The drive from Corpus Christi, TX to Buffalo, TX covers 338.3 miles and takes about 6h 24m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on I 37, North US Highway 87, US 283 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 140.1 miles on I 37.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.12 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
169.1 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 56m into the drive
.
Corpus Christi (called Corpus by the locals) is Texas's largest coastal city and the gateway to Padre Island. While Corpus Christi isn't on the way to much of anything except itself (and the islands off its coast), it offers enough to fill a visit in its own right, or a multi-day trip from San Antonio, Austin, or Houston. The name is Latin for "Body of Christ".
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 24m. Total distance: 338.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 24m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Drive Character
This is a 6h 24m highway drive covering 338.3 miles, with most of the trip on I 37 and North US Highway 87. The longest continuous stretch is about 140.1 miles on I 37.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 37 is the longest continuous segment at about 140.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 37 and North US Highway 87. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 141.4 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 338.3 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 141.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.2 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
141.4 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodom...
8
143.2 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
6
144.1 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
158.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
190.4 mi into trip|~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward US 87 North: Fredericksburg, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 523
Toward US 87 North: Fredericksburg, San Angelo
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Corpus Christi, TX and Buffalo, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome and San Angelo.
Alamodome
141.4 mi in|~2h 23m
San Angelo
190.4 mi in|~3h 18m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 37
140.1 mi
2h 22m
North US Highway 87
53 mi
59m
US 283
40.5 mi
46m
I 10
31.7 mi
32m
US Highway 87
20.1 mi
22m
United States Highway 87
17.8 mi
20m
McDermott Freeway
15.5 mi
18m
Wallis Avenue
5.5 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
I 37
— 140.1 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Buffalo, TX.
1
Start on I 37
17 mi·17 min·I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
2
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·1 min
3
Continue on I 37
123 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 140BToward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, AlamodomeUse the slight right lane.
5
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi·3 min·East César E. Chávez Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 35 North
7
Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87
93 ft·1 sec·South Pan Am Expressway
8
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.9 mi·1 min·McDermott Freeway
Exit 156Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El PasoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87
15 mi·17 min·McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
32 mi·32 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 523Toward US 87 North: Fredericksburg, San Angelo
12
Turn right onto US 87
20 mi·22 min·US Highway 87
13
Continue on US 87
1.1 mi·2 min·South Washington Street
14
Turn left onto US 87; US 290
1.5 mi·3 min·East Main Street
15
Take the exit onto US 87
0.1 mi·10 sec·North US Highway 87
16
Merge onto US 87
40 mi·44 min·North US Highway 87
17
Continue on US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·San Antonio Street
18
Turn left onto US 87; TX 29
0.9 mi·1 min·Fort McKavitt Street
19
Continue on US 87; TX 29
13 mi·15 min·North US Highway 87
20
Continue on US 87; US 377
15 mi·16 min·United States Highway 87; United States Highway 377
21
At end of road, turn left onto US 87; US 190; US 377
0.3 mi·19 sec·Commerce Street
22
Turn straight onto US 87
3.3 mi·3 min·United States Highway 87
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
24
Merge onto US 283
40 mi·46 min·US 283
25
Turn right onto US 67; US 84
5.5 mi·6 min·Wallis Avenue
26
Turn left onto County Road 102
1.1 mi·4 min·County Road 102
27
Turn left
287 ft·12 sec
28
Turn slight right
421 ft·20 sec
29
Turn left
0.1 mi·28 sec
30
Turn right
0.8 mi·3 min
31
Turn right
118 ft·5 sec
32
Turn left onto County Road 102
1.1 mi·4 min·County Road 102
33
Turn right onto County Road 108
1.1 mi·4 min·County Road 108
34
Continue on County Road 108
1.3 mi·4 min·County Road 108
35
Arrive at destination
County Road 108
Trip Plan
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 169.1 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 2h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.1 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 74 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169.1 miles or 2h 56m 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
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
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 338.3 miles and 6h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Corpus Christi, 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 I 37 for about 140.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 169.1 mi from Corpus Christi, TX
· 2h 56m into the drive
The midpoint is around 169.1 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before I 37 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.1 miles.
Arriving in Buffalo, TX
The final approach into Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 128.3
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 209.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.12 one way
$102.24 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$55.95
$111.91
premium
$4.54
$60.40
$120.80
diesel
$5.61
$74.69
$149.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.5
1
$35.52
$16.24
Efficient EV
84.6
0
$29.60
$13.53
EV Truck/SUV
135.3
1
$47.36
$21.65
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Corpus Christi, TX
Evening
in Corpus Christi on Friday
Local time
5:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Buffalo, TX
Evening
in Buffalo on Friday
Local time
5:53 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°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
15 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
6h 24m 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 Corpus Christi, TX to Buffalo, TX covers 338.3 miles and takes about 6h 24m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 37, North US Highway 87, US 283. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 169.1 miles from Corpus Christi, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.12 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 1 meaningful break 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 24 significant decision points across 338.3 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: at 141.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.2 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Corpus Christi, TX and Buffalo, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome and San Angelo.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
