Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Pecos, TX to Montopolis, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 54m
Distance
395.8 mi
637 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 43m
★
6 AM
6h 55m
8 AM
7h 18m
10 AM
7h 3m
12 PM
7h 1m
3 PM
7h 4m
5 PM
7h 17m
8 PM
6h 48m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pecos, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Pecos, TX to Montopolis, TX is 395.8 miles and takes about 6h 54m via La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor and East US Highway 290, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a drive that's primarily on major highways but includes some stretches on local roads. With a recommended one-day drive, you'll find the journey to be a mixed experience, making it a straightforward option for getting from point A to point B without extensive planning. You can expect a fairly direct path across Texas.
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
197.9 miles from Pecos, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor | 219.2 mi | 3h 25m |
| East US Highway 290 | 58.1 mi | 1h 8m |
| South Cedar Street | 51.1 mi | 58m |
| US Highway 290 | 39 mi | 42m |
| US 290 | 11.3 mi | 12m |
| South US Highway 281 | 5.4 mi | 6m |
| West Main Street | 4.6 mi | 9m |
| West US Highway 290 | 2.3 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
— 219.2 mi, about 3h 25m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~487 veh/hr typical · worst 873
Quietest
3 AM
~90 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.4×
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 Pecos, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on East 6th Street
67 ft
·
4 sec
·
East 6th Street
2
Turn right onto US 285
51 mi
·
58 min
·
South Cedar Street
3
Turn left onto Interstate 10 West
425 ft
·
11 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
5
Merge onto I 10; US 67
219 mi
·
3 hr 25 min
·
La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor
6
Take the exit
1.1 mi
·
2 min
Exit 477
Toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg
7
Continue on US 290
39 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 290
8
Continue on US 290; US 87
3.5 mi
·
7 min
·
West Main Street
9
Continue on US 290
27 mi
·
30 min
·
East US Highway 290
10
Continue on US 290
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
11
Take the exit onto US 290
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
US 290
12
Merge onto US 281; US 290
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
South US Highway 281
13
Turn slight left onto US 290
31 mi
·
37 min
·
East US Highway 290
Toward US 290: Austin
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 290
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
West US Highway 290
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
16
Continue on West US Highway 290
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West US Highway 290
17
Continue on US 290; TX 71
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US 290; TX 71
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
53 sec
Toward US 183 North
Use the right lane.
19
Merge onto US 183
0.9 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 183
20
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
Use the right lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 111
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
23
Continue on Loop 111
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
24
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
25
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
26
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Given that this drive is manageable in a single day, leaving Pecos, TX in the morning allows for a comfortable arrival in Montopolis, TX with daylight to spare. The longest stretch without a major change in road is over 200 miles, so plan your fuel stops accordingly, especially since the estimated fuel cost is around $60. While there's only one recommended stop, you might consider breaking up the 6-hour, 54-minute drive a bit earlier to stretch your legs or grab a quick bite. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the latter half of the drive, as services can sometimes be spaced out on these longer Texas routes.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 197.9 miles from Pecos, TX, or about 3h 16m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 219.2 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 87 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.9 miles or 3h 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 5h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montopolis, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Pecos, 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 Pecos, TX
This is one driving day of about 395.8 miles and 6h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Pecos, 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 La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor for about 219.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
198 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 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 197.9 miles from Pecos, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 219.2 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.
