Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Montopolis, TX to Eagle Mountain, 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
3h 49m
Distance
211 mi
340 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 37m
★
6 AM
3h 50m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 59m
12 PM
3h 56m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Eagle Mountain, TX
Sebastián Kvašňák
Trip Overview
This 211-mile drive from Montopolis, TX, to Eagle Mountain, TX, will take you approximately 3 hours and 49 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Purple Heart Trail and I-35W, with a segment on the Bergstrom Expressway, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $32. You'll experience a mixed drive profile, suggesting a blend of road types. Since both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can expect consistent scenery throughout your travels. This route offers a straightforward path for a day trip with minimal fuss.
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
105.5 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 51m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 122.8 mi | 2h 6m |
| I 35W | 51.5 mi | 54m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 7 mi | 6m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| I 35W TEXpress | 4.1 mi | 4m |
| South Saginaw Boulevard | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| West Bailey Boswell Road | 2.6 mi | 5m |
| US 183 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 122.8 mi, about 2h 6m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,227 veh/hr typical · worst 3,978
Quietest
2 AM
~510 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
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 Eagle Mountain, 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
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Take the exit
136 ft
·
10 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Turn sharp left onto US 183
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 183 South
6
Continue on 183 Toll
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 183
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
475 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 35, Loop 275: Waco, Lamar Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35 South, Loop 275: Lamar Boulevard
10
Turn straight onto East Anderson Lane
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Anderson Lane
11
Turn right onto North Interstate 35
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Interstate 35
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 35 North
13
Merge onto I 35
90 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
52 mi
·
54 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
17
Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North
18
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
North Freeway
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 57A
Toward I 820
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 820 West
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
22
Merge onto I 820
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Jim Wright Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
43 sec
Exit 13
Toward US 287 Business: Saginaw, Main Street
Use the slight right lane.
24
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
36 sec
Toward US 287 North: Saginaw, Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn straight onto US 287 Bus
0.5 mi
·
45 sec
·
North Main Street
26
Continue on US 287 Bus
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
South Saginaw Boulevard
27
Turn left onto West Bailey Boswell Road
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
West Bailey Boswell Road
28
Turn right onto FM 1220
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Boat Club Road
29
Turn left onto Cape Royale Drive
248 ft
·
18 sec
·
Cape Royale Drive
30
Turn right onto Timber Oaks Drive
0.1 mi
·
25 sec
·
Timber Oaks Drive
31
Arrive at destination
Timber Oaks Drive
Trip Plan
For this 3-hour and 49-minute journey, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight hours and avoid potential traffic, especially if any portion of your route involves urban areas. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $32. The longest stretch on the Purple Heart Trail is over 120 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before embarking on that section. This trip is easily manageable in one day, offering a straightforward travel experience.
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 105.5 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 1h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.8 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 46 miles or 49m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.5 miles or 1h 51m 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 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Eagle Mountain, 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 211 miles and 3h 49m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 122.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
106 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.5 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.8 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Cultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Early stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteFort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websiteBicentennial Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Crowley, Texas
Hours: 6 am–9 pm
+18172972201
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
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 websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~10 min detour
Home stretch
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websiteToybrary Austin
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~10 min detour
First break
4.1 mi from route
~10 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+15124343927
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 215 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 202.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 35, Loop 275: Waco, Lamar Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35, Loop 275: Waco, Lamar Boulevard
7
11.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 South, Loop 275: Lamar Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, Loop 275: Lamar Boulevard
7
142.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
199.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 820
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 57A
Toward I 820
8
202.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 34m in
Take the exit toward US 287 Business: Saginaw, Main Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 13
Toward US 287 Business: Saginaw, Main Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.90 one way
$57.80 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $32.28 | $64.56 |
| premium | $4.23 | $35.10 | $70.19 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.84 | $79.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63.3 | 0 | $22.16 | $10.13 |
| Efficient EV | 52.8 | 0 | $18.46 | $8.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84.4 | 1 | $29.54 | $13.50 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Montopolis, TX
Night in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
9:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:51PM CDT until July 18 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:47PM CDT until July 18 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Eagle Mountain, TX
Night in Eagle Mountain on Sunday
Local time
9:59 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:51PM CDT until July 18 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:47PM CDT until July 18 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
2 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
3h 49m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 109.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The drive features a 36% highway share, meaning you'll spend a notable portion of your time on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 122.8 miles along the Purple Heart Trail, indicating a significant segment of consistent travel before needing to navigate any major changes. The 'Mixed drive' profile suggests you'll transition between different types of roads, likely including some interstate cruising and possibly some more local or arterial routes as you approach your destination. This variety means you won't be stuck on one type of road for the entire journey.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.8 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 11.3 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 21 significant decision points across 211 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 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
918 ft
436 ft
Total Climb
1,061 ft
Total Descent
860 ft
Highest Point
918 ft
~45.2 mi in
Elevation Range
482 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 Eagle Mountain, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 275: Waco along the way.
Loop 275: Waco
11.3 mi in
|
~12m
About the Cities
Arriving in Eagle Mountain, 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 3h 49m. Total distance: 211 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.8 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Eagle Mountain, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.8 miles (I 35W): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Eagle Mountain, 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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