TXDAR Centennial Park - Old Nashville Site
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Trip from Henderson, 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
4h 52m
Distance
236.9 mi
381 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 39m
★
6 AM
4h 52m
8 AM
5h 19m
10 AM
5h 2m
12 PM
4h 59m
3 PM
5h 3m
5 PM
5h 18m
8 PM
4h 44m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Henderson, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Henderson, TX to Montopolis, TX is 236.9 miles and takes about 4h 52m via US 79, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region. It's a mostly highway drive, making it straightforward for a single-day trip. Plan for around 5 hours of driving time, not including any stops you might want to make along the way. Given the duration and distance, it's a manageable trip for most drivers.
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
118.5 miles from Henderson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 79 | 131.2 mi | 2h 36m |
| Highway 79 | 27.9 mi | 41m |
| US Highway 79 West | 22.9 mi | 25m |
| West Oak Street | 11.7 mi | 13m |
| Pickle Parkway | 10 mi | 9m |
| East 2nd Street | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| East Rusk Street | 4.1 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
US 79
— 131.2 mi, about 2h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Henderson, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on US 79 Business; TX 64 Business
45 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Main Street
2
Turn left onto US 79 Business
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
Turn right onto US 79 Business
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Jacksonville Drive
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 79
28 mi
·
41 min
·
Highway 79
5
Continue on US 79
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
East Rusk Street
6
Continue on US 79
23 mi
·
25 min
·
US Highway 79 West
7
Continue on US 79
3.5 mi
·
5 min
·
East Palestine Avenue
8
Continue on US 79; US 84
12 mi
·
13 min
·
West Oak Street
9
Turn straight onto US 79
75 mi
·
1 hr 25 min
·
US 79
10
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
11
Continue on US 79; US 190
54 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 79; US 190
12
Turn left onto Porter Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Porter Street
13
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
East 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 79
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
US 79
15
Turn left onto FM 685
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Chris Kelley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
16
Turn left onto FM 685
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 130 Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
17
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
Exit 426
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
14 sec
·
this road
Exit 426
Toward Toll 130 South: Austin, Pflugerville
19
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
10 mi
·
9 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 437B
Toward 290 Toll West: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto 290 Toll
3.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Manor Expressway
22
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward US 183 South, US 183 North: Lockhart, Lampasas
Use the slight right lane.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto US 183
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
US 183
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 Avenue
Use 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 drive is under 5 hours, you can easily complete it in one day. Leaving in the morning, perhaps around 9 AM, will give you ample time to arrive before evening. The fuel cost is estimated at $34, so ensure your tank is full before you depart Henderson. You'll have one significant stretch of highway driving totaling 131.2 miles on US 79, so plan for a brief stop before or after this segment to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before entering longer stretches of highway.
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 118.5 miles from Henderson, TX, or about 2h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 131.2 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 52 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 118.5 miles or 2h 28m 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
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 Henderson, 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 Henderson, TX
This is one driving day of about 236.9 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Henderson, 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 79 for about 131.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
118 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 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 118.5 miles from Henderson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 131.2 miles.
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 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 214.3 and 236.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
214.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m in
Take the ramp toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 426
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
7
224.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m in
Take the exit toward 290 Toll West: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 437B
Toward 290 Toll West: Austin
7
229.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South, US 183 North: Lockhart, Lampasas
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 US 183 South, US 183 North: Lockhart, La...
7
230.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
7
236.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 51m 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
$32.45 one way
$64.90 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
83 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $36.24 | $72.49 |
| premium | $4.23 | $39.41 | $78.81 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $44.73 | $89.46 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 71.1 | 0 | $24.87 | $11.37 |
| Efficient EV | 59.2 | 0 | $20.73 | $9.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94.8 | 1 | $33.17 | $15.16 |
Gas CO2
83 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Henderson, TX
Late night in Henderson on Monday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM 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
1 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 52m 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?
You'll spend about 85% of this 236.9-mile trip on the highway. The longest stretch without a major road change is 131.2 miles, primarily on US 79. Expect mostly highway cruising for the bulk of your travel. As you approach Montopolis, you'll transition from the highway to surface roads.
85% 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: 131.2 mi on US 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 79 and Highway 79. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 214.3 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 236.9 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 214.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
621 ft
296 ft
Total Climb
716 ft
Total Descent
766 ft
Highest Point
621 ft
~220 mi in
Elevation Range
325 ft
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 Henderson, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Pflugerville, Toll 130 South: Austin and 290 Toll West: Austin.
Pflugerville
214.3 mi in
|
~4h 26m
Toll 130 South: Austin
214.5 mi in
|
~4h 26m
290 Toll West: Austin
224.8 mi in
|
~4h 36m
About the Cities
Starting in Henderson, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Henderson Commercial Historic District — historic district in Henderson, Rusk County, Texas
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 4h 52m. Total distance: 236.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 131.2 miles on US 79. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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.
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. There are 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 214.3 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 224.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 229.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Montopolis, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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.
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