Montopolis, TX to Waskom, TX is 311.2 miles and takes about 5h 46m via Purple Heart Trail and US 259, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. With a highway share of 47%, expect a mix of faster travel and more local road cruising. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, making it an efficient option for moving between these two points.
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
155.6 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,599 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,284
Quietest
2 AM
~572 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 104 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 Waskom, 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 BoulevardUse 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
6.0 mi·6 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 338Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi·30 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
17
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi·52 sec·East Waco Drive
18
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
19
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi·3 min·East US Highway 84
20
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
21
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
22
Continue on TX 31
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 31
23
Turn right onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
24
Turn right onto TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·East State Highway 31
25
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·Northeast 2nd Street
26
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi·6 min·West Royall Boulevard
27
Continue on TX 31
4.1 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
28
Turn left onto TX 31
0.2 mi·34 sec·TX 31
29
Merge onto TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
30
Take the exit onto TX 31
0.3 mi·46 sec·TX 31
31
Turn left onto TX 31
21 mi·24 min·State Highway 31 East
32
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·West Highway 31
33
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 West
34
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi·2 min·Chandler Highway
35
Continue on TX 31
29 mi·34 min·West Front Street
36
Turn left onto US 259 Business; TX 31
1.4 mi·1 min·US Highway 259 Business North
37
Continue on US 259; TX 31
0.7 mi·44 sec·US Highway 259 North
38
Take the exit onto US 259
44 mi·46 min·US 259
Toward I 20 East: ShreveportUse the straight lane.
39
Take the exit onto US 80
0.2 mi·31 sec·US 80
Toward US 80, FM 9, FM 134: Waskom
40
Continue on US 80
377 ft·12 sec·South Interstate 20 West
41
Turn left onto US 80
0.1 mi·16 sec·US 80
42
Turn right onto US 80
1.6 mi·2 min·West Texas Avenue
43
Turn right onto South Lake Street
105 ft·4 sec·South Lake Street
44
Arrive at destination
South Lake Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 46m estimated drive time, leaving Montopolis in the morning will allow you to reach Waskom well before sunset. Plan for one stop to break up the 311.2 miles; the longest stretch without a road change is nearly 90 miles, so a break around that point might be ideal. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you transition away from highway driving, as services can be more spaced out on surface roads. The estimated fuel cost of $43 should give you a good baseline for budgeting.
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 155.6 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.8 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 68 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 155.6 miles or 2h 48m 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 Waskom, 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 311.2 miles and 5h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 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 89.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 24
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.9 and 265.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.9 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
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
8
109.2 mi into trip|~1h 55m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
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 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
6
265.3 mi into trip|~4h 55m in|US 259
Take the exit onto US 259 toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 20 East: Shreveport
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.65 one way
$95.30 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg109 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$52.59
$105.17
premium
$4.64
$56.82
$113.65
diesel
$6.18
$75.70
$151.41
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
93.4
1
$32.68
$14.94
Efficient EV
77.8
0
$27.23
$12.45
EV Truck/SUV
124.5
1
$43.57
$19.92
Gas CO2
109 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Forecast as of Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Montopolis, TX
Afternoon
in Montopolis on Saturday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
51°F
Partly Cloudy
N 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Waskom, TX
Afternoon
in Waskom on Saturday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
65°F
Italy, TX
156 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
6 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
5h 46m 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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 107.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 47% of this drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 89.8 miles on Purple Heart Trail. After this, you'll transition to other roads like US 259 and State Highway 31, indicating a shift from potentially faster highway speeds to more varied surface road conditions. Be prepared for a mixed driving experience as you move between highway segments and surface roads.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.8 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 311.2 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 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 46m. Total distance: 311.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.8 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Waskom, 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 15 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.8 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waskom, TX before the return drive.
