Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Montopolis, TX to La Grulla, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 18m
Distance
351.8 mi
566 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 5m
★
6 AM
6h 18m
8 AM
6h 43m
10 AM
6h 27m
12 PM
6h 24m
3 PM
6h 28m
5 PM
6h 42m
8 PM
6h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
La Grulla, TX
A. G. Rosales
Trip Overview
Montopolis, TX to La Grulla, TX is 351.8 miles and takes about 6h 18m via South Nueces Street and I-37, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be traveling entirely within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region into another part of the Great Plains. This is a straightforward, mostly highway route that can easily be completed in a single day. It's a good option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without many 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
175.9 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Nueces Street | 66.2 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 37 | 60.5 mi | 1h 1m |
| Falfurrias Expressway | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Pickle Parkway | 37.4 mi | 32m |
| I 10 | 32.5 mi | 33m |
| I 2 | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| I 69C | 27.1 mi | 29m |
| US 281 South | 15.2 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
South Nueces Street
— 66.2 mi, about 1h 10m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,799 veh/hr typical · worst 2,499
Quietest
2 AM
~275 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 La Grulla, 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
12 mi
·
15 min
·
Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Lockhart, San Antonio
5
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
37 mi
·
32 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10; US 90; TX 130
9.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto I 410; TX 130
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Connally Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 41
Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 37
60 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit onto US 281 South
15 mi
·
19 min
·
US 281 South
Toward US 281 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
66 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
South Nueces Street
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
I 69C; US 281
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
56 mi
·
58 min
·
Falfurrias Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 281 South, TX 495: Pharr
21
Merge onto I 2; US 83
31 mi
·
35 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
Toward FM 2360: La Grulla
23
Turn straight onto US 83 Frontage Road
0.3 mi
·
53 sec
·
US 83 Frontage Road
24
Turn left onto FM 2360
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 2360
25
Continue on FM 2360
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
Grulla Main Street
26
Turn left onto East Las Palmas Street
58 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Las Palmas Street
27
Arrive at destination
East Las Palmas Street
Trip Plan
For this 6-hour drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and arrive with plenty of time. The $51 fuel cost is a reasonable estimate, but keep an eye on prices as you go. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but plan for one main stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Pay attention to the longest stretch of 66.2 miles on South Nueces Street; ensure you have enough fuel before starting that segment if you're concerned about availability in that area.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 175.9 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 66.2 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 77 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.9 miles or 3h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near La Grulla, 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 351.8 miles and 6h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 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 South Nueces Street for about 66.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
176 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 77 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 175.9 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South Nueces Street if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 66.2 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.
Pilot Travel Center
0 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Jud's Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 50.2 and 91.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
50.2 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
6
71.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 11m in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
83.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 24m in
|
I 410 / Connally Loop
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410 / Connally Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
91.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
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 41
Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus...
7
91.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.86 one way
$107.73 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
123 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $59.45 | $118.89 |
| premium | $4.64 | $64.24 | $128.48 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $85.58 | $171.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 105.5 | 1 | $36.94 | $16.89 |
| Efficient EV | 88 | 1 | $30.78 | $14.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 140.7 | 1 | $49.25 | $22.52 |
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Origin
Montopolis, TX
Evening in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
7:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
La Grulla, TX
Evening in La Grulla on Monday
Local time
7:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 2 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
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
12 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
6h 18m 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.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 97.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 74% of the 351.8 miles on major roads like I-37. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 66.2 miles on South Nueces Street before merging onto faster routes. Expect a consistent cruising experience for the majority of the trip. The transition from surface streets to the interstate will be noticeable, offering a more direct path for much of your travel.
74% 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: 66.2 mi on South Nueces Street.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South Nueces Street and I 37. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 50.2 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 22 significant decision points across 351.8 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 50.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.4 miles (I 410 / Connally Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
648 ft
68 ft
Total Climb
439 ft
Total Descent
761 ft
Highest Point
648 ft
~75.4 mi in
Elevation Range
580 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 La Grulla, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Corpus Christi along the way.
Corpus Christi
91.5 mi in
|
~1h 32m
About the Cities
Arriving in La Grulla, TX
Full guide →Founded 1836
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 6h 18m. Total distance: 351.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 18m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 66.2 miles on South Nueces Street. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 La Grulla, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 50.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 71.3 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 83.4 miles (I 410 / Connally Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at La Grulla, TX before the return drive.
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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