Origin
Hemphill, TX
Night in Hemphill on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Hemphill, 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
5h 21m
Distance
281.6 mi
453 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$43
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 8m
★
6 AM
5h 22m
8 AM
5h 49m
10 AM
5h 31m
12 PM
5h 28m
3 PM
5h 32m
5 PM
5h 47m
8 PM
5h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hemphill, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 281.6-mile journey from Hemphill, TX to Montopolis, TX is best tackled as a single-day adventure, taking approximately 5 hours and 21 minutes. You'll primarily navigate TX 21, TX 103, and TX 7, sticking to highways for 98% of the trip. With a projected fuel cost of around $43, it's an economical drive. The route offers a highway-focused experience, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover ground efficiently within the Great Plains region of Texas. This drive is well-suited for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
140.8 miles from Hemphill, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 21 | 165.1 mi | 3h 7m |
| TX 103 | 60.4 mi | 1h 3m |
| TX 7 | 31.3 mi | 34m |
| TX 87 | 6.8 mi | 10m |
| US 69 | 2.5 mi | 3m |
| State Highway 71 East | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
TX 21
— 165.1 mi, about 3h 7m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hemphill, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on Felts
317 ft
·
16 sec
·
Felts
2
Turn right onto TX 87
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
Mann Street
3
Turn right onto TX 87; FM 83
6.8 mi
·
10 min
·
TX 87; FM 83
4
Turn left onto TX 21
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 21
5
Continue on TX 103
49 mi
·
50 min
·
TX 103
6
Take the exit
106 ft
·
2 sec
7
Turn straight onto North Medford Drive
252 ft
·
6 sec
·
North Medford Drive
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
9
Merge onto US 59; US 69; Loop 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
US 59; US 69; Loop 287
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; Loop 287
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
US 69; Loop 287
Toward US 69 North, Loop 287 West: Tyler
11
Take the exit onto Loop 287
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Loop 287
Toward Loop 287 South, TX 103 West, FM 2680, US 69 Business: Kurth Drive
12
Turn left onto TX 103; Loop 287
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
·
John Redditt Drive
13
Take the exit onto TX 103
12 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 103
14
Continue on TX 7
31 mi
·
34 min
·
TX 7
15
Turn right onto US 287; TX 7
129 ft
·
2 sec
·
5th Street
16
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
196 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Houston Avenue
17
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
289 ft
·
8 sec
·
South 4th Street
18
Turn right onto TX 7; TX 21
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Goliad Avenue
19
Turn left onto TX 21
145 mi
·
2 hr 44 min
·
TX 21
Use the left lane.
20
Turn left onto TX 95
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 95
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn right onto TX 21
409 ft
·
10 sec
·
State Highway 71 East
Use the right lane.
22
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West
23
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 71 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
17 mi
·
19 min
·
TX 21; TX 71
26
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Merge onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
30
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
Use the right lane.
32
Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 111
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
33
Continue on Loop 111
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
34
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
35
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
36
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour and 21-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Hemphill, TX, to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 165.1 miles on TX 21, plan your breaks strategically. You'll want to fuel up before leaving Hemphill, as a $43 fuel estimate indicates a substantial distance. Given the highway-focused nature and single-day feasibility, flexibility is key; however, be mindful of the long stretch on TX 21 and ensure you have ample fuel before embarking on it.
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 140.8 miles from Hemphill, TX, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.1 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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 140.8 miles or 2h 39m 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 22m
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 Hemphill, 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 Hemphill, TX
This is one driving day of about 281.6 miles and 5h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Hemphill, 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 TX 21 for about 165.1 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 140.8 miles from Hemphill, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 165.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 280.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 87 / Mann Street
Turn right onto TX 87 / Mann Street
Navigation decision point
6
59.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 7m in
|
US 69; Loop 287
Keep slight left at fork onto US 69; Loop 287 toward US 69 North, Loop 287 West: Tyler
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 69 North, Loop 287 West: Tyler
6
253.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
|
TX 95 / State Highway 95
Turn left onto TX 95 / State Highway 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
278.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: 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.
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
7
280.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 19m in
Take the exit toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Stree...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.55 one way
$85.10 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $46.57 | $93.15 |
| premium | $4.54 | $50.28 | $100.56 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $62.17 | $124.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
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, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.5 | 1 | $29.57 | $13.52 |
| Efficient EV | 70.4 | 0 | $24.64 | $11.26 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112.6 | 1 | $39.42 | $18.02 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Night in Montopolis on Saturday
Local time
9:45 PM
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
5 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 21m 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?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the vast majority of this trip. With 98% of the route on highways, you'll experience a consistent pace for much of the journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 165.1 miles on TX 21, offering a significant period of steady driving. While primarily highway, the use of TX 21, TX 103, and TX 7 suggests a mix that could include some more rural or less trafficked highway segments as you progress. This profile suggests a drive where you can maintain good speed for extended periods.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 165.1 mi on TX 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and TX 103. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near TX 87 / Mann Street.
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 25 significant decision points across 281.6 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 0.1 miles (TX 87 / Mann Street): Navigation decision point; at 59.7 miles (US 69; Loop 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.7 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hemphill, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Loop 287 West: Tyler, Loop 287 South and Fm 2680.
Loop 287 West: Tyler
59.7 mi in
|
~1h 7m
|
via US 69; Loop 287
Loop 287 South
62.3 mi in
|
~1h 11m
|
via Loop 287
Fm 2680
62.3 mi in
|
~1h 11m
|
via Loop 287
About the Cities
Starting in Hemphill, TX
Full guide →Hemphill is in Deep East Texas. It is the county seat of Sabine County in the easternmost reaches of Texas. The area is a gateway to Toledo Bend Reservoir, but also has a more pensive recent history, as the area where many of the crashing remains of the Space Shuttle Columbia fell on February 1, 2003. The town has a NASA museum and memorial dedicated to fallen astronauts.
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 21m. Total distance: 281.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 165.1 miles on TX 21. 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 0.1 miles (TX 87 / Mann Street): Navigation decision point; at 59.7 miles (US 69; Loop 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 253.7 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.7 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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