If you are planning to travel from Montopolis to Kermit, expect a 385.8-mile journey that typically takes about 7 hours and 35 minutes behind the wheel. This route stays entirely within the Great Plains, keeping the landscape consistent as you head west across Texas. Because the drive is under eight hours, it is feasible as a single-day trip if you start early, though it makes for a long day of travel. You should budget approximately $59 for fuel to cover the distance comfortably. Utilizing a mix of US-87, TX-158, and TX-71, the drive offers a straightforward connection between these two points. It is a practical, highway-focused route that prioritizes efficiency over meandering detours.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
192.9 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
United States Highway 87
71.2 mi
1h 16m
TX 158
62.7 mi
1h 11m
TX 71
55.3 mi
1h
East State Highway 71
42 mi
56m
State Highway 302
40.4 mi
51m
US Highway 87 North
25.8 mi
26m
West Highway 71
22.4 mi
31m
US 87
18.6 mi
20m
Longest stretch:
United States Highway 87
— 71.2 mi, about 1h 16m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montopolis, TX and Kermit, 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 BoulevardUse the slight left / straight lanes.
5
Merge onto TX 71
6.5 mi·7 min·TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71
4.9 mi·5 min·US 290; TX 71
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn slight right onto West Highway 71
22 mi·31 min·West Highway 71
8
Continue on TX 71
42 mi·56 min·East State Highway 71
Use the right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 71
1.5 mi·2 min·TX 71
10
Turn left onto TX 29; TX 71
2.7 mi·3 min·West Young Street
11
Continue on TX 71
47 mi·50 min·TX 71
12
Turn right onto US 87; US 377
2.8 mi·3 min·US 87; US 377
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377
0.3 mi·19 sec·Commerce Street
14
Turn straight onto US 87
71 mi·1 hr 16 min·United States Highway 87
15
Continue on US 87; Loop 306
4.1 mi·5 min·South Bryant Boulevard
16
Continue on US 87; US 277
1.4 mi·2 min·South Koenigheim Street
17
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
4.3 mi·6 min·North Bryant Boulevard
18
Continue on US 87
23 mi·23 min·US Highway 87 North
19
Continue on US 87
16 mi·16 min·US 87
20
Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
2.6 mi·2 min·US Highway 87 North
21
Take the exit onto TX 158
63 mi·1 hr 11 min·TX 158
Toward SH 158 West: Midland
22
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
0.3 mi·30 sec·East Interstate 20
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 20 West: Odessa
24
Merge onto I 20; TX 158
5.9 mi·5 min·I 20; TX 158
25
Continue on I 20; TX 349
11 mi·11 min·I 20; TX 349
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward Loop 338: Odessa
27
Turn left onto East Interstate 20
235 ft·4 sec·East Interstate 20
28
Turn right onto Loop 338
0.7 mi·53 sec·Southeast Loop 338
29
Continue on Loop 338
1.6 mi·2 min·Ray C. Stoker, Jr. Memorial Highway
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Turn left onto State Highway 191 East
0.5 mi·43 sec·State Highway 191 East
Use the left lane.
31
Continue on TX 191
5.6 mi·6 min·East 42nd Street
Use the straight lane.
32
At end of road, turn right onto Spur 450
0.4 mi·34 sec·Kermit Highway
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on TX 302
40 mi·51 min·State Highway 302
34
Continue on TX 302
0.5 mi·48 sec·East Jim Sharp Boulevard
35
Turn right onto TX 18
0.8 mi·1 min·South Poplar Street
36
Turn right onto TX 115
167 ft·5 sec·East Austin Street
37
Turn right
111 ft·8 sec
38
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To keep your 7-hour and 35-minute drive manageable, plan for at least two designated stops along the way to stretch your legs and refresh. Since you are looking at a $59 fuel budget, it is wise to monitor your gauge and top off during your scheduled breaks rather than waiting until you are low. Leaving Montopolis early in the morning helps you avoid potential traffic and ensures you arrive in Kermit before dark. Given the 94% highway share, keep a steady pace but remain alert for changing speed limits as you transition between the different state and federal highways. Taking these breaks every few hours will help you stay sharp throughout the entire 385.8-mile trek.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 192.9 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 3h 50m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.2 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 85 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.9 miles or 3h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kermit, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Montopolis, TX
This is one driving day of about 385.8 miles and 7h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Montopolis, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on United States Highway 87 for about 71.2 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 343.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1 mi into trip|~1m in
Take the exit toward 183 Toll: Ben White Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Toward 183 Toll: Ben White Boulevard
5
2 mi into trip|~3m in|TX 71
Merge onto TX 71
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
8.6 mi into trip|~10m in|US 290; TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto US 290; TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
337.6 mi into trip|~6h 33m in|State Highway 191 East
Turn left onto State Highway 191 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
343.7 mi into trip|~6h 41m in|Spur 450 / Kermit Highway
At end of road, turn right onto Spur 450 / Kermit Highway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.30 one way
$116.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg135 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$63.81
$127.62
premium
$4.54
$68.88
$137.76
diesel
$5.61
$85.18
$170.36
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.7
1
$40.51
$18.52
Efficient EV
96.5
1
$33.76
$15.43
EV Truck/SUV
154.3
1
$54.01
$24.69
Gas CO2
135 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Montopolis, TX
Night
in Montopolis on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kermit, TX
Night
in Kermit on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
83°F
Brady, TX
193 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
31 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
7h 35m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
22 mi from route
~56 min detour
Free
near mile 53.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is heavily focused on highway travel, with 94% of your time spent on major roads. You will encounter a steady rhythm, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 71.2 miles on United States Highway 87. Expect a consistent, functional driving experience as you transition between the primary corridors of TX-71, US-87, and TX-158. The road maintains a predictable character, making it easy to settle into a steady pace for the duration of the 385.8-mile trip. While the terrain remains largely within the Great Plains, the highway-heavy nature of the route ensures you spend most of your time moving efficiently toward your destination.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.2 mi on United States Highway 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Highway 87 and TX 158. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 385.8 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 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (TX 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles (US 290; TX 71): 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.
Between Montopolis, TX and Kermit, TX, road signs point toward Sh 158 West: Midland and Loop 338: Odessa.
Sh 158 West: Midland
255 mi in|~4h 59m|via TX 158
Loop 338: Odessa
335 mi in|~6h 29m
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 35m. Total distance: 385.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.2 miles on United States Highway 87. 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 Kermit, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2 miles (TX 71): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 8.6 miles (US 290; TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kermit, TX before the return drive.
