Origin
Center, TX
Late night in Center on Friday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Center, TX to Corpus Christi, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 33m
Distance
383.9 mi
618 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 24m
★
6 AM
7h 34m
8 AM
7h 54m
10 AM
7h 41m
12 PM
7h 39m
3 PM
7h 42m
5 PM
7h 53m
8 PM
7h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Center, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 383.9-mile journey from Center, TX to Corpus Christi, TX is a substantial drive, estimated to take around 7 hours and 33 minutes. It's a single-day trip, but be prepared for a full day behind the wheel. The route is largely on major highways, with a 53% highway share, and you'll encounter a mixed driving profile. With an estimated fuel cost of $58, it's a budget-friendly option for a Texas road trip. This drive traverses within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
191.9 miles from Center, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 33m. Total distance: 383.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with over half of your journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on roads like Diboll Relief Route and US Highway 59. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 113.5 miles on the Diboll Relief Route, so plan your fuel and breaks accordingly. While much of the drive is on faster roads, there are also sections that feel more like local or arterial routes, offering a varied driving experience.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Diboll Relief Route is the longest continuous segment at about 113.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Jackson.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 383.9 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: near the start (Jackson): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (TX 87 / Shelbyville Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Jackson
Turn left onto Jackson
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 87 / Shelbyville Street
Turn right onto TX 87 / Shelbyville Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street
Turn sharp left onto TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
210.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
Take the exit toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartle...
6
342.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m in
|
FM 2678
Turn right onto FM 2678
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
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 Center, TX to Corpus Christi, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.
Spur 10: Cottonwood
210.1 mi in
|
~4h 9m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Diboll Relief Route | 113.5 mi | 2h 4m |
| US Highway 59 | 74.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Southwest Freeway | 34.7 mi | 40m |
| US Highway 77 South | 33.2 mi | 37m |
| Nacogdoches Street | 30.2 mi | 44m |
| South US Highway 59 | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 17.7 mi | 23m |
| US 59 | 17 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
Diboll Relief Route
— 113.5 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Center, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
1
Start on Porter Street
50 ft
·
7 sec
·
Porter Street
2
Turn left onto Jackson
238 ft
·
12 sec
·
Jackson
3
Turn right onto TX 87
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Shelbyville Street
4
Turn sharp left onto TX 7; TX 87
459 ft
·
13 sec
·
Nacogdoches Street
5
Turn left onto TX 7; TX 87
464 ft
·
8 sec
·
Austin Street
6
Turn right onto TX 7
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
San Augustine Street
7
Turn slight right onto TX 7
30 mi
·
44 min
·
Nacogdoches Street
8
Continue on TX 7
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Center Road
9
Turn left onto Loop 224
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Northeast Stallings Drive
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
11
Turn left onto US 59 Bus
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Street
12
Continue on US 59
19 mi
·
22 min
·
South US Highway 59
13
Take the exit
396 ft
·
9 sec
Toward South First Street
14
Turn straight onto South Medford Drive
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Medford Drive
15
Turn left onto US 59 Bus
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South First Street
16
Continue on US 59
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 59
17
Continue on US 59
114 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
·
Diboll Relief Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 69; US 59
35 mi
·
40 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
20
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
21
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
22
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
24
Merge onto US 59
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
US 59
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 59
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
26
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
2 min
27
Continue on US 59
75 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US Highway 59
28
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
29
Merge onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
US Highway 77 South
30
Turn straight onto US 77
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Alamo Street
31
Turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Empresario Street
32
Turn right onto FM 2678
9.6 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 2678
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on FM 136
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Farm to Market Road 136
34
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
35
Merge onto TX 35
12 mi
·
13 min
·
TX 35
36
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
37
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
38
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
39
Merge onto I 37
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 37
40
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
387 ft
·
10 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
41
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
444 ft
·
15 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
42
Continue on I 37
483 ft
·
9 sec
·
I 37
43
Arrive at destination
I 37
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Center, TX, to maximize daylight. With 2 planned stops, you can comfortably break up the 383.9 miles. Consider spacing your stops roughly every 2-3 hours. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 113.5-mile stretch on Diboll Relief Route. The relatively short duration makes it a manageable day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 191.9 miles from Center, TX, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.5 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 84 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.9 miles or 3h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Corpus Christi, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Center, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Center, TX
This is one driving day of about 383.9 miles and 7h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Center, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Diboll Relief Route for about 113.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 191.9 mi from Center, TX · 3h 48m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
192 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 191.9 miles from Center, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Diboll Relief Route if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.5 miles.
Arriving in Corpus Christi, TX
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.
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
$58.01 one way
$116.02 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $63.49 | $126.99 |
| premium | $4.54 | $68.54 | $137.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $84.76 | $169.52 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115.2 | 1 | $40.31 | $18.43 |
| Efficient EV | 96 | 1 | $33.59 | $15.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153.6 | 1 | $53.75 | $24.57 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Destination
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night in Corpus Christi on Friday
Local time
4:24 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
17 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
7h 33m on the road
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Center, TX to Corpus Christi, TX covers 383.9 miles and takes about 7h 33m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Diboll Relief Route, US Highway 59, Southwest Freeway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 191.9 miles from Center, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $58.01 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 383.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Jackson): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (TX 87 / Shelbyville Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
On the drive from Center, TX to Corpus Christi, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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