This 116-mile drive from Devine, TX to Montopolis, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 11 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail and the Pan Am Expressways, with about 27% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost is around $18, making it an economical option for exploring the Great Plains region of Texas. This route offers a straightforward journey, perfect for a quick transition between locations without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
58 miles from Devine, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 6m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Devine, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on TX 173
0.9 mi·1 min·East Hondo Avenue
2
Continue on TX 173
432 ft·15 sec·State Highway 173 South
3
Turn left onto Interstate 35 North
0.7 mi·1 min·Interstate 35 North
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
5
Merge onto I 35
21 mi·21 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 35
9.3 mi·11 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
1.7 mi·2 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
10 mi·13 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson CityUse the straight lane.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: AustinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi·2 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
47 mi·50 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 234CToward 6th - 12th StreetsUse the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
344 ft·10 sec·North Interstate 35
15
Turn right onto East 7th Street
2.8 mi·4 min·East 7th Street
Use the right lane.
16
Turn straight onto Loop 111
0.2 mi·19 sec·Airport Boulevard
17
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi·8 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
With a total duration of just over 2 hours, this 116-mile trip offers plenty of flexibility. Aim to leave Devine in the morning to make the most of your day in Montopolis. Since there are no designated stops recommended, you can easily pull over as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longest 79.9-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, to avoid any unexpected delays. The $18 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always factor in a little extra.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 58 miles from Devine, TX, or about 1h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 79.9 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 26 miles or 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 58 miles or 1h 6m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 46m
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 Devine, 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 Devine, TX
This is one driving day of about 116 miles and 2h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 26 miles from Devine, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 79.9 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 112.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|I 35 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge onto I 35 / Purple Heart Trail
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
32.4 mi into trip|~36m in|I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
34.1 mi into trip|~38m in|I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christ...
7
44.6 mi into trip|~51m in|North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
112.5 mi into trip|~2h 5m in
Take the exit toward 6th - 12th Streets
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 234C
Toward 6th - 12th Streets
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.53 one way
$35.06 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg41 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$19.19
$38.37
premium
$4.54
$20.71
$41.42
diesel
$5.61
$25.61
$51.22
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 40.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $12 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
34.8
0
$12.18
$5.57
Efficient EV
29
0
$10.15
$4.64
EV Truck/SUV
46.4
0
$16.24
$7.42
Gas CO2
41 kg
EV CO2
14 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 15, 2026
Origin
Devine, TX
Morning
in Devine on Sunday
Local time
9:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Morning
in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
9:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
2h 11m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive for much of this 116-mile trip. While there's a 27% highway share, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 79.9 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, indicating significant portions will involve more varied road conditions. This isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; rather, it's a route that keeps you engaged with its more localized feel as you navigate between Devine and Montopolis.
Only 27% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 79.9 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 miles in near I 35 / Purple Heart Trail.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 116 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 1.8 miles (I 35 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.1 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
Between Devine, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
Corpus Christi
34.1 mi in|~38m|via I 35
Johnson City
34.1 mi in|~38m|via I 35
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 11m. Total distance: 116 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 79.9 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.8 miles (I 35 / Purple Heart Trail): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 32.4 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 34.1 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Montopolis, TX before heading back.
