Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Montopolis, TX to The Colony, 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 4m
Distance
225.6 mi
363 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 52m
★
6 AM
4h 5m
8 AM
4h 31m
10 AM
4h 14m
12 PM
4h 11m
3 PM
4h 15m
5 PM
4h 30m
8 PM
3h 57m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
The Colony, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
Montopolis, TX to The Colony, TX is 225.6 miles and takes about 4h 4m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $35 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. You'll encounter a mix of highway and surface road driving, making it a practical option for a single-day excursion. With a recommended one-day trip, you have flexibility to depart when it suits you best. The route offers a straightforward path between these two Texas locations.
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
112.8 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 122.8 mi | 2h 6m |
| I 35E | 59.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 17 mi | 19m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 7 mi | 6m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| US 183 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Windhaven Parkway | 2.1 mi | 4m |
| Plano Parkway | 1.6 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 122.8 mi, about 2h 6m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,150 veh/hr typical · worst 4,876
Quietest
2 AM
~684 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
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 The Colony, 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
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Take the exit
136 ft
·
10 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Turn sharp left onto US 183
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 183 South
6
Continue on 183 Toll
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 183
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
475 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 35, Loop 275: Waco, Lamar Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35 South, Loop 275: Lamar Boulevard
10
Turn straight onto East Anderson Lane
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Anderson Lane
11
Turn right onto North Interstate 35
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Interstate 35
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 35 North
13
Merge onto I 35
90 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
17
Take the exit
411 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
18
Keep slight right at fork
468 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto Oak Lawn Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Oak Lawn Avenue
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward DNT North
21
Merge onto DNT
17 mi
·
19 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward Windhaven Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Turn straight onto CR 13
0.4 mi
·
40 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
24
Turn left onto Windhaven Parkway
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Windhaven Parkway
Use the straight / left lanes.
25
Turn right onto Plano Parkway
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Plano Parkway
Use the left lane.
26
Continue on Paige Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Paige Road
Use the straight lane.
27
Turn left onto Worley Drive
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Worley Drive
28
At end of road, turn right onto Clover Valley Drive
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Clover Valley Drive
29
At end of road, turn right onto Blair Oaks Drive
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
Blair Oaks Drive
30
Turn right
208 ft
·
15 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 4-hour drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize your daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach the Dallas area. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $35, this is a manageable one-day trip. The longest stretch on surface roads is 122.8 miles, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly before hitting the highways. Keep an eye on your GPS for the transition between the Purple Heart Trail and I 35E to ensure a smooth continuation of your drive.
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 112.8 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.8 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 50 miles or 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 112.8 miles or 1h 59m 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 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near The Colony, 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 225.6 miles and 4h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 122.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
113 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 50 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 112.8 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.8 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.
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Kids Colony
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
The Colony, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
+19726251106
Visit websitePioneer Farms
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 10 am–2 pm
+15128371215
Visit websiteAndretti Indoor Karting & Games The Colony
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
The Colony, Texas
Hours: 11 am–11 pm
+14695273278
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
2.8 mi from route
~7 min detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
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 websiteOak Hills Splash Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Carrollton, Texas
Hours: 9 am–8 pm
+19724663080
Visit websiteVisit Frisco
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Frisco, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19722925250
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, ~12 min detour
Halfway reset
4.9 mi from route
~12 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 11.3 and 202.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 35, Loop 275: Waco, Lamar Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35, Loop 275: Waco, Lamar Boulevard
7
11.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 South, Loop 275: Lamar Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, Loop 275: Lamar Boulevard
7
142.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 29m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
202.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Take the exit toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
7
202.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.90 one way
$61.80 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
79 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $34.52 | $69.03 |
| premium | $4.23 | $37.53 | $75.05 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $42.60 | $85.20 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.36
Dallas North Tollway
(17 mi)
$1.36
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
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.7 | 0 | $23.69 | $10.83 |
| Efficient EV | 56.4 | 0 | $19.74 | $9.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.58 | $14.44 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
26 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 Monday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 12:27PM CDT until July 20 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
The Colony, TX
Late night in The Colony on Monday
Local time
5:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 12:27PM CDT until July 20 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Italy, TX
113 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 4m 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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 108.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 36% highway, with the longest continuous stretch on surface roads covering 122.8 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. You'll transition from primarily surface roads to more highway driving as you progress. Expect a mixed driving experience, moving from potentially more local traffic on the initial 122.8 miles to faster speeds on I 35E. The final section into The Colony will likely involve more urban merging and traffic.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.8 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.3 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 23 significant decision points across 225.6 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 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
904 ft
462 ft
Total Climb
1,059 ft
Total Descent
935 ft
Highest Point
904 ft
~48.3 mi in
Elevation Range
441 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.
Between Montopolis, TX and The Colony, TX, road signs point toward Loop 275: Waco and Dnt North.
Loop 275: Waco
11.3 mi in
|
~12m
Dnt North
202.5 mi in
|
~3h 32m
About the Cities
Arriving in The Colony, TX
Full guide →Founded 1969
The Colony, City by the Lake, is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas, less than 30 miles from Downtown Dallas. Best known for beautiful views of Lake Lewisville, The Colony extends 23 miles along its eastern shoreline, with hundreds of acres of wildlife and a myriad of recreational opportunities including camping, fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, picnicking and cycling.
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 4m. Total distance: 225.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 4m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.8 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.36 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North 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 24 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 The Colony, 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 142.8 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.2 hours — manageable with a long break at The Colony, 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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