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Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Clifton, TX

Drive Time

5h 55m

Distance

310.9 mi

500 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

Downtown Corpus Christi, TX, TX

Corpus Christi, TX

Hameen Reynolds

Downtown Clifton, TX, TX

Clifton, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

If you are planning a trip from Corpus Christi to Clifton, expect to cover 310.9 miles over the course of approximately 5 hours and 55 minutes. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, the drive maintains a consistent geographic feel throughout the journey. Budgeting around $46 for fuel will get you from point A to point B comfortably. This 310.9-mile transit is manageable as a single-day trip, making it an efficient choice for those looking to reach their destination without an overnight stay. While you will navigate local roads like North Brownlee Boulevard and the New Harbor Bridge, the route remains straightforward enough for a solo driver or a family looking for a direct path between these two Texas hubs.

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

155.5 miles from Corpus Christi, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 57m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a monotonous interstate cruise. Because the route features 0% highway share, you will be navigating surface streets and local arteries for the entire 310.9-mile duration. The journey begins with local transitions like North Brownlee Boulevard and the New Harbor Bridge, where the longest uninterrupted stretch is currently 0 miles. Because you are avoiding major highways in favor of Highway 89, the pace is dictated by local traffic and intersection navigation. This route is best suited for drivers who prefer a hands-on experience behind the wheel, as the constant turns and local road transitions define the character of the entire trip.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 43 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
North Brownlee Boulevard is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.

Route Complexity 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

This is a straightforward 5h 55m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Corpus Christi, TX to Clifton, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
North Brownlee Boulevard Unavailable Refreshing
New Harbor Bridge Unavailable Refreshing
Highway 89 Unavailable Refreshing
Highway 181 Unavailable Refreshing
South 8th Street Unavailable Refreshing
Highway 181 South Unavailable Refreshing
South Sunset Strip Drive Unavailable Refreshing
West Main Street Unavailable Refreshing

Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.

Longest stretch: North Brownlee Boulevard — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Clifton, TX.

1

Start on the route

0.2 mi · 22 sec · the route
2

Take the exit slight right

0.2 mi · 30 sec
3

Keep slight left

0.3 mi · 40 sec
4

Turn right onto North Brownlee Boulevard

121 ft · 2 sec · North Brownlee Boulevard
5

Take the ramp slight left

0.1 mi · 17 sec
6

Merge slight left onto New Harbor Bridge

10 mi · 11 min · New Harbor Bridge
7

Keep slight right

1.0 mi · 1 min
8

Keep slight left

14 mi · 15 min
9

Continue on State Highway 89

4.1 mi · 4 min · State Highway 89
10

Continue on US Highway 181

16 mi · 18 min · US Highway 181
11

Continue on South 8th Street

0.8 mi · 56 sec · South 8th Street
12

Continue on US Highway 181 South

40 mi · 45 min · US Highway 181 South
13

Continue on South Sunset Strip Drive

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Sunset Strip Drive
14

Turn right onto West Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Main Street
15

Keep slight left to continue on East Main Street

233 ft · 4 sec · East Main Street
16

Continue on Helena Road

8.4 mi · 10 min · Helena Road
17

Turn straight onto State Highway 80

24 mi · 25 min · State Highway 80
18

Continue on South Nixon Avenue

1.0 mi · 2 min · South Nixon Avenue
19

Continue on State Highway 80 North

31 mi · 35 min · State Highway 80 North
20

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183
21

Continue on South Colorado Street

4.9 mi · 8 min · South Colorado Street
22

Continue on United States Highway 183

0.2 mi · 17 sec · United States Highway 183
23

Keep slight left to continue on TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco

0.5 mi · 35 sec · TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
24

Merge slight left onto Pickle Parkway

59 mi · 54 min · Pickle Parkway
25

Keep slight left to continue on I 35 North: Waco

0.4 mi · 50 sec · I 35 North: Waco
26

Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

27 mi · 27 min · Purple Heart Trail
27

Take the exit slight right toward Central Avenue

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Central Avenue
28

Turn straight onto South I-35 Frontage Road

328 ft · 9 sec · South I-35 Frontage Road
29

Turn left onto East Central Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · East Central Avenue
30

Turn right onto North Main Street

2.8 mi · 5 min · North Main Street
31

Continue on State Highway 317

13 mi · 16 min · State Highway 317
32

Continue on South Lone Star Parkway

1.4 mi · 1 min · South Lone Star Parkway
33

Continue on Avenue D

2.8 mi · 5 min · Avenue D
34

Continue on State Highway 317

5.6 mi · 6 min · State Highway 317
35

Continue on South Main Street

2.5 mi · 3 min · South Main Street
36

Continue on North Lone Star Parkway

6.5 mi · 8 min · North Lone Star Parkway
37

Continue on Avenue G

0.4 mi · 50 sec · Avenue G
38

Continue on North Lone Star Parkway

8.2 mi · 10 min · North Lone Star Parkway
39

Continue on South 7th Street

0.4 mi · 38 sec · South 7th Street
40

Turn left onto Avenue C

2.9 mi · 4 min · Avenue C
41

Continue on South Avenue G

8.6 mi · 10 min · South Avenue G
42

Turn right onto West 5th Street

79 ft · 2 sec · West 5th Street
43

Arrive at your destination

Trip Plan

Given the 5 hour and 55 minute duration, try to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion on local roads. With only one recommended stop planned, use that time to refuel and stretch your legs, as the turn-heavy nature of the drive can be more mentally taxing than highway cruising. Since you are spending $46 on gas for the full 310.9 miles, keep an eye on your fuel gauge when navigating the more rural sections of Highway 89. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your single stop based on your energy levels. Pay close attention to navigation prompts throughout the drive, as the lack of highway stretches means you will encounter frequent turns that require consistent focus.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 155.5 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 2h 57m into the drive.

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 155.5 miles or 2h 57m 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 51m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clifton, 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 310.9 miles and 5h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 155.5 mi from Corpus Christi, TX · 2h 57m into the drive

Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Austin, TX

155 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

San Antonio, TX

Fuel and coffee

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

Austin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 155.5 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Arriving in Clifton, TX

The final approach into Clifton, 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 Clifton, TX.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.49 one way

$94.98 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 109 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $52.05 $104.09
premium $4.59 $56.19 $112.39
diesel $5.64 $69.07 $138.14

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 108.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 93.3 1 $32.64 $14.92
Efficient EV 77.7 0 $27.20 $12.44
EV Truck/SUV 124.4 1 $43.53 $19.90

Gas CO2

109 kg

EV CO2

36 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Corpus Christi, TX

Afternoon in Corpus Christi on Sunday

Local time

2:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Clifton, TX

Afternoon in Clifton on Sunday

Local time

2:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

59°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

5h 55m on the road

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Corpus Christi, TX to Clifton, TX covers 310.9 miles and takes about 5h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are North Brownlee Boulevard, New Harbor Bridge, Highway 89. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 155.5 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 $47.49 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
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 straightforward 5h 55m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Corpus Christi, TX to Clifton, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Corpus Christi, TX to Clifton, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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