Traveling from Anna to Corpus Christi covers 434.3 miles across the Texas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes 7 hours and 55 minutes. While this route is feasible as a single-day trip, it is a significant haul, so be prepared for a full day behind the wheel. You will primarily navigate via the South R L Thornton Freeway, TX 130 Toll, and TX 80. Budget approximately $66 for fuel to complete the transit. Because the drive is highway-focused, you can maintain a steady pace, but consider your stamina before deciding to push through without an overnight stay.
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
217.2 miles from Anna, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South R L Thornton Freeway
89.9 mi
1h 32m
TX 130 Toll
58.5 mi
54m
TX 80
51.2 mi
56m
South US Highway 181
40.2 mi
45m
Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi
39m
Central Expressway
35 mi
37m
I 35
26.5 mi
26m
US Highway 181
23.3 mi
26m
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anna, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
1
Start on South Sherley Road
35 ft·8 sec·South Sherley Road
2
Turn left onto FM 2862
0.2 mi·23 sec·West 4th Street
3
Turn left onto TX 5
2.4 mi·3 min·South Powell Parkway
4
Continue on TX 5
3.3 mi·5 min·McKinney Street
5
Turn right onto TX 121
1.0 mi·1 min·Sam Rayburn Highway
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
35 mi·37 min·Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
501 ft·12 sec
Exit 284CToward Downtown, Good-Latimer ExpresswayUse the slight left lane.
9
Continue on North Central Expressway
0.7 mi·1 min·North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Turn right onto Elm Street
304 ft·10 sec·Elm Street
11
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
0.2 mi·28 sec·North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi·19 sec·Young Street
13
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
315 ft·8 sec·South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Canton Street
0.4 mi·47 sec·Canton Street
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·38 sec
Toward I 30 West
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi·14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
17
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·30 sec
Toward I 35E South: WacoUse the left / right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
20
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi·26 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 265Toward TX 130 Toll South: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
25
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 470Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi·35 sec·United States Highway 183
28
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·North Colorado Street
29
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
30
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi·6 min·North Magnolia Avenue
31
Continue on TX 80
51 mi·56 min·TX 80
32
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Farm-to-Market Road 792
33
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
34
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi·1 min·South Sunset Strip Drive
35
Continue on US 181
40 mi·45 min·South US Highway 181
36
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi·55 sec·North 8th Street
37
Continue on US 181
16 mi·18 min·US Highway 181 South
38
Continue on TX 89
4.1 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
39
Continue on US 181
5.9 mi·6 min·US Highway 181
40
Continue on US 181
1.3 mi·1 min·Railroad Avenue
41
Continue on US 181
17 mi·19 min·US Highway 181
42
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
43
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·56 sec
44
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
45
Merge onto I 37
0.3 mi·29 sec·I 37
46
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
387 ft·10 sec·Interstate Highway 37
47
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
444 ft·15 sec·Interstate Highway 37
48
Continue on I 37
483 ft·9 sec·I 37
49
Arrive at destination
I 37
Trip Plan
To manage the 434.3-mile distance effectively, plan for at least two deliberate stops to stretch your legs and refresh. Leaving Anna early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate through varying traffic levels before reaching the coastal region. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge throughout the trip, keeping the $66 budget in mind as you plan your refueling intervals. Since this is a highway-heavy route, utilizing the TX 130 Toll section can help you bypass congestion and maintain your momentum. Flexibility is key, so if the nearly eight-hour drive feels too demanding, look for midway points along the main roads to break up the monotony.
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 217.2 miles from Anna, TX, or about 3h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 96 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 217.2 miles or 3h 51m 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 46m
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 Anna, 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 Anna, TX
This is one driving day of about 434.3 miles and 7h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Anna, 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.
The longest stretch is on South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 205.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
6.8 mi into trip|~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
8
42.6 mi into trip|~49m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
44.7 mi into trip|~53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
44.7 mi into trip|~54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Waco
7
205.9 mi into trip|~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.62 one way
$131.25 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg152 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$71.83
$143.66
premium
$4.54
$77.54
$155.08
diesel
$5.61
$95.89
$191.78
Estimated Tolls: $2.86
Central Expressway
(35.7 mi)$2.86
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130.3
1
$45.60
$20.85
Efficient EV
108.6
1
$38.00
$17.37
EV Truck/SUV
173.7
2
$60.80
$27.80
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 kg (66% 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
Anna, TX
Night
in Anna on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Corpus Christi, TX
Night
in Corpus Christi on Saturday
Local time
11:18 PM
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
13 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
7h 55m 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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 134.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is defined by its efficiency, with 84% of the distance consisting of highway driving. You will start with the longest uninterrupted stretch of 89.9 miles on the South R L Thornton Freeway, which sets a fast, high-traffic tone for the beginning of your journey. As you transition onto TX 130 Toll and TX 80, the character of the road shifts, offering a more varied experience than a standard interstate grind. Expect a consistent, forward-moving pace that keeps you on the move for the duration of the trip. The route is designed for those who prioritize travel time and steady highway speeds over winding, scenic detours.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
49 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway and TX 130 Toll. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 22 significant decision points across 434.3 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 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
726 ft93 ft
Total Climb
243 ft
Total Descent
734 ft
Highest Point
726 ft
~217.2 mi in
Elevation Range
633 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Anna, TX and Corpus Christi, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
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".
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 55m. Total distance: 434.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.86 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Corpus Christi, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Corpus Christi, TX before the return drive.
