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Trip from Ricardo, 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
4h 32m
Distance
223.5 mi
360 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
4h 19m
★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 41m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 57m
8 PM
4h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ricardo, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Ricardo, TX to Montopolis, TX is 223.5 miles and takes about 4h 32m via US 281 and State Highway 80 North, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region of Texas for the entire trip. This drive primarily uses major highways, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. Given the relatively short duration and manageable distance, it offers flexibility for departure times and stops along the way.
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
111.7 miles from Ricardo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 281 | 54.2 mi | 1h 1m |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| West King Avenue | 14.5 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 183 South | 11.8 mi | 15m |
| Nueces Street | 11.1 mi | 14m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
US 281
— 54.2 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ricardo, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on FM 1118
132 ft
·
10 sec
·
Farm to Market Road 1118
2
Turn left
2.2 mi
·
5 min
3
Turn left onto FM 772
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
FM 772
4
Turn straight onto US 77 Business
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
South 6th Street
5
Turn left onto TX 141
14 mi
·
17 min
·
West King Avenue
6
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge onto US 281
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 281
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
9
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
10
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
11
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
12
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
13
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
14
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
15
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
16
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
17
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
18
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
20
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
9.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 460
Toward US 183 North: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on US 183
12 mi
·
15 min
·
US Highway 183 South
Use the left lane.
23
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
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.
25
Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 111
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
26
Continue on Loop 111
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
27
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi
·
8 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
With a total drive time of around 4 hours and 32 minutes, this trip is easily doable in a single day. Consider leaving mid-morning to allow for a relaxed start and to avoid the earliest rush hour traffic. The fuel cost is estimated at $32, so ensure your tank is topped off before departing. The longest stretch without a significant change in major roadway is 54.2 miles on US 281, so plan your comfort breaks accordingly before hitting that segment.
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 111.7 miles from Ricardo, TX, or about 2h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.2 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 49 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 111.7 miles or 2h 18m 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 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 Ricardo, 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 Ricardo, TX
This is one driving day of about 223.5 miles and 4h 32m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Ricardo, 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 US 281 for about 54.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
112 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 49 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 111.7 miles from Ricardo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.8 mi from route
Austin 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 websiteDick Kleberg Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Kingsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+13612218705
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 0 and 222 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Turn left
Navigation decision point
6
198.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
5
199.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 4m in
|
TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge onto TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
209.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
Take the exit toward US 183 North: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 460
Toward US 183 North: Austin
7
222 mi into trip
|
~4h 29m 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
$30.61 one way
$61.22 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
78 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $34.19 | $68.39 |
| premium | $4.23 | $37.18 | $74.35 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $42.20 | $84.40 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 78.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 67.1 | 0 | $23.47 | $10.73 |
| Efficient EV | 55.9 | 0 | $19.56 | $8.94 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 89.4 | 1 | $31.29 | $14.30 |
Gas CO2
78 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
Ricardo, TX
Evening in Ricardo on Monday
Local time
6:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Partly Sunny
SE 20 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:52PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:11PM CDT until July 20 at 7:21AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Evening in Montopolis on Monday
Local time
6:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 2:52PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 2:11PM CDT until July 20 at 7:21AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 32m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 63% of the drive on main roads like US 281 and State Highway 80 North. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 54.2 miles on US 281 before transitioning to surface roads. Expect a good amount of rural cruising as you cover the 223.5 miles, with the highway portion likely featuring fewer exits and more open stretches.
63% 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: 54.2 mi on US 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 and King David Drive. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 223.5 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: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 198.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.4 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
601 ft
53 ft
Total Climb
905 ft
Total Descent
495 ft
Highest Point
601 ft
~207.5 mi in
Elevation Range
548 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.
On the drive from Ricardo, TX to Montopolis, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
198.9 mi in
|
~4h 3m
About the Cities
Starting in Ricardo, TX
Full guide →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 32m. Total distance: 223.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.2 miles on US 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 5 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 5 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start: Navigation decision point; at 198.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 199.4 miles (TX 130 Toll / Pickle Parkway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Montopolis, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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