Medina County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Montopolis, TX to Del Rio, 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
4h 28m
Distance
233 mi
375 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 15m
★
6 AM
4h 28m
8 AM
4h 55m
10 AM
4h 37m
12 PM
4h 35m
3 PM
4h 39m
5 PM
4h 53m
8 PM
4h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Del Rio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Montopolis, TX to Del Rio, TX is 233 miles and takes about 4h 28m via US Highway 90 West, with a fuel budget near $34 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. You'll primarily be on US Highway 90 West for most of the 233 miles. With a recommended single day for this route, it's ideal for a quick transit or a start to a longer adventure.
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
116.5 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West US Highway 90 | 62.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 54.6 mi | 58m |
| US Highway 90 West | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| East Military Highway | 24.6 mi | 28m |
| Connally Loop | 19.3 mi | 22m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 6.9 mi | 7m |
| US Highway 90 East | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| East Main Street | 4.9 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
West US Highway 90
— 62.8 mi, about 1h 11m
Traffic on I-410
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 24 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~7,145 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~595 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
12×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 48 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 Del Rio, 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
0.2 mi
·
13 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
4
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Toward 183 Toll: Ben White Boulevard
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto TX 71
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 71
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
Toward I 35 South, I 35 North, US 290 East: San Antonio, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: San Antonio
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 35
43 mi
·
45 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
6.9 mi
·
7 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 166
Toward I 410 West, Loop 368 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 410 West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 410
19 mi
·
22 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
2 min
Exit 6A
Toward US 90 West: Del Rio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto US 90
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Cleto Rodriguez Freeway
17
Continue on US 90
25 mi
·
28 min
·
West US Highway 90
18
Continue on US 90
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
19th Street
19
Continue on US 90
38 mi
·
43 min
·
US Highway 90 West
20
Continue on US 90
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Main Street
21
Continue on US 90
37 mi
·
42 min
·
West US Highway 90
22
Continue on US 90
25 mi
·
28 min
·
East Military Highway
23
Continue on US 90
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 90 East
24
Continue on US 90
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Gibbs Street
25
Turn left onto Spur 297
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Spur 297
26
Turn left onto US 277 Spur
377 ft
·
30 sec
·
East Garfield Street
27
Turn left onto Spur 297
107 ft
·
2 sec
·
Spur 297
28
Arrive at destination
Spur 297
Trip Plan
For this 233-mile drive, leaving in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight, especially since it's designed for a single day trip. The drive is manageable at around 4.5 hours, but you'll want to plan for at least one stop. The longest stretch on West US Highway 90 is just under 63 miles, so consider refueling before you hit that segment if your tank is low. The fuel cost is estimated at $34, which is helpful for budgeting. Enjoy the flexibility this relatively short drive offers.
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 116.5 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.8 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 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.5 miles or 2h 12m 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 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Del Rio, 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 233 miles and 4h 28m.
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 West US Highway 90 for about 62.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 116.5 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West US Highway 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.8 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.
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.6 mi from route
The Sophienburg Museum & Archives
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+18306291572
Visit websiteChildren's Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.4 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15123938400
Visit websiteTube Chute
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
+18302214000
Visit websiteCalaboose African American History Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15123938421
Visit websiteMorgan's Wonderland
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.6 mi from route
~6 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+12104955888
Visit websiteDenman Estate Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12102077275
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 websiteAnimal World & Snake Farm Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, ~11 min detour
Early stretch
4.2 mi from route
~11 min detour
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+18304024603
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 5.1 and 89.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.1 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward I 35 South, I 35 North, US 290 East: San Antonio, Waco
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.
Toward I 35 South, I 35 North, US 290 East: San...
7
5.5 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 South: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: San Antonio
8
69.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward I 410 West, Loop 368 South
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 166
Toward I 410 West, Loop 368 South
7
70.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 410 West
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 410 West
7
89.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 41m in
Take the exit toward US 90 West: Del Rio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 6A
Toward US 90 West: Del Rio
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$31.91 one way
$63.83 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $35.65 | $71.29 |
| premium | $4.23 | $38.76 | $77.51 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $43.99 | $87.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 69.9 | 0 | $24.47 | $11.18 |
| Efficient EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.39 | $9.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.2 | 1 | $32.62 | $14.91 |
Gas CO2
82 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.
Origin
Montopolis, TX
Late night in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Partly Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Del Rio, TX
Late night in Del Rio on Monday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 10 to 15 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
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
4h 28m 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...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 72.3
View on nps.gov
Amistad National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-b...
16 mi from route
~40 min detour
Free
near mile 233
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 52% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of the 4h 28m drive on faster roads. The longest continuous stretch without a significant change is 62.8 miles on West US Highway 90. Expect to transition between the highway and surface roads, so keep an eye on your speed. You'll notice the landscape shift from more developed areas to more open country as you travel west.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.8 mi on West US Highway 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.1 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 233 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 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,134 ft
463 ft
Total Climb
1,089 ft
Total Descent
589 ft
Highest Point
1,134 ft
~199.7 mi in
Elevation Range
671 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 Del Rio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 368 South along the way.
Loop 368 South
69.6 mi in
|
~1h 17m
About the Cities
Arriving in Del Rio, TX
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 28m. Total distance: 233 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.8 miles on West US Highway 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 8 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 Del Rio, 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 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 69.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Amistad National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Del Rio, 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, 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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