Drive Time
6h 41m
Distance
369.1 mi
594 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
Photo: Jeff Stapleton
The drive from Corpus Christi, TX to Burleson, TX covers 369.1 miles and takes about 6h 41m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, US Highway 181 South for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. At current regular gas prices, budget about $56.38 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
184.5 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 32m into the drive .
This is a 6h 41m highway drive covering 369.1 miles, with most of the trip on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. The longest continuous stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 369.1 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 168 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Texas 174 South, FM 3391: Hidden Creek Parkway, Renfro Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
On the drive from Corpus Christi, TX to Burleson, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| I 35W | 34.7 mi | 36m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| US Highway 181 | 16 mi | 18m |
| US 181 | 14.7 mi | 16m |
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Burleson, 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 right at fork onto US 181
Keep slight left at fork onto US 181
Continue on TX 89
Continue on US 181
Continue on US 181
Continue on US 181
Continue on US 181
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
Continue on FM 792
Turn straight onto TX 80
Continue on TX 80
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 35
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35; US 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
Take the exit
Turn straight onto South Burleson Boulevard
Turn left onto Spur 50
Turn left onto South Main Street
Enter roundabout onto East Ellison Street
Arrive at destination
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.
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 81 miles or 1h 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 184.5 miles or 3h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Burleson, 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 369.1 miles and 6h 41m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 184.5 mi from Corpus Christi, TX · 3h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
185 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 81 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 184.5 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 Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 miles.
The final approach into Burleson, 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 Burleson, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$56.38 one way
$112.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $61.79 | $123.58 |
| premium | $4.59 | $66.71 | $133.43 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $82.00 | $164.00 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 110.7 | 1 | $38.76 | $17.72 |
| Efficient EV | 92.3 | 1 | $32.30 | $14.76 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 147.6 | 1 | $51.67 | $23.62 |
Gas CO2
129 kg
EV CO2
43 kg (67% 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
Late night in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Burleson on Sunday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Austin, TX
185 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
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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