Origin
Fulshear, TX
Morning in Fulshear on Friday
Local time
8:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
2h 25m
Distance
131.7 mi
212 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$20
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fulshear, TX
Al d'Vilas
This 131.7-mile drive from Fulshear, TX to Montopolis, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 2 hours and 25 minutes. You'll primarily be on TX 71 and the Katy Freeway, with only a small portion on FM 359, making it a 96% highway experience. With an estimated fuel cost of around $20, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. The drive remains within the Great Plains region, so expect consistent scenery throughout. It's a practical option if you're looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Texas locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
65.9 miles from Fulshear, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 13m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 25m. Total distance: 131.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 25m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a predominantly highway experience on this route, with 96% of the drive utilizing faster roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 77.7 miles on TX 71, offering a consistent pace for a significant portion of your journey. The profile is described as highway-focused, suggesting minimal time spent on slower, more winding local roads. This means you'll likely experience a steady and predictable drive, ideal for covering ground efficiently. The transition between TX 71, Katy Freeway, and FM 359 should be seamless, keeping you moving without significant delays.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 71 and Katy Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near FM 359; FM 1093 / Farm to Market 1093 Road.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 131.7 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 0.8 miles (FM 359; FM 1093 / Farm to Market 1093 Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 9.5 miles (I 10 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 47.4 miles (TX 71): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto FM 359; FM 1093 / Farm to Market 1093 Road
Lane positioning matters here
Merge onto I 10 / Katy Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward US 183 North, 183 Toll North: Lampasas
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
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
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Fulshear, TX to Montopolis, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Austin along the way.
Austin
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 71 | 77.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Katy Freeway | 37.5 mi | 37m |
| FM 359 | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| East State Highway 71 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Bastrop Freeway | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| Farm to Market 1093 Road | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Main Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| Airport Boulevard | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Fulshear, TX and Montopolis, TX.
Start on this road
Turn straight onto FM 359; FM 1093
Turn left onto Bois D'Arc Lane
Turn left onto FM 359; FM 1093
Turn right onto FM 359
Continue on FM 359
Continue on FM 359
Take the ramp
Turn straight onto I 10 Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Take the exit onto TX 71
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 71
Continue on 71 Toll
Continue on TX 71
Take the exit
Merge onto US 183
Continue on 183 Toll
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork onto Loop 111
Continue on Loop 111
Continue on US 183
Take the ramp
Arrive at destination
Given the 2-hour 25-minute duration, this route is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing for flexibility in your departure time. Leaving earlier in the morning can help you avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach more populated areas. With no planned stops in the data, you can plan your own breaks as needed, perhaps utilizing the longest stretch of 77.7 miles on TX 71 as a point to consider for a quick rest. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $20, and it's always wise to top off before embarking on longer highway segments.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
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 29 miles or 34m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 65.9 miles or 1h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montopolis, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Fulshear, 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 Fulshear, TX
This is one driving day of about 131.7 miles and 2h 25m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 65.9 mi from Fulshear, TX · 1h 13m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
66 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 29 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 65.9 miles from Fulshear, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 71 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 77.7 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
$19.90 one way
$39.80 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $21.78 | $43.56 |
| premium | $4.54 | $23.51 | $47.03 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $29.08 | $58.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$20
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$45–$70
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 46.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $14 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.83 | $6.32 |
| Efficient EV | 32.9 | 0 | $11.52 | $5.27 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 52.7 | 0 | $18.44 | $8.43 |
Gas CO2
46 kg
EV CO2
15 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
Morning in Fulshear on Friday
Local time
8:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Destination
Morning in Montopolis on Friday
Local time
8:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 2:25PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 13 at 10:42AM CDT until April 13 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
63°F
Colorado, TX
66 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
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
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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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