This 189-mile journey from Ferris, TX to Montopolis, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-35E and I-35, this route offers a straightforward drive focused on efficient travel. With a projected fuel cost of around $29, it's a budget-friendly option for a quick transition within the Great Plains region of Texas. You can expect a drive that's predominantly on major highways, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing arrival time. One planned stop is suggested along the way to break up the journey.
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
94.5 miles from Ferris, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 45m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 35E
72.7 mi
1h 13m
I 35
52.6 mi
54m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
East Ovilla Road
5.4 mi
9m
Bergstrom Expressway
4.8 mi
5m
East Farm To Market 664
2.7 mi
4m
US 183
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
I 35E
— 72.7 mi, about 1h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ferris, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on this road
48 ft·5 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto FM 983
0.3 mi·41 sec·West 6th Street
3
Continue on FM 664
1.2 mi·2 min·FM 664
4
Continue on FM 664
2.7 mi·4 min·East Farm To Market 664
5
Continue on FM 664
5.4 mi·9 min·East Ovilla Road
6
Continue on FM 664
0.1 mi·17 sec·Ovilla Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto Plaza Drive
0.1 mi·18 sec·Plaza Drive
Use the right lane.
8
At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35E
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Interstate 35E
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·17 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35E
73 mi·1 hr 13 min·I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi·54 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 240BToward US 183: Lockhart, LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi·2 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi·5 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton AvenueUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi·30 sec·Ed Bluestein Boulevard
20
Take the ramp
486 ft·11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
21
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Given the 3-hour and 25-minute duration, this 189-mile route is best tackled in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach Montopolis. The longest stretch without a planned stop is over 70 miles, so make sure to fuel up before you leave Ferris. While only one stop is officially noted, the flexibility of a single-day drive means you can add more breaks as needed. Keep an eye on the odometer to anticipate your fuel needs, as the estimated cost is $29 for the entire trip.
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 94.5 miles from Ferris, TX, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.7 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 42 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.5 miles or 1h 45m 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 47m
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 Ferris, 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 Ferris, TX
This is one driving day of about 189 miles and 3h 25m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Ferris, 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 35E for about 72.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 9.7 and 188.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
9.7 mi into trip|~17m in|Plaza Drive
Turn right onto Plaza Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
9.8 mi into trip|~18m in|North Interstate 35E
At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35E
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
8
180.1 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
180.3 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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
188.2 mi into trip|~3h 24m 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
$28.56 one way
$57.12 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg66 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$31.26
$62.52
premium
$4.54
$33.74
$67.49
diesel
$5.61
$41.73
$83.46
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 66.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
56.7
0
$19.85
$9.07
Efficient EV
47.3
0
$16.54
$7.56
EV Truck/SUV
75.6
0
$26.46
$12.10
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Ferris, TX
Late night
in Ferris on Tuesday
Local time
3:17 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night
in Montopolis on Tuesday
Local time
3:17 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
9 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
3h 25m 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.
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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 84.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 189-mile trip, with 74% of the route on major interstates like I-35E and I-35. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is about 72.7 miles on I-35E, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the Purple Heart Trail is part of the route, the overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. This drive prioritizes getting you to your destination smoothly and directly.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.7 mi on I 35E.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35E and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.7 miles in near Plaza Drive.
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 13 significant decision points across 189 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 9.7 miles (Plaza Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (North Interstate 35E): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 180.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 25m. Total distance: 189 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.7 miles on I 35E. 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 9.7 miles (Plaza Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (North Interstate 35E): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 180.1 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 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Montopolis, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
