Southlake, TX to Montopolis, TX is 211.3 miles and takes about 3h 51m via North South Freeway and I 35, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route spans the Great Plains region within Texas, offering a straightforward drive. With a highway share of 76%, expect a significant portion of your trip to be on major interstates. The single recommended stop suggests a brief pause to break up the drive. This trip is well-suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
105.6 miles from Southlake, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North South Freeway
85 mi
1h 28m
I 35
52.6 mi
54m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
Airport Freeway
9.5 mi
11m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
Precinct Line Road
4.9 mi
9m
Bergstrom Expressway
4.8 mi
5m
US 183
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
North South Freeway
— 85 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 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
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Southlake, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on FM 1709
1.0 mi·1 min·East Southlake Boulevard
2
Continue on FM 1709
2.1 mi·3 min·West Southlake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto FM 1938
1.9 mi·3 min·Davis Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto FM 3029
4.9 mi·9 min·Precinct Line Road
5
Turn right onto Airport Freeway
431 ft·8 sec·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward TX 121 South, TX 183 WestUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto TX 121; TX 183
2.3 mi·2 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121
0.2 mi·16 sec·Airport Freeway
Exit 25AToward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort WorthUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi·8 min·Airport Freeway
Exit 24BToward TX 121 South: Downtown, Ft WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·41 sec
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: WacoUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 35W; US 287; US 377
85 mi·1 hr 28 min·North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi·54 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 240BToward US 183: Lockhart, LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the slight left lane.
17
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi·2 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi·5 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton AvenueUse the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi·30 sec·Ed Bluestein Boulevard
21
Take the ramp
486 ft·11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
22
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 51m estimated drive time and 211.3 miles, leaving Southlake in the morning should allow ample time to arrive in Montopolis before evening. There's only one stop suggested, so you can be flexible with when and where you choose to take a break. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $31, and it's always wise to top off before a long highway stretch. The longest continuous highway segment is 85 miles on the North South Freeway, so plan your needs accordingly before embarking on that portion.
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 105.6 miles from Southlake, TX, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85 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 46 miles or 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.6 miles or 1h 59m 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 9m
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 Southlake, 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 Southlake, TX
This is one driving day of about 211.3 miles and 3h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Southlake, 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 North South Freeway for about 85 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 202.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the ramp toward TX 121 South, TX 183 West
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward TX 121 South, TX 183 West
9
12.5 mi into trip|~21m in|TX 121 / Airport Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121 / Airport Freeway toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
8
19.7 mi into trip|~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South:...
8
202.4 mi into trip|~3h 40m 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
202.6 mi into trip|~3h 40m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$28.94 one way
$57.88 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg74 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$32.33
$64.65
premium
$4.23
$35.15
$70.29
diesel
$4.80
$39.90
$79.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
63.4
0
$22.19
$10.14
Efficient EV
52.8
0
$18.49
$8.45
EV Truck/SUV
84.5
1
$29.58
$13.52
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Southlake, TX
Evening
in Southlake on Sunday
Local time
7:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 15 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:51PM CDT until July 18 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:47PM CDT until July 18 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Evening
in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
7:56 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:51PM CDT until July 18 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:47PM CDT until July 18 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
100°F
Italy, TX
106 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
3 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
3h 51m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway cruising, with 76% of the 211.3 miles on major roads like the North South Freeway and I 35. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 85 miles on the North South Freeway, which means extended periods of consistent speed. Expect a significant number of exits and merges as you navigate through urban and suburban areas along I 35. The transition from highway to surface roads will likely occur as you approach your destination in Montopolis.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85 mi on North South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North South Freeway and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 211.3 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 10 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
870 ft411 ft
Total Climb
916 ft
Total Descent
1,093 ft
Highest Point
870 ft
~166 mi in
Elevation Range
459 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Southlake, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Fort Worth and Ft Worth.
Southlake is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas. It was once chosen as the best place to live within the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 51m. Total distance: 211.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (76%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85 miles on North South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 10 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Montopolis, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
