Trip from Brownsville, TX to Alice, TX

Drive Time

2h 56m

Distance

148.8 mi

239 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$23

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
2h 45m ★
6 AM
2h 57m
8 AM
3h 19m
10 AM
3h 4m
12 PM
3h 2m
3 PM
3h 6m
5 PM
3h 18m
8 PM
2h 50m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Brownsville, TX, TX

Brownsville, TX

Eddie O.

Downtown Alice, TX, TX

Alice, TX

Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE

Trip Overview

Spanning 148.8 miles across the Great Plains of Texas, this journey from Brownsville to Alice is a straightforward trip that typically takes about 2 hours and 56 minutes. You will primarily navigate via U.S. Highway 77, North Expressway, and West King Avenue to complete the transit. Because the total drive time remains under three hours, it is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. Expect to budget approximately $23 for fuel, making this an affordable connection between these two South Texas hubs. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, the route offers a reliable path that avoids unnecessary complexity.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

74.4 miles from Brownsville, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 24m into the drive .

Drive Character

This highway-focused drive is defined by its efficiency, with 83 percent of the trip spent on major thoroughfares. You should prepare for a consistent pace, highlighted by a longest uninterrupted stretch of 102 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The road maintains a steady rhythm that allows you to cover ground quickly through the Texas landscape. While the path remains largely consistent in character, the transition from the expressway to local avenues like West King Avenue marks your final approach into Alice. It is a no-nonsense route that prioritizes direct travel over technical maneuvers.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
U.S. Highway 77 is the longest continuous segment at about 102 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and West King Avenue. You will hit about 14 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.2 miles in near North Frontage Road.

Route Complexity 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 148.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.2 miles (North Frontage Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 14 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

4
1.2 mi into trip | ~2m in | North Frontage Road

Turn left onto North Frontage Road

Navigation decision point

6
1.4 mi into trip | ~2m in

Take the ramp toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North
5
1.8 mi into trip | ~3m in | I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway

Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
4
114.4 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
114.6 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
U.S. Highway 77 102 mi 1h 53m
West King Avenue 14.5 mi 17m
North Expressway 10.6 mi 12m
US 281 9.1 mi 10m
South 6th Street 4.4 mi 7m
US 281 Business 2.2 mi 3m
South Cameron Street 1.5 mi 2m
East 7th Street 0.9 mi 1m
Longest stretch: U.S. Highway 77 — 102 mi, about 1h 53m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Brownsville, TX and Alice, TX.

1

Start on US 77 Business

0.3 mi · 40 sec · East Washington Street
2

Turn right onto East 7th Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · East 7th Street
3

Turn left onto North Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 20 sec · North Frontage Road
4

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 54 sec
Toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North Use the left lane.
5

Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83

11 mi · 12 min · North Expressway
Use the none lane.
6

Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83

102 mi · 1 hr 53 min · U.S. Highway 77
Use the none lane.
7

Keep slight right at fork

0.1 mi · 8 sec
8

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min
9

Turn left onto FM 772

0.2 mi · 17 sec · FM 772
10

Turn straight onto US 77 Business

4.4 mi · 7 min · South 6th Street
11

Turn left onto TX 141

14 mi · 17 min · West King Avenue
12

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
13

Merge onto US 281

9.1 mi · 10 min · US 281
14

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 1 min
15

Continue on US 281 Business

2.2 mi · 3 min · US 281 Business
16

Turn right onto FM 1352

0.5 mi · 57 sec · Cecilia Street
17

Turn left onto FM 665

345 ft · 7 sec · Old Kingsville Road
18

Turn slight right onto FM 665

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Cameron Street
19

Turn right onto East 2nd Street

94 ft · 4 sec · East 2nd Street
20

Arrive at destination

East 2nd Street

Trip Plan

Planning your departure is simple given the manageable three-hour duration, but leaving mid-morning can help you avoid any localized congestion on the North Expressway. Since the route includes only one primary stop, you have plenty of flexibility to adjust your itinerary based on your energy levels. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before heading out, as the $23 estimated cost can fluctuate based on vehicle efficiency during the long 102-mile stretch on U.S. Highway 77. Because the road is largely highway-based, ensure your tires and fluids are checked for sustained high-speed driving. Taking advantage of the route's brevity allows you to arrive in Alice with enough time to settle in before your day concludes.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 74.4 miles from Brownsville, TX, or about 1h 24m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102 miles.

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 31m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 74.4 miles or 1h 24m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 21m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alice, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Brownsville, 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 Brownsville, TX

This is one driving day of about 148.8 miles and 2h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brownsville, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on U.S. Highway 77 for about 102 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 74.4 mi from Brownsville, TX · 1h 24m into the drive

Downtown Mercedes, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Mercedes, TX

74 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

Edinburg, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Mercedes, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 74.4 miles from Brownsville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102 miles.

Arriving in Alice, TX

The final approach into Alice, 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 Alice, 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.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$22.73 one way

$45.46 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 52 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $24.91 $49.82
premium $4.59 $26.90 $53.79
diesel $5.64 $33.06 $66.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$23

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$48–$73

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 44.6 0 $15.62 $7.14
Efficient EV 37.2 0 $13.02 $5.95
EV Truck/SUV 59.5 0 $20.83 $9.52

Gas CO2

52 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (67% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 3 years ago

Origin

Brownsville, TX

Afternoon in Brownsville on Sunday

Local time

3:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Alice, TX

Afternoon in Alice on Sunday

Local time

3:25 PM

CDT

Current temp

70°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.

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

9 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

2h 56m 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 Brownsville, TX to Alice, TX covers 148.8 miles and takes about 2h 56m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are U.S. Highway 77, West King Avenue, North Expressway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.4 miles from Brownsville, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $22.73 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.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 148.8 miles you will encounter 14 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 1.2 miles (North Frontage Road): Navigation decision point; at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Brownsville, TX to Alice, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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