Concho County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Montopolis, TX to San Angelo, 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
4h 10m
Distance
209.2 mi
337 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 57m
★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 17m
3 PM
4h 21m
5 PM
4h 35m
8 PM
4h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
San Angelo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Montopolis to San Angelo covers 209.2 miles of Texas landscape, a journey that typically takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route stays within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional feel for the duration of the trip. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day drive, making it a straightforward choice if you want to reach your destination without an overnight stop. Budgeting around $32 for fuel should cover your needs for the trip. Since the drive is focused on major highways, you will spend most of your time on the open road rather than navigating city traffic.
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
104.6 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| United States Highway 87 | 71.2 mi | 1h 16m |
| TX 71 | 55.3 mi | 1h |
| East State Highway 71 | 42 mi | 56m |
| West Highway 71 | 22.4 mi | 31m |
| US 290 | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| South Bryant Boulevard | 4.1 mi | 5m |
| US 87 | 2.8 mi | 3m |
| West Young Street | 2.7 mi | 3m |
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 San Angelo, 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 Boulevard
Use 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
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Koenigheim Street
17
Turn right onto West Beauregard Avenue
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
West Beauregard Avenue
18
Turn left onto South Chadbourne Street
496 ft
·
14 sec
·
South Chadbourne Street
19
Turn right onto East Harris Avenue
73 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Harris Avenue
20
Arrive at destination
East Harris Avenue
Trip Plan
Planning for this 209.2-mile trip is simple since it only requires one planned stop to keep you refreshed. Leaving early in the day gives you the most flexibility, allowing you to manage the 4-hour and 10-minute duration at a comfortable pace. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you navigate the longest stretch on U.S. 87, where services may be spaced further apart. Since the route is efficient, you can easily complete the drive in one day without feeling rushed. Prioritize your single stop strategically to break up the highway monotony and ensure you stay alert for the final leg into San Angelo.
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 104.6 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 2h 14m 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 46 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.6 miles or 2h 14m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Angelo, 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 209.2 miles and 4h 10m.
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 United States Highway 87 for about 71.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
105 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 104.6 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before United States Highway 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.2 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.
Service Plaza
0.9 mi from route
TXB Market
2.4 mi from route
Think In A Box - Escape Room
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Angelo, Texas
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+13256501755
Visit websitePop Art Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Angelo, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13256552345
Visit websiteSan Angelo City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Angelo, Texas
Hours: 5:30 am–10 pm
+13256574450
Visit websiteSan Angelo Convention & Visitors Bureau
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Angelo, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–5 pm
+13256554136
Visit websiteThe Bosque along the Concho River
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Angelo, Texas
+13255000035
Visit websiteRiver Walk
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Angelo, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+13254812727
Visit websiteFort Concho National Historic Landmark
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Angelo, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+13254812646
Visit websiteHistoric Downtown San Angelo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Angelo, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+13256552345
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 1 and 209.2 — 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.
4
77.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 43m in
|
TX 71
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
209.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 10m in
|
East Harris Avenue
Turn right onto East Harris Avenue
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.65 one way
$57.31 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $32.01 | $64.01 |
| premium | $4.23 | $34.80 | $69.60 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.50 | $79.00 |
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: 73.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.8 | 0 | $21.97 | $10.04 |
| Efficient EV | 52.3 | 0 | $18.31 | $8.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.7 | 1 | $29.29 | $13.39 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% 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
Late night in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
3:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:26PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:25PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
San Angelo, TX
Late night in San Angelo on Monday
Local time
3:29 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 0 to 10 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:26PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:25PM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
5 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 10m 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.
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
~55 min detour
Free
near mile 57.7
Park Closure: Texas White House Complex Closure
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This highway-focused drive relies heavily on TX 71, East State Highway 71, and United States Highway 87 to get you to your destination. With 95% of the journey taking place on highways, you will encounter long, steady stretches that allow for efficient travel. You should prepare for a significant 71.2-mile segment on U.S. 87, which serves as the longest uninterrupted stretch of the trip. The road personality remains consistent throughout, prioritizing direct movement across the plains over technical or winding local paths. Expect a balanced, straightforward experience that favors steady speeds over varied terrain.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 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?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Highway 87 and TX 71. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 209.2 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,052 ft
463 ft
Total Climb
1,664 ft
Total Descent
283 ft
Highest Point
2,052 ft
~164.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,589 ft
About the Cities
Arriving in San Angelo, TX
Full guide →San Angelo (pronounced "Snangelo" by locals) is a city in the Northern Edwards Plateau of Texas, on the Concho River. It is the home of Goodfellow Air Force Base, Angelo State University, and the Producer's Livestock Auction, the country's largest sheep and lamb market.
Top landmarks
- • Fort Concho — important US Army installation during the late American Indian Wars
- • Freeze Building — building in San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
- • Tom Green County Courthouse — building in San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
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 10m. Total distance: 209.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 10m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Yes — we found about 3 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 San Angelo, 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 3 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at San Angelo, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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