Origin
Montopolis, TX
Afternoon in Montopolis on Thursday
Local time
2:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montopolis, TX to Cactus, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
10h 1m
Distance
561.6 mi
904 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$85
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 52m
★
6 AM
10h 1m
8 AM
10h 19m
10 AM
10h 8m
12 PM
10h 6m
3 PM
10h 9m
5 PM
10h 18m
8 PM
9h 56m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cactus, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Montopolis, TX to Cactus, TX covers 561.6 miles and takes about 10h 1m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, US 84, North US Highway 183 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.9 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $84.86 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
280.8 miles from Montopolis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 8m into the drive .
Drive Character
At 561.6 miles and 10h 1m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US 84.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 109.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 10h 1m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
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 28 significant decision points across 561.6 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 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (US 183 / US Highway 183 South): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 263 miles (US 84): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
1.9 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
US 183 / US Highway 183 South
Turn sharp left onto US 183 / US Highway 183 South
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
263 mi into trip
|
~4h 50m in
|
US 84
Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
7
499.9 mi into trip
|
~8h 54m in
|
US 87
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87 toward US 87 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 87 North
6
500.9 mi into trip
|
~8h 56m in
|
US 87; Original US Route 66 / South Fillmore Street
Keep slight right at fork onto US 87; Original US Route 66 / South Fillmore Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Montopolis, TX to Cactus, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.
Lubbock
263 mi in
|
~4h 50m
|
via US 84
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Formby Memorial Highway | 109.9 mi | 1h 51m |
| US 84 | 104.9 mi | 1h 49m |
| North US Highway 183 | 72.6 mi | 1h 18m |
| State Highway 153 | 69 mi | 1h 14m |
| South Fillmore Street | 45.4 mi | 47m |
| East Commerce Street | 22 mi | 25m |
| Highway 84 | 20 mi | 19m |
| South Dumas Avenue | 15.1 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 109.9 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montopolis, TX and Cactus, TX.
1
Start on this road
219 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
Toward 183 Toll South: Lockhart
2
Merge onto 183 Toll
0.8 mi
·
47 sec
·
Bergstrom Expressway
3
Continue on US 183
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bastrop Highway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
4
Take the exit
136 ft
·
10 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Turn sharp left onto US 183
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 183 South
6
Continue on 183 Toll
6.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Bergstrom Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on US 183
15 mi
·
16 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on 183A Toll
15 mi
·
14 min
·
183A Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 183
36 mi
·
38 min
·
North US Highway 183
10
Continue on US 183
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
South Key Avenue
11
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
0.2 mi
·
14 sec
·
North US Highway 281
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 183; US 190
37 mi
·
40 min
·
North US Highway 183
13
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 183; TX 16
30 mi
·
34 min
·
US 84; US 183; TX 16
14
Turn left onto US 67; US 84; US 183; US 377
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Early Boulevard
15
Continue on US 67; US 84; US 377
22 mi
·
25 min
·
East Commerce Street
16
Keep slight right at fork onto US 84; US 283
7.2 mi
·
8 min
·
Wallis Avenue
17
Turn right onto TX 153
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Walnut Street
18
Continue on TX 153; TX 206
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
West Walnut Street
19
Continue on TX 153
69 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
State Highway 153
20
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 153
21
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
22
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
23
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Georgia Avenue
24
Take the ramp
340 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
25
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 20; US 84
26
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
28
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
29
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
30
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
31
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
32
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
33
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
34
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
35
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Slaton Road
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
38
Turn slight right onto Interstate 27
321 ft
·
6 sec
·
Interstate 27
39
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
40
Merge onto I 27; US 87
110 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
41
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 87
Toward US 87 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight right at fork onto US 87; Original US Route 66
45 mi
·
47 min
·
South Fillmore Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Continue on US 87; US 287
15 mi
·
16 min
·
South Dumas Avenue
45
Turn right onto North Drive
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Drive
46
Turn right onto Rector Avenue
150 ft
·
4 sec
·
Rector Avenue
47
Arrive at destination
Rector Avenue
Trip Plan
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 280.8 miles from Montopolis, TX, or about 5h 8m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 124 miles or 2h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 280.8 miles or 5h 8m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 280.8 miles or 5h 8m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cactus, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Montopolis, TX
Aim for roughly 281 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Cactus, TX
Aim for roughly 281 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 124 miles from Montopolis, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 109.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 280.8 mi from Montopolis, TX · 5h 8m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
185 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
371 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Lubbock, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
281 mi · about 5h in
A practical overnight split lands near Sweetwater, TX after about 281 miles or 5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 124 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 280.8 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Marshall Formby Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 281 miles or 5 hours on the road.
Arriving in Cactus, TX
The final approach into Cactus, 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 Cactus, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Cactus, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.86 one way
$169.72 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
197 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $92.89 | $185.77 |
| premium | $4.54 | $100.27 | $200.54 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $123.99 | $247.99 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$215–$325
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 196.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $59 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 168.5 | 2 | $58.97 | $26.96 |
| Efficient EV | 140.4 | 1 | $49.14 | $22.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 224.6 | 2 | $78.62 | $35.94 |
Gas CO2
196 kg
EV CO2
66 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Cactus, TX
Afternoon in Cactus on Thursday
Local time
2:46 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
13 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
10h 1m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Montopolis, TX to Cactus, TX covers 561.6 miles and takes about 10h 1m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, US 84, North US Highway 183. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 281 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 280.8 miles from Montopolis, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $84.86 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 28 significant decision points across 561.6 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 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 1.9 miles (US 183 / US Highway 183 South): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 263 miles (US 84): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Montopolis, TX to Cactus, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Lubbock along the way.
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