Trip from Stafford, TX to Brownsville, TX

Drive Time

6h 23m

Distance

337.4 mi

543 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$52

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Eddie O.

Trip Overview

The drive from Stafford, TX to Brownsville, TX covers 337.4 miles and takes about 6h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on U.S. Highway 77, US Highway 59, Alamo Street for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 105 miles on U.S. Highway 77. At current regular gas prices, budget about $51.54 one way before food or hotel costs.

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

168.7 miles from Stafford, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 14m into the drive .

Drive Character

This is a 6h 23m highway drive covering 337.4 miles, with most of the trip on U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59. The longest continuous stretch is about 105 miles on U.S. Highway 77.

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

There are about 31 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

U.S. Highway 77 is the longest continuous segment at about 105 miles.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

115 ft 32 ft

Total Climb

65 ft

Total Descent

139 ft

Highest Point

115 ft

~14.1 mi in

Elevation Range

83 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 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 US 90 Alt / North Main Street.

Route Complexity 10/10

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

This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 337.4 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 (US 90 Alt / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 2.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 21 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | US 90 Alt / North Main Street

Turn right onto US 90 Alt / North Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

2.1 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward US 59

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

Use the left lane. Toward US 59

2.5 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward US 59 South, I 69 South

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 59 South, I 69 South

188.8 mi into trip | ~3h 38m in | I 69E; US 77

Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville

336.2 mi into trip | ~6h 21m in

Take the exit toward 12th-14th Street

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 1B Toward 12th-14th Street

Towns Along This Route

On the drive from Stafford, TX to Brownsville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.

Spur 10: Cottonwood

19.8 mi in | ~23m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
U.S. Highway 77	105 mi	1h 56m
US Highway 59	74.7 mi	1h 22m
Alamo Street	37.1 mi	43m
US Highway 77 South	33.2 mi	37m
I 69E	31.3 mi	33m
Southwest Freeway	16.7 mi	18m
US 59	15.8 mi	18m
North Expressway	11.1 mi	12m

Longest stretch: U.S. Highway 77 — 105 mi, about 1h 56m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Stafford, TX and Brownsville, TX.

Start on this road

111 ft · 10 sec · this road

Turn right onto US 90 Alt

2.0 mi · 3 min · North Main Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 52 sec

Toward US 59 Use the left lane.

Turn slight left onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward US 59 South, I 69 South Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 69; US 59

17 mi · 18 min · Southwest Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Exit 94 Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road

Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · US 59 Southbound Frontage Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Merge onto US 59

9.2 mi · 10 min · US 59

Keep slight left at fork onto US 59

6.6 mi · 7 min · US 59

Take the exit

1.5 mi · 2 min

Continue on US 59

75 mi · 1 hr 22 min · US Highway 59

Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91

1.0 mi · 1 min · Spur 91

Merge onto US 77

33 mi · 37 min · US Highway 77 South

Turn straight onto US 77

37 mi · 43 min · Alamo Street

Take the exit onto US 77

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 77

Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec

Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E

2.5 mi · 2 min · I 37; US 77; I 69E

Use the straight lane.

Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77

31 mi · 33 min · I 69E; US 77

Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 77

61 mi · 1 hr 9 min · U.S. Highway 77

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77

44 mi · 46 min · U.S. Highway 77

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77; US 83

9.0 mi · 10 min · North Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Exit 1B Toward 12th-14th Street Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto South Expressway

331 ft · 8 sec · South Expressway

Turn right onto East 12th Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East 12th Street

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto US 77 Business

29 ft · 0 sec · East Washington Street

Arrive at destination

US 77 Business

Trip Plan

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 168.7 miles from Stafford, TX, or about 3h 14m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 168.7 miles or 3h 14m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 17m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brownsville, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving Stafford, 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 Stafford, TX

This is one driving day of about 337.4 miles and 6h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Stafford, 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 U.S. Highway 77 for about 105 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 168.7 mi from Stafford, TX · 3h 14m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corpus Christi, TX

169 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.

Popular next leg

Corpus Christi, TX to Brownsville, TX

159.9 mi · 2h 59m

Pacing Suggestions

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

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

Corpus Christi, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 168.7 miles from Stafford, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.

Arriving in Brownsville, TX

The final approach into Brownsville, 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 Brownsville, TX.

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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

National Historical Park

On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...

6 mi from route ~15 min detour Free near mile 325.7

View on nps.gov

Padre Island National Seashore

National Seashore

Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour $25 near mile 244.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$51.54 one way

$103.08 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 118 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$56.48	$112.96
premium	$4.59	$60.98	$121.97
diesel	$5.64	$74.96	$149.92

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$52

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$77–$102

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 118.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	101.2	1	$35.43	$16.20
Efficient EV	84.4	0	$29.52	$13.50
EV Truck/SUV	135	1	$47.24	$21.59

Gas CO2

118 kg

EV CO2

39 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 hours ago

Origin

Stafford, TX

Afternoon in Stafford on Sunday

Local time

1:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 15 mph 56% chance Live forecast

Destination

Brownsville, TX

Afternoon in Brownsville on Sunday

Local time

1:15 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°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

3 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

6h 23m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Stafford, TX to Brownsville, TX covers 337.4 miles and takes about 6h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are U.S. Highway 77, US Highway 59, Alamo Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 168.7 miles from Stafford, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $51.54 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

On the drive from Stafford, TX to Brownsville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.

Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from 32 ft to 115 ft elevation with about 65 ft of total climbing.

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Return Trip

Brownsville, TX to Stafford, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

338.9 mi 6h 45m

Explore more options from Stafford, TX or browse trips ending in Brownsville, TX.

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Trip from Stafford, TX to Brownsville, TX

Trip Overview

Drive Character

Elevation Profile

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Brownsville, TX

National Parks Near This Route

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

Padre Island National Seashore

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Stafford, TX

Brownsville, TX

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

6h 23m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this route helpful?

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