Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Trip from Montopolis, TX to Lumberton, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 42m
Distance
254.9 mi
410 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 29m
★
6 AM
4h 42m
8 AM
5h 9m
10 AM
4h 52m
12 PM
4h 49m
3 PM
4h 53m
5 PM
5h 8m
8 PM
4h 34m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Lumberton, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Montopolis, TX to Lumberton, TX is 254.9 miles and takes about 4h 42m via Texas State Highway 71, East Freeway, and Katy Freeway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward, mostly highway experience. With a 98% highway share, you'll find yourself on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the trip, making it an efficient way to cover the distance. Plan for a single day of travel, as the duration is well within reasonable limits for a day trip.
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
127.4 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Texas State Highway 71 | 137 mi | 2h 25m |
| East Freeway | 83.6 mi | 1h 35m |
| Katy Freeway | 10.9 mi | 13m |
| Eastex Freeway | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| Katy Tollway | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| US 96 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Texas State Highway 71
— 137 mi, about 2h 25m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
7 AM
~4,887 veh/hr typical · worst 5,738
Quietest
2 AM
~583 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.4×
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 Lumberton, 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 left at fork onto I 10
13 mi
·
16 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
64 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Eastex Freeway
Exit 853A
Toward US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lufkin, Jasper
17
Keep slight right at fork onto US 96
3.2 mi
·
4 min
·
US 96
Toward US 96 North: Lumberton, Jasper
18
Arrive at destination
US 96
Trip Plan
For this 254.9-mile drive, starting early in the morning is your best bet to avoid potential traffic congestion, especially as you approach and pass through more populated areas. With a total duration of around 4 hours and 42 minutes, you can comfortably complete this trip in a single day, though you might consider a brief stop around the halfway point for a stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $37, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway stretches. The longest continuous stretch is 137 miles, so ensure you have enough fuel before beginning that segment.
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 127.4 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 2h 16m 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 56 miles or 1h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.4 miles or 2h 16m 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 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lumberton, 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 254.9 miles and 4h 42m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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
127 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.4 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.
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Chambers County Westbound Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Chambers County Eastbound Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.7 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
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 1.2 and 241.5 — 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...
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
6
163.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m in
|
I 10 / East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
177 mi into trip
|
~3h 14m in
|
I 10 / East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
241.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 26m in
|
US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway
Take the exit onto US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway toward US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North: Lufkin, Jasper
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 853A
Toward US 69 North, US 96 North, US 287 North:...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.91 one way
$69.83 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $39.00 | $78.00 |
| premium | $4.23 | $42.40 | $84.80 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $48.13 | $96.26 |
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
$35
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.5 | 0 | $26.76 | $12.24 |
| Efficient EV | 63.7 | 0 | $22.30 | $10.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102 | 1 | $35.69 | $16.31 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% 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 Tuesday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38AM CDT until July 19 at 6:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM CDT until July 20 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Lumberton, TX
Late night in Lumberton on Tuesday
Local time
5:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38AM CDT until July 19 at 6:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM CDT until July 20 at 12:00AM 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
3 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 42m 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?
This is a predominantly highway drive, with 98% of the route utilizing high-speed roads. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch of 137 miles on Texas State Highway 71. The transition to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only for the final part of your trip. Expect a consistent cruising speed for most of the drive, with a high density of exits and merges as you navigate through urban and suburban areas.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
18 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Texas State Highway 71 and East Freeway. 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
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 12 significant decision points across 254.9 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 143.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.7 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
509 ft
18 ft
Total Climb
86 ft
Total Descent
493 ft
Highest Point
509 ft
~18.2 mi in
Elevation Range
491 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 Lumberton, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Jasper along the way.
Jasper
241.5 mi in
|
~4h 26m
|
via US 69; US 96; US 287
About the Cities
Arriving in Lumberton, 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 42m. Total distance: 254.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 42m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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 26 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 Lumberton, 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 26 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 143.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.7 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Lumberton, 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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