Origin
Montopolis, TX
Afternoon in Montopolis on Saturday
Local time
1:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montopolis, TX to Friendswood, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 20m
Distance
180 mi
290 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 9m
★
6 AM
3h 21m
8 AM
3h 45m
10 AM
3h 29m
12 PM
3h 27m
3 PM
3h 30m
5 PM
3h 44m
8 PM
3h 14m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Friendswood, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Trip Overview
The drive from Montopolis, TX to Friendswood, TX covers 180 miles and takes about 3h 20m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Bergstrom Expressway, Bastrop Highway, TX 71 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. At current regular gas prices, budget about $27.20 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
90 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 40m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Bergstrom Expressway | — | — |
| Bastrop Highway | — | — |
| TX 71 East | — | — |
| Highway 71 | — | — |
| Bastrop Freeway | — | — |
| Sam Houston Tollway | — | — |
| SHT South | — | — |
| West Sam Houston Tollway North | — | — |
Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.
Longest stretch:
Bergstrom Expressway
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montopolis, TX and Friendswood, TX.
1
Start on 183 Toll South: Lockhart
220 ft
·
5 sec
·
183 Toll South: Lockhart
2
Merge slight left onto Bergstrom Expressway
0.8 mi
·
47 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
3
Continue on Bastrop Highway
0.4 mi
·
26 sec
·
Bastrop Highway
4
Take the exit slight left toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
5
Continue on East State Highway 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East State Highway 71
6
Turn straight onto Bastrop Freeway
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Bastrop Freeway
7
Continue on East State Highway 71
0.5 mi
·
29 sec
·
East State Highway 71
8
Continue on Texas State Highway 71
138 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
Texas State Highway 71
9
Take the exit slight right toward Sam Houston Tollway
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Sam Houston Tollway
10
Keep slight right to continue on SHT South
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
SHT South
11
Merge slight left onto West Sam Houston Tollway North
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
West Sam Houston Tollway North
12
Keep slight left to continue on West Sam Houston Tollway South
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
West Sam Houston Tollway South
13
Continue on West Sam Houston Parkway South
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
West Sam Houston Parkway South
14
Continue on South Sam Houston Tollway West
15 mi
·
17 min
·
South Sam Houston Tollway West
15
Take the exit slight right toward TX 35: Mykawa Road, Telephone Road
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
TX 35: Mykawa Road, Telephone Road
16
Turn straight onto South Sam Houston Parkway East
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
South Sam Houston Parkway East
17
Turn right onto Telephone Road
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Telephone Road
18
Continue on North Main Street
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
19
Turn left onto East Broadway Street
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
East Broadway Street
20
Continue on North Friendswood Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Friendswood Drive
21
Continue on South Friendswood Drive
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
South Friendswood Drive
22
Arrive at your destination
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 90 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 1h 40m into the drive.
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 40 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 90 miles or 1h 40m 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 44m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Friendswood, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Montopolis, 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 Montopolis, TX
This is one driving day of about 180 miles and 3h 20m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 40 miles from Montopolis, 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.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 90 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.20 one way
$54.40 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
63 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $29.77 | $59.54 |
| premium | $4.54 | $32.14 | $64.28 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.74 | $79.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 63 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 54 | 0 | $18.90 | $8.64 |
| Efficient EV | 45 | 0 | $15.75 | $7.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 72 | 0 | $25.20 | $11.52 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Friendswood, TX
Afternoon in Friendswood on Saturday
Local time
1:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Columbus, TX
90 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
17 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
3h 20m on the road
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.
What kind of drive is this?
180 mi in 3h 20m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.
Only 0% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Main road: Bergstrom Expressway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
1/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive.
Driving Effort
1/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Montopolis, TX to Friendswood, TX is easy. At 3h 20m with 0% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Montopolis, TX to Friendswood, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 20m. Total distance: 180 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (0%). Straightforward navigation.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Montopolis, TX to Friendswood, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at Friendswood, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Friendswood, TX
More trips to Friendswood, TX
Explore more options from Montopolis, TX or browse trips ending in Friendswood, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.