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Create accountData updated 5 hours ago
Drive Time
5h
Distance
253.8 mi
408 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
None
0 DC fast
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Ames, TX
Thomas balabaud
This 253.8-mile drive from Corpus Christi, TX, to Ames, TX, is a manageable one-day trip, estimated to take around 5 hours. The route primarily follows US Highway 59 South, Southwest Freeway, and United States Highway 77, with 84% of the journey on highways. You can expect a fuel cost of approximately $38 for this journey. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day's travel, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop. The drive stays 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
126.9 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .
Loading map...
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 84% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll experience a substantial stretch of 88.6 miles on US Highway 59 South, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While largely on highways, the journey offers a mix of driving experiences, not a constant, monotonous interstate grind. The road's character is geared towards efficient travel, making it a straightforward drive for most of its 253.8 miles.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
166 ft
Total Descent
97 ft
Highest Point
103 ft
~90.6 mi in
Elevation Range
97 ft
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 South and Southwest Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 253.8 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.7 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 209.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio
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 10 East: Beaumont
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Crosby Freeway toward US 90 East: Liberty
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.
On the drive from Corpus Christi, TX to Ames, TX, road signs begin pointing toward San Antonio along the way.
San Antonio
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| Southwest Freeway | 34.7 mi | 40m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 17.8 mi | 23m |
| Crosby Freeway | 17.5 mi | 20m |
| United States Highway 90 West | 15 mi | 17m |
| New Harbor Bridge | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| FM 2678 | 9.6 mi | 9m |
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Ames, TX.
Start on I 37
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn right onto North Brownlee Boulevard
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 181; TX 35
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35
Take the exit
Turn straight onto State Highway 35
Turn left onto FM 136
Continue on FM 2678
At end of road, turn left onto FM 774
Turn right onto US 77
Turn slight right onto US 77
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
Merge onto US 59
Take the exit
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
Continue on this road
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 69; US 59
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59
Continue on I 69; US 59
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 10; US 90
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
Turn straight onto US 90
Take the exit
Continue on US 90
Continue on US 90
Continue on US 90
Continue on US 90
Continue on US 90
Turn left onto FM 160
Arrive at destination
For this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Corpus Christi to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only one recommended stop and the longest stretch being 88.6 miles, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the longer segments on US Highway 59 South, as services can be spread out. The $38 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a buffer. A practical tip is to ensure your vehicle is in good condition before you leave, as the highway-focused nature of this route means extended periods of consistent driving.
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 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 126.9 miles or 2h 27m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ames, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Corpus Christi, 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 Corpus Christi, TX
This is one driving day of about 253.8 miles and 5h.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 126.9 mi from Corpus Christi, TX · 2h 27m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
127 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 126.9 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US Highway 59 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.6 miles.
The final approach into Ames, 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 Ames, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$38.35 one way
$76.70 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $41.98 | $83.95 |
| premium | $4.54 | $45.31 | $90.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $56.04 | $112.07 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.1 | 0 | $26.65 | $12.18 |
| Efficient EV | 63.5 | 0 | $22.21 | $10.15 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 101.5 | 1 | $35.53 | $16.24 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Late night in Corpus Christi on Wednesday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
Destination
Late night in Ames on Wednesday
Local time
1:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°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
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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