Trip from Andrews, TX to Brownsville, TX

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

Drive Time

11h 24m

Distance

636.2 mi

1,024 km

Drive Score

7/10

Good drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$87

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 30 min

4 AM

11h 15m ★

6 AM

11h 25m

8 AM

11h 45m

10 AM

11h 32m

12 PM

11h 30m

3 PM

11h 33m

5 PM

11h 44m

8 PM

11h 19m

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

Best Time

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city in and county seat of Andrews County, Texas, United States

Andrews, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Brownsville, TX

Eddie O.

Trip Overview

Andrews, TX to Brownsville, TX is 636.2 miles and takes about 11 hours 24 minutes via Lucian Adams Freeway and US 87, with a fuel budget near $92 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though it's recommended over 2 days. This long-haul drive traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path across the state. Given its length, it's best suited for those who prefer to cover significant ground efficiently. Planning for an overnight stop will make the trip more comfortable and allow you to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

3 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

318.1 miles from Andrews, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Lucian Adams Freeway	125.1 mi	2h 6m
U.S. Highway 77	105 mi	1h 56m
US 87	72.2 mi	1h 17m
I 10	71.7 mi	1h 14m
West Highway 176	57.4 mi	1h 11m
William B Crooker Memorial Highway	47.1 mi	47m
US 83	40 mi	38m
I 69E	31.3 mi	33m

Longest stretch: Lucian Adams Freeway — 125.1 mi, about 2h 6m

Traffic on I-37

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,281 veh/hr typical · worst 2,827

Quietest

2 AM

~200 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

11.4×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on this road

76 ft · 7 sec · this road

Turn right onto TX 115; TX 176

1.2 mi · 2 min · East Broadway Street

Continue on TX 115; TX 176

57 mi · 1 hr 11 min · West Highway 176

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 45 sec

Merge onto US 87

47 mi · 47 min · William B Crooker Memorial Highway

Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163

1.2 mi · 2 min · 4th Street

Continue on US 87

15 mi · 14 min · US Highway 87 South

Continue on US 87

72 mi · 1 hr 17 min · US 87

Turn right onto US 83

21 mi · 23 min · South Main Street

Continue on US 83

29 mi · 31 min · Ellis Street

Take the exit onto US 83

40 mi · 38 min · US 83

Toward I 10 East: San Antonio Use the left lane.

Continue on I 10

54 mi · 54 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

17 mi · 19 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

1.7 mi · 2 min · McDermott Freeway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.2 mi · 16 sec · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dolorosa Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on West Market Street

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West Market Street

Continue on East Market Street

0.4 mi · 40 sec · East Market Street

Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Tower of the Americas Way

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 37 South, US 281 South

Merge onto I 37; US 281

1.4 mi · 1 min · William J Bordelon Freeway

Continue on I 37; US 281

125 mi · 2 hr 6 min · Lucian Adams Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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

For this 11-hour drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to leave early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight. With 3 recommended stops, plan to break up the drive into manageable segments, ensuring you refuel when opportunities arise, as the longest stretch is over 125 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially when transitioning off the main highways, as services can become less frequent. This route is ideal for starting your trip with a solid day of driving and concluding it the following day.

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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 318.1 miles from Andrews, TX, or about 5h 42m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.1 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 140 miles or 2h 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 318.1 miles or 5h 42m 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 318.1 miles or 5h 42m

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 10h 18m

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 Andrews, 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 Andrews, TX

Aim for roughly 318 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Brownsville, TX

Aim for roughly 318 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 140 miles from Andrews, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Lucian Adams Freeway for about 125.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Kimble County, Texas, United States

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Junction, TX

210 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

San Antonio, TX

420 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 San Antonio, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

San Antonio, TX

318 mi · about 5.7h in

A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 318 miles or 5.7 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Live Oak, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 140 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kerrville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 318.1 miles from Andrews, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Lucian Adams Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.1 miles.

