Keller, TX to Montopolis, TX is 207.3 miles and takes about 3h 43m via North South Freeway and I 35, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive between two points in Texas. With most of the trip on highways, it's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently. You can expect a consistent driving experience for the majority of the 207.3 miles, making it a manageable one-day trip.
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
103.6 miles from Keller, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 53m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North South Freeway
84.6 mi
1h 27m
I 35
52.6 mi
54m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
I 35W TEXpress
10.2 mi
10m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
Bergstrom Expressway
4.8 mi
5m
Heritage Trace Parkway
2.8 mi
5m
US 183
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
North South Freeway
— 84.6 mi, about 1h 27m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,227 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,978
Quietest
2 AM
~510 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Keller, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on this road
16 ft·0 sec·this road
2
Continue on South Elm Street
0.5 mi·1 min·South Elm Street
3
Enter roundabout onto Bear Creek Parkway
17 ft·0 sec·Bear Creek Parkway
4
Continue on Bear Creek Parkway
0.2 mi·23 sec·Bear Creek Parkway
5
Turn left onto US 377
1.0 mi·1 min·South Main Street
6
Turn right onto Kroger Drive
1.0 mi·1 min·Kroger Drive
7
Continue on Heritage Trace Parkway
2.8 mi·5 min·Heritage Trace Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Turn left onto North Freeway
510 ft·9 sec·North Freeway
9
Take the ramp
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward I 35W TEXPress South
10
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
10 mi·10 min·I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 35W
85 mi·1 hr 27 min·North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi·54 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 240BToward US 183: Lockhart, LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi·2 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi·5 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton AvenueUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi·30 sec·Ed Bluestein Boulevard
21
Take the ramp
486 ft·11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
22
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
For this 3h 43m drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to reach Montopolis, TX, with daylight to spare. Since the total fuel cost is estimated at $30 and the drive is under 4 hours, you likely won't need more than one planned stop for fuel or a quick break. The longest stretch without exits is 84.6 miles on the North South Freeway, so be sure to take advantage of any early opportunities to stretch your legs or refuel. This route's efficiency makes it flexible; you can depart at your convenience.
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 103.6 miles from Keller, TX, or about 1h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.6 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 46 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 103.6 miles or 1h 53m 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 2m
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 Keller, 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 Keller, TX
This is one driving day of about 207.3 miles and 3h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Keller, 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 North South Freeway for about 84.6 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.5 and 206.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.5 mi into trip|~1m in|Bear Creek Parkway
Enter roundabout onto Bear Creek Parkway
Roundabout - know your exit number before entering
6
145.7 mi into trip|~2h 37m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
198.4 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
198.6 mi into trip|~3h 32m 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
206.6 mi into trip|~3h 42m 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
$28.39 one way
$56.79 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg73 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$31.72
$63.43
premium
$4.23
$34.48
$68.96
diesel
$4.80
$39.14
$78.28
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 72.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
62.2
0
$21.77
$9.95
Efficient EV
51.8
0
$18.14
$8.29
EV Truck/SUV
82.9
1
$29.02
$13.27
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 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 Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Keller, TX
Late night
in Keller on Monday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:52PM CDT until July 20 at 1:40AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night
in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:52PM CDT until July 20 at 1:40AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:48PM CDT until July 18 at 8:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
2 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
3h 43m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 100.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 79% of the 207.3 miles on major roadways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 84.6 miles on the North South Freeway before transitioning to other roads. Expect consistent highway cruising for extended periods, with a significant portion of your time spent on I 35. The transition to surface roads will occur after the main highway segments.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.6 mi on North South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North 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 0.5 miles in near Bear Creek Parkway.
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 14 significant decision points across 207.3 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 0.5 miles (Bear Creek Parkway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 145.7 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.4 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 43m. Total distance: 207.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.6 miles on North South Freeway. 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 0.5 miles (Bear Creek Parkway): Roundabout - know your exit number before entering; at 145.7 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.4 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 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Montopolis, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
