Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Hughes Springs, TX

Drive Time

8h 57m

Distance

454.6 mi

732 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$69

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Spanning 454.6 miles, the journey from Corpus Christi to Hughes Springs takes approximately 8 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because of the length, you should plan for at least two days to complete the trip comfortably rather than attempting it in a single push. You will primarily navigate via US 77, State Highway 155, and US 79 as you traverse the Great Plains. Budgeting roughly $69 for fuel will cover your transit across the state. Since both your starting point and destination reside within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional landscape throughout your travel.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

227.3 miles from Corpus Christi, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 23m into the drive .

Drive Character

This highway-focused route is defined by a 72% highway share, offering a mix of fast-paced corridors and secondary roads. You will settle into a rhythm on the road, with the longest uninterrupted stretch reaching 86.8 miles on US 79. While the path avoids the monotony of constant interstate travel, it remains a steady drive that demands your focus over the course of nearly nine hours. Expect the character of the road to shift as you transition between the major highway segments and more localized state routes, requiring you to remain attentive to changing speed limits and traffic patterns.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 64 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

US 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 86.8 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 79 and United States Highway 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.

Route Complexity 10/10

High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day

This is a demanding drive. With 37 significant decision points across 454.6 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 78.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 92.5 miles (US 77 / North Navarro Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 37 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

78.4 mi into trip | ~1h 33m in

Take the exit

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

92.5 mi into trip | ~1h 50m in | US 77 / North Navarro Street

Turn left onto US 77 / North Navarro Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left / none lanes.

254.8 mi into trip | ~4h 55m in | US 79

Keep slight left at fork onto US 79

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

388 mi into trip | ~7h 31m in | US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue

Turn left onto US 271; TX 155 / South Beckham Avenue

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 79	86.8 mi	1h 40m
United States Highway 77	57.9 mi	1h 5m
State Highway 155	55.6 mi	1h 3m
North Navarro Street	40.1 mi	45m
State Highway 21	36.6 mi	40m
Farm to Market Road 136	17.8 mi	23m
North US Highway 77	17.3 mi	19m
North Tyler Street	14.9 mi	17m

Longest stretch: US 79 — 86.8 mi, about 1h 40m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on I 37

0.2 mi · 21 sec · I 37

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Turn right onto North Brownlee Boulevard

122 ft · 2 sec · North Brownlee Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Merge onto US 181; TX 35

10 mi · 11 min · New Harbor Bridge

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35

1.5 mi · 1 min · TX 35

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Turn straight onto State Highway 35

0.6 mi · 1 min · State Highway 35

Turn left onto FM 136

18 mi · 23 min · Farm to Market Road 136

Continue on FM 2678

9.6 mi · 9 min · FM 2678

At end of road, turn left onto FM 774

1.5 mi · 2 min · FM 774

Turn right onto US 77

1.9 mi · 3 min · South Alamo Street

Turn slight right onto US 77

33 mi · 37 min · United States Highway 77

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto US 77

1.2 mi · 1 min · US Highway 77 South

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 55 sec

Use the left lane.

Merge onto US 59; US 77

13 mi · 14 min · US 59; US 77

Take the exit onto US 77

0.5 mi · 1 min · US 77

Turn left onto US 77

40 mi · 45 min · North Navarro Street

Use the straight / left / none lanes.

At end of road, turn right onto US 77; US 90 Alt

0.4 mi · 26 sec · Fairwinds Street

Continue on US 77; US 90 Alt

0.3 mi · 25 sec · West 4th Street

Turn left onto US 77

1.4 mi · 1 min · North Texana Street

Continue on US 77

0.2 mi · 14 sec · United States Highway 77

Continue on US 77

6.8 mi · 7 min · US 77

Continue on US 77; FM 532

25 mi · 28 min · United States Highway 77

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 77

2.7 mi · 3 min · South Jefferson Street

Continue on US 77

17 mi · 19 min · North US Highway 77

Continue on US 77

9.5 mi · 10 min · South Main Street

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

186 ft · 5 sec

Continue on this road

0.2 mi · 31 sec · this road

Merge onto TX 21

37 mi · 40 min · State Highway 21

Turn left onto TX OSR

8.1 mi · 10 min · West Old San Antonio Road

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Merge onto US 190; TX 6

11 mi · 12 min · South State Highway 6

Continue on US 190; TX 6

2.1 mi · 2 min · South Market Street

Continue on US 79; TX 6

0.3 mi · 22 sec · North State Highway 6

Keep slight left at fork onto US 79

79 mi · 1 hr 30 min · US 79

Use the none lane.

