Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Lufkin, 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 12m
Distance
220.7 mi
355 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 0m
★
6 AM
4h 13m
8 AM
4h 39m
10 AM
4h 22m
12 PM
4h 20m
3 PM
4h 24m
5 PM
4h 38m
8 PM
4h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lufkin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Lufkin to Montopolis is 220.7 miles and takes about 4h 12m via TX 21 and TX 7, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the same region. It's a straightforward, mostly highway trip that should be manageable for a single day of driving. Consider this if you're looking for an efficient way to cover this distance without many detours. The relatively short duration means you can get on the road and still have time to settle in at your destination.
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
110.3 miles from Lufkin, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 21 | 162.3 mi | 3h 3m |
| TX 7 | 31.3 mi | 34m |
| Raguet Street | 11.7 mi | 12m |
| State Highway 71 East | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| North Raguet Street | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| East Goliad Avenue | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
TX 21
— 162.3 mi, about 3h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lufkin, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on Loop 266
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
·
South First Street
2
Turn left onto TX 94
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
·
West Frank Avenue
3
Turn right onto Spur 339
2.0 mi
·
3 min
·
North Raguet Street
4
Continue on Spur 339
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
North Raguet Street
5
Continue on TX 103
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Raguet Street
6
Continue on TX 7
31 mi
·
34 min
·
TX 7
7
Turn right onto US 287; TX 7
129 ft
·
2 sec
·
5th Street
8
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
196 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Houston Avenue
9
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
289 ft
·
8 sec
·
South 4th Street
10
Turn right onto TX 7; TX 21
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Goliad Avenue
11
Turn left onto TX 21
145 mi
·
2 hr 44 min
·
TX 21
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto TX 95
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 95
Use the left / straight lanes.
13
Turn right onto TX 21
409 ft
·
10 sec
·
State Highway 71 East
Use the right lane.
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West
15
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 71 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
17 mi
·
19 min
·
TX 21; TX 71
18
Continue on 71 Toll
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Merge onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
22
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 111
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
25
Continue on Loop 111
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
26
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
27
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
28
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 4-hour drive, aim to leave Lufkin in the morning to take advantage of daylight. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially as you get closer to Montopolis, as the estimated $32 fuel cost is based on current averages. The longest stretch on TX 21 is over 160 miles, so plan for that segment to be your primary cruising period. Since this is a single-day trip, you can easily depart at a time that suits your schedule, perhaps after a leisurely breakfast.
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 110.3 miles from Lufkin, TX, or about 2h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 162.3 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 49 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.3 miles or 2h 5m 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 25m
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 Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, TX
This is one driving day of about 220.7 miles and 4h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Lufkin, 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 TX 21 for about 162.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
110 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 110.3 miles from Lufkin, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 162.3 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.
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 47.6 and 219.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
47.6 mi into trip
|
~54m in
|
TX 21
Turn left onto TX 21
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
192.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 39m in
|
TX 95 / State Highway 95
Turn left onto TX 95 / State Highway 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
193.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m in
|
TX 21; TX 71 / State Highway 71 East
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71 / State Highway 71 East
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
217.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 8m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: 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.
Toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
7
219.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m 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
$30.23 one way
$60.46 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
77 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $33.77 | $67.53 |
| premium | $4.23 | $36.71 | $73.42 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $41.67 | $83.34 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 66.2 | 0 | $23.17 | $10.59 |
| Efficient EV | 55.2 | 0 | $19.31 | $8.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 88.3 | 1 | $30.90 | $14.12 |
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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
Lufkin, TX
Late night in Lufkin on Monday
Local time
1:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:47PM CDT until July 18 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:39PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
1:28 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:47PM CDT until July 18 at 6:30PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:39PM CDT until July 18 at 6:45PM 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
1 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
4h 12m 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?
This route is 91% highway, so expect extended periods of cruising. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 162.3 miles on TX 21. You'll transition from highway driving to surface roads, specifically Raguet Street, as you approach your destination. Given the high highway percentage, you'll likely notice a steady flow of traffic and frequent highway exits for much of the drive.
91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 162.3 mi on TX 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and TX 7. You will hit about 17 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 47.6 miles in near TX 21.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 220.7 miles you will encounter 17 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 47.6 miles (TX 21): Lane positioning matters here; at 192.7 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 193.5 miles (TX 21; TX 71 / State Highway 71 East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
558 ft
186 ft
Total Climb
652 ft
Total Descent
502 ft
Highest Point
558 ft
~189.2 mi in
Elevation Range
372 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Lufkin, TX
Full guide →Lufkin is a city in Angelina County, in the Piney Woods region of north-east Texas. It has its origins in railroad lines, as it became a stop along the Houston, East and West Texas Railway in 1882 and a depot where cotton could be stored. Not long after, commerce gave way to the timber industry with several sawmills and the Angelina County Lumber Company operating, which in turn saw the addition of foundries and paper mills. Even though much of this industry has subsided, Lufkin still holds on with chicken plants, retirement homes, churches, etc, plus a handful of tourist attractions. One distinction about the area is that it witnessed the demise of the Space Ship Columbia during reentry in 2003, which can be appreciated at the Naranjo Museum.
Top landmarks
- • Angelina River Bridge — structure in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas
- • Pines Theater — theater and movie theater in Lufkin, Texas, United States
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 12m. Total distance: 220.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (91%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 162.3 miles on TX 21. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 7 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 7 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 47.6 miles (TX 21): Lane positioning matters here; at 192.7 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 193.5 miles (TX 21; TX 71 / State Highway 71 East): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 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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