Origin
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night in Corpus Christi on Wednesday
Local time
3:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Medina, TX
Data updated 46 minutes ago
Drive Time
3h 23m
Distance
148.8 mi
239 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 11m
★
6 AM
3h 23m
8 AM
3h 47m
10 AM
3h 32m
12 PM
3h 29m
3 PM
3h 33m
5 PM
3h 46m
8 PM
3h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Medina, TX
Mark Direen
Trip Overview
This 148.8-mile journey from Corpus Christi, TX to Medina, TX is a straightforward drive that can easily be completed in a single day, taking approximately 3 hours and 23 minutes. You'll primarily navigate South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway and State Highway 16, with a portion on East Avenue J. Given the relatively short duration and the 44% highway share, it's a manageable day trip with a projected fuel cost of around $22. The drive traverses the Great Plains region throughout, offering a consistent landscape. It's a practical option for those looking for a direct route between these two Texas locations without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
74.4 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 32m into the drive .
Loading map...
Drive Character
Expect a mixed drive on this route, featuring a 44% share of highway driving which offers some faster-paced stretches. The road does present a few different driving experiences, including a longest uninterrupted stretch of 42.2 miles on South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway. While not exclusively a highway grind, you will encounter sections that allow for sustained travel. The character of the road shifts as you progress, moving from more developed areas to potentially more open stretches as you head towards Medina.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 20 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 42.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near I 37.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
I 37
Depart onto I 37
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
4.2 mi into trip
|
~5m in
Take the exit toward TX 358: Padre Island
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward TX 358: Padre Island
5
5.6 mi into trip
|
~6m in
Take the exit toward TX 44: Robstown, Alice
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 44: Robstown, Alice
4
17.8 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
TX 44
Turn left onto TX 44
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
55.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
TX 359 / South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Street
Turn left onto TX 359 / South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway | 42.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| State Highway 16 | 37.2 mi | 55m |
| East Avenue J | 26.2 mi | 30m |
| TX 44 | 11.9 mi | 12m |
| TX 16 | 11.8 mi | 17m |
| East Front Street | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| I 37 | 4.2 mi | 5m |
| South Smith Avenue | 1.3 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway
— 42.2 mi, about 1h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Medina, TX.
1
Start on I 37
4.2 mi
·
5 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
2
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward TX 358: Padre Island
3
Continue on TX 358
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Padre Island Drive
4
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
Toward TX 44: Robstown, Alice
5
Continue on TX 44
11 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 44
Use the straight lane.
6
Turn right onto TX 44
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
·
South US Highway 77
7
Turn left onto TX 44
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
TX 44
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Turn left onto TX 44
26 mi
·
30 min
·
East Avenue J
9
Continue on TX 44; TX 359
522 ft
·
6 sec
·
East Main Street
10
Continue on TX 44; TX 359
11 mi
·
12 min
·
East Front Street
11
Turn left onto TX 359
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
·
South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Street
12
Continue on TX 359
42 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway
13
Turn right onto TX 359
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Galbraith Street
14
Turn left onto TX 16
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Smith Avenue
15
Continue on SH 16
22 mi
·
32 min
·
State Highway 16
16
Continue on TX 16; FM 649
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 16; FM 649
17
Turn straight onto SH 16
16 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 16
18
Turn straight onto TX 16
9.3 mi
·
13 min
·
TX 16
19
Turn right onto 10th Street
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
10th Street
20
Arrive at destination
10th Street
Trip Plan
With a total duration of just over three hours, this drive offers flexibility for when you depart. Leaving Corpus Christi in the morning will allow you to reach Medina with plenty of daylight remaining. While there is only one recommended stop, consider making it a brief refueling or stretch break to keep your momentum. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer 42.2-mile stretch on South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway, to ensure you don't need to make an unscheduled stop. This route is well within the scope of a single-day trip, so focus on enjoying the journey rather than rushing.
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 74.4 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 1h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 42.2 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 80 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 74.4 miles or 1h 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 2h 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Medina, 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 148.8 miles and 3h 23m.
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.
The longest stretch is on South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway for about 42.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 74.4 mi from Corpus Christi, TX · 1h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 74.4 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Medina, TX
The final approach into Medina, 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 Medina, 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
$22.48 one way
$44.97 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $24.61 | $49.22 |
| premium | $4.54 | $26.57 | $53.13 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.85 | $65.71 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 52.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.6 | 0 | $15.62 | $7.14 |
| Efficient EV | 37.2 | 0 | $13.02 | $5.95 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59.5 | 0 | $20.83 | $9.52 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
Medina, TX
Late night in Medina on Wednesday
Local time
3:14 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°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
4 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 23m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Medina, TX covers 148.8 miles and takes about 3h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are South Doctor E.E. Dunlap Highway, State Highway 16, East Avenue J. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 74.4 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 $22.48 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 23m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (I 37): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 5.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Corpus Christi, TX to Medina, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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