Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from The Woodlands, TX to Frisco, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
238.4 mi
384 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 27m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
The Woodlands, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Frisco, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The Woodlands, TX to Frisco, TX is 238.4 miles and takes about 4h 18m via I 45 and Dallas North Tollway, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a quick and efficient option for getting between these two North Texas locations. With only one recommended stop and a driving time under five hours, it's well-suited for a single-day excursion.
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
119.2 miles from The Woodlands, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 45 | 206.5 mi | 3h 32m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 22.8 mi | 25m |
| Research Forest Drive | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Interstate 45 North Frontage Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| Parkwood Boulevard | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Olive Street | 1 mi | 2m |
| East Panther Creek Drive | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Lakeside Boulevard | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 45
— 206.5 mi, about 3h 32m
Traffic on I-45
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,985 veh/hr typical · worst 2,601
Quietest
2 AM
~289 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 88 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 The Woodlands, TX and Frisco, TX.
1
Start on Pebble Cove Drive
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Pebble Cove Drive
2
Turn right onto East Panther Creek Drive
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Panther Creek Drive
3
Turn right onto Lake Woodlands Drive
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Lake Woodlands Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto Lakeside Boulevard
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeside Boulevard
Use the left lane.
5
Turn right onto Research Forest Drive
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Research Forest Drive
6
Turn left onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 45 North
8
Merge onto I 45
206 mi
·
3 hr 32 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward Elm Street
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
11
Turn straight onto Elm Street
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Elm Street
12
Turn right onto North Olive Street
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Olive Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
13
Continue on McKinnon Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
McKinnon Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Toward DNT Toll
15
Continue on DNT
23 mi
·
25 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
Toward Stonebrook Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto CR 13
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
18
Turn right onto Stonebrook Parkway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
Stonebrook Parkway
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto Parkwood Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Parkwood Boulevard
20
Continue on 5th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
5th Street
21
Turn right onto Elm Street
353 ft
·
20 sec
·
Elm Street
22
Turn left onto 6th Street
346 ft
·
15 sec
·
6th Street
23
Turn left onto Main Street
309 ft
·
14 sec
·
Main Street
24
Arrive at destination
Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 18m estimated driving time, leaving The Woodlands in the morning should allow you to reach Frisco with plenty of daylight to spare. The longest continuous stretch is over 200 miles on I 45, so plan your single stop accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point or a bit further along. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before embarking on the long segment of I 45, as fuel stops can become less frequent in certain stretches. The $35 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices. Since this is a one-day trip, you have flexibility to depart a little later if needed, but aim to avoid peak rush hour in the Dallas area.
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 119.2 miles from The Woodlands, TX, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 206.5 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 52 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 119.2 miles or 2h 7m 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 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 The Woodlands, 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 The Woodlands, TX
This is one driving day of about 238.4 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from The Woodlands, 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 I 45 for about 206.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
119 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 119.2 miles from The Woodlands, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 45 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 206.5 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
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Navarro County Northbound Rest Area
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
Walker County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Walker County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Navarro County Southbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Rest Area
0.8 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
The Woodlands Waterway
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
The Woodlands, Texas
Visit websiteCandy Cane Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Conroe, Texas
Hours: 9 am–11 pm
+19365223804
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 1 and 236.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Lake Woodlands Drive
Turn right onto Lake Woodlands Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
3.4 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Turn left onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
211.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Take the exit toward Main Street West, Elm Street
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 284B
Toward Main Street West, Elm Street
8
211.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 42m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Elm Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward Elm Street
6
236.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 13m 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
$36.50 one way
$73.00 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $40.28 | $80.57 |
| premium | $4.64 | $43.53 | $87.06 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $58.00 | $115.99 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.83
Dallas North Tollway
(22.8 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
$37
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 83.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.5 | 0 | $25.03 | $11.44 |
| Efficient EV | 59.6 | 0 | $20.86 | $9.54 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 95.4 | 1 | $33.38 | $15.26 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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
The Woodlands, TX
Morning in The Woodlands on Sunday
Local time
7:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
N 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Frisco, TX
Morning in Frisco on Sunday
Local time
7:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Sunny
NNE 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
65°F
Italy, TX
119 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
5 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 18m 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 route is predominantly highway driving, with 87% of the 238.4 miles on major roads like I 45. You'll experience a long stretch of 206.5 miles on I 45 before transitioning. The final leg will involve surface roads and the Dallas North Tollway as you approach Frisco. Expect a steady pace with numerous exits and potential for merging traffic as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 206.5 mi on I 45.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 45 and Dallas North Tollway. You will hit about 16 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near Lake Woodlands Drive.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 238.4 miles you will encounter 16 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (Lake Woodlands Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (Interstate 45 North Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 211.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
696 ft
139 ft
Total Climb
719 ft
Total Descent
162 ft
Highest Point
696 ft
~238.4 mi in
Elevation Range
557 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 The Woodlands, TX and Frisco, TX, road signs point toward Main Street West and Dnt Toll.
Main Street West
211.1 mi in
|
~3h 42m
Dnt Toll
213.1 mi in
|
~3h 47m
About the Cities
Starting in The Woodlands, TX
Full guide →Founded 1974
The Woodlands is a suburban city in the Deep East Texas region of Texas 28 miles north of downtown Houston along Interstate 45. Although it began as a suburban development and a bedroom community, it also has attracted corporations and unique shopping to the area. In addition to residential and corporate housing, The Woodlands features a shopping mall, seven golf courses, and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Regional Concert Venue, and a 4-star rated The Woodlands Resort.
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 18m. Total distance: 238.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (87%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 206.5 miles on I 45. 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 22 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (Lake Woodlands Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.4 miles (Interstate 45 North Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 211.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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