Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Montopolis, TX to Alton North (historical), 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 44m
Distance
320.4 mi
516 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 31m
★
6 AM
5h 44m
8 AM
6h 10m
10 AM
5h 53m
12 PM
5h 51m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 9m
8 PM
5h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Alton North (historical), TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Montopolis, TX to Alton North (historical), TX is 320.4 miles and takes about 5h 44m via I 37, with a fuel budget near $47 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels entirely within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. It's a primarily highway drive that can comfortably be completed in a single day. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making for a straightforward trip between these two points. Consider this drive if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground with minimal complexity.
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
160.2 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Nueces Street | 66.2 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 37 | 60.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| Falfurrias Expressway | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Pickle Parkway | 37.4 mi | 32m |
| I 10 | 32.5 mi | 33m |
| I 69C | 16.7 mi | 18m |
| US 281 South | 15.2 mi | 19m |
| Bastrop Highway | 11.7 mi | 15m |
Longest stretch:
South Nueces Street
— 66.2 mi, about 1h 10m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,799 veh/hr typical · worst 2,453
Quietest
2 AM
~275 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Montopolis, TX and Alton North (historical), TX.
1
Start on this road
219 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
2
Merge onto 183 Toll
0.8 mi
·
47 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
3
Continue on US 183
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Lockhart, San Antonio
5
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
37 mi
·
32 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10; US 90; TX 130
9.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 410; TX 130
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 41
Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 37
60 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 281 South
15 mi
·
19 min
·
US 281 South
Toward US 281 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
South Nueces Street
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 69C; US 281
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
56 mi
·
58 min
·
Falfurrias Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
7.2 mi
·
7 min
·
I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 10
Toward US 281 Business South: Edinburg
Use the slight right lane.
21
Continue on North Expressway 281
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Expressway 281
22
Continue on US 281 Business
3.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 281 Business
23
Turn right onto US 281 Business; TX 107
377 ft
·
13 sec
·
West McIntyre Street
24
Turn left onto US 281 Business; TX 107
360 ft
·
10 sec
·
North 10th Avenue
Use the left / right lanes.
25
Turn right onto TX 107
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
West University Drive
26
Turn left onto Mayberry Road
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Mayberry Road
27
Arrive at destination
Mayberry Road
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour, 44-minute drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to ensure you have ample daylight to reach your destination. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this trip in a single day. The fuel cost is estimated at $47, so budget accordingly. A key consideration for this route is the 66.2-mile stretch on South Nueces Street; ensure your fuel tank is adequately filled before starting this segment, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. This is a drive where you can maintain a consistent pace.
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 160.2 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 2h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.2 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 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.2 miles or 2h 45m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alton North (historical), TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Montopolis, 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 Montopolis, TX
This is one driving day of about 320.4 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Montopolis, 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 South Nueces Street for about 66.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
160 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 160.2 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Nueces Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.2 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.
Pilot Travel Center
0 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Jud's Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.6 mi from route
Alamo Helicopter Tours
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 12–10 pm
+12109212359
Visit websiteAustin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websitePadre Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~10 min detour
Early stretch
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–9 pm
+12102077275
Zinnia Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.6 mi from route
~12 min detour
McAllen, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19566811000
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 50.2 and 310.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
50.2 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
8
91.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
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 41
Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus...
7
91.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
7
306.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 22m in
Take the exit toward US 281 Business South: Edinburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 10
Toward US 281 Business South: Edinburg
7
310.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 28m in
|
US 281 Business; TX 107 / North 10th Avenue
Turn left onto US 281 Business; TX 107 / North 10th Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.88 one way
$87.77 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
112 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $49.02 | $98.04 |
| premium | $4.23 | $53.29 | $106.59 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $60.50 | $121.00 |
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: 112.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.1 | 1 | $33.64 | $15.38 |
| Efficient EV | 80.1 | 0 | $28.04 | $12.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.2 | 1 | $44.86 | $20.51 |
Gas CO2
112 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
Montopolis, TX
Late night in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
1:40 AM
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
Destination
Alton North (historical), TX
Late night in Alton North (historical) on Monday
Local time
1:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
99°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 17 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
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
8 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
5h 44m 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.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 88.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 69% of your 320.4-mile drive on highways, primarily I 37. The longest continuous stretch on a surface road is 66.2 miles on South Nueces Street. You'll notice the transition from urban or suburban merging as you get onto the interstate, giving way to more open, rural cruising for the majority of the trip. The route is largely straightforward, with the bulk of the driving on well-maintained expressways.
69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 66.2 mi on South Nueces Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Nueces Street and I 37. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.2 miles in.
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 22 significant decision points across 320.4 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 50.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
623 ft
75 ft
Total Climb
313 ft
Total Descent
623 ft
Highest Point
623 ft
~45.8 mi in
Elevation Range
548 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.
On the drive from Montopolis, TX to Alton North (historical), TX, road signs begin pointing toward Corpus Christi along the way.
Corpus Christi
91.5 mi in
|
~1h 32m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 44m. Total distance: 320.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.2 miles on South Nueces Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 Alton North (historical), 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 91.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 91.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alton North (historical), 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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