San Saba Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Colorado 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 10m
Distance
281.4 mi
453 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 57m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 20m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 36m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Colorado City, TX
Thomas balabaud
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Colorado City, TX to Montopolis, TX is 281.4 miles and takes about 5h 10m via US 183, State Highway 208, and US 67, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward trip across Texas. With a recommended one-day duration, it's a solid option if you're looking for an efficient transit rather than an extended exploration. Expect a relatively direct path with minimal complexity, making it a practical choice for getting from point A to point B.
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
140.7 miles from Colorado City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 183 | 51.8 mi | 57m |
| State Highway 208 | 41.6 mi | 42m |
| US 67 | 37 mi | 39m |
| South US Highway 183 | 35.3 mi | 38m |
| US Highway 84 East | 29.2 mi | 33m |
| TX 158 | 23.7 mi | 24m |
| Wallis Avenue | 21.9 mi | 25m |
| 183A Toll Road | 14.3 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
US 183
— 51.8 mi, about 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Colorado City, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on TX 163
96 ft
·
5 sec
·
Chestnut Street
2
Turn right onto I 20 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
3
Turn straight onto I 20 Bus; TX 208 Bus
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Westpoint Avenue
4
Turn right onto TX 208
42 mi
·
42 min
·
State Highway 208
5
Continue on TX 208
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Hillcrest Street
6
Continue on TX 208
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West 10th Street
7
Turn left onto TX 158
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Highland Park Road
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto US 277; TX 158
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
South State Street
9
Turn slight left onto TX 158
24 mi
·
24 min
·
TX 158
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 67; US 83
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Hutchings Avenue
11
Take the exit onto US 67
37 mi
·
39 min
·
US 67
Toward US 67 North
12
Merge onto US 67; US 84; US 283
22 mi
·
25 min
·
Wallis Avenue
13
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Early Boulevard
14
Turn right onto US 84; US 183
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Garmon Drive
15
Continue on US 84; US 183
29 mi
·
33 min
·
US Highway 84 East
16
Turn right onto US 183; TX 16
22 mi
·
25 min
·
US 183; TX 16
17
Continue on US 183; US 190
15 mi
·
15 min
·
US 183; US 190
18
Merge onto US 183; US 190; US 281
260 ft
·
4 sec
·
North US Highway 281
19
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
North Key Avenue
20
Continue on US 183
35 mi
·
38 min
·
South US Highway 183
21
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
29 sec
·
this road
22
Keep slight left at fork onto 183A Toll
14 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on US 183
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
27
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
28
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 10m estimated duration, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day. Consider an early morning departure from Colorado City to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. The route involves one primary stop, so plan your breaks accordingly, keeping in mind the longest stretch without a major road change is 51.8 miles. With a fuel cost estimated at $43, monitor your tank levels, especially before longer stretches on US 183, to avoid any unnecessary delays.
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 140.7 miles from Colorado City, TX, or about 2h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 51.8 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 62 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.7 miles or 2h 33m 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 15m
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 Colorado 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 Colorado City, TX
This is one driving day of about 281.4 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Colorado 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 183 for about 51.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 140.7 miles from Colorado City, 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area US-84 US-283
2.2 mi from route
Lakeline Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Cedar Park, Texas
+15124015500
Visit websiteThe Martin & Frances Lehnis Railroad Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256436376
Visit websiteBrown County Museum of History
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Brownwood, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+13256411926
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 135 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 280.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
TX 208 / State Highway 208
Turn right onto TX 208 / State Highway 208
Navigation decision point
6
44.1 mi into trip
|
~47m in
|
TX 158 / Highland Park Road
Turn left onto TX 158 / Highland Park Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
79.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
|
US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue
Navigation decision point
6
246.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m 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
280.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m 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
$38.54 one way
$77.09 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.05 | $86.10 |
| premium | $4.23 | $46.81 | $93.62 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.13 | $106.27 |
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
$39
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.4 | 1 | $29.55 | $13.51 |
| Efficient EV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.62 | $11.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.6 | 1 | $39.40 | $18.01 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Origin
Colorado City, TX
Evening in Colorado City on Monday
Local time
6:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
S 5 to 15 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:23AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 19 at 8:07AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Evening in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
6:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 18 at 8:23AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:07PM CDT until July 19 at 8:07AM 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
6 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 10m 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 drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 79% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll experience stretches of efficient travel, including the longest uninterrupted segment of 51.8 miles on US 183. The profile suggests a consistent pace, primarily on well-maintained highways rather than winding backroads. While not a particularly challenging route, the emphasis is on steady progress, making it a predictable journey for most drivers.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 51.8 mi on US 183.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 183 and State Highway 208. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near TX 208 / State Highway 208.
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 281.4 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.6 miles (TX 208 / State Highway 208): Navigation decision point; at 44.1 miles (TX 158 / Highland Park Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles (US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,074 ft
463 ft
Total Climb
527 ft
Total Descent
2,131 ft
Highest Point
2,074 ft
~20.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,611 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Colorado City, TX
Full guide →Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale. Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
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 10m. Total distance: 281.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 51.8 miles on US 183. 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 3 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (TX 208 / State Highway 208): Navigation decision point; at 44.1 miles (TX 158 / Highland Park Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 79.9 miles (US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Montopolis, TX
More from Colorado City, TX
More trips to Montopolis, TX
Explore more options from Colorado City, TX or browse trips ending in Montopolis, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.