Cultural Activities Center
Later in the drive, right off the route
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 18m
Distance
333.9 mi
537 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Maud, TX
Thomas balabaud
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Maud, TX to Montopolis, TX is 333.9 miles and takes about 6h 18m via TX 155 and I 35, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, taking you across the Great Plains region. With over half the trip on highways, expect a mix of faster travel and more local cruising. This is a solid option for a single-day road trip, allowing ample time for a relaxed pace or an early arrival.
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
167 miles from Maud, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 155 | 66.1 mi | 1h 15m |
| I 35 | 52.6 mi | 54m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 31 East | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| West State Highway 31 | 18.8 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 31 | 17.2 mi | 17m |
| State Highway 8 | 12.5 mi | 13m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 11.8 mi | 13m |
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 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
Averaged across 51 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Step-by-step road directions between Maud, TX and Montopolis, TX.
Start on Fincher Drive
Turn right onto Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto TX 8
Continue on TX 8
Continue on TX 8
Turn sharp right onto TX 155
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
Turn straight onto TX 155
Turn right onto US 80; TX 155
Turn left onto TX 155
Turn right onto US 271; TX 155
Turn right onto Loop 323
Continue on Loop 323
Continue on Loop 323
Turn right onto TX 31
Continue on TX 31
Continue on TX 31
Continue on TX 31
Take the exit
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto TX 31
Continue on TX 31
Continue on TX 31
Continue on TX 31
Turn left onto TX 31
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
Continue on TX 31
Continue on TX 31
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Turn straight onto US 84
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35; US 77
Continue on I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 183
Continue on 183 Toll
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 183
Take the ramp
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 6h 18m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Maud to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Montopolis. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility; consider breaking up the drive around the halfway point to stretch your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $49, and plan your refueling strategically before hitting longer highway stretches. Pay attention to the transition from TX 155 to I 35, as this is where the driving environment will change most noticeably.
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.
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 73 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167 miles or 3h 16m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montopolis, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Maud, 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 Maud, TX
This is one driving day of about 333.9 miles and 6h 18m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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.
A short stop after about 73 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 167 miles from Maud, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 155 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Later in the drive, right off the route
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websiteNear the end, ~9 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websiteEarly in the drive, ~12 min detour
Tyler, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19035936905
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 169.3 and 333.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Regular Gas
$45.73 one way
$91.47 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $51.08 | $102.17 |
| premium | $4.23 | $55.54 | $111.08 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $63.05 | $126.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.2 | 1 | $35.06 | $16.03 |
| Efficient EV | 83.5 | 0 | $29.22 | $13.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.6 | 1 | $46.75 | $21.37 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Maud on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 2:46PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 2:39PM CDT until July 16 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Late night in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 2:46PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 2:39PM CDT until July 16 at 5:45PM 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route is primarily highway, with 69% of the 333.9 miles on interstates and major roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 66.1 miles on TX 155 before transitioning to I 35. Expect a significant portion of the drive to involve merging with faster traffic and navigating more frequent exits as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 155 and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 169.3 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
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 333.9 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 169.3 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 272.4 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 325 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
687 ft
Total Descent
511 ft
Highest Point
775 ft
~286.2 mi in
Elevation Range
488 ft
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 18m. Total distance: 333.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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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