The drive from Hallsville, TX to Montopolis, TX covers 278.9 miles and takes about 5h 11m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on State Highway 31 East, I 35, Purple Heart Trail for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 59.9 miles on State Highway 31 East.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $42.14 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
139.5 miles from Hallsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 41m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 11m. Total distance: 278.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Drive Character
This is a 5h 11m highway drive covering 278.9 miles, with most of the trip on State Highway 31 East and I 35. The longest continuous stretch is about 59.9 miles on State Highway 31 East.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
State Highway 31 East is the longest continuous segment at about 59.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 31 East and I 35. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.4 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 23 significant decision points across 278.9 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 17.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.3 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 270 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 23 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
17.4 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight right at fork toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Hende...
6
114.3 mi into trip|~2h 12m in|TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
270 mi into trip|~5h 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
270.3 mi into trip|~5h 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
278.2 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Hallsville, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Sh 31 West: Kilgore and Henderson.
Sh 31 West: Kilgore
17.1 mi in|~19m
Henderson
17.1 mi in|~19m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
State Highway 31 East
59.9 mi
1h 9m
I 35
52.6 mi
54m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
West State Highway 31
18.8 mi
21m
State Highway 31
17.2 mi
17m
I 20
14.7 mi
14m
Corsicana Bypass
11.8 mi
13m
State Highway 31 West
9.7 mi
11m
Longest stretch:
State Highway 31 East
— 59.9 mi, about 1h 9m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Hallsville, TX and Montopolis, TX.
1
Start on FM 450
2.1 mi·3 min·South Central Street
2
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 20
3
Merge onto I 20
15 mi·14 min·I 20
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
5
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi·15 sec
Toward US 259 South, SH 31 West: Kilgore, Henderson
6
Continue on US 259; TX 31
0.6 mi·41 sec·US Highway 259 North
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 259 Business; TX 31
1.3 mi·1 min·US Highway 259 Business North
8
Turn right onto TX 31
29 mi·34 min·State Highway 31 East
9
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi·2 min·Chandler Highway
10
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 West
11
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·East Highway 31
12
Continue on TX 31
21 mi·23 min·State Highway 31 East
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
14
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
16
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft·14 sec
17
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
18
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi·6 min·East Royall Boulevard
19
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·State Highway 31 East
20
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·Northwest 2nd Street
21
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
22
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi·21 min·West State Highway 31
23
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
24
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
25
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi·2 min·East US Highway 84
26
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
27
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi·1 min·East Waco Drive
28
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft·12 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
30
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi·6 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
53 mi·54 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 240BToward US 183: Lockhart, LampasasUse the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi·1 min
Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the slight left lane.
35
Merge onto US 183
2.2 mi·2 min·US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on 183 Toll
4.8 mi·5 min·Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward Montopolis Drive, Patton AvenueUse the slight right lane.
38
Turn straight onto US 183
0.4 mi·30 sec·Ed Bluestein Boulevard
39
Take the ramp
486 ft·11 sec
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
40
Arrive at destination
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
Trip Plan
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 139.5 miles from Hallsville, TX, or about 2h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 59.9 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 61 miles or 1h 10m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.5 miles or 2h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 17m
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 Hallsville, 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 Hallsville, TX
This is one driving day of about 278.9 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 61 miles from Hallsville, 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 State Highway 31 East for about 59.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 139.5 mi from Hallsville, TX
· 2h 41m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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 173.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.14 one way
$84.28 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg98 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$46.13
$92.26
premium
$4.54
$49.80
$99.59
diesel
$5.61
$61.58
$123.16
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$42
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$67–$92
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
83.7
1
$29.28
$13.39
Efficient EV
69.7
0
$24.40
$11.16
EV Truck/SUV
111.6
1
$39.05
$17.85
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Hallsville, TX
Afternoon
in Hallsville on Friday
Local time
12:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Montopolis, TX
Afternoon
in Montopolis on Friday
Local time
12:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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
5h 11m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Hallsville, TX to Montopolis, TX covers 278.9 miles and takes about 5h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are State Highway 31 East, I 35, Purple Heart Trail. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 139.5 miles from Hallsville, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $42.14 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 278.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 114.3 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 270 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Hallsville, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Sh 31 West: Kilgore and Henderson.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
