Take the exit toward Stonebrook Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Stonebrook Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$41.56 one way
$83.11 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $46.42 | $92.84 |
| premium | $4.23 | $50.47 | $100.93 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $57.29 | $114.58 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.80
Dallas North Tollway
(22.5 mi)
$1.80
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
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91 | 1 | $31.86 | $14.56 |
| Efficient EV | 75.9 | 0 | $26.55 | $12.14 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 121.4 | 1 | $42.48 | $19.42 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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
Leon Valley, TX
Late night in Leon Valley on Monday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Frisco, TX
Late night in Frisco on Monday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny
SSW 10 to 15 mph
19% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Troy, TX
152 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 28m 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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 188.3
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 10.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive features 75% surface roads, with the highway portion making up the remaining 25%. You'll encounter the longest continuous stretch on Purple Heart Trail for 188.3 miles. After that, you'll transition to I-35E and the Dallas North Tollway. Be prepared for frequent exits and merges as you navigate through populated areas during the latter half of your trip.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 83.7 miles in near I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail.
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 17 significant decision points across 303.4 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: at 83.7 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
826 ft
526 ft
Total Climb
546 ft
Total Descent
676 ft
Highest Point
826 ft
Elevation Range
300 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.
On the drive from Leon Valley, TX to Frisco, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dnt North along the way.
Dnt North
278.6 mi in
|
~4h 58m
About the Cities
Starting in Leon Valley, TX
Full guide →Founded 1952
Arriving 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 5h 28m. Total distance: 303.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.80 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 30 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 Frisco, 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 30 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 83.7 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 218.9 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 278.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Frisco, 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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