Origin
Montopolis, TX
Late night in Montopolis on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montopolis, TX to Benavides, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 8m
Distance
231.8 mi
373 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 55m
★
6 AM
4h 8m
8 AM
4h 35m
10 AM
4h 18m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 19m
5 PM
4h 33m
8 PM
4h 1m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Benavides, TX
Pixabay
Trip Overview
This 231.8-mile drive from Montopolis, TX to Benavides, TX is a straightforward, one-day trip that should take approximately 4 hours and 8 minutes. With a fuel cost estimated at $35, it's an economical choice for a quick journey. The route primarily utilizes major highways, making it a convenient option for travelers seeking efficiency. You'll be traversing the Great Plains region throughout this Texas excursion. It’s a manageable distance that allows for a relaxed pace, so an overnight stop isn't necessary unless you plan extensive sightseeing along the way.
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
115.9 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 37 | 60.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| South Nueces Street | 40 mi | 40m |
| Pickle Parkway | 37.4 mi | 32m |
| I 10 | 32.5 mi | 33m |
| South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway | 15.3 mi | 22m |
| US 281 South | 15.2 mi | 19m |
| Bastrop Highway | 11.7 mi | 15m |
| Connally Loop | 8.1 mi | 8m |
Longest stretch:
I 37
— 60.5 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montopolis, TX and Benavides, 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
40 mi
·
40 min
·
South Nueces Street
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
Toward TX 44, TX 359: Alice, San Diego
18
Turn right onto TX 44; TX 359
7.9 mi
·
8 min
·
TX 44; TX 359
19
Turn left onto TX 359
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Street
20
Continue on TX 359
15 mi
·
22 min
·
South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway
21
Arrive at destination
TX 359; FM 2295
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour duration, departing Montopolis in the morning allows ample time to reach Benavides by afternoon. With only one recommended stop, flexibility is key; you can choose to stop when needed for fuel or a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before the longest stretch on I 37, to ensure you have enough to reach your next planned refueling point. Planning your stop strategically can break up the drive nicely and make the 231.8 miles feel even shorter.
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 115.9 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.5 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 51 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 115.9 miles or 1h 58m 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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Benavides, 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 231.8 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 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 I 37 for about 60.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
116 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 115.9 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 37 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.5 miles.
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 50.2 and 91.7 — 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
6
71.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
83.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
I 410 / Connally Loop
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410 / Connally Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.03 one way
$70.05 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
81 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $38.34 | $76.68 |
| premium | $4.54 | $41.39 | $82.77 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.18 | $102.36 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.5 | 0 | $24.34 | $11.13 |
| Efficient EV | 58 | 0 | $20.28 | $9.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 92.7 | 1 | $32.45 | $14.84 |
Gas CO2
81 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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.
Destination
Benavides, TX
Late night in Benavides on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°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
5 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
4h 8m 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...
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Free
near mile 95.9
View on nps.gov
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 about 67% of this trip. The majority of your time will be spent on I 37, which provides a consistent and relatively fast pace. You'll encounter one uninterrupted stretch of 60.5 miles on I 37, offering a chance to settle into a rhythm. While the profile is largely highway, the inclusion of South Nueces Street and Pickle Parkway suggests some transitions onto more local roads, offering a slight variation in the driving experience as you progress towards your destination.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 60.5 mi on I 37.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 37 and South Nueces Street. 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 17 significant decision points across 231.8 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 50.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.4 miles (I 410 / Connally Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Montopolis, TX and Benavides, TX, road signs point toward San Antonio, Corpus Christi and San Diego.
San Antonio
12.6 mi in
|
~16m
Corpus Christi
91.5 mi in
|
~1h 32m
San Diego
207.9 mi in
|
~3h 35m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 8m. Total distance: 231.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 60.5 miles on I 37. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Benavides, 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: at 50.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.4 miles (I 410 / Connally Loop): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Benavides, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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