Texarkana, TX to Montopolis, TX is 375.3 miles and takes about 6h 35m via I 30 and I 35, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, beginning in the Great Plains region and ending in the same area. It's a largely highway route, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. You'll spend most of your time on major interstates, so pack some good audiobooks or podcasts for the longer stretches.
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
187.7 miles from Texarkana, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 18m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 30
173.3 mi
2h 58m
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
I 35
52.6 mi
54m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi
7m
Bergstrom Expressway
4.8 mi
5m
US 183
2.2 mi
2m
New Boston Road
2.1 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
I 30
— 173.3 mi, about 2h 58m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 34 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,060 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,722
Quietest
2 AM
~607 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 51 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 Texarkana, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on US 67; US 82
298 ft·10 sec·West 7th Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
384 ft·15 sec·Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 67; US 82
0.8 mi·1 min·West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard
4
Turn right onto TX 93
0.8 mi·1 min·Summerhill Road
5
Turn left onto US 82
2.1 mi·3 min·New Boston Road
Use the left lane.
6
Turn right onto Sowell Lane
474 ft·9 sec·Sowell Lane
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
8
Merge onto I 369; US 59
0.2 mi·15 sec·Jarvis Parkway
9
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·46 sec
Toward I 30 West: Dallas
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·51 sec
11
Merge onto I 30
173 mi·2 hr 58 min·I 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 46AToward I 35E: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
14
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E South: WacoUse the left / right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
17
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi·54 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 240BToward US 183: Lockhart, LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi·2 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi·5 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton AvenueUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi·30 sec·Ed Bluestein Boulevard
27
Take the ramp
486 ft·11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
28
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 35m estimated drive time, leaving Texarkana in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Montopolis before dark. While this route is manageable in one day, consider a brief stop around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without major services might be the 173.3 miles on I 30. With a fuel cost estimate of $55, you can budget accordingly. Enjoy the efficiency of this primarily interstate drive.
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 187.7 miles from Texarkana, TX, or about 3h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 173.3 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 83 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.7 miles or 3h 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 5h 30m
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 Texarkana, 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 Texarkana, TX
This is one driving day of about 375.3 miles and 6h 35m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Texarkana, 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 30 for about 173.3 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 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 178.3 and 366.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
178.3 mi into trip|~3h 7m 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
179 mi into trip|~3h 8m 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
7
179 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Waco
8
366.4 mi into trip|~6h 23m 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
366.7 mi into trip|~6h 24m 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
$51.40 one way
$102.81 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg131 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$57.42
$114.84
premium
$4.23
$62.43
$124.85
diesel
$4.80
$70.86
$141.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
112.6
1
$39.41
$18.01
Efficient EV
93.8
1
$32.84
$15.01
EV Truck/SUV
150.1
1
$52.54
$24.02
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Texarkana, TX
Late night
in Texarkana on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Late night
in Montopolis on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
1 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
6h 35m 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.
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
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 271.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for 88% of this 375.3-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 173.3 miles along I 30. Expect to encounter a high volume of exits and potential merging traffic as you transition between I 30 and I 35, particularly as you approach the Austin area. The final portion of your drive will likely involve more surface streets as you reach Montopolis.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 173.3 mi on I 30.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 178.3 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 22 significant decision points across 375.3 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 178.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
843 ft301 ft
Total Climb
923 ft
Total Descent
761 ft
Highest Point
843 ft
~348.5 mi in
Elevation Range
542 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Texarkana, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dallas Zoo.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 35m. Total distance: 375.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 35m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 173.3 miles on I 30. 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 178.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 179 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 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.