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Parking Area
0 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Gillespie County US 290 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
Sutton County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Sutton County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Gillespie County Ranch Road 1 Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
East Pecos County Sheffield Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Parking Area
0.2 mi from route
Parking Area
0.2 mi from route
Parking Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
East Pecos County Sheffield Westbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.9 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.1 mi from route
West of the Pecos Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Pecos, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+14324455076
Visit websitePioneer Museum
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Fredericksburg, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18309908441
Visit websiteMaxey Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
Pecos, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+14324452421
James Rooney Memorial Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Fort Stockton, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+14323365085
Visit websiteSchreiner Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Final third
3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Junction, Texas
+13254463880
Visit websitePaisano Pete
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Fort Stockton, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18003362166
Annie Riggs Memorial Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
3.2 mi from route
~8 min detour
Fort Stockton, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14323362167
Visit websiteHistoric Fort Stockton
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
First break
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Fort Stockton, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14323362400
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 155 decision points cluster between mile 51.1 and 394.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
51.1 mi into trip
|
~58m in
|
Interstate 10 West
Turn left onto Interstate 10 West
Navigation decision point
4
51.2 mi into trip
|
~58m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Navigation decision point
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
5
270.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 24m in
Take the exit toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 477
Toward US 290 East: Fredericksburg
6
392.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 49m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward US 183 North
7
394.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 52m in
Take the exit toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 7th Street, Airport Boulevard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward Loop 111: Cesar Chavez Street, 5th Stree...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.21 one way
$108.42 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $60.55 | $121.11 |
| premium | $4.23 | $65.84 | $131.67 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $74.73 | $149.47 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$54
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$79–$104
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 118.7 | 1 | $41.56 | $19.00 |
| Efficient EV | 99 | 1 | $34.63 | $15.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.3 | 1 | $55.41 | $25.33 |
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Origin
Pecos, TX
Morning in Pecos on Sunday
Local time
9:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 to 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Morning in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
9:45 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
SE 5 mph
20% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM 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
8 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
6h 54m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Free
near mile 327.3
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 route presents a mixed drive, with about 30% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a significant uninterrupted stretch of 219.2 miles along the La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor, which likely offers a consistent pace. As you progress, the drive transitions through East US Highway 290 and eventually South Cedar Street, suggesting a shift from more open highway conditions to potentially more local traffic and varied road types. Expect an experience that balances faster travel with more urban or town-based driving segments.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 219.2 mi on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 51.1 miles in near Interstate 10 West.
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 395.8 miles you will encounter 15 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 51.1 miles (Interstate 10 West): Navigation decision point; at 51.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 270.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,967 ft
463 ft
Total Climb
752 ft
Total Descent
2,873 ft
Highest Point
2,967 ft
~56.5 mi in
Elevation Range
2,504 ft
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Bennu Coffee
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.1 mi from route
~8 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: 24/7
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Th 06:00-13:00; Fr,Sa 06:00-16:00; Su...
Visit websiteRevolución Coffee + Juice
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-19:00
Visit websiteLe Café Crêpe
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Austin, TX
Cuisine: crepe;french
Hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-15:00; Su 08:00-15:00
Visit websiteBennu Coffee Shop
Cafe
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.4 mi from route
~9 min detour
Austin
Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-01:00
Visit websiteEl Chilito Cafe y Cantina
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Cuisine: mexican
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-21:00
Pizza Hut Wing Street
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
Golden Palace Chinese Buffet
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
DQ Grill & Chill
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Pecos, TX
Cuisine: ice_cream;burger
Visit websiteAlfredo's Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Sonic
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: burger
La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Buck Jackson Rodeo Arena
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Pecos, TX
South Congress Bat Colony
Attraction
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
West of the Pecos Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Pecos, TX
Visit websiteGeorge R. Reeves
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Alamo Letter Statue
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
First Christian Church
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
First Baptist Church of Pecos City
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Philipp Hartmann Family Cemetery
Memorial
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corporate Hospitality Housing - Stonegate at Pecos
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
1.7 mi from route
~4 min detour
Pecos, TX
Hours: 24/7
Visit websiteCorporate Hospitality Housing - Pecos
Hotel
Near the start, short detour
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Pecos, TX
Hours: 24/7
Visit websitePoints of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
About the Cities
Starting in Pecos, TX
Full guide →Pecos is a town in the Trans-Pecos region of Texas. The town claims to have been the site of the first rodeo, on July 4, 1883.
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 6h 54m. Total distance: 395.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 54m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 219.2 miles on La Entrada al Pacifico Corridor. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Montopolis, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 51.1 miles (Interstate 10 West): Navigation decision point; at 51.2 miles: Navigation decision point; at 270.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Yes — Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Montopolis, TX before the return drive.
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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