Quality Services Towing & Tires
0 mi from route
Trip from La Paloma, TX to Montopolis, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 24m
Distance
318.4 mi
512 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 12m
★
6 AM
6h 24m
8 AM
6h 49m
10 AM
6h 33m
12 PM
6h 31m
3 PM
6h 34m
5 PM
6h 48m
8 PM
6h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
La Paloma, TX
Andrew Patrick Photo
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
This 318.4-mile journey from La Paloma to Montopolis, Texas, is designed for a single day of driving, taking approximately 6 hours and 24 minutes. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, with 88% of the route being highway driving. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $48. Given the duration and distance, it's a manageable day trip, though you'll want to start early to ensure a comfortable arrival. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent driving experience across the state.
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
159.2 miles from La Paloma, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 15m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 120.9 mi | 2h 13m |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| I 37 | 19.7 mi | 19m |
| State Highway 359 | 12.4 mi | 16m |
| US Highway 183 South | 11.8 mi | 15m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 120.9 mi, about 2h 13m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between La Paloma, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on Old Military Highway
0.1 mi
·
34 sec
·
Old Military Highway
2
Turn left onto FM 732
5.8 mi
·
10 min
·
Narlisco Martinez Highway
3
Turn left onto East Expressway 83
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Expressway 83
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
5
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
96 mi
·
1 hr 47 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
7
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
I 69E; US 77
8
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
12 mi
·
12 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
10
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
485 ft
·
17 sec
·
US Highway 77 Frontage Road
11
Turn right onto County Road 10
1.0 mi
·
4 min
·
County Road 10
12
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi
·
15 min
·
County Road 79
13
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi
·
43 sec
·
County Road 18
14
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi
·
2 min
15
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
16
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Driscoll Bypass
17
Continue on US 77
13 mi
·
14 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
18
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
19
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi
·
1 min
20
Continue on I 37
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
22
Turn right onto TX 359
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 359
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 8th Street
24
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US Highway 181 South
25
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
26
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
27
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
28
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
29
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
30
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
31
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
32
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
33
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
34
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
35
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
36
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
9.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 460
Toward US 183 North: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on US 183
12 mi
·
15 min
·
US Highway 183 South
Use the left lane.
39
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
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.
41
Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 111
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
42
Continue on Loop 111
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
43
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
44
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
45
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 24-minute drive, consider departing from La Paloma in the early morning to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, plan your break strategically, perhaps midway through your longest stretch on U.S. Highway 77. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during that 120.9-mile segment, as services can be spaced out. The $48 fuel budget is a good estimate, but it's always wise to factor in a little extra for unforeseen needs.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 159.2 miles from La Paloma, TX, or about 3h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 120.9 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 70 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.2 miles or 3h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 15m
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 La Paloma, 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 La Paloma, TX
This is one driving day of about 318.4 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from La Paloma, 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 U.S. Highway 77 for about 120.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 159.2 miles from La Paloma, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 120.9 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.
San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Gonzalo Paiz Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Mathis, Texas
+13615472113
Visit websiteIzzy Bounce`
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 2–7 pm
+13615044050
Visit websiteAustin 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 6.4 and 317 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
6.4 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
I 69E; US 77; US 83 / U.S. Highway 77
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83 / U.S. Highway 77
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
121 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m in
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
293.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 56m 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
7
304.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 5m 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
317 mi into trip
|
~6h 21m 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
$43.61 one way
$87.22 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $48.71 | $97.43 |
| premium | $4.23 | $52.96 | $105.92 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $60.12 | $120.24 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.5 | 1 | $33.43 | $15.28 |
| Efficient EV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.86 | $12.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.4 | 1 | $44.58 | $20.38 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
La Paloma, TX
Evening in La Paloma on Monday
Local time
7:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 20 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:14AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Evening in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
7:12 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:14AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
5 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
6h 24m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 76.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 318.4-mile trip, with 88% of the route utilizing main roads like U.S. Highway 77, US Highway 181 South, and State Highway 80 North. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 120.9 miles on U.S. Highway 77, so be prepared for extended periods of higher speeds. While primarily highway, the transition between these main roads will define the character of your drive, offering a straightforward and efficient transit between your starting and ending points.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 120.9 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 181 South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.4 miles in near I 69E; US 77; US 83 / U.S. Highway 77.
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 26 significant decision points across 318.4 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 6.4 miles (I 69E; US 77; US 83 / U.S. Highway 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 293.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
539 ft
32 ft
Total Climb
582 ft
Total Descent
171 ft
Highest Point
539 ft
~295.7 mi in
Elevation Range
507 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 La Paloma, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.
Skidmore
159.1 mi in
|
~3h 15m
Waco
293.9 mi in
|
~5h 56m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Spill the Tea Tearoom
Cafe
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Nixon, TX
Cuisine: tea
Hours: We-Sa 11:00-16:00; Su 13:00-17:00
Visit websiteZhi Tea
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, TX
Hours: Tu-Fr 10:30-17:30; Sa 11:00-17:00
Visit websiteMedici Roasting
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-19:00
Visit websiteOld Rail Coffee Pub
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Su-Mo 08:00-18:00; Tu-Fr 05:00-21:00
Visit websiteFleet Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-13:00
Subway
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Kingsville, TX
Cuisine: sandwich
Hours: 08:00-21:00
Visit websiteThe Lucky Tea Cup
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Nixon, TX
Cuisine: tea
Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-20:30
Wingstop
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Kingsville, TX
Cuisine: wings
Little Caesars
Fast_food
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: pizza
Visit websiteCHOPSTIX
Restaurant
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Cuisine: chinese
Hours: We-Mo 11:00-21:30
Visit websiteTaqueria La Guadalupana
Restaurant
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Nixon, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-Fr 05:00-13:00; Sa 06:00-13:00
Ball Park
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Longhorn Point
Viewpoint
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.6 mi from route
~4 min detour
First Baptist Church of Nixon
Memorial
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Visit website
Reach for Your Dreams
Artwork
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Historical Center of Raymondville
District
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
TX
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Memorial
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Edward Burleson Raymond
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
U.S. Naval Auxiliary Air Station
Memorial
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Economy Inn
Hotel
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Hot Springs Lodges
Motel
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in La Paloma, TX
Full guide →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 6h 24m. Total distance: 318.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 120.9 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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 10 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.4 miles (I 69E; US 77; US 83 / U.S. Highway 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 293.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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