Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Saint Paul, TX to Montopolis, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 9m
Distance
227.2 mi
366 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 56m
★
6 AM
4h 10m
8 AM
4h 36m
10 AM
4h 19m
12 PM
4h 16m
3 PM
4h 20m
5 PM
4h 34m
8 PM
4h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Saint Paul, TX
Eddie O.
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Saint Paul, TX to Montopolis, TX is 227.2 miles and takes about 4h 9m via South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35, with a fuel budget near $33 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. With most of the drive on highways, expect a fairly straightforward trip. This route is a solid option if you're looking for a direct way to cover a good chunk of Texas without a lot of complex navigation.
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
113.6 miles from Saint Paul, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 35 | 52.6 mi | 54m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| I 30 | 14.9 mi | 17m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| President George Bush Turnpike | 6.2 mi | 6m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| North Ballard Avenue | 2.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,960 veh/hr typical · worst 4,736
Quietest
2 AM
~598 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Saint Paul, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on FM 2514
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Parker Road
2
Continue on FM 2514
2.6 mi
·
5 min
·
North Ballard Avenue
3
Continue on Sachse Road
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Sachse Road
4
Turn left onto Merritt Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
Merritt Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
Toward PGBT Toll East
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
6
Merge onto PGBT
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
President George Bush Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 30 West: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 30; US 67
15 mi
·
17 min
·
I 30; US 67
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 46A
Toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
12
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Use the left / right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
15
Continue on I 35E
89 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426
Toward Dallas Zoo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi
·
54 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 240B
Toward US 183: Lockhart, Lampasas
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the slight left lane.
21
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi
·
30 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
For this 4h 9m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid any potential rush hour congestion, especially as you approach Montopolis. Since it's a single-day trip, you only have one stop officially planned, but with a duration under five hours, you can be flexible. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a major change in road is nearly 90 miles. Plan your fuel stop accordingly to stay comfortable and within your estimated $33 budget.
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 113.6 miles from Saint Paul, TX, or about 2h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 113.6 miles or 2h 8m 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 24m
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 Saint Paul, 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 Saint Paul, TX
This is one driving day of about 227.2 miles and 4h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 50 miles from Saint Paul, 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 South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
114 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 113.6 miles from Saint Paul, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 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.
Hill County Northbound 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
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 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
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
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
Service Plaza
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
City Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.2 mi from route
~6 min detour
Dallas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19724823055
Visit websiteIn-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue & Educational Center
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
3.4 mi from route
~8 min detour
Wylie, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19724426888
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 websiteJim Hogg Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, ~12 min detour
Home stretch
4.8 mi from route
~12 min detour
Georgetown, Texas
+15129305253
Visit websiteVillage of Salado Visitors Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Later in the drive, ~11 min detour
Final third
4.2 mi from route
~11 min detour
Salado, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12549478634
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 14.3 and 218.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.3 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 30: Texarkana, Dallas
7
14.4 mi into trip
|
~22m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 30 West: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 30 West: Dallas
8
30.1 mi into trip
|
~41m in
Take the exit toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
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 46A
Toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
9
30.8 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
8
218.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 57m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.11 one way
$68.21 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
80 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $37.74 | $75.48 |
| premium | $4.57 | $40.83 | $81.67 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $56.14 | $112.28 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.49
President George Bush Turnpike
(6.2 mi)
$0.49
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
$34
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 79.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $24 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 68.2 | 0 | $23.86 | $10.91 |
| Efficient EV | 56.8 | 0 | $19.88 | $9.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 90.9 | 1 | $31.81 | $14.54 |
Gas CO2
79 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (66% 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
Saint Paul, TX
Night in Saint Paul on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Night in Montopolis on Saturday
Local time
11:42 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Mostly Sunny
ENE 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
60°F
Italy, TX
114 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
20 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 9m 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
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 117.5
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 mostly highway, with 78% of the 227.2 miles on interstates. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway before needing to navigate to other major roads like I 35. Expect a significant amount of highway driving with frequent exits and merges as you pass through populated areas.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.3 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 18 significant decision points across 227.2 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 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
819 ft
463 ft
Total Climb
767 ft
Total Descent
872 ft
Highest Point
819 ft
~210.9 mi in
Elevation Range
356 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 Saint Paul, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Dallas, Waco, Denton and Dallas Zoo.
Dallas
14.3 mi in
|
~22m
Waco
30.1 mi in
|
~41m
Denton
30.7 mi in
|
~43m
Dallas Zoo
31.7 mi in
|
~44m
|
via I 35E
About the Cities
Starting in Saint Paul, TX
Full guide →“Apostle of the Gentiles”
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 9m. Total distance: 227.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.49 in tolls one way, starting with President George Bush Turnpike. 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 26 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 26 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 30.1 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 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, 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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