Origin
Ferris, TX
Night in Ferris on Wednesday
Local time
9:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 25m
Distance
189 mi
304 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ferris, TX
Wikimedia Commons
This 189-mile journey from Ferris, TX to Montopolis, TX is easily manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 25 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing I-35E and I-35, this route offers a straightforward drive focused on efficient travel. With a projected fuel cost of around $29, it's a budget-friendly option for a quick transition within the Great Plains region of Texas. You can expect a drive that's predominantly on major highways, making it a practical choice for those prioritizing arrival time. One planned stop is suggested along the way to break up the journey.
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
94.5 miles from Ferris, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 189-mile trip, with 74% of the route on major interstates like I-35E and I-35. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is about 72.7 miles on I-35E, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While the Purple Heart Trail is part of the route, the overall feel is one of efficient travel rather than winding scenic byways. This drive prioritizes getting you to your destination smoothly and directly.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35E and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 9.7 miles in near Plaza Drive.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 189 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 9.7 miles (Plaza Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.8 miles (North Interstate 35E): Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch; at 180.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto Plaza Drive
Lane positioning matters here
At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35E
Complex interchange - multiple decisions in a short stretch
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
Keep slight left at fork toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 35E | 72.7 mi | 1h 13m |
| I 35 | 52.6 mi | 54m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| East Ovilla Road | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| East Farm To Market 664 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
| US 183 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Ferris, TX and Montopolis, TX.
Start on this road
Turn right onto FM 983
Continue on FM 664
Continue on FM 664
Continue on FM 664
Continue on FM 664
Turn right onto Plaza Drive
At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35E
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35E
Continue on I 35; US 77
Continue on I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 183
Continue on 183 Toll
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 183
Take the ramp
Arrive at destination
Given the 3-hour and 25-minute duration, this 189-mile route is best tackled in one day. Aim to depart in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic, especially as you approach Montopolis. The longest stretch without a planned stop is over 70 miles, so make sure to fuel up before you leave Ferris. While only one stop is officially noted, the flexibility of a single-day drive means you can add more breaks as needed. Keep an eye on the odometer to anticipate your fuel needs, as the estimated cost is $29 for the entire trip.
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.
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 42 miles or 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 94.5 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montopolis, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ferris, 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 Ferris, TX
This is one driving day of about 189 miles and 3h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 94.5 mi from Ferris, TX · 1h 45m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
95 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.
A short stop after about 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 94.5 miles from Ferris, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 35E if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.7 miles.
The final approach into Montopolis, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Montopolis, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$28.56 one way
$57.12 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $31.26 | $62.52 |
| premium | $4.54 | $33.74 | $67.49 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $41.73 | $83.46 |
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: 66.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 56.7 | 0 | $19.85 | $9.07 |
| Efficient EV | 47.3 | 0 | $16.54 | $7.56 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 75.6 | 0 | $26.46 | $12.10 |
Gas CO2
66 kg
EV CO2
22 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Ferris on Wednesday
Local time
9:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Montopolis on Wednesday
Local time
9:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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