This 122.3-mile drive from Montopolis, TX to Brookshire, TX takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, making it a perfect candidate for a single-day road trip. The majority of your journey, 99% of it, will be on the highway, primarily utilizing Texas State Highway 71. Expect a straightforward drive with a manageable fuel cost estimated at around $18. Since there are no recommended stops, you can easily complete this trip without needing to break it up overnight. This route keeps you within the Great Plains region throughout your travels.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
61.1 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Texas State Highway 71
114.7 mi
2h
East State Highway 71
2.7 mi
3m
Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi
2m
Bergstrom Expressway
0.8 mi
<1m
I 10 Frontage Road
0.7 mi
1m
Waller Avenue
0.5 mi
<1m
Bastrop Highway
0.4 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 114.7 mi, about 2h
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montopolis, TX and Brookshire, 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
0.4 mi·26 sec·Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International AirportUse the slight left / straight lanes.
5
Continue on TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·East State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Turn straight onto 71 Toll
1.9 mi·2 min·Bastrop Freeway
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll NorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi·29 sec·East State Highway 71
8
Continue on TX 71
115 mi·2 hr·Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward FM 359: Brookshire, Fulshear
10
Turn straight onto I 10 Frontage Road
0.7 mi·1 min·I 10 Frontage Road
11
Turn left onto FM 359
0.5 mi·47 sec·Waller Avenue
12
Arrive at destination
FM 359
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 2 hours, this route offers flexibility for when you want to depart. Consider leaving in the morning to maximize your day at your destination or depart later to avoid peak traffic. Since the drive is relatively short and covers 122.3 miles, you likely won't need to plan for extensive rest stops, though it's always wise to take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 114.7 miles on Texas State Highway 71, as services might be spaced out.
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.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 61.1 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 114.7 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 27 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 61.1 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 45m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brookshire, 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 122.3 miles and 2h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 27 miles from Montopolis, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Texas State Highway 71 for about 114.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 6
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 121.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
0 mi into trip|~0m in
Depart toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Navigation decision point
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
6
1.2 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom Internation...
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 T...
5
121 mi into trip|~2h 7m in
Take the exit toward FM 359: Brookshire, Fulshear
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward FM 359: Brookshire, Fulshear
4
121.8 mi into trip|~2h 9m in|FM 359 / Waller Avenue
Turn left onto FM 359 / Waller Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$18.48 one way
$36.96 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg43 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$20.23
$40.46
premium
$4.54
$21.84
$43.67
diesel
$5.61
$27.00
$54.00
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$18
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$43–$68
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 42.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $13 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
36.7
0
$12.84
$5.87
Efficient EV
30.6
0
$10.70
$4.89
EV Truck/SUV
48.9
0
$17.12
$7.83
Gas CO2
43 kg
EV CO2
14 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Montopolis, TX
Late night
in Montopolis on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Brookshire, TX
Late night
in Brookshire on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
69°F
Colorado, TX
61 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
4 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
2h 10m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, offering a consistent pace for most of the 122.3 miles. You'll spend virtually all your time on major roadways, with Texas State Highway 71 serving as your main companion for a significant stretch of 114.7 miles. The profile suggests a smooth, uninterrupted experience, minimizing the need to navigate complex local roads or frequent intersections. Prepare for a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency and direct travel between your starting and ending points.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 114.7 mi on Texas State Highway 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and East State Highway 71. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Montopolis, TX to Brookshire, TX is easy. At 2h 10m with 99% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The longest stretch is about 114.7 miles on Texas State Highway 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 1.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 3.9 miles (71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brookshire, TX before heading back.
