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0.1 mi from route
Trip from Montopolis, TX to Kountze, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 44m
Distance
248 mi
399 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 31m
★
6 AM
4h 45m
8 AM
5h 12m
10 AM
4h 54m
12 PM
4h 51m
3 PM
4h 55m
5 PM
5h 10m
8 PM
4h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Kountze, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Montopolis, TX to Kountze, TX is 248 miles and takes about 4h 44m via Texas State Highway 71 and US Highway 90, with a fuel budget near $36 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a generally straightforward drive. With 96% of the route on highways, expect a consistent pace for most of the 248 miles. Consider this a practical option when you need to cover ground efficiently between these two Texas points.
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
124 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 137 mi | 2h 25m |
| TX 326 | 24.4 mi | 36m |
| US Highway 90 | 21 mi | 24m |
| Crosby Freeway | 17.5 mi | 20m |
| United States Highway 90 West | 16 mi | 18m |
| Katy Freeway | 10.9 mi | 13m |
| East Freeway | 5.8 mi | 7m |
| Beaumont Highway | 5 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~5,532 veh/hr typical · worst 6,521
Quietest
2 AM
~622 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Kountze, 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 Airport
Use 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 North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 71
0.5 mi
·
29 sec
·
East State Highway 71
8
Continue on TX 71
137 mi
·
2 hr 25 min
·
Texas State Highway 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Use the slight left lane.
10
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
Katy Tollway
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi
·
13 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
13
Continue on I 10; US 90
5.8 mi
·
7 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Crosby Freeway
Toward US 90 East: Liberty
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto US 90
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosby Freeway
Toward US 90 East
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 90
17
Continue on US 90
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
Crosby Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 90
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Crosby Freeway
19
Continue on US 90
5.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Beaumont Highway
20
Continue on US 90
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 90
21
Continue on US 90
16 mi
·
18 min
·
United States Highway 90 West
22
Continue on US 90
19 mi
·
22 min
·
US Highway 90
23
Turn left onto TX 326
24 mi
·
36 min
·
TX 326
Use the left lane.
24
At end of road, turn sharp left onto US 69; US 287
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 69; US 287
25
Turn right onto East Brown Street
258 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Brown Street
26
Turn left onto South Cherry Street
98 ft
·
4 sec
·
South Cherry Street
27
Arrive at destination
South Cherry Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 44m estimated drive time, leaving Montopolis in the morning will comfortably get you to Kountze before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to pause. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 137-mile stretch on Texas State Highway 71, as services might be more spaced out. The $36 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, and since it's a single-day drive, you can adjust your departure time based on your schedule.
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 124 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 2h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137 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 55 miles or 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kountze, 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 248 miles and 4h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 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 Texas State Highway 71 for about 137 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Texas State Highway 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137 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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.6 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Cidercade Houston
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Final third
1 mi from route
~2 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–12 pm
+13462417524
Visit websiteUnion Station
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.4 mi from route
~4 min detour
Houston, Texas
+17132598070
Visit websiteDowntown Aquarium
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8:30 pm
+17132233474
Visit websiteMidtown Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+17135267577
Visit websiteBarbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
2.4 mi from route
~6 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 7 am–8 pm
+17137520314
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 websiteWaugh Drive Bat Colony
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Final third
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+17137520314
Visit websiteThe Orange Show Center for Visionary Art
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~9 min detour
Final third
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Houston, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+17139266368
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 163.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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...
5
3.9 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway
Turn straight onto 71 Toll / Bastrop Freeway toward 71 Toll East, TX 45 Toll North, TX 130 Toll North
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...
6
143.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
5
146.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 37m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
163.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
US 90 / Crosby Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Crosby Freeway toward US 90 East: Liberty
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 90 East: Liberty
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.97 one way
$67.94 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $37.94 | $75.88 |
| premium | $4.23 | $41.25 | $82.50 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $46.83 | $93.65 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Katy Tollway
(3.2 mi)
$0.23
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.04 | $11.90 |
| Efficient EV | 62 | 0 | $21.70 | $9.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.72 | $15.87 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 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 Sunday
Local time
1:45 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 6:54AM CDT until July 21 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:53AM CDT until July 20 at 4:50AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Kountze, TX
Late night in Kountze on Sunday
Local time
1:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:54AM CDT until July 21 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:53AM CDT until July 20 at 4:50AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
1 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 44m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on highways, with 96% of the 248 miles on major roads. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 137 miles, primarily on Texas State Highway 71. Expect a predominantly highway cruising experience, transitioning to surface roads for the final portion of the trip. This setup means fewer turns and more consistent speeds for the majority of your drive.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137 mi on Texas State Highway 71.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and TX 326. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 248 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 1.2 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; at 143.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
520 ft
29 ft
Total Climb
129 ft
Total Descent
509 ft
Highest Point
520 ft
~17.7 mi in
Elevation Range
491 ft
About the Cities
Arriving in Kountze, TX
Full guide →Founded 1881
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 44m. Total distance: 248 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 44m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137 miles on Texas State Highway 71. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.23 in tolls one way, starting with Katy Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 14 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 Kountze, 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 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 143.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at Kountze, 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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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