Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Brownsville, TX to Hereford, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
13h 53m
Distance
759.4 mi
1,222 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$116
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
13h 41m
★
6 AM
13h 53m
8 AM
14h 18m
10 AM
14h 2m
12 PM
13h 59m
3 PM
14h 3m
5 PM
14h 17m
8 PM
13h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
Hereford, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Brownsville, TX to Hereford, TX is 759.4 miles and takes about 13h 53m via US 281, U.S. Highway 77, and I 10, with a fuel budget near $112 and an overnight stay recommended. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, transitioning from the southern tip to the Panhandle region. While primarily a practical transit route, you'll experience a significant shift in landscape and feel as you head north. With a recommended two days for the trip, it's designed for efficient travel across the state, so plan accordingly for fuel and rest stops.
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
379.7 miles from Brownsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 7h into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 281 | 122.7 mi | 2h 12m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 102 mi | 1h 53m |
| I 10 | 98.7 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 385 | 42.2 mi | 53m |
| Frisco Avenue | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| Highway 84 | 31.4 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 153 | 29.5 mi | 33m |
Longest stretch:
US 281
— 122.7 mi, about 2h 12m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~533 veh/hr typical · worst 963
Quietest
3 AM
~94 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Brownsville, TX and Hereford, TX.
1
Start on US 77 Business
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Washington Street
2
Turn right onto East 7th Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East 7th Street
3
Turn left onto North Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Frontage Road
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
54 sec
Toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North
Use the left lane.
5
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
11 mi
·
12 min
·
North Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
102 mi
·
1 hr 53 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork
0.1 mi
·
8 sec
8
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
9
Turn left onto FM 772
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
FM 772
10
Turn straight onto US 77 Business
4.4 mi
·
7 min
·
South 6th Street
11
Turn left onto TX 141
14 mi
·
17 min
·
West King Avenue
12
Take the ramp
0.6 mi
·
1 min
13
Merge onto US 281
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
US 281
14
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Nueces Street
15
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 281
16
Take the exit onto US 281
68 mi
·
1 hr 10 min
·
US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi
·
3 min
·
East César E. Chávez Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 35 North
20
Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87
93 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Pan Am Expressway
21
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
McDermott Freeway
Exit 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87
15 mi
·
17 min
·
McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
24
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 83
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
25
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi
·
30 min
·
North Main Street
Use the right lane.
26
Continue on US 83
42 mi
·
44 min
·
Frisco Avenue
27
Continue on US 83
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Roberts Avenue
28
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft
·
18 sec
·
Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
29
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
30
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi
·
13 min
·
FM 2111
31
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 153
32
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 153
33
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
34
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
35
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Georgia Avenue
36
Take the ramp
340 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
37
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 20; US 84
38
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
39
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
40
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
41
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
42
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
43
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
44
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
45
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
46
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
47
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
48
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
49
Continue on US 84
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Avenue Q South Drive
Use the left lane.
50
Turn left onto US 84
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Clovis Road
51
Continue on US 84
11 mi
·
11 min
·
Highway 84
52
Continue on US 84
16 mi
·
16 min
·
US Highway 84
53
Turn right onto Loop 430
320 ft
·
8 sec
·
Delano Avenue
54
At end of road, turn left onto Loop 430
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
Delano Avenue
55
Turn right onto US 385
21 mi
·
21 min
·
North Eastside Avenue
56
Continue on North Main Street
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
North Main Street
57
Turn straight onto US 385
21 mi
·
22 min
·
US 385
58
Turn left onto US 385
21 mi
·
31 min
·
US 385
59
Turn right onto US 60
0.5 mi
·
37 sec
·
West 1st Street
60
Turn left
242 ft
·
17 sec
61
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 13h 53m duration, this trip is best split over two days to avoid excessive fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight driving. Plan your first overnight stop roughly halfway, perhaps after about 6-7 hours of driving, ensuring you have ample time for meals and relaxation. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the longer stretches on US 281, as services can be spaced out in some parts of Texas. The fuel cost estimate of $112 is based on average prices, so actual expenses may vary.
