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Trip from Alvin, TX to Brownsville, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 57m

Distance

358.7 mi

577 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

35 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min
4 AM
6h 46m ★
6 AM
6h 57m
8 AM
7h 20m
10 AM
7h 5m
12 PM
7h 3m
3 PM
7h 6m
5 PM
7h 19m
8 PM
6h 50m

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

Downtown Alvin, TX, TX

Alvin, TX

Thomas balabaud

Downtown Brownsville, TX, TX

Brownsville, TX

Eddie O.

Trip Overview

This 358.7-mile drive from Alvin, TX, to Brownsville, TX, is a solid day trip, estimated to take just under 7 hours. Primarily following U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59, with a portion on Alamo Street, this route keeps you on well-traveled roads for most of the journey. With a projected fuel cost of around $54, it's an economical option for covering ground. The drive is characterized as highway-focused, and since both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, expect a consistent landscape. It's a straightforward trip that can easily be completed in a single day without feeling overly rushed.

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

179.4 miles from Alvin, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 35m into the drive .

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
US 59 15.8 mi 18m
Southwest Freeway 14 mi 15m
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 Alvin, TX and Brownsville, TX.

1

Start on West Sealy Street

8 ft · 7 sec · West Sealy Street
2

Turn left onto TX 35 Bus

0.4 mi · 39 sec · North Gordon Street
3

Turn left onto TX 6

11 mi · 16 min · West State Highway 6
4

Continue on TX 6

4.4 mi · 6 min · Alvin-Sugarland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5

Continue on TX 6

0.2 mi · 17 sec · TX 6
Use the left lane.
6

Continue on TX 6

2.5 mi · 3 min · TX 6
Use the left lane.
7

Continue on TX 6

7.9 mi · 13 min · TX 6
Use the left lane.
8

Turn left onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

0.6 mi · 50 sec · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
9

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 15 sec
Toward US 59 South, I 69 South Use the left lane.
10

Merge onto I 69; US 59

14 mi · 15 min · Southwest Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 94 Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
12

Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
13

Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
14

Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
15

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
16

Merge onto US 59

9.2 mi · 10 min · US 59
17

Keep slight left at fork onto US 59

6.6 mi · 7 min · US 59
18

Take the exit

1.5 mi · 2 min
19

Continue on US 59

75 mi · 1 hr 22 min · US Highway 59
20

Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91

1.0 mi · 1 min · Spur 91
21

Merge onto US 77

33 mi · 37 min · US Highway 77 South
22

Turn straight onto US 77

37 mi · 43 min · Alamo Street
23

Take the exit onto US 77

0.1 mi · 13 sec · US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
24

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 47 sec
25

Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E

2.5 mi · 2 min · I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
26

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.
27

Keep slight left at fork onto US 77

61 mi · 1 hr 9 min · U.S. Highway 77
28

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

44 mi · 46 min · U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Expressway
30

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.
31

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec
Exit 1B Toward 12th-14th Street Use the slight right lane.
32

Turn straight onto South Expressway

331 ft · 8 sec · South Expressway
33

Turn right onto East 12th Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East 12th Street
Use the right lane.
34

Turn right onto US 77 Business

29 ft · 0 sec · East Washington Street
35

Arrive at destination

US 77 Business

Trip Plan

Given the 6-hour and 57-minute duration, departing in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight. This route has only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or before the longest stretch on U.S. Highway 77. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 105-mile segment, as services might be less frequent. Since this is a manageable one-day trip, you have flexibility, but staying aware of your fuel cost estimate of $54 can help you budget accordingly.

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 179.4 miles from Alvin, TX, or about 3h 35m 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 79 miles or 1h 43m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 179.4 miles or 3h 35m 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 50m

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 Alvin, 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 Alvin, TX

This is one driving day of about 358.7 miles and 6h 57m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Alvin, 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.

