Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Quanah, TX to Montopolis, 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
6h 47m
Distance
384.2 mi
618 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 35m
★
6 AM
6h 47m
8 AM
7h 11m
10 AM
6h 55m
12 PM
6h 53m
3 PM
6h 57m
5 PM
7h 9m
8 PM
6h 40m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Quanah, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Quanah, TX to Montopolis, TX is 384.2 miles and takes about 6h 47m via Central East Freeway, North South Freeway, and US Highway 287 East, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive. With 88% of the route on highways, you'll experience efficient travel for most of the 384.2 miles. This one-day drive is manageable, so you can leave when you're ready, but plan for a full day of travel.
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
192.1 miles from Quanah, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 24m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Central East Freeway | 99.2 mi | 1h 46m |
| North South Freeway | 84.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| US Highway 287 East | 66.2 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 35 | 52.6 mi | 54m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Northwest Freeway | 5.2 mi | 5m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Central East Freeway
— 99.2 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,227 veh/hr typical · worst 3,978
Quietest
2 AM
~510 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Quanah, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on Spur 133
234 ft
·
8 sec
·
West 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto TX 6
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 287
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East 11th Street
4
Continue on US 287
26 mi
·
26 min
·
US Highway 287 East
5
Continue on US 287
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on US 70; US 183; US 287
41 mi
·
42 min
·
US Highway 287 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Northwest Freeway
8
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
Northwest Freeway
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
9
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
11
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
12
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
1.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Central East Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287
97 mi
·
1 hr 43 min
·
Central East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on US 81; US 287
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
US 81; US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 35W Express Toll South
Use the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
4.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Merge onto I 35W
85 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi
·
54 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 240B
Toward US 183: Lockhart, Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the slight left lane.
24
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
28
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
29
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 47m estimated drive time, leaving Quanah, TX in the morning allows you to reach Montopolis, TX with ample daylight. You'll have about 384.2 miles to cover, with most of it on major roadways like US Highway 287 East. While there's only one recommended stop, you might want to take breaks as needed, especially during the 99.2-mile stretch on Central East Freeway. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $56, and it's wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments.
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 192.1 miles from Quanah, TX, or about 3h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.2 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 85 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192.1 miles or 3h 24m 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 42m
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 Quanah, 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 Quanah, TX
This is one driving day of about 384.2 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 miles from Quanah, 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 Central East Freeway for about 99.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
192 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 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 192.1 miles from Quanah, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Central East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.2 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.
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Wise County Northbound
0 mi from route
Wichita County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls
0 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Northbound
0.1 mi from route
Safety Rest Areas: Hardeman County Southbound
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Wichita County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Fort Worth Herd
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 11:30 am–4 pm
+18173364373
Visit websiteManiac’s Mansion (TAG’s)
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Wichita Falls, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+19402575543
Visit websiteMuseum of North Texas History
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
2.3 mi from route
~6 min detour
Wichita Falls, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19403227628
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~5 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websiteAustin Bat Tours
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, ~9 min detour
Home stretch
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Austin, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
Visit websiteForest Park Miniature Railroad
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour
Halfway reset
3.9 mi from route
~10 min detour
Fort Worth, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18179665509
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 175 decision points cluster between mile 76.7 and 383.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
76.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 20m in
|
US 287 / Northwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...
6
83.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 28m in
|
US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
375.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 35m in
Take the exit toward US 183: Lockhart, Lampasas
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 240B
Toward US 183: Lockhart, Lampasas
7
375.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 36m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
7
383.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 45m in
Take the exit toward Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue
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 Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.62 one way
$105.25 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $58.78 | $117.56 |
| premium | $4.23 | $63.91 | $127.81 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $72.54 | $145.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115.3 | 1 | $40.34 | $18.44 |
| Efficient EV | 96.1 | 1 | $33.62 | $15.37 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153.7 | 1 | $53.79 | $24.59 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Quanah, TX
Late night in Quanah on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 9 to 15 mph
24% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 11:58PM CDT until July 17 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
12:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 5 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 11:58PM CDT until July 17 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM 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
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
6h 47m 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.
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 278.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 88% of this 384.2-mile route, primarily using Central East Freeway, North South Freeway, and US Highway 287 East. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. Expect mostly highway cruising, with the transition to surface roads occurring after this extensive highway segment. The route profile is described as mostly highway, indicating a consistent driving experience for the majority of the trip.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.2 mi on Central East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Central East Freeway and North South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 76.7 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 384.2 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 76.7 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.3 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 375.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,570 ft
463 ft
Total Climb
0 ft
Total Descent
1,107 ft
Highest Point
1,570 ft
Elevation Range
1,107 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Quanah, TX
Full guide →Quanah is a small town in the North Central Plains region of 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 6h 47m. Total distance: 384.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.2 miles on Central East Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 36 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 76.7 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 83.3 miles (US 82; US 287 / Central East Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 375.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. 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 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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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