Origin
Corpus Christi, TX
Afternoon in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
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Create accountDrive Time
5h 55m
Distance
310.9 mi
500 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
Corpus Christi, TX
Hameen Reynolds
Clifton, TX
Jeff Stapleton
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 .
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.
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.
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.
| 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.
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Clifton, TX.
Start on the route
Take the exit slight right
Keep slight left
Turn right onto North Brownlee Boulevard
Take the ramp slight left
Merge slight left onto New Harbor Bridge
Keep slight right
Keep slight left
Continue on State Highway 89
Continue on US Highway 181
Continue on South 8th Street
Continue on US Highway 181 South
Continue on South Sunset Strip Drive
Turn right onto West Main Street
Keep slight left to continue on East Main Street
Continue on Helena Road
Turn straight onto State Highway 80
Continue on South Nixon Avenue
Continue on State Highway 80 North
Continue on US 183
Continue on South Colorado Street
Continue on United States Highway 183
Keep slight left to continue on TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Merge slight left onto Pickle Parkway
Keep slight left to continue on I 35 North: Waco
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
Take the exit slight right toward Central Avenue
Turn straight onto South I-35 Frontage Road
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
Turn right onto North Main Street
Continue on State Highway 317
Continue on South Lone Star Parkway
Continue on Avenue D
Continue on State Highway 317
Continue on South Main Street
Continue on North Lone Star Parkway
Continue on Avenue G
Continue on North Lone Star Parkway
Continue on South 7th Street
Turn left onto Avenue C
Continue on South Avenue G
Turn right onto West 5th Street
Arrive at your destination
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.
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.
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.
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
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 155.5 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$47.49 one way
$94.98 round trip
| 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°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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