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 379.7 miles from Brownsville, TX, or about 7h into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 122.7 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 167 miles or 3h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 379.7 miles or 7h 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 379.7 miles or 7h
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 12h 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hereford, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Brownsville, 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 Brownsville, TX
Aim for roughly 380 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hereford, TX
Aim for roughly 380 miles and 6.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 167 miles from Brownsville, 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 US 281 for about 122.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
251 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
501 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 Sweetwater, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
380 mi · about 6.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near Junction, TX after about 380 miles or 6.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 167 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 379.7 miles from Brownsville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 122.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 380 miles or 6.9 hours on the road.
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.
Rest Area
0 mi from route
Kerr County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area Westbound US 84
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area Eastbound US 84
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
0.1 mi from route
Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Scenic View
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
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
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.8 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.8 mi from route
Washington Plaza
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19565422064
Visit websiteStillman House Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19565415560
Visit websiteGladys Porter Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19565467187
Visit websiteSouthern Pacific Linear Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Brownsville, TX
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+19565422064
Visit websiteRoosevelt Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+12102077275
Visit websiteChildren's Museum of Brownsville
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Brownsville, TX
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19565489300
Visit websiteLincoln Park
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+19569974875
Visit websiteHemisfair
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Early stretch
2.1 mi from route
~5 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+12107094750
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 435 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 289.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North
8
272.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m in
Take the exit toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
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 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodom...
8
274.2 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m in
|
I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
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.
Exit 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
6
275.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 14m in
|
I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
289.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 32m 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 left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$116.27 one way
$232.54 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
266 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $128.32 | $256.64 |
| premium | $4.64 | $138.67 | $277.33 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $184.74 | $369.48 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$116
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$246–$356
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 265.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $80 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 227.8 | 2 | $79.74 | $36.45 |
| Efficient EV | 189.9 | 2 | $66.45 | $30.38 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 303.8 | 3 | $106.32 | $48.60 |
Gas CO2
266 kg
EV CO2
89 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.
Origin
Brownsville, TX
Late night in Brownsville on Monday
Local time
3:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 12 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Hereford, TX
Late night in Hereford on Monday
Local time
3:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
37°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
82°F
Sweetwater, TX
501 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.
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
21 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
13h 53m 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...
3 mi from route
~7 min detour
Free
near mile 261.9
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
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 314.2
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
$25
near mile 78.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a significant amount of highway driving, with 76% of the total distance on major roads like US 281, U.S. Highway 77, and I 10. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 122.7 miles on US 281, indicating extended periods of rural cruising. Surface roads will likely begin after this, offering a change of pace from the higher-speed highway segments. Expect a mix of open road and more developed areas as you navigate through various Texas locales.
76% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
61 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 122.7 mi on US 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 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 1.4 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 43 significant decision points across 759.4 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.2 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): 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
3,817 ft
36 ft
Total Climb
4,149 ft
Total Descent
367 ft
Highest Point
3,817 ft
~759.4 mi in
Elevation Range
3,782 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Brownsville, TX and Hereford, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome, Menard and Lubbock.
Alamodome
272.4 mi in
|
~5h 9m
Menard
388.4 mi in
|
~7h 9m
|
via US 83
Lubbock
541.9 mi in
|
~9h 55m
|
via US 84
About the Cities
Starting 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 — former US Amy post in Texas
- • Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park — historic site in Brownsville (vicinity), Cameron County, Texas
Arriving in Hereford, TX
Full guide →Hereford is a city of 14,600 people (2019) in the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 122.7 miles on US 281. 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 380 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 50 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 Hereford, 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 50 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 272.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 274.2 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 13.9 hours each way, a round trip means 27.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hereford, 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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