Origin
Medina, TX
Morning in Medina on Sunday
Local time
8:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Medina, TX to Montopolis, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 35m
Distance
126.4 mi
203 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$19
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 25m
★
6 AM
2h 36m
8 AM
2h 57m
10 AM
2h 43m
12 PM
2h 41m
3 PM
2h 44m
5 PM
2h 56m
8 PM
2h 30m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Medina, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
This 126.4-mile drive from Medina, TX to Montopolis, TX is a feasible 1-day trip, taking approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. The route primarily utilizes East US Highway 290 and Ranch Road 473, with about 66% of the journey on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $19, it's an economical option for a quick regional exploration within the Great Plains. You'll find this drive offers a straightforward journey, making it easy to manage your time and budget for a single day's adventure.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
63.2 miles from Medina, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 19m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East US Highway 290 | 30.9 mi | 38m |
| Ranch Road 473 | 20.7 mi | 26m |
| RM 473 | 12.5 mi | 16m |
| US 290 | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| Ranch Road 2828 | 9 mi | 9m |
| South US Highway 281 | 8.4 mi | 9m |
| North US Highway 281 | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 27 | 6.4 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
East US Highway 290
— 30.9 mi, about 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Medina, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on Newcomer Lane
65 ft
·
9 sec
·
Newcomer Lane
2
Turn left onto TX 16
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 16 North
3
Turn left onto RM 2828
9.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Ranch Road 2828
4
At end of road, turn left onto TX 173
0.9 mi
·
56 sec
·
State Highway 173 North
5
Continue on TX 173
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Bandera Highway
6
Turn right onto RM 480
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Ranch Road 480
7
Continue on RM 480
0.5 mi
·
57 sec
·
San Antonio Street
8
Turn right onto FM 1350
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
China Street
9
Continue on FM 1350
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Farm to Market Road 1350
10
At end of road, turn right onto TX 27
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
State Highway 27
11
Turn left onto RM 473
5.2 mi
·
7 min
·
RM 473
12
Turn right onto RM 473
7.3 mi
·
9 min
·
RM 473
13
Turn right onto RM 473; RM 1376
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Sisterdale Road
14
Turn left onto RM 473
21 mi
·
26 min
·
Ranch Road 473
Use the left lane.
15
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; RM 473
8.4 mi
·
9 min
·
South US Highway 281
16
Continue on US 281
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
17
Continue on US 281
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
North US Highway 281
18
Turn right onto US 290
31 mi
·
38 min
·
East US Highway 290
Use the left lane.
19
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
West US Highway 290
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
21
Continue on West US Highway 290
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West US Highway 290
22
Continue on US 290; TX 71
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
Toward US 183 North
Use the right lane.
24
Merge onto US 183
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 183
25
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
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.
27
Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 111
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
28
Continue on Loop 111
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
29
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
30
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
31
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Given the 2-hour, 35-minute duration, this route works well as a single-day excursion, offering flexibility for when you depart. With only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 126.4 miles at your leisure, perhaps midway through the longest 30.9-mile stretch on East US Highway 290. The estimated fuel cost of $19 means you won't need to worry excessively about frequent refueling, but it's always wise to top off before leaving Medina, TX. Keep an eye on road conditions as you transition between highway and ranch roads.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 63.2 miles from Medina, TX, or about 1h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 30.9 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 28 miles or 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 63.2 miles or 1h 19m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 8m
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 Medina, 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 Medina, TX
This is one driving day of about 126.4 miles and 2h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 28 miles from Medina, 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 East US Highway 290 for about 30.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
63 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 28 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 63.2 miles from Medina, 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.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 124.9 — 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 16 / State Highway 16 North
Turn left onto TX 16 / State Highway 16 North
Navigation decision point
6
41.5 mi into trip
|
~51m in
|
RM 473 / Ranch Road 473
Turn left onto RM 473 / Ranch Road 473
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
62.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
|
US 281; RM 473 / South US Highway 281
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; RM 473 / South US Highway 281
Navigation decision point
6
123.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 30m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 183 North
7
124.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 33m 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
$19.10 one way
$38.20 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
44 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $20.91 | $41.81 |
| premium | $4.54 | $22.57 | $45.14 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $27.91 | $55.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$19
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$44–$69
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 44.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 37.9 | 0 | $13.27 | $6.07 |
| Efficient EV | 31.6 | 0 | $11.06 | $5.06 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.70 | $8.09 |
Gas CO2
44 kg
EV CO2
15 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Morning in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
8:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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
3 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
2h 35m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 78.4
Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure
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 most of this trip, with 66% of the miles covered on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 30.9 miles along East US Highway 290. While the majority is highway, the inclusion of Ranch Road 473 suggests a transition to potentially more varied, though still accessible, roadways. This mix provides a driving experience that balances efficiency with a touch of local flavor.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 30.9 mi on East US Highway 290.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East US Highway 290 and Ranch Road 473. 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 16 / State Highway 16 North.
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 17 significant decision points across 126.4 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: near the start (TX 16 / State Highway 16 North): Navigation decision point; at 41.5 miles (RM 473 / Ranch Road 473): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.3 miles (US 281; RM 473 / South US Highway 281): Navigation decision point.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 35m. Total distance: 126.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 35m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (66%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 30.9 miles on East US Highway 290. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 16 / State Highway 16 North): Navigation decision point; at 41.5 miles (RM 473 / Ranch Road 473): Lane positioning matters here; at 62.3 miles (US 281; RM 473 / South US Highway 281): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Montopolis, TX before heading back.
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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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