Spanning 223.9 miles, this trek from Fairview to Montopolis is a straightforward journey that typically takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes to complete. Because the duration is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $34 on fuel for the entire excursion. Since both your starting point and destination sit within the Great Plains region of Texas, the landscape remains consistent throughout your travels. It is a practical, no-fuss route for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
108.3 miles from Fairview, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 6m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South Freeway
83.9 mi
1h 27m
I 35
52.6 mi
54m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
Jacksboro Highway
13.2 mi
16m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
Boyd Rot Road 730 North
6.6 mi
12m
Bergstrom Expressway
4.8 mi
5m
US 183
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
South Freeway
— 83.9 mi, about 1h 27m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairview, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on County Road 4765
49 ft·3 sec·County Road 4765
2
Turn right onto FM 730
1.8 mi·3 min·Farm-to-Market Road 730
3
Continue on FM 730
6.6 mi·12 min·Boyd Rot Road 730 North
4
Turn left onto Northwest Parkway
442 ft·8 sec·Northwest Parkway
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward TX 199 East
6
Merge onto TX 199
8.7 mi·9 min·Jacksboro Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 199
0.7 mi·1 min·Lake Worth Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
8
Continue on TX 199
0.8 mi·1 min·Lake Worth Boulevard
9
Continue on TX 199
0.5 mi·52 sec·Lake Worth Boulevard
10
Continue on TX 199
4.5 mi·7 min·Jacksboro Highway
Use the left lane.
11
Continue on TX 199
0.5 mi·1 min·North Henderson Street
12
Enter roundabout onto TX 199
113 ft·1 sec·North Henderson Street
13
Continue on TX 199
1.1 mi·1 min·North Henderson Street
Use the straight lane.
14
Turn left onto West Lancaster Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·West Lancaster Avenue
15
Keep slight right at fork onto East Lancaster Avenue
0.3 mi·26 sec·East Lancaster Avenue
Use the right lane.
16
Turn right onto South Freeway
91 ft·1 sec·South Freeway
Use the right lane.
17
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 35W South
18
Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus
84 mi·1 hr 26 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi·54 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 240BToward US 183: Lockhart, LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the slight left lane.
24
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi·2 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi·5 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton AvenueUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi·30 sec·Ed Bluestein Boulevard
28
Take the ramp
486 ft·11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
29
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Since this is a 3.5-hour drive with one planned stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your departure time based on local traffic patterns. Aim to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the local roads that make up this specific route. Given the turn-heavy nature of the drive, ensure your vehicle is well-maintained and your tires are properly inflated before heading out. Budgeting about $34 for fuel should cover your needs, but keeping a little extra set aside for local fluctuations is always a smart move. Because you are navigating non-highway routes, rely on a reliable GPS system to manage the frequent turns along Farm-to-Market Road 730 and the surrounding path.
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 108.3 miles from Fairview, TX, or about 2h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 83.9 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 48 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.3 miles or 2h 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 3h 18m
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 Fairview, 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 Fairview, TX
This is one driving day of about 216.5 miles and 4h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Fairview, 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 Freeway for about 83.9 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 26.2 and 215.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
26.2 mi into trip|~40m in|East Lancaster Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto East Lancaster Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
26.4 mi into trip|~41m in|South Freeway
Turn right onto South Freeway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
207.6 mi into trip|~3h 50m 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
207.9 mi into trip|~3h 50m 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
215.8 mi into trip|~4h 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
$32.71 one way
$65.43 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg76 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$35.81
$71.62
premium
$4.54
$38.65
$77.31
diesel
$5.61
$47.80
$95.60
Estimated Tolls: $0.01
Northwest Parkway
(0.1 mi)$0.01
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
$33
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 75.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
65
0
$22.73
$10.39
Efficient EV
54.1
0
$18.94
$8.66
EV Truck/SUV
86.6
1
$30.31
$13.86
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 20, 2026
Origin
Fairview, TX
Late night
in Fairview on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night
in Montopolis on Tuesday
Local time
4:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°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
7 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
4h 1m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via Farm-to-Market Road 730, Boyd Rot Road 730 North, and Northwest Parkway, which keeps the driving experience engaging and technical. Because the path relies entirely on local roads, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving style that differs significantly from a standard freeway slog. The lack of highway segments means your speed will likely be lower and more variable throughout the 223.9-mile journey. Stay alert at the wheel, as these winding, local-focused roads require more attention than a straight, multi-lane thoroughfare.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 83.9 mi on South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Freeway and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 26.2 miles in near East Lancaster Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 216.5 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 26.2 miles (East Lancaster Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles (South Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 207.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 1m. Total distance: 216.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 83.9 miles on South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.01 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest Parkway. 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.
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 26.2 miles (East Lancaster Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 26.4 miles (South Freeway): Lane positioning matters here; at 207.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Montopolis, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
