This 221.2-mile drive from Terrell, TX to Montopolis, TX will take you approximately 3 hours and 55 minutes. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's perfectly suited for a single day of travel. With an estimated fuel cost of $33, it's an economical option for a quick getaway within the Great Plains region. You'll primarily be on South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35, covering 81% of the journey on highways. Plan for one stop along the way to break up the drive. This route offers a practical and efficient way to get from point A to point B.
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
110.6 miles from Terrell, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 58m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
80.3 mi
1h 22m
I 35
52.6 mi
54m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
I 20
18 mi
19m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
11.8 mi
12m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
Bergstrom Expressway
4.8 mi
5m
US 183
2.2 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 80.3 mi, about 1h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Terrell, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on Spur 226
148 ft·5 sec·South Virginia Street
2
Turn right
322 ft·15 sec
3
Turn right onto South Adelaide Street
189 ft·9 sec·South Adelaide Street
4
Turn left onto US 80
1.6 mi·2 min·East Moore Avenue
5
Turn left onto FM 148
2.1 mi·3 min·FM 148
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 20 West: Dallas
7
Merge onto I 20
18 mi·19 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 20
12 mi·12 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 467BToward I 35E South: WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35E
80 mi·1 hr 22 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi·54 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 240BToward US 183: Lockhart, LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi·2 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi·5 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton AvenueUse the slight right lane.
19
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi·30 sec·Ed Bluestein Boulevard
20
Take the ramp
486 ft·11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
21
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour and 55 minute duration, this trip is easily manageable as a single-day adventure. To make the most of it, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you get closer to Montopolis. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in where and when you choose to rest. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on South R L Thornton Freeway is over 80 miles. While the route is highway-intensive, plan for a brief stop to stretch your legs and grab a snack before completing the final leg.
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 110.6 miles from Terrell, TX, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 80.3 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 55m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 110.6 miles or 1h 58m 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 12m
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 Terrell, 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 Terrell, TX
This is one driving day of about 221.2 miles and 3h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 49 miles from Terrell, 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 80.3 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 33.8 and 220.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
33.8 mi into trip|~38m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
6
159.6 mi into trip|~2h 49m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
212.3 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
212.5 mi into trip|~3h 44m 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
220.4 mi into trip|~3h 54m 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
$33.42 one way
$66.85 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg77 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$36.59
$73.17
premium
$4.54
$39.49
$78.99
diesel
$5.61
$48.84
$97.68
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 77.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
66.4
0
$23.23
$10.62
Efficient EV
55.3
0
$19.35
$8.85
EV Truck/SUV
88.5
1
$30.97
$14.16
Gas CO2
77 kg
EV CO2
26 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Terrell, TX
Late night
in Terrell on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night
in Montopolis on Tuesday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 16 at 11:33PM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 16 at 11:33PM CDT until April 19 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
10 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 55m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 114.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused experience on this route, with 81% of the drive utilizing major roadways like South R L Thornton Freeway and I 35. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 80.3 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, so be prepared for sustained highway driving. While the profile is primarily highway, the transition between these main roads will shape the feel of the drive. This isn't a winding scenic route, but rather a direct path designed for efficient travel across the Texas landscape.
81% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 80.3 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 33.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 221.2 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 33.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 55m. Total distance: 221.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (81%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 80.3 miles on South R L Thornton 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 33.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.6 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 212.3 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 hours — manageable with a long break at Montopolis, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
