Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Jefferson, TX to Montopolis, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 45m
Distance
307.8 mi
495 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 32m
★
6 AM
5h 45m
8 AM
6h 12m
10 AM
5h 55m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 56m
5 PM
6h 10m
8 PM
5h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Jefferson, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Jefferson, TX to Montopolis, TX is 307.8 miles and takes about 5h 45m via State Highway 31 East and I 35, with a fuel budget near $45 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, beginning and ending in the Great Plains region. Expect a mostly highway experience, making it a straightforward trip for a single day. The direct path and manageable duration make it a practical choice for getting 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
153.9 miles from Jefferson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 31 East | 59.9 mi | 1h 9m |
| I 35 | 52.6 mi | 54m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| I 20 | 21.2 mi | 21m |
| West State Highway 31 | 18.8 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 31 | 17.2 mi | 17m |
| South Walcott Street | 14.7 mi | 16m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 11.8 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 31 East
— 59.9 mi, about 1h 9m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,737 veh/hr typical · worst 4,320
Quietest
2 AM
~580 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Jefferson, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on West Lafayette Street
296 ft
·
15 sec
·
West Lafayette Street
2
Turn right onto North Vale Street
374 ft
·
21 sec
·
North Vale Street
3
Turn left onto West Henderson Street
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
West Henderson Street
4
Continue on East Jefferson Street
0.4 mi
·
59 sec
·
East Jefferson Street
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 59
15 mi
·
16 min
·
South Walcott Street
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
7
Merge onto US 80
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
East Grand Avenue
8
Turn left onto FM 968
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 968
9
Turn left onto FM 3251
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
FM 3251
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
11
Merge onto I 20
21 mi
·
21 min
·
I 20
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
14
Continue on US 259; TX 31
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
US Highway 259 North
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business; TX 31
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 259 Business North
16
Turn right onto TX 31
29 mi
·
34 min
·
State Highway 31 East
17
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Chandler Highway
18
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 31 West
19
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Highway 31
20
Continue on TX 31
21 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 31 East
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
22
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jed Robinson Loop
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
24
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft
·
14 sec
25
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 31 West
26
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Royall Boulevard
27
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 31 East
28
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
29
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
30
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
West State Highway 31
31
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
32
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
33
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East US Highway 84
34
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
35
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Waco Drive
36
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
37
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
38
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi
·
54 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 240B
Toward US 183: Lockhart, Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the slight left lane.
43
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
46
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
47
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
48
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of under six hours, this trip is easily completed in one day, so you can leave in the morning and arrive by late afternoon. The longest stretch without a major break is under an hour, so you won't need to worry about extended periods between services. Keep an eye on your fuel levels as you approach Montopolis; while the fuel cost is estimated at $45, it's always wise to top off when you see a good price, especially after leaving the less developed areas of East Texas. Plan for one stop to break up the drive and stretch your legs.
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 153.9 miles from Jefferson, TX, or about 2h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.9 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 68 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 153.9 miles or 2h 58m 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 45m
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 Jefferson, 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 Jefferson, TX
This is one driving day of about 307.8 miles and 5h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Jefferson, 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 State Highway 31 East for about 59.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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
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.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
TA Express
1.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
Austin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websiteLear Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Longview, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19032371270
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 295 decision points cluster between mile 46.2 and 307 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
46.2 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Hende...
6
143.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 46m in
|
TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
298.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 33m 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
299.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 34m 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
307 mi into trip
|
~5h 44m 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
$42.16 one way
$84.32 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $47.09 | $94.18 |
| premium | $4.23 | $51.20 | $102.40 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $58.12 | $116.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 107.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.3 | 1 | $32.32 | $14.77 |
| Efficient EV | 77 | 0 | $26.93 | $12.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.1 | 1 | $43.09 | $19.70 |
Gas CO2
108 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Origin
Jefferson, TX
Late night in Jefferson on Sunday
Local time
1:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 0 to 5 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 1:30PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 6:30AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
1:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 1:30PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:31PM CDT until July 19 at 6:30AM 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
3 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 45m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 201.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Sixty-six percent of this 307.8-mile drive is on highways. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch on State Highway 31 East, spanning 59.9 miles. The route transitions from surface roads to high-speed interstate driving, which means you'll see a high density of exits and merges as you approach your destination.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 59.9 mi on State Highway 31 East.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 31 East and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 307.8 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 46.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.2 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 298.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
885 ft
193 ft
Total Climb
1,153 ft
Total Descent
883 ft
Highest Point
885 ft
~263.8 mi in
Elevation Range
692 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 Jefferson, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Sh 31 West: Kilgore and Henderson.
Sh 31 West: Kilgore
46 mi in
|
~52m
Henderson
46 mi in
|
~52m
About the Cities
Starting in Jefferson, TX
Full guide →Founded 1841
Jefferson is a historic town in Marion County, in the Central Piney Woods of east Texas. A center of tourism, Jefferson identifies itself as the "Bed & Breakfast Capital of Texas", and is home to a number of popular attractions.
Top landmarks
- • Jefferson Historic District — historic district in Jefferson, Marion County, Texas
- • Old United States Post Office and Courts Building — courthouse in Jefferson, Texas, United States
- • Presbyterian Manse — building in Jefferson, Marion 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 5h 45m. Total distance: 307.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 59.9 miles on State Highway 31 East. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 13 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 13 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 46.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.2 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 298.9 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Montopolis, TX
More from Jefferson, TX
More trips to Montopolis, TX
Explore more options from Jefferson, TX or browse trips ending in Montopolis, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.