Merge onto US 79; US 84

7.7 mi · 10 min · US 79; US 84

Turn left onto TX 155

0.2 mi · 21 sec · North Link Street

Turn straight onto TX 155

21 mi · 23 min · State Highway 155

Continue on TX 155

0.4 mi · 30 sec · South Elm Street

Continue on TX 155

1.5 mi · 1 min · North Frankston Highway

Continue on TX 155

19 mi · 22 min · State Highway 155

Continue on TX 155

2.0 mi · 3 min · Frankston Highway

Continue on TX 155

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Vine Avenue

Turn straight onto South Palace Avenue

0.2 mi · 27 sec · South Palace Avenue

Turn right onto TX 31

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Front Street

Turn left onto US 271; TX 155

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Beckham Avenue

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 271; TX 155

1.6 mi · 2 min · East Gentry Parkway

Continue on US 271; TX 155

5.5 mi · 6 min · US Highway 271

Turn left onto TX 155

4.9 mi · 5 min · State Highway 155 North

Continue on TX 155

1.1 mi · 1 min · South Main Street

Continue on TX 155

6.7 mi · 7 min · State Highway 155 North

At end of road, turn right onto US 80; TX 155

0.9 mi · 1 min · West Broadway Street

Use the none lane.

Turn left onto TX 155

15 mi · 17 min · North Tyler Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto TX 155

16 mi · 17 min · State Highway 155

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 52 sec

Merge onto US 259

7.1 mi · 10 min · US 259

Turn slight right

339 ft · 12 sec

Turn straight onto FM 250

5.9 mi · 10 min · East Industrial Boulevard

Turn left onto FM 250

1.0 mi · 1 min · FM 250

Turn right onto TX 11; TX 49; FM 250

428 ft · 12 sec · 1st Street

Turn left onto Ward

104 ft · 4 sec · Ward

Arrive at destination

Ward

Trip Plan

To keep your energy levels steady, schedule your two recommended stops strategically to break up the nearly nine-hour travel time. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach your destination well before nightfall. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the long 86.8-mile stretch on US 79 where services might be more dispersed. Since the trip is quite substantial, splitting the drive over two days allows you to navigate the various highway transitions with more flexibility and less stress. Prioritize consistent hydration and frequent movement during your two planned stops to stay sharp behind the wheel.

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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 227.3 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 4h 23m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 86.8 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 100 miles or 1h 59m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 227.3 miles or 4h 23m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 227.3 miles or 4h 23m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 40m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hughes Springs, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Corpus Christi, TX

Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Hughes Springs, TX

Aim for roughly 227 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Corpus Christi, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on US 79 for about 86.8 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 227.3 mi from Corpus Christi, TX · 4h 23m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Killeen, TX

227 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Killeen, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Killeen, TX

227 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Killeen, TX after about 227 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Austin, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Austin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 227.3 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 US 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 86.8 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 227 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.

Arriving in Hughes Springs, TX

The final approach into Hughes Springs, 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 Hughes Springs, TX.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Hughes Springs, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$69.44 one way

$138.89 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 159 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$76.10	$152.20
premium	$4.59	$82.17	$164.34
diesel	$5.64	$101.00	$201.99

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$69

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$199–$309

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 159.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	136.4	1	$47.73	$21.82
Efficient EV	113.7	1	$39.78	$18.18
EV Truck/SUV	181.8	2	$63.64	$29.09

Gas CO2

159 kg

EV CO2

53 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

1:10 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Hughes Springs, TX

Afternoon in Hughes Springs on Sunday

Local time

1:10 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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

10 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

8h 57m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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 Hughes Springs, TX covers 454.6 miles and takes about 8h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are US 79, United States Highway 77, State Highway 155. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 227 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 227.3 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 $69.44 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from Corpus Christi, TX to Hughes Springs, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

Hughes Springs, TX to Corpus Christi, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

456 mi 8h 56m

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Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Hughes Springs, TX

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Hughes Springs, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Corpus Christi, TX

Hughes Springs, TX

Same local time

10 degrees cooler at arrival

8h 57m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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