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Trip from Scissors, 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
Distance
308.9 mi
497 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$42
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 47m
★
6 AM
6h 0m
8 AM
6h 26m
10 AM
6h 9m
12 PM
6h 7m
3 PM
6h 11m
5 PM
6h 25m
8 PM
5h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Scissors, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Montopolis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
This 331.6-mile journey from Scissors, Texas, to Montopolis, Texas, will take approximately 5 hours and 6 minutes to complete. Given its manageable duration and the fact that it's entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, this route is well-suited for a single day of driving. You can expect to spend around $51 on fuel for this trip. The drive primarily utilizes local roads like Grande Street, Lott Road, and South Salinas Boulevard, suggesting a more intimate and less highway-centric experience. With only one recommended stop, you can tailor your pace to suit your needs, making it a flexible option for your travel plans.
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
154.5 miles from Scissors, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69C | 92 mi | 1h 43m |
| US 281 | 57.1 mi | 1h |
| King David Drive | 31.8 mi | 39m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| US Highway 183 South | 11.8 mi | 15m |
| Nueces Street | 11.1 mi | 14m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 69C
— 92 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Scissors, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on Cortez Street
0.1 mi
·
33 sec
·
Cortez Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto Grande Street
362 ft
·
17 sec
·
Grande Street
3
Turn right onto Lott Road
0.2 mi
·
57 sec
·
Lott Road
4
At end of road, turn left onto FM 493
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
South Salinas Boulevard
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto West Expressway 83
0.4 mi
·
39 sec
·
West Expressway 83
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
7
Merge onto I 2; US 83
7.8 mi
·
8 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 146A
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 69C
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 69C
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 281
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 281
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 69C; US 281
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
11 mi
·
14 min
·
Nueces Street
13
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi
·
39 min
·
King David Drive
14
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
15
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
16
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
17
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
18
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
19
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
20
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
21
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
22
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
24
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
9.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
Exit 460
Toward US 183 North: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on US 183
12 mi
·
15 min
·
US Highway 183 South
Use the left lane.
27
Continue on 183 Toll
0.7 mi
·
40 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 111
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
30
Continue on Loop 111
0.5 mi
·
42 sec
·
Airport Boulevard
31
Continue on US 183
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
·
Ed Bluestein Boulevard
32
Take the ramp
486 ft
·
11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
33
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Since this 331.6-mile drive can be completed in about 5 hours, it's an ideal candidate for a day trip. Consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight hours and avoid any potential afternoon congestion. With only one suggested stop, you have the flexibility to decide when and where you'd like to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you're primarily on local roads where services might be less frequent than on major interstates; budgeting around $51 for fuel should cover your needs. A practical tip for this specific route: familiarize yourself with the main roads like Grande Street, Lott Road, and South Salinas Boulevard before you go, as they will be your primary guides.
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 154.5 miles from Scissors, TX, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 92 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 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 154.5 miles or 2h 54m 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 53m
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 Scissors, 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 Scissors, TX
This is one driving day of about 308.9 miles and 6h.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 68 miles from Scissors, 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 I 69C for about 92 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
154 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 68 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 154.5 miles from Scissors, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69C if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92 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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Museum of South Texas History
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
First break
2.9 mi from route
~7 min detour
Edinburg, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19563836911
Visit websiteEdinburg Scenic Wetlands & World Birding Center
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.6 mi from route
~9 min detour
Edinburg, Texas
Hours: 8 am–6 pm
+19563819922
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 websiteGibson Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
3.7 mi from route
~9 min detour
Weslaco, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+19564473407
Visit websiteSouth Texas Motorcycle Museum
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, ~9 min detour
First break
3.5 mi from route
~9 min detour
Edinburg, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19562920770
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 0.1 and 307.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Grande Street
At end of road, turn left onto Grande Street
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
6
0.4 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
FM 493 / South Salinas Boulevard
At end of road, turn left onto FM 493 / South Salinas Boulevard
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
11.6 mi into trip
|
~17m in
Take the exit toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
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 146A
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
7
294.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m 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
307.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 57m 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
$42.31 one way
$84.62 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
108 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $47.26 | $94.52 |
| premium | $4.23 | $51.38 | $102.76 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $58.33 | $116.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 108.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 92.7 | 1 | $32.43 | $14.83 |
| Efficient EV | 77.2 | 0 | $27.03 | $12.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 123.6 | 1 | $43.25 | $19.77 |
Gas CO2
108 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.
Origin
Scissors, TX
Late night in Scissors on Sunday
Local time
3:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 17 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:10PM CDT until July 17 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
3:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:10PM CDT until July 17 at 5:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:26PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45PM 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
6 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
6h 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. The journey is characterized by frequent changes in direction rather than long, straight stretches. While there isn't a specified longest uninterrupted stretch, the 'turn-heavy' profile suggests you'll be navigating a series of local roads and potentially some county routes. This means you'll be more engaged with the immediate surroundings and the local Texas landscape as you make your way from Scissors to Montopolis.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 92 mi on I 69C.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69C and US 281. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near Grande Street.
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 17 significant decision points across 308.9 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 0.1 miles (Grande Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (FM 493 / South Salinas Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.6 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
578 ft
77 ft
Total Climb
795 ft
Total Descent
409 ft
Highest Point
578 ft
~286.9 mi in
Elevation Range
501 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 Scissors, TX to Montopolis, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
284.4 mi in
|
~5h 32m
About the Cities
Starting in Scissors, 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 6h. Total distance: 308.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 92 miles on I 69C. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 11 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 11 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (Grande Street): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 0.4 miles (FM 493 / South Salinas Boulevard): Lane positioning matters here; at 11.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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