Clarksville, TX to Montopolis, TX is 331.8 miles and takes about 5h 57m via South R L Thornton Freeway and I 30, with a fuel budget near $48 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, primarily on Texas highways. It's a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day. Consider this route if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive detours.
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
165.9 miles from Clarksville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
I 30
55.1 mi
59m
I 35
52.6 mi
54m
South Church Street
46.4 mi
50m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
US Highway 82 West
16.6 mi
18m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
Southeast Loop 286
4.9 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,060 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,722
Quietest
2 AM
~607 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Clarksville, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on US 82 Bus; TX 37 Bus
2.9 mi·4 min·West Main Street
2
Continue on US 82
17 mi·18 min·US Highway 82 West
3
Continue on US 82
2.0 mi·2 min·East Front Street
4
Continue on US 82
2.9 mi·3 min·US Highway 82 East
5
Continue on US 82
3.2 mi·3 min·Lamar Road
6
Continue on US 82
0.1 mi·16 sec·Lamar Avenue
7
Turn left onto Southeast Loop 286
0.2 mi·19 sec·Southeast Loop 286
8
Merge onto US 271; Loop 286
4.8 mi·5 min·Southeast Loop 286
9
Continue on Loop 286
0.1 mi·9 sec·Southwest Loop 286
10
Take the exit
0.1 mi·24 sec
Toward TX 19, TX 24: Cooper, Sulphur Springs
11
Turn left onto TX 19; TX 24
46 mi·50 min·South Church Street
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 30 West: Dallas
13
Merge onto I 30; US 67
55 mi·59 min·I 30; US 67
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 46AToward I 35E: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
16
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E South: WacoUse the left / right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
19
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi·54 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 240BToward US 183: Lockhart, LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the slight left lane.
25
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi·2 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi·5 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton AvenueUse the slight right lane.
28
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi·30 sec·Ed Bluestein Boulevard
29
Take the ramp
486 ft·11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
30
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 57m estimated drive time, leaving Clarksville in the morning should allow you to reach Montopolis before evening. With only one recommended stop and a 331.8-mile distance, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $48 for this drive. A good tip is to be aware of the dense exit patterns on South R L Thornton Freeway, which can require quick lane changes if you miss your intended turn.
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 165.9 miles from Clarksville, TX, or about 3h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 73 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.9 miles or 3h 2m 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 52m
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 Clarksville, 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 Clarksville, TX
This is one driving day of about 331.8 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Clarksville, 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 134.8 and 323.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
134.8 mi into trip|~2h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
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 46A
Toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
9
135.5 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
135.5 mi into trip|~2h 31m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Waco
8
322.9 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward US 183: Lockhart, Lampasas
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 240B
Toward US 183: Lockhart, Lampasas
7
323.2 mi into trip|~5h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.45 one way
$90.89 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$50.76
$101.53
premium
$4.23
$55.19
$110.38
diesel
$4.80
$62.65
$125.30
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.5
1
$34.84
$15.93
Efficient EV
83
0
$29.03
$13.27
EV Truck/SUV
132.7
1
$46.45
$21.24
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Clarksville, TX
Late night
in Clarksville on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 to 10 mph16% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:04AM CDT until July 21 at 3:57AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night
in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
1:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:45AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:04AM CDT until July 21 at 3:57AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
1 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
5h 57m 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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 228.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 70% of this 331.8-mile trip on highways. The longest continuous stretch on highway is 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. Expect a considerable amount of highway driving, with exits becoming more frequent as you approach urban areas. The remaining portion will be on non-highway roads.
70% 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: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 30. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 134.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 331.8 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 134.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
818 ft412 ft
Total Climb
709 ft
Total Descent
658 ft
Highest Point
818 ft
~189.6 mi in
Elevation Range
406 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Clarksville, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Sulphur Springs, Waco, Denton and Dallas Zoo.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 331.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Montopolis, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 134.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 135.5 miles: 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
