Origin
Red Lick, TX
Night in Red Lick on Tuesday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
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Drive Time
6h 27m
Distance
368.3 mi
593 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
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station data
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Red Lick, TX
SHVETS production
This 368.3-mile drive from Red Lick, TX to Montopolis, TX is a solid day trip, estimated to take about 6 hours and 27 minutes. With 88% of the journey on major highways like I 30 and I 35, it's a straightforward, highway-focused experience. You'll spend approximately $56 on fuel, and the route is designed for a single day of travel, so no overnight stops are strictly necessary. The drive stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape throughout. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Texas points.
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
184.1 miles from Red Lick, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .
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Expect a predominantly highway-focused experience on this route, with 88% of your travel time spent on interstates including I 30 and I 35. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 167.4 miles on I 30, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. While largely an interstate journey, the initial segments on South R L Thornton Freeway will transition you onto these main arteries. This drive prioritizes forward momentum over varied scenery, making it a functional choice for covering distance.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 30 and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 171.2 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 368.3 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 171.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 171.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172 miles: 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.
Take the exit toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight left at fork toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Red Lick, TX and Montopolis, TX, road signs point toward Waco, Denton and Dallas Zoo.
Waco
Denton
Dallas Zoo
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 30 | 167.4 mi | 2h 52m |
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 35 | 52.6 mi | 54m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Bergstrom Expressway | 4.8 mi | 5m |
| US 183 | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| West New Boston Road | 2 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between Red Lick, TX and Montopolis, TX.
Start on FM 3419
Turn right onto US 82
Turn right onto FM 2253
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 30
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 35E
Continue on I 35E
Continue on I 35; US 77
Continue on I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto US 183
Continue on 183 Toll
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US 183
Take the ramp
Arrive at destination
To make the most of this 6-hour and 27-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to avoid potential traffic, especially as you approach larger urban areas. With a longest stretch of 167.4 miles, plan for at least one substantial stop for fuel and a break roughly halfway through. The estimated fuel cost is around $56, so ensure your tank is full before you set off. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in pacing, but staying aware of your progress on I 30 and I 35 will help you manage your time effectively.
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 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 81 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.1 miles or 3h 14m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Montopolis, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Red Lick, 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 Red Lick, TX
This is one driving day of about 368.3 miles and 6h 27m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 184.1 mi from Red Lick, TX · 3h 14m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
184 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 184.1 miles from Red Lick, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 30 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 167.4 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.
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.
Regular Gas
$55.65 one way
$111.30 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $60.91 | $121.83 |
| premium | $4.54 | $65.76 | $131.52 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $81.32 | $162.63 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 128.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.5 | 1 | $38.67 | $17.68 |
| Efficient EV | 92.1 | 1 | $32.23 | $14.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.3 | 1 | $51.56 | $23.57 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Red Lick on Tuesday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Montopolis on Tuesday
Local time
10:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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