Origin
Morton, TX
Morning in Morton on Friday
Local time
8:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Morton, TX to Corpus Christi, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 31m
Distance
438.2 mi
705 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 24m
★
6 AM
8h 31m
8 AM
8h 47m
10 AM
8h 37m
12 PM
8h 35m
3 PM
8h 37m
5 PM
8h 46m
8 PM
8h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Morton, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 438.2-mile drive from Morton, TX to Corpus Christi, TX will take approximately 8 hours and 31 minutes, making it a solid two-day journey. You'll spend about 62% of your time on highways, with the longest stretch without a significant road change being 113.5 miles on the Diboll Relief Route. With an estimated fuel cost of $66, this route offers a straightforward highway-focused experience. Given the duration and distance, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended to allow for comfortable stops and to fully appreciate the drive. You'll begin in the Great Plains region and end in the same region, traversing the heart of Texas.
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
219.1 miles from Morton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 15m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 8-hour-plus trip. You'll be navigating primarily on major arteries like US Highway 59 and Southwest Freeway, alongside the Diboll Relief Route. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 113.5 miles on the Diboll Relief Route, indicating periods of sustained driving. While much of this route prioritizes efficient travel, the considerable highway share suggests a consistent pace, with fewer opportunities for slow, scenic cruising and more focus on covering ground.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 57 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Diboll Relief Route is the longest continuous segment at about 113.5 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Diboll Relief Route and US Highway 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Eagleton Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 25 significant decision points across 438.2 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: near the start (Eagleton Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 26 miles (TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 82 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 25 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Eagleton Road
Keep slight left at fork onto Eagleton Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
6
26 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
82 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 59 South: Lufkin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 59 South: Lufkin
6
264.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 7m in
Take the exit toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartle...
6
396.8 mi into trip
|
~7h 40m in
|
FM 2678
Turn right onto FM 2678
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Morton, TX to Corpus Christi, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.
Spur 10: Cottonwood
264.5 mi in
|
~5h 7m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Diboll Relief Route | 113.5 mi | 2h 4m |
| US Highway 59 | 74.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Southwest Freeway | 34.7 mi | 40m |
| US Highway 77 South | 33.2 mi | 37m |
| South US Highway 59 | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| US Route 259 | 19.3 mi | 21m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 17.7 mi | 23m |
| US 59 | 17 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
Diboll Relief Route
— 113.5 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Morton, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
1
Start on Eagleton Road
37 ft
·
0 sec
·
Eagleton Road
2
Keep slight left at fork onto Eagleton Road
87 ft
·
3 sec
·
Eagleton Road
3
Turn left onto TX 154
6.4 mi
·
9 min
·
TX 154
4
Turn left onto US 259
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US Hwy 259 South
5
Continue on US 259
8.6 mi
·
12 min
·
North Eastman Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
At end of road, turn left onto TX 322; TX 149
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Estes Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn right onto TX 322
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Gardiner Mitchell Parkway
8
Continue on TX 322
15 mi
·
16 min
·
TX 322
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on TX 322
0.5 mi
·
53 sec
·
TX 322
10
Turn left onto US 259
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Kilgore Drive
11
Continue on US 79; US 259
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
Highway 79
12
Turn left onto US 259
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Route 259
13
Continue on US 259
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Railroad Avenue
14
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi
·
3 min
·
US Route 259
15
Continue on US 259
11 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 259
16
Take the exit
224 ft
·
6 sec
Toward US 59 South: Lufkin
17
Continue on this road
420 ft
·
11 sec
·
this road
18
Continue on this road
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
this road
19
Turn left
104 ft
·
4 sec
20
Turn right onto US 59
0.7 mi
·
47 sec
·
North US Highway 59
21
Continue on US 59
6.4 mi
·
7 min
·
Northwest Stallings Drive
22
Continue on US 59; TX 7; TX 21; Loop 224
0.4 mi
·
25 sec
·
Stallings Drive
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
24
Turn straight
223 ft
·
6 sec
25
Merge onto US 59
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Street
26
Continue on US 59
19 mi
·
22 min
·
South US Highway 59
27
Take the exit
396 ft
·
9 sec
Toward South First Street
28
Turn straight onto South Medford Drive
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Medford Drive
29
Turn left onto US 59 Bus
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South First Street
30
Continue on US 59
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 59
31
Continue on US 59
114 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
·
Diboll Relief Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 69; US 59
35 mi
·
40 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
34
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
35
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
36
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
37
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
38
Merge onto US 59
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
US 59
39
Keep slight left at fork onto US 59
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
40
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
2 min
41
Continue on US 59
75 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US Highway 59
42
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
43
Merge onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
US Highway 77 South
44
Turn straight onto US 77
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Alamo Street
45
Turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Empresario Street
46
Turn right onto FM 2678
9.6 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 2678
Use the right lane.
47
Continue on FM 136
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Farm to Market Road 136
48
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
49
Merge onto TX 35
12 mi
·
13 min
·
TX 35
50
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
51
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
52
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
53
Merge onto I 37
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 37
54
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
387 ft
·
10 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
55
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
444 ft
·
15 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
56
Continue on I 37
483 ft
·
9 sec
·
I 37
57
Arrive at destination
I 37
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 438.2-mile journey, plan to break it into two days, especially given the 8-hour-plus duration. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight hours. With two recommended stops, plan your overnight stay strategically to break up the drive, perhaps around the halfway point or just before the longest 113.5-mile stretch on the Diboll Relief Route. This pace will help keep your estimated fuel cost of $66 manageable and ensure a less rushed experience. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as long highway stretches can mean fewer immediate service stations.
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 219.1 miles from Morton, TX, or about 4h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.5 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 96 miles or 1h 57m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 219.1 miles or 4h 15m 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 219.1 miles or 4h 15m
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 17m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Corpus Christi, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Morton, 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 Morton, TX
Aim for roughly 219 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Corpus Christi, TX
Aim for roughly 219 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Morton, 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 Diboll Relief Route for about 113.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 219.1 mi from Morton, TX · 4h 15m into the drive
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
219 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 Houston, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
219 mi · about 4.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near Houston, TX after about 219 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 96 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 219.1 miles from Morton, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Diboll Relief Route if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.5 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 219 miles or 4.3 hours on the road.
Arriving in Corpus Christi, TX
The final approach into Corpus Christi, 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 Corpus Christi, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Corpus Christi, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$66.21 one way
$132.43 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
153 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $72.48 | $144.95 |
| premium | $4.54 | $78.24 | $156.48 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $96.75 | $193.50 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$196–$306
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 153.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 131.5 | 1 | $46.01 | $21.03 |
| Efficient EV | 109.6 | 1 | $38.34 | $17.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 175.3 | 2 | $61.35 | $28.04 |
Gas CO2
153 kg
EV CO2
51 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.
Destination
Corpus Christi, TX
Morning in Corpus Christi on Friday
Local time
8:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°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
16 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
8h 31m 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 Morton, TX to Corpus Christi, TX covers 438.2 miles and takes about 8h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Diboll Relief Route, US Highway 59, Southwest Freeway. 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 219 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 219.1 miles from Morton, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $66.21 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 25 significant decision points across 438.2 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: near the start (Eagleton Road): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 26 miles (TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway): Lane positioning matters here; at 82 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Morton, TX to Corpus Christi, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.
How this page is built
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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