How far is Montopolis, TX from Highlands, TX?

The driving distance from Montopolis, TX to Highlands, TX is about 179 miles (288 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 160.3 miles (258 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 36m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
178.94 mi
03h 18m
Flight
160.3 mi
257.97 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Montopolis.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
160.3 mi
Kilometers
257.97 km
Flight Time
00h 19m

Driving Distance

Road route
178.94 mi
Kilometers
287.98 km
Drive Time
03h 18m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 03h 18m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Highlands
Thu, Apr 23, 9:15 AM CDT
Return by in Montopolis
Thu, Apr 23, 12:33 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Montopolis
2026-04-23T05:56
Arrive Highlands
Thu, Apr 23, 9:15 AM CDT
Route Timing
03h 18m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
9:18 AM to 11:18 AM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
10:24 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Montopolis
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Columbus
TX

City in Colorado County, Texas, United States

From Montopolis
89.4 mi
01h 39m
To Highlands
89.5 mi
01h 39m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
85°F
Thursday

Mostly Cloudy

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 10 mph S
Destination
80°F
Thursday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Thu, Apr 23 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 to 15 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Montopolis and Highlands.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Montopolis and Highlands.

  1. 1

    Start on 183 Toll South: Lockhart

    67 m · 5 sec

  2. 2

    Merge slight left onto Bergstrom Expressway

    1.3 km · 47 sec · Bergstrom Expressway

  3. 3

    Continue on Bastrop Highway

    2119 ft · 26 sec · Bastrop Highway

  4. 4

    Take the exit slight left toward TX 71 East: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

    2541 ft · 1 min

  5. 5

    Continue on East State Highway 71

    2.2 mi · 3 min · East State Highway 71

  6. 6

    Turn straight onto Bastrop Freeway

    1.9 mi · 2 min · Bastrop Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on East State Highway 71

    2388 ft · 29 sec · East State Highway 71

  8. 8

    Continue on Texas State Highway 71

    137 mi · 2 hr 25 min · Texas State Highway 71

  9. 9

    Take the exit slight left toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway

    1548 ft · 22 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto Katy Tollway

    3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway

  11. 11

    Take the exit slight right

    1092 ft · 15 sec

  12. 12

    Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway

    10.9 mi · 14 min · Katy Freeway

  13. 13

    Continue on East Freeway

    5.8 mi · 7 min · East Freeway

  14. 14

    Keep slight left to continue on East Freeway

    13 mi · 16 min · East Freeway

  15. 15

    Take the exit slight right toward Crosby-Lynchburg Road

    983 ft · 26 sec

  16. 16

    Turn left onto Crosby Lynchburg Road

    550 ft · 16 sec · Crosby Lynchburg Road

  17. 17

    Continue on South Main Street

    1.9 mi · 4 min · South Main Street

  18. 18

    Turn right onto East Wallisville Road

    125 m · 11 sec · East Wallisville Road

  19. 19

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · East Wallisville Road

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Montopolis and Highlands.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
19 steps
3 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.6 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Texas State Highway 71
137 mi · 77%
East Freeway
18.7 mi · 10%
Katy Freeway
10.9 mi · 6%
Katy Tollway
3.45 mi · 2%
East State Highway 71
2.67 mi · 1%
South Main Street
1.93 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Texas State Highway 71

Continue on Texas State Highway 71

137 mi · 02h 25m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
03h 18m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
06h 36m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+18.7 mi
160.3 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Columbus
01h 39m from Montopolis
Leave By
10:24 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Mostly Cloudy leaving Montopolis and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Highlands.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Montopolis to Highlands?

The road trip is about 179 miles (288 km) and usually takes 03h 18m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Columbus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 89.4 miles from Montopolis and 89.5 miles from Highlands.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 160.3 miles (258 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 10:24 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.85 one way or $47.69 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Montopolis and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Highlands.

Stop Ideas Near Columbus

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Columbus, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Columbus.

BUS

Prairie View, TX

67 mi away
44814 US Highway 290 Business \r\n
BUS

Bryan, TX

109 mi away
301 East 26th Street
RAIL

Houston

113 mi away
902 Washington Ave.
BUS

Houston, TX

113 mi away
2121 Main Street

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Montopolis and Highlands. Straight-line distance: 160.3 mi (257.97 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Montopolis

This Travis County community, situated at an elevation of 469 feet, is known for its Colorado River industrial areas.

Population912,791
Coordinates30.2432700, -97.6905600
Altitude143
CountryUnited States
Highlands

#2 Highlands

Census designated place

Population7,522
Coordinates29.8188400, -95.0560400
Altitude11
CountryUnited States
Start: Montopolis (-97.69056, 30.24327)
End: Highlands (-95.05604, 29.81884)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 288 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 57m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)04h 28m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 34m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 58m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 33m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 13m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
6.31 gal
23.9 L · about $23.85
Round trip
$47.69
12.62 gal · 47.8 L
Estimated CO2
56.1 kg one way
Round trip: 112.2 kg / 247 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $23.85 $47.69
Mid-grade $4.25 $26.83 $53.66
Premium $4.59 $28.97 $57.94
Diesel $3.99 $25.20 $50.39

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Texas · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Montopolis and Highlands. The current time is 05:56:49.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.