Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Marshall, 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
5h 26m
Distance
291.8 mi
470 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 13m
★
6 AM
5h 27m
8 AM
5h 53m
10 AM
5h 36m
12 PM
5h 33m
3 PM
5h 37m
5 PM
5h 52m
8 PM
5h 19m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Marshall, TX
Thomas balabaud
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Marshall, TX to Montopolis, TX is 291.8 miles and takes about 5h 26m via State Highway 31 East and I 35, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and ending in the same area. It's a straightforward trip, mostly on highways, making it a practical choice for a single-day excursion. You'll find it's a good way to cover ground efficiently between these two points.
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
145.9 miles from Marshall, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m 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 |
| Corsicana Bypass | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| State Highway 31 West | 9.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 31 East
— 59.9 mi, about 1h 9m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 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 Marshall, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on West Houston Street
342 ft
·
12 sec
·
West Houston Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto South Bolivar Street
0.3 mi
·
48 sec
·
South Bolivar Street
3
Turn left onto US 80
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
East Grand Avenue
4
Turn left onto FM 968
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 968
5
Turn left onto FM 3251
0.7 mi
·
58 sec
·
FM 3251
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
7
Merge onto I 20
21 mi
·
21 min
·
I 20
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
10
Continue on US 259; TX 31
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
US Highway 259 North
11
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business; TX 31
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 259 Business North
12
Turn right onto TX 31
29 mi
·
34 min
·
State Highway 31 East
13
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Chandler Highway
14
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 31 West
15
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Highway 31
16
Continue on TX 31
21 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 31 East
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
18
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jed Robinson Loop
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
20
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft
·
14 sec
21
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 31 West
22
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Royall Boulevard
23
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 31 East
24
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
25
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
26
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
West State Highway 31
27
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
28
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
29
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East US Highway 84
30
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
31
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Waco Drive
32
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
33
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
34
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi
·
54 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 240B
Toward US 183: Lockhart, Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the slight left lane.
39
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
42
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
43
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
44
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 26m estimated duration, leaving Marshall, TX in the morning will allow you to reach Montopolis, TX well before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility on when and where to take breaks, but consider fueling up before you leave Marshall, as the longest stretch without services could be significant. The $42 fuel estimate is helpful for budgeting, but always keep an eye on your gauge, especially during the 59.9-mile section on State Highway 31 East. This route is well-suited for a single-day trip, so you can depart at your leisure.
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 145.9 miles from Marshall, TX, or about 2h 48m 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 64 miles or 1h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 145.9 miles or 2h 48m 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 29m
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 Marshall, 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 Marshall, TX
This is one driving day of about 291.8 miles and 5h 26m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 miles from Marshall, 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
146 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 145.9 miles from Marshall, 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.
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
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
Doris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Final third
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteTyler Rose Garden
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Tyler, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19035311212
Visit websiteTyler Rose Museum & Gift Shop
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Tyler, Texas
Hours: 9 am–4:30 pm
+19035973130
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 websiteVisit Tyler/SPORTyler
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Tyler, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19035936905
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 0.1 and 291.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Bolivar Street
At end of road, turn left onto South Bolivar Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
7
30.3 mi into trip
|
~34m 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...
8
282.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m 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
283.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m 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
291.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 25m 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
$39.97 one way
$79.93 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
102 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $44.64 | $89.29 |
| premium | $4.23 | $48.54 | $97.08 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $55.10 | $110.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 87.5 | 1 | $30.64 | $14.01 |
| Efficient EV | 73 | 0 | $25.53 | $11.67 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 116.7 | 1 | $40.85 | $18.68 |
Gas CO2
102 kg
EV CO2
34 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
Marshall, TX
Late night in Marshall on Monday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 5 mph
16% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 12:20PM MDT until July 17 at 1:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
4:34 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 12:20PM MDT until July 17 at 1:00PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
100°F
Italy, TX
146 mi in
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 26m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 191.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 69% of the 291.8 miles on interstates and major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 59.9 miles on State Highway 31 East before transitioning to I 35. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, with the highway sections offering a more direct path. The shift from state highway to interstate will likely feel like a change in traffic density and speed.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 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 0.1 miles in near South Bolivar Street.
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 291.8 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 0.1 miles (South Bolivar Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 30.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.9 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
909 ft
334 ft
Total Climb
1,116 ft
Total Descent
1,065 ft
Highest Point
909 ft
~250.1 mi in
Elevation Range
576 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 Marshall, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Sh 31 West: Kilgore and Henderson.
Sh 31 West: Kilgore
30 mi in
|
~34m
Henderson
30 mi in
|
~34m
About the Cities
Starting in Marshall, TX
Full guide →Founded 1841
Marshall is a city in the Central Piney Woods of Texas. This is the third-largest city in this region.
Top landmarks
- • Marshall — historic place in Abilene, Taylor County, Texas
- • Old Harrison County Courthouse — historic place in Marshall, Harrison County, Texas
- • First Methodist Church — historic place in Marshall, Harrison 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 26m. Total distance: 291.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 26m 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 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Bolivar Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 30.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 282.9 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 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.
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