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Trip from Cleburne, TX to Montopolis, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 7m

Distance

169.9 mi

273 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$26

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min
4 AM
2h 56m ★
6 AM
3h 7m
8 AM
3h 31m
10 AM
3h 16m
12 PM
3h 13m
3 PM
3h 17m
5 PM
3h 29m
8 PM
3h 0m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Cleburne, TX, TX

Cleburne, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This straightforward drive from Cleburne, TX, to Montopolis, TX, covers 169.9 miles and takes about 3 hours and 7 minutes. You'll primarily use I-35 and I-35W, with a portion of the Purple Heart Trail, making it a highway-focused trip. Given the relatively short duration and distance, this route is well-suited for a single-day journey, with an estimated fuel cost of $26. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so expect consistent, open landscapes throughout your trip. This is a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

85 miles from Cleburne, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 36m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 35 52.6 mi 54m
I 35W 48.9 mi 49m
Purple Heart Trail 37.9 mi 39m
East FM 4 11.7 mi 19m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
Bergstrom Expressway 4.8 mi 5m
US 183 2.2 mi 2m
East 2nd Street 1.1 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 35 — 52.6 mi, about 54m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cleburne, TX and Montopolis, TX.

1

Start on US 67 Bus

49 ft · 8 sec · East Henderson Street
2

Turn left onto TX 171; TX 174; FM 4

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Main Street
3

Turn left onto FM 4

1.1 mi · 1 min · East 2nd Street
4

Keep slight right at fork onto FM 4

12 mi · 19 min · East FM 4
5

Continue on FM 4; FM 916

0.6 mi · 1 min · McDuff Avenue
6

Continue on FM 4; FM 916

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Criner Street
7

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
8

Merge onto I 35W

49 mi · 49 min · I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

53 mi · 54 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec
Exit 240B Toward US 183: Lockhart, Lampasas Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart Use the slight left lane.
14

Merge onto US 183

2.2 mi · 2 min · US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Continue on 183 Toll

4.8 mi · 5 min · Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue Use the slight right lane.
17

Turn straight onto US 183

0.4 mi · 30 sec · Ed Bluestein Boulevard
18

Take the ramp

486 ft · 11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
19

Arrive at destination

Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart

Trip Plan

For this 169.9-mile trip, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive with ample time. With a driving time of just over three hours, you can comfortably complete this route in one day without needing an overnight stop. There's only one recommended stop indicated, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 52.6-mile stretch on I-35, to ensure a smooth journey.

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 85 miles from Cleburne, TX, or about 1h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 52.6 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 37 miles or 47m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 85 miles or 1h 36m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 33m

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 Cleburne, 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 Cleburne, TX

This is one driving day of about 169.9 miles and 3h 7m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Cleburne, 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 35 for about 52.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Beverly Hills, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Beverly Hills, TX

85 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

West, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 85 miles from Cleburne, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Pioneer Farms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 157.8

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15128371215

Visit website

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 97.1

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

Austin Bat Tours

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 169.9

Austin, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

Visit website

Toybrary Austin

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~12 min detour

4.7 mi from route ~12 min detour mile 157.8

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15124343927

Visit website

Village of Salado Visitors Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, ~11 min detour

4.3 mi from route ~11 min detour mile 121.4

Salado, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12549478634

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 15 and 169.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
15 mi into trip | ~25m in | I 35W

Merge onto I 35W

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
108.4 mi into trip | ~2h 1m in | I 35

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
161 mi into trip | ~2h 55m 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
161.3 mi into trip | ~2h 56m 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
7
169.2 mi into trip | ~3h 6m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$25.67 one way

$51.34 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 59 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $28.10 $56.20
premium $4.54 $30.33 $60.67
diesel $5.61 $37.51 $75.02

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$26

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$51–$76

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 59.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 51 0 $17.84 $8.16
Efficient EV 42.5 0 $14.87 $6.80
EV Truck/SUV 68 0 $23.79 $10.87

Gas CO2

59 kg

EV CO2

20 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Cleburne, TX

Late night in Cleburne on Sunday

Local time

2:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Montopolis, TX

Late night in Montopolis on Sunday

Local time

2:28 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

The Fire Weather Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Midland/Odessa TX on this developin...

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 2:01AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

71°F

Beverly Hills, TX

85 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

4 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

3h 7m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

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 ~10 min detour Free near mile 64.5
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a drive that's about 75% highway, meaning you'll spend most of your time on the interstate. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 52.6 miles on I-35. This highway-focused profile suggests a consistent pace, allowing for efficient travel. While not explicitly scenic, the open nature of the Great Plains region may offer broad vistas. The journey is designed for steady progress rather than winding exploration.

75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 52.6 mi on I 35.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35 and I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15 miles in near I 35W.

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 12 significant decision points across 169.9 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 15 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Cleburne, TX to Montopolis, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lampasas along the way.

Lampasas

161 mi in | ~2h 55m

About the Cities

Starting in Cleburne, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1867

Cleburne is one of those fun close-minded towns named after a Confederate general in the Cross Timbers region. It was first a rendezvous point for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War, mostly under Patrick Cleburne, then a watering hole on the Chisholm Trail, then a stop along multiple railroads. But today it's more or less a conservative suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with a couple of museums and a reservoir known as Lake Cleburne.

Top landmarks

  • • Johnson County Courthouse — historic place in Cleburne, Johnson 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 3h 7m. Total distance: 169.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 7m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 52.6 miles on I 35. 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 15 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 108.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 161 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Montopolis, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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