Origin
Montopolis, TX
Morning in Montopolis on Friday
Local time
10:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Montopolis, TX to Little River-Academy, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 21m
Distance
72.2 mi
116 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$11
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 15m
★
6 AM
1h 22m
8 AM
1h 35m
10 AM
1h 26m
12 PM
1h 25m
3 PM
1h 27m
5 PM
1h 34m
8 PM
1h 18m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Little River-Academy, TX
Eddie O.
Trip Overview
This 72.2-mile drive from Montopolis, TX, to Little River-Academy, TX, is a straightforward day trip, taking about 1 hour and 21 minutes to complete. You'll primarily navigate via the Purple Heart Trail and Holland Road, with a small portion on the Bergstrom Expressway. With a fuel cost estimated at $11, this route is budget-friendly for a single day's journey. The drive stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape. Given its manageable length and duration, it’s an ideal option if you’re looking for a short, focused excursion without needing to break it up over multiple days.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 1h 21m. Total distance: 72.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
EV Driver
0 DC fast chargers along the route. Coverage: unknown.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this 72.2-mile journey. With only 22% of the route on highways, you'll experience a more intimate connection with the Texas landscape rather than a monotonous interstate grind. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 45.8 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a solid period of consistent driving before the local roads begin to weave more frequently. This profile suggests a dynamic driving experience with frequent changes in direction and potentially varying speed limits as you transition between different road types.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 45.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. 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
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.2 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 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
7
11.3 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Take the exit toward I 35, Loop 275: Waco, Lamar Boulevard
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 I 35, Loop 275: Waco, Lamar Boulevard
7
11.4 mi into trip
|
~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 South, Loop 275: Lamar Boulevard
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 35 South, Loop 275: Lamar Boulevard
7
59.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
Take the exit toward Amity Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 287
Toward Amity Road
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 Little River-Academy, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 275: Waco along the way.
Loop 275: Waco
11.3 mi in
|
~12m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 45.8 mi | 47m |
| Holland Road | 7.2 mi | 9m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 7 mi | 6m |
| South I-35 Frontage Road | 4.6 mi | 6m |
| US 183 | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| US Highway 183 South | 1.1 mi | 1m |
| Bastrop Highway | 1 mi | 1m |
| East Loop 121 | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 45.8 mi, about 47m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Montopolis, TX and Little River-Academy, 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
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
US 183
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
475 ft
·
11 sec
Toward I 35, Loop 275: Waco, Lamar Boulevard
Use the slight right lane.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35 South, Loop 275: Lamar Boulevard
10
Turn straight onto East Anderson Lane
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Anderson Lane
11
Turn right onto North Interstate 35
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Interstate 35
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 35 North
13
Merge onto I 35
46 mi
·
47 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 287
Toward Amity Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto South I-35 Frontage Road
4.6 mi
·
6 min
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
16
Turn right onto Loop 121
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Loop 121
17
Turn slight right
364 ft
·
10 sec
18
Turn straight onto FM 436
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
Holland Road
19
Arrive at destination
FM 436
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.1 mi from Montopolis, TX · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 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 16 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from Montopolis, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Little River-Academy, TX
The final approach into Little River-Academy, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$10.91 one way
$21.82 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
25 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $11.94 | $23.88 |
| premium | $4.54 | $12.89 | $25.78 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $15.94 | $31.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Drive Cost (one way)
Fuel
$11
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.58 | $3.47 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.32 | $2.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.11 | $4.62 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% 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
Little River-Academy, TX
Morning in Little River-Academy on Friday
Local time
10:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Georgetown, TX
36 mi in
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
3 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
1h 21m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Montopolis, TX to Little River-Academy, TX covers 72.2 miles and takes about 1h 21m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, Holland Road, Bergstrom Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 36.1 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 $10.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 72.2 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
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 11.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Montopolis, TX to Little River-Academy, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 275: Waco along the way.
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
Return Trip
Little River-Academy, TX to Montopolis, TXPlan the drive back the other way.
68.5 mi
1h 19m
Continue From Little River-Academy, TX
More trips to Little River-Academy, TX
Explore more options from Montopolis, TX or browse trips ending in Little River-Academy, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.