Origin
Montopolis, TX
Afternoon in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
4:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 51m
Distance
329.4 mi
530 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scissors, TX
Wikimedia Commons
The drive from Montopolis, TX to Scissors, TX covers 329.4 miles and takes about 5h 51m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Nueces Street, I 37, Falfurrias Expressway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 66.2 miles on South Nueces Street. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.77 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
164.7 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 50m into the drive .
| 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 69C | 27.9 mi | 30m |
| US 281 South | 15.2 mi | 19m |
| Bastrop Highway | 11.7 mi | 15m |
Step-by-step road directions between Montopolis, TX and Scissors, TX.
Start on this road
Merge onto 183 Toll
Continue on US 183
Take the ramp
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
Continue on I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410
Merge onto I 410; TX 130
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 37
Take the exit onto US 281 South
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69C; US 281
Merge onto I 2 East; US 83 East
Continue on I 2; US 83
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Expressway 83
Turn right onto FM 493
Turn right onto Lott Road
Turn left onto Grande Street
Turn right onto Cortez Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 72 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 164.7 miles or 2h 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 4h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Scissors, TX than in the middle of the route.
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 329.4 miles and 5h 51m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
165 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.
A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 164.7 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.
5 decision points cluster between mile 50.2 and 325.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FM 493: Salinas Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$49.77 one way
$99.55 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $54.48 | $108.96 |
| premium | $4.54 | $58.81 | $117.62 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $72.73 | $145.45 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 115.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 98.8 | 1 | $34.59 | $15.81 |
| Efficient EV | 82.4 | 0 | $28.82 | $13.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 131.8 | 1 | $46.12 | $21.08 |
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
4:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Scissors on Sunday
Local time
4:41 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
329.4 mi in 5h 51m, mostly highway — 66.2 mi of that is on South Nueces Street.
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.
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 23 significant decision points across 329.4 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 91.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Montopolis, TX to Scissors, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Corpus Christi along the way.
Corpus Christi
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 51m. Total distance: 329.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (72%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from Montopolis, TX or browse trips ending in Scissors, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.