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Trip from Kingsville, TX to Montopolis, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 20m

Distance

217.3 mi

350 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$33

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 7m ★
6 AM
4h 21m
8 AM
4h 47m
10 AM
4h 30m
12 PM
4h 27m
3 PM
4h 31m
5 PM
4h 46m
8 PM
4h 13m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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seat of Kleberg County, Texas, United States

Kingsville, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embarking from Kingsville, TX, to Montopolis, TX, this 217.3-mile journey is a manageable one-day adventure, estimated to take around 4 hours and 20 minutes. Primarily following US 281 and State Highway 80 North, the drive offers a highway-focused experience across the Great Plains region of Texas. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, it’s an economical option for a quick trip. This route is well-suited for a single day of travel, 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

108.7 miles from Kingsville, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 281 54.2 mi 1h 1m
King David Drive 31.8 mi 39m
State Highway 80 North 30.8 mi 35m
State Highway 80 23.6 mi 25m
East King Avenue 15.2 mi 19m
US Highway 183 South 11.8 mi 15m
Nueces Street 11.1 mi 14m
US 183 10.1 mi 11m
Longest stretch: US 281 — 54.2 mi, about 1h 1m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Kingsville, TX and Montopolis, TX.

1

Start on US 77 Business

54 ft · 5 sec · South 14th Street
2

Turn right onto TX 141

15 mi · 19 min · East King Avenue
3

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
4

Merge onto US 281

54 mi · 1 hr 1 min · US 281
5

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

11 mi · 14 min · Nueces Street
6

Turn right onto TX 72

32 mi · 39 min · King David Drive
7

Continue on TX 72; TX 239

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
8

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239

233 ft · 3 sec · East Main Street
9

Continue on FM 792

8.4 mi · 10 min · Helena Road
10

Turn straight onto TX 80

24 mi · 25 min · State Highway 80
11

Continue on TX 80

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Nixon Avenue
12

Continue on TX 80; TX 97

31 mi · 35 min · State Highway 80 North
13

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183
14

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · South Colorado Street
15

Continue on US 183

0.2 mi · 16 sec · United States Highway 183
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
17

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

9.8 mi · 8 min · Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 46 sec
Exit 460 Toward US 183 North: Austin Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Continue on US 183

12 mi · 15 min · US Highway 183 South
Use the left lane.
20

Continue on 183 Toll

0.7 mi · 40 sec · Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

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.
22

Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 111

0.2 mi · 33 sec · Airport Boulevard
23

Continue on Loop 111

0.5 mi · 42 sec · Airport Boulevard
24

Continue on US 183

0.1 mi · 8 sec · Ed Bluestein Boulevard
25

Take the ramp

486 ft · 11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
26

Arrive at destination

Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart

Trip Plan

Given its 4-hour and 20-minute duration, starting your trip from Kingsville in the morning is ideal, allowing you to arrive in Montopolis with plenty of daylight. You'll encounter one recommended stop along the way, so plan for a brief break during that longest stretch of 54.2 miles on US 281. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially before heading into the longer segments, as the $33 fuel cost is an estimate and actual prices can fluctuate. This is a straightforward drive, so focus on enjoying the open road and making good time.

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 108.7 miles from Kingsville, TX, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.2 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 48 miles or 57m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 108.7 miles or 2h 11m 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 32m

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 Kingsville, 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 Kingsville, TX

This is one driving day of about 217.3 miles and 4h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Kingsville, 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 281 for about 54.2 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Floresville, TX

109 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

Alice, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Floresville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 108.7 miles from Kingsville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

Dick Kleberg Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Kingsville, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+13612218705

Visit website

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 website

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 0 and 215.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | TX 141 / East King Avenue

Turn right onto TX 141 / East King Avenue

Navigation decision point

6
192.8 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in

Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
5
193.3 mi into trip | ~3h 52m in | TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway

Merge onto TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
203.1 mi into trip | ~4h 1m in

Take the exit toward US 183 North: Austin

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 460 Toward US 183 North: Austin
7
215.9 mi into trip | ~4h 18m 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

$32.83 one way

$65.67 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 76 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $35.94 $71.88
premium $4.54 $38.80 $77.59
diesel $5.61 $47.98 $95.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$33

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$58–$83

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 76 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 65.2 0 $22.82 $10.43
Efficient EV 54.3 0 $19.01 $8.69
EV Truck/SUV 86.9 1 $30.42 $13.91

Gas CO2

76 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% 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.

Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026

Origin

Kingsville, TX

Late night in Kingsville on Tuesday

Local time

4:04 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Montopolis, TX

Late night in Montopolis on Tuesday

Local time

4:04 AM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSE 15 mph 2% chance 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

14 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 20m 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 drive that's 65% highway, giving you ample opportunity for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 54.2 miles along US 281, providing a good segment for consistent travel. While largely highway-focused, the inclusion of roads like King David Drive and State Highway 80 North may introduce some variations in pace and scenery as you transition between them. This route generally maintains a consistent feel, conducive to covering distance efficiently.

65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.2 mi on US 281.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 and King David Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near TX 141 / East King Avenue.

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 13 significant decision points across 217.3 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: near the start (TX 141 / East King Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 192.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.3 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.

On the drive from Kingsville, TX to Montopolis, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.

Waco

192.8 mi in | ~3h 52m

About the Cities

Starting in Kingsville, TX

Full guide →

Kingsville is a city in the South Barrier Coast region of Texas. Originally meant to be a supply/commerce center for the King Ranch when it was created as a planned city in 1904, Kingsville has evolved to incorporate a naval air station and a Texas A&M campus (TAMUK) as well. However, its identity will always probably be inseparable from the ranch.

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 20m. Total distance: 217.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 54.2 miles on US 281. 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: near the start (TX 141 / East King Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 192.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 193.3 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.7 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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