Drive Time
5h 16m
Distance
347.8 mi
560 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
Photo: Hameen Reynolds
The drive from Ballinger, TX to Corpus Christi, TX covers 347.8 miles and takes about 5h 16m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Grassmeyer Street, Ellis Street, I 10 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $53.13 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
173.9 miles from Ballinger, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Expect a 5h 16m drive with frequent turns across 347.8 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 16m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Ballinger, TX to Corpus Christi, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Grassmeyer Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Ellis Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 10 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| McDermott Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Santa Rosa Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North Pecos-La Trinidad | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Dolorosa Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Market Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Ballinger, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
Start on South 7th Street
Continue on Grassmeyer Street
Continue on Ellis Street
Take the exit left toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Continue straight
Keep slight right
Keep slight right to continue on McDermott Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Keep slight right to continue on North Pecos-La Trinidad
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Continue on West Market Street
Continue on East Market Street
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
Take the ramp slight left toward I 37 South, US 281 South
Merge slight left onto William J Bordelon Freeway
Continue on Lucian Adams Freeway
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
Continue straight
Arrive at your destination
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.
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 80 miles or 1h 12m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 173.9 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Corpus Christi, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Ballinger, 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 Ballinger, TX
This is one driving day of about 347.8 miles and 5h 16m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 173.9 mi from Ballinger, TX · 2h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
174 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 173.9 miles from Ballinger, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Corpus Christi, 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 Corpus Christi, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$53.13 one way
$106.26 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $58.22 | $116.44 |
| premium | $4.59 | $62.86 | $125.73 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $77.27 | $154.54 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 121.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 104.3 | 1 | $36.52 | $16.69 |
| Efficient EV | 87 | 0 | $30.43 | $13.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 139.1 | 1 | $48.69 | $22.26 |
Gas CO2
122 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Ballinger on Sunday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
9:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
81°F
San Antonio, TX
174 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
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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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