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Trip from Sulphur Springs, TX to Corpus Christi, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 46m

Distance

438.1 mi

705 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$66

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
7h 38m ★
6 AM
7h 47m
8 AM
8h 6m
10 AM
7h 53m
12 PM
7h 52m
3 PM
7h 54m
5 PM
8h 5m
8 PM
7h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in Hopkins County, Texas, USA

Sulphur Springs, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Nueces County, Texas, United States

Corpus Christi, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

The drive from Sulphur Springs, TX to Corpus Christi, TX covers 438.1 miles and takes about 7h 46m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Gilmer Street, South Broadway Street, Industrial Drive West for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $66.20 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

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

219 miles from Sulphur Springs, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 53m into the drive .

About the Cities

Starting in Sulphur Springs, TX

Full guide →

Sulphur Springs was founded in 1854, though it was then known as "Bright Star", and is in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas. Though the springs that brought about the name have more or less vanished, it is now known as "The Dairy Capital of Texas", with a museum cultured to that very point, even if the dairy industry has waned a bit around here in the early 21st century.

Arriving in Corpus Christi, TX

Full guide →

Corpus Christi (called Corpus by the locals) is Texas's largest coastal city and the gateway to Padre Island. While Corpus Christi isn't on the way to much of anything except itself (and the islands off its coast), it offers enough to fill a visit in its own right, or a multi-day trip from San Antonio, Austin, or Houston. The name is Latin for "Body of Christ".

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 46m. Total distance: 438.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Turn-heavy local drive route profile.

Drive Character

Expect a 7h 46m drive with frequent turns across 438.1 miles of local and secondary roads.

This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 42 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Gilmer Street is one of the defining roads on this drive.

How Hard Is This Drive?

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.

Driving Effort 4/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 46m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

Where does it get tricky?

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sulphur Springs, TX to Corpus Christi, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Gilmer Street
South Broadway Street
Industrial Drive West
I 35E
I 35E South
I 35E North
South R L Thornton Freeway
North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Some road-level metrics are being recalculated.

Longest stretch: Gilmer Street — detailed segment metrics are refreshing.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Jefferson Street West

115 ft · 4 sec · Jefferson Street West
2

Turn left onto Gilmer Street

253 ft · 5 sec · Gilmer Street
3

Turn straight onto Gilmer Street

1.2 mi · 1 min · Gilmer Street
4

Continue on South Broadway Street

0.3 mi · 31 sec · South Broadway Street
5

Turn right onto Industrial Drive West

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Industrial Drive West
6

Take the ramp slight left

0.2 mi · 24 sec
7

Merge slight left

78 mi · 1 hr 22 min
8

Take the exit slight right toward I 35E: Denton, Waco

0.6 mi · 1 min · I 35E: Denton, Waco
9

Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton

0.1 mi · 15 sec · I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
10

Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco

220 ft · 5 sec · I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
11

Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South: Waco

0.4 mi · 30 sec · I 35E South: Waco
12

Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
13

Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway

89 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
14

Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
15

Continue on Purple Heart Trail

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
16

Keep slight left

26 mi · 26 min
17

Take the exit slight right toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio

0.7 mi · 56 sec · TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
18

Continue straight

59 mi · 54 min
19

Take the exit slight right toward US 183 South: Lockhart

0.2 mi · 30 sec · US 183 South: Lockhart
20

Continue on United States Highway 183

0.5 mi · 35 sec · United States Highway 183
21

Continue on North Colorado Street

4.9 mi · 8 min · North Colorado Street
22

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183
23

Continue on North Magnolia Avenue

4.2 mi · 6 min · North Magnolia Avenue
24

Continue straight

51 mi · 56 min
25

Turn slight left onto Farm-to-Market Road 792

8.4 mi · 10 min · Farm-to-Market Road 792
26

Continue on East Main Street

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street
27

Turn left onto South Sunset Strip Drive

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Sunset Strip Drive
28

Continue on South US Highway 181

40 mi · 45 min · South US Highway 181
29

Continue on North 8th Street

0.8 mi · 56 sec · North 8th Street
30

Continue on US Highway 181 South

16 mi · 18 min · US Highway 181 South
31

Continue on State Highway 89

4.1 mi · 4 min · State Highway 89
32

Continue on US Highway 181

5.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 181
33

Continue on Railroad Avenue

1.3 mi · 1 min · Railroad Avenue
34

Continue on US Highway 181

17 mi · 19 min · US Highway 181
35

Take the exit slight right

0.4 mi · 44 sec
36

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 56 sec
37

Take the ramp slight left

0.5 mi · 1 min
38

Merge slight left

0.3 mi · 29 sec
39

Continue on Interstate Highway 37

387 ft · 10 sec · Interstate Highway 37
40

Continue on Interstate Highway 37

443 ft · 15 sec · Interstate Highway 37
41

Continue straight

482 ft · 9 sec
42

Arrive at your destination

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 219 miles from Sulphur Springs, TX, or about 3h 53m into the drive.

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 96 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 219 miles or 3h 53m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 42m

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 Sulphur Springs, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Sulphur Springs, TX

This is one driving day of about 438.1 miles and 7h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Sulphur Springs, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 219 mi from Sulphur Springs, TX · 3h 53m into the drive

city in Travis and Williamson counties in Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Round Rock, TX

219 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

Waxahachie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 96 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Round Rock, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 219 miles from Sulphur Springs, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

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.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$66.20 one way

$132.40 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 153 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $72.46 $144.92
premium $4.54 $78.22 $156.44
diesel $5.61 $96.73 $193.45

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$66

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$91–$116

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 131.4 1 $46.00 $21.03
Efficient EV 109.5 1 $38.33 $17.52
EV Truck/SUV 175.2 2 $61.33 $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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Sulphur Springs, TX

Morning in Sulphur Springs on Saturday

Local time

11:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Corpus Christi, TX

Morning in Corpus Christi on Saturday

Local time

11:07 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.

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

7h 46m 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 Sulphur Springs, TX to Corpus Christi, TX covers 438.1 miles and takes about 7h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Gilmer Street, South Broadway Street, Industrial Drive West. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 219 miles from Sulphur Springs, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $66.20 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 itself is not hard, but at 7h 46m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.

This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Sulphur Springs, TX to Corpus Christi, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.

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

How this page is built

Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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