Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Luling, TX to Frisco, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 39m
Distance
264.7 mi
426 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 26m
★
6 AM
4h 40m
8 AM
5h 7m
10 AM
4h 49m
12 PM
4h 47m
3 PM
4h 51m
5 PM
5h 5m
8 PM
4h 32m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Luling, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Luling, TX to Frisco, TX is 264.7 miles and takes about 4h 39m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive moves you from the southern edge of the Great Plains region into its more northern reaches within Texas. It's a straightforward trip primarily on major highways, making it ideal for a single-day transit. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface road driving, so expect varied speeds and traffic depending on the section. The estimated fuel cost of $39 is based on typical gas prices, but keep an eye on current rates.
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
132.3 miles from Luling, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 35E | 59.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.5 mi | 25m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| South Colorado Street | 4.9 mi | 8m |
| South Magnolia Avenue | 1.2 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 56 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~4,039 veh/hr typical · worst 5,025
Quietest
2 AM
~681 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Luling, TX and Frisco, TX.
1
Start on US 90; US 183
19 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Pierce Street
2
Turn right onto US 183; TX 80
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South Magnolia Avenue
3
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
4
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
5
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
Take the exit
411 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork
468 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn right onto Oak Lawn Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Oak Lawn Avenue
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward DNT North
17
Merge onto DNT
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Stonebrook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto CR 13
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
20
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Stonebrook Parkway
Use the right lane.
21
Turn left onto Parkwood Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Parkwood Boulevard
22
Continue on 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
5th Street
23
Turn right onto Elm Street
353 ft
·
20 sec
·
Elm Street
24
Turn left onto 6th Street
346 ft
·
15 sec
·
6th Street
25
Turn left onto Main Street
309 ft
·
14 sec
·
Main Street
26
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 39m estimated drive time, leaving Luling, TX in the morning should allow you to reach Frisco, TX with plenty of daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in pacing. Pay attention to the transition points between the Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, as this is where road conditions and traffic patterns can change. Keep your fuel tank at least half-full, especially before heading into the longest stretch of 97.7 miles, as services can be more spread out in certain sections.
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 132.3 miles from Luling, TX, or about 2h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 58 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 132.3 miles or 2h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 44m
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 Luling, 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 Luling, TX
This is one driving day of about 264.7 miles and 4h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Luling, 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 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
132 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 132.3 miles from Luling, 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 97.7 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.
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 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
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
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 websiteKids Colony
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 16.6 and 239.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
16.6 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
75.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
180.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m 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
239.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m 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
239.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.74 one way
$79.47 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
93 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $43.97 | $87.93 |
| premium | $4.57 | $47.57 | $95.15 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $65.40 | $130.81 |
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
$40
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 92.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 79.4 | 0 | $27.79 | $12.71 |
| Efficient EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.16 | $10.59 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 105.9 | 1 | $37.06 | $16.94 |
Gas CO2
93 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Luling, TX
Late night in Luling on Friday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Sunny
ENE 0 to 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Frisco, TX
Late night in Frisco on Friday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
57°F
Troy, TX
132 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 39m 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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 146
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 51% highway, meaning you'll spend a little over half the drive on faster-paced roads like I 35E. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 97.7 miles, which occurs on the Purple Heart Trail. You'll transition from more open cruising to areas with a higher density of exits and potential for urban merging as you approach your destination. Expect a mixed-terrain feel as you move between high-speed sections and more local road segments.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.6 miles in.
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 16 significant decision points across 264.7 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: at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
701 ft
411 ft
Total Climb
787 ft
Total Descent
501 ft
Highest Point
701 ft
~75.6 mi in
Elevation Range
290 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 Luling, TX and Frisco, TX, road signs point toward Waco and Dnt North.
Waco
16.6 mi in
|
~22m
Dnt North
239.9 mi in
|
~4h 9m
About the Cities
Starting in Luling, TX
Full guide →Founded 1874
Luling is a city in the Post Oak Savannah region of Texas. It is a popular pitstop for motorists traveling between east and west Texasː non-Texans usually only stop at Buc-ees while real Texans get off the highway a couple miles because they know Luling has some of the best BBQ in Central Texas. Luling is very agricultural with cattle ranches and chicken farms.
Arriving in Frisco, TX
Full guide →Founded 1904
Frisco is a suburb of Dallas and part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Top landmarks
- • Universal Kids Resort — resort in Frisco, Texas
- • 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 39m. Total distance: 264.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 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 28 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 75.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 180.2 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Frisco, 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, 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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