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Trip from Bedford, TX to Corpus Christi, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 13m
Distance
397.4 mi
639 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$54
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 3m
★
6 AM
7h 14m
8 AM
7h 35m
10 AM
7h 21m
12 PM
7h 19m
3 PM
7h 22m
5 PM
7h 34m
8 PM
7h 7m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bedford, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 397.4-mile drive from Bedford, TX, to Corpus Christi, TX, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 7 hours and 13 minutes. You'll be on a highway-focused route for 84% of the journey, making it an efficient option for getting from the Great Plains region of North Texas to the coastal Great Plains. With an estimated fuel cost of $60 and planned stops in mind, this trip is manageable within a day. Pack snacks and be ready for a solid stretch of driving, as the longest uninterrupted segment spans 85 miles.
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
198.7 miles from Bedford, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North South Freeway | 85 mi | 1h 28m |
| 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 |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
| US Highway 181 | 23.3 mi | 26m |
| US Highway 181 South | 16.1 mi | 18m |
Longest stretch:
North South Freeway
— 85 mi, about 1h 28m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,844 veh/hr typical · worst 3,686
Quietest
2 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
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 Bedford, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
1
Start on Forest Ridge Drive
95 ft
·
10 sec
·
Forest Ridge Drive
2
Turn left onto Bedford Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Road
3
Turn right onto Airport Freeway
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward TX 183 Express Toll West, TX 121 Express Toll South
Use the slight left lane.
5
Merge onto TX 121; TX 183
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 24B
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Ft Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 35W; US 287; US 377
85 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
14
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
17
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
18
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
19
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
20
Continue on TX 80
51 mi
·
56 min
·
TX 80
21
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 792
22
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
23
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
24
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
South US Highway 181
25
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 8th Street
26
Continue on US 181
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 181 South
27
Continue on TX 89
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 89
28
Continue on US 181
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 181
29
Continue on US 181
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
30
Continue on US 181
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US Highway 181
31
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
32
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
33
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
34
Merge onto I 37
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 37
35
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
387 ft
·
10 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
36
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
444 ft
·
15 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
37
Continue on I 37
483 ft
·
9 sec
·
I 37
38
Arrive at destination
I 37
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 397.4-mile drive, consider an early morning departure from Bedford, TX, to maximize daylight and minimize traffic. With 84% of the route being highway, plan for two fuel and rest stops to break up the 85-mile longest stretch on the North South Freeway. The estimated $60 fuel cost is a good baseline, but always check current prices. This single-day trip allows for flexibility, so adjust your stop times based on your personal pace and needs.
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 198.7 miles from Bedford, TX, or about 3h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85 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 87 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.7 miles or 3h 26m 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 3m
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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, TX
This is one driving day of about 397.4 miles and 7h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Bedford, 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 North South Freeway for about 85 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
199 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 198.7 miles from Bedford, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North South Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 85 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Bayfront Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13618267529
Visit websiteHarbor Playhouse
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
+13618825500
Visit websiteWhataburger Field
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Visit websiteCorpus Christi Museum of Science and History
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13618264667
Visit websiteThe Art Museum of South Texas
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13618253500
Visit websiteTexas State Aquarium
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13618811200
Visit websiteTexas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 12–5 pm
+13618818827
Visit websiteWater's Edge Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13618263460
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 0.6 and 228.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.6 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward TX 183 Express Toll West, TX 121 Express Toll South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward TX 183 Express Toll West, TX 121 Express...
9
5.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
TX 121 / Airport Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121 / Airport Freeway toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
8
12.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South:...
7
169 mi into trip
|
~2h 58m 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
7
228.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.43 one way
$108.86 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $60.80 | $121.60 |
| premium | $4.23 | $66.10 | $132.21 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $75.04 | $150.07 |
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: 139 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 119.2 | 1 | $41.73 | $19.08 |
| Efficient EV | 99.4 | 1 | $34.77 | $15.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 159 | 1 | $55.64 | $25.43 |
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 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.
Origin
Bedford, TX
Late night in Bedford on Monday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
S 5 to 10 mph
21% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 6:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 6:35PM CDT until July 19 at 9:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night in Corpus Christi on Monday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 10 to 17 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 6:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 6:35PM CDT until July 19 at 9:30PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
96°F
San Marcos, TX
199 mi in
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 13m 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
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 95.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 7-hour trip, with 84% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll navigate primarily via the North South Freeway, TX 130 Toll, and TX 80. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is 85 miles on the North South Freeway, so be prepared for sustained highway speeds. This route prioritizes directness over scenic detours, offering a straightforward journey.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85 mi on North South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North South 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 0.6 miles in.
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 14 significant decision points across 397.4 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: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
727 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
408 ft
Total Descent
994 ft
Highest Point
727 ft
~170.3 mi in
Elevation Range
720 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Bedford, TX
Full guide →Bedford is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
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".
Top landmarks
- • USS Lexington — 1942 Essex-class aircraft carrier
- • Corpus Christi Cathedral — historic place in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas
- • Sherman Building — listed on the NRHP in Nuences 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 7h 13m. Total distance: 397.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85 miles on North South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 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. There are 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.3 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.5 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.
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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