Rest Area Lilly Roadside Park
0 mi from route
Trip from Archer City, TX to Montopolis, 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 14m
Distance
274.3 mi
441 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 1m
★
6 AM
5h 14m
8 AM
5h 41m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Archer City, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Archer City, TX to Montopolis, TX is 274.3 miles and takes about 5h 14m via US 281, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Great Plains region throughout, offering a consistent landscape. With 92% of the route on highways, it's a fairly direct trip, making it a solid option for a single-day drive. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, helping you break up the 5-hour travel time. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground in Texas.
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
137.1 miles from Archer City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 281 | 106.1 mi | 2h |
| South US Highway 281 | 61.1 mi | 1h 9m |
| South US Highway 183 | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| North US Highway 281 | 19 mi | 20m |
| US 183 | 14.8 mi | 17m |
| 183A Toll Road | 14.3 mi | 14m |
| State Highway 25 East | 10.3 mi | 15m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 281
— 106.1 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Archer City, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on TX 25
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
2
Continue on TX 25
10 mi
·
15 min
·
State Highway 25 East
3
Turn right onto US 281
41 mi
·
47 min
·
US 281
4
Continue on US 281
65 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
US 281
Use the straight lane.
5
Continue on US 281
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
East Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on US 281
18 mi
·
20 min
·
South US Highway 281
7
Continue on US 281; TX 6
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
North 2nd Street
8
Turn right onto US 281
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Walnut Street
Use the right lane.
9
Turn straight onto US 281
19 mi
·
20 min
·
North US Highway 281
10
Continue on US 281
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Rice Street
11
Continue on US 281
43 mi
·
49 min
·
South US Highway 281
12
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Key Avenue
13
Continue on US 183
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South US Highway 183
14
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
15
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 183
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
20
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
21
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving Archer City in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach Montopolis comfortably. The single recommended stop is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel if needed, especially since the longest continuous stretch is over 100 miles. Given the relatively short duration and highway focus, you have flexibility in your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services can be spaced out on US 281 in some stretches; aim to fill up before you leave Archer City or at your planned stop.
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 137.1 miles from Archer City, TX, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 106.1 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 60 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 137.1 miles or 2h 40m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montopolis, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Archer City, 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 Archer City, TX
This is one driving day of about 274.3 miles and 5h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 60 miles from Archer City, 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 US 281 for about 106.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
137 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 60 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 137.1 miles from Archer City, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 106.1 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
Lakeline Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Cedar Park, Texas
+15124015500
Visit websiteAustin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 11.2 and 274.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
11.2 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
US 281
Turn right onto US 281
Navigation decision point
5
136.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
|
US 281 / North Walnut Street
Turn right onto US 281 / North Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
239.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m in
|
183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll / 183A Toll Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
273.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m in
Take the exit toward Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue
3
274.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 14m in
Take the ramp toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Navigation decision point
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$37.57 one way
$75.14 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
96 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $41.97 | $83.93 |
| premium | $4.23 | $45.63 | $91.25 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $51.79 | $103.59 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.00
183A Toll Road
(14.3 mi)
$1.00
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
$38
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 96 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 82.3 | 1 | $28.80 | $13.17 |
| Efficient EV | 68.6 | 0 | $24.00 | $10.97 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 109.7 | 1 | $38.40 | $17.56 |
Gas CO2
96 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.
Origin
Archer City, TX
Late night in Archer City on Monday
Local time
2:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 8 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
2:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
4 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 14m 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 92% of the 274.3 miles spent on major roads like US 281 and US 183. You'll experience a solid stretch of 106.1 miles on US 281 without needing to exit. Expect mostly rural cruising for the majority of the drive, transitioning to more developed areas as you approach Montopolis. The highway portion means you'll likely see fewer intersections and more consistent speed limits.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 106.1 mi on US 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 and South US Highway 281. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 11.2 miles in near US 281.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 5h 14m drive. You will face about 6 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.2 miles (US 281): Navigation decision point; at 136.8 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 239.6 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
1,275 ft
463 ft
Total Climb
689 ft
Total Descent
1,293 ft
Highest Point
1,275 ft
~176.3 mi in
Elevation Range
812 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Archer City, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Archer County Courthouse and Jail — historic place in Archer City, Archer County, 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 14m. Total distance: 274.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (92%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 106.1 miles on US 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.00 in tolls one way, starting with 183A Toll Road. 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 2 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.
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 2 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.2 miles (US 281): Navigation decision point; at 136.8 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 239.6 miles (183A Toll / 183A Toll Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Montopolis, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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