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corpus Christi, TX

179 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

Sugar Land, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Refugio, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 179.4 miles from Alvin, 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.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Victoria County Southbound Rest Area

0 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.1 mi from route

Victoria County Northbound Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Kenedy County Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen

0.1 mi from route

Buc-ee's

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area

2.1 mi from route

Washington Plaza

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 358.7

Brownsville, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19565422064

Visit website

Stillman House Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.1 mi from route mile 358.7

Brownsville, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19565415560

Visit website

Escape Again Rooms

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 25.6

Sugar Land, Texas

Hours: 4–10 pm

+18329994572

Visit website

Gladys Porter Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 358.7

Brownsville, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19565467187

Visit website

Southern Pacific Linear Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 358.7

Brownsville, TX

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+19565422064

Visit website

Children's Museum of Brownsville

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 358.7

Brownsville, TX

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19565489300

Visit website

Lincoln Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 358.7

Brownsville, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+19569974875

Visit website

Bates Allen Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 51.2

Kendleton, Texas

Hours: 7 am–6 pm

+12818359419

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 27 and 357.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
27 mi into trip | ~42m in

Take the ramp toward US 59 South, I 69 South

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

Use the left lane. Toward US 59 South, I 69 South
6
41.2 mi into trip | ~57m 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...
7
210.2 mi into trip | ~4h 11m 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
6
302.8 mi into trip | ~5h 55m in | I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77

Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
357.6 mi into trip | ~6h 54m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$54.20 one way

$108.40 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 126 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $59.33 $118.65
premium $4.54 $64.04 $128.09
diesel $5.61 $79.20 $158.39

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 125.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

35 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Sugar Land Hub

Sugar Land, TX

SHELL_RECHARGE

18 DCFC

Shopping Center - Tesla Supercharger

Robstown, TX

Tesla

16 DCFC

Via Del Mar - Tesla Supercharger

Brownsville, TX

Tesla

16 DCFC

Fuel America - Tesla Supercharger

Kingsville, TX

Tesla

12 DCFC

Stuart Place Crossing - Tesla Supercharger

Harlingen, TX

Tesla

12 DCFC

Sugarland Regional Airport

Sugarland, TX

ONPOINT_EV_SOLUTIONS

8 DCFC

Sweetwater Plaza - Tesla Supercharger

Sugar Land, TX

Tesla

8 DCFC

Rudy's Country Store and BBQ - Tesla Supercharger

Richmond, TX

Tesla

8 DCFC

Tesla: 11 GRAVITI_ENERGY: 4 EV Connect: 4 SHELL_RECHARGE: 2 FORD_CHARGE: 2 Non-Networked: 2 eVgo Network: 2 Blink Network: 2 ChargePoint Network: 2 CHAEVI: 1 Electrify America: 1 EVGATEWAY: 1 ONPOINT_EV_SOLUTIONS: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 107.6 1 $37.66 $17.22
Efficient EV 89.7 1 $31.39 $14.35
EV Truck/SUV 143.5 1 $50.22 $22.96

Gas CO2

126 kg

EV CO2

42 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 17, 2026

Origin

Alvin, TX

Morning in Alvin on Sunday

Local time

9:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Brownsville, TX

Morning in Brownsville on Sunday

Local time

9:19 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Mostly Cloudy

SE 12 mph 0% chance 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 57m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

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...

7 mi from route ~17 min detour Free near mile 346.4
View on nps.gov
Padre Island National Seashore

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 ~67 min detour $25 near mile 272.1
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

You'll find this route to be predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 87% of it spent on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is about 105 miles along U.S. Highway 77, offering a chance to settle in for a good distance. While the majority of the drive is on highways, the inclusion of Alamo Street suggests you'll navigate some more localized roads as you approach your destination. Overall, expect a consistent driving experience that prioritizes efficiency over winding scenic byways.

87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on U.S. Highway 77.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

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 around 27 miles in.

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 20 significant decision points across 358.7 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 27 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.2 miles (I 69E; US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Alvin, TX to Brownsville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.

Spur 10: Cottonwood

41.2 mi in | ~57m

About the Cities

Starting in Alvin, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1893

Alvin is in the Gulf Coast of Texas. Home of the Pitcher Nolan Ryan. It's about 20 miles southeast of Houston, at the intersections of SH-35 and SH-6.

Arriving in Brownsville, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1849

Located at the southernmost tip of Texas, Brownsville is a popular location for Mexican and American beach tourists. It is part of the Rio Grande Valley, a four-county region known for its abundance in citrus fruit production and Winter Texan population. The city features a combination of different climate regimes: Gulf Coast plains and the Great Plains. There is a lot to do in this city: historical museums, art galleries, beaches, birding locations and natural wildlife refuges. As Brownsville is a border town, its culture is predominantly Hispanic.

Top landmarks

  • USS Cabot — 1943 Independence-class aircraft carrier
  • Fort Brown — Texas, a former US Amy post
  • Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park — historic site in Brownsville (vicinity), Cameron County, Texas

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 6h 57m. Total distance: 358.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 105 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Brownsville, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 27 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 41.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 210.2 miles (I 69E; US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Yes — Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brownsville, TX before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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