Overnight split

0.9 mi from route

Washington Plaza

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Brownsville, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19565422064

Visit website

Stillman House Museum

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Brownsville, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19565415560

Visit website

Gladys Porter Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Brownsville, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+19565467187

Visit website

Southern Pacific Linear Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Brownsville, TX

Hours: 7 am–10 pm

+19565422064

Visit website

Children's Museum of Brownsville

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Brownsville, TX

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+19565489300

Visit website

Padre Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–9 pm

+12102077275

Lincoln Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Brownsville, Texas

Hours: 8 am–10 pm

+19569974875

Visit website

Roosevelt Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 5 am–11 pm

+12102077275

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 244.9 and 635.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

244.9 mi into trip | ~4h 31m in | US 83

Take the exit onto US 83 toward I 10 East: San Antonio

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

Use the left lane. Toward I 10 East: San Antonio

339.1 mi into trip | ~6h 4m in | I 10; US 87

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

358.2 mi into trip | ~6h 25m in

Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown

487.6 mi into trip | ~8h 39m 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

635.1 mi into trip | ~11h 22m 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

$87.14 one way

$174.28 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 223 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$97.33	$194.67
premium	$4.23	$105.82	$211.65
diesel	$4.80	$120.13	$240.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$87

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$217–$327

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 222.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $67 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	190.9	2	$66.80	$30.54
Efficient EV	159.1	1	$55.67	$25.45
EV Truck/SUV	254.5	3	$89.07	$40.72

Gas CO2

223 kg

EV CO2

74 kg (67% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 Jul 16, 2026

Origin

Andrews, TX

Late night in Andrews on Sunday

Local time

2:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 5 to 10 mph 44% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:35PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:32PM CDT until July 21 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Destination

Brownsville, TX

Late night in Brownsville on Sunday

Local time

2:29 AM

CDT

Current temp

94°F

Partly Sunny

SE 17 mph 7% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:35PM CDT until July 16 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 16 at 3:32PM CDT until July 21 at 2:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

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

12 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

11h 24m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

4 mi from route ~9 min detour Free near mile 372.9

View on nps.gov

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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 636.2

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 307.1

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 ~67 min detour $25 near mile 548.4

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is mostly highway cruising, with 84% of the route on major roads like Lucian Adams Freeway and US 87. You'll encounter the longest stretch of uninterrupted highway at 125.1 miles on Lucian Adams Freeway. Expect to transition to surface roads as you approach your destination, which can mean more frequent intersections and slower speeds. The extensive highway share suggests a generally efficient pace for most of the trip.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

34 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 125.1 mi on Lucian Adams Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Lucian Adams Freeway and U.S. Highway 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 244.9 miles in near US 83.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 636.2 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: at 244.9 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 339.1 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 358.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

3,176 ft 34 ft

Total Climb

303 ft

Total Descent

3,444 ft

Highest Point

3,176 ft

Elevation Range

3,142 ft

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 Andrews, TX to Brownsville, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.

Downtown

358.2 mi in | ~6h 25m

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Cafeteria y delicias Mrs. Wong

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.8 mi from route ~7 min detour

Heroica Matamoros

Buffalo Wild Wings

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

Andrews, TX

Cuisine: wings

Hours: Mo-We,Su 11:00-22:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-24:00

Visit website

Subway

Fast_food

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, TX

Cuisine: sandwich

Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-22:00; We 07:00-22:00; Th-Fr...

Visit website

Wingstop

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Brownsville, TX

Cuisine: wings

Sushi Bento

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: sushi

Delicious Desserts and Deli

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Brownsville, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop;sandwich;tex-mex;dessert

Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-17:00

Visit website

South Garden

Restaurant

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: chinese

Welcome to Texas Sign

Attraction

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

Brownsville, TX

Mutual Public Square

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour

Heroico Colegio Militar

Park

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

Stillman House Museum

Museum

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

Brownsville, TX

Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00

Visit website

Brownsville Heritage Museum

Museum

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

About the Cities

Starting in Andrews, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1937

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 125.1 miles on Lucian Adams Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 318 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 48 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 48 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 11.4 hours each way, a round trip means 22.8 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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