Brownsville, TX to Longview, TX is 562.2 miles and takes about 11 hours 2 minutes via U.S. Highway 77 and US 59, with a fuel budget near $83 and best split over two days. This long-haul drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, crossing through Texas. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward trip. Given the distance, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended to avoid an excessively long day behind the wheel.
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
281.1 miles from Brownsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
U.S. Highway 77
126.7 mi
2h 20m
US Highway 59 South
88.6 mi
1h 38m
US 59
57.5 mi
1h 5m
I-69
42 mi
44m
Eastex Freeway
39.8 mi
46m
US 77
37.6 mi
44m
Southwest Freeway
34.7 mi
40m
United States Highway 77
33 mi
37m
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 126.7 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-69
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~698 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,031
Quietest
2 AM
~112 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Longview, 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 NorthUse 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 left at fork
0.2 mi·14 sec
8
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
1.2 mi·1 min·I 69E; US 77
9
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
12 mi·12 min·U.S. Highway 77
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·34 sec
11
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
485 ft·17 sec·US Highway 77 Frontage Road
12
Turn right onto County Road 10
1.0 mi·4 min·County Road 10
13
Turn left onto County Road 79
4.0 mi·15 min·County Road 79
14
Turn left onto County Road 18
0.2 mi·43 sec·County Road 18
15
Turn sharp right
1.1 mi·2 min
16
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·57 sec
17
Merge onto US 77
2.3 mi·2 min·Driscoll Bypass
18
Continue on US 77
13 mi·14 min·U.S. Highway 77
19
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
1.4 mi·1 min·I 37; US 77; I 69E
20
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·50 sec
21
Continue on I 37; US 77; I 69E
463 ft·5 sec·I 37; US 77; I 69E
22
Take the exit onto US 77
38 mi·44 min·US 77
Toward Sinton, Victoria
23
Turn slight right onto US 77
33 mi·37 min·United States Highway 77
24
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.5 mi·1 min·Spur 91
25
Merge onto US 59
89 mi·1 hr 38 min·US Highway 59 South
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
27
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi·2 min·59 Northbound Frontage Road
28
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·58 sec·this road
29
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi·4 min·US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
30
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
31
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
32
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi·37 min·Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59
2.1 mi·2 min·Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 69; US 59
40 mi·46 min·Eastex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69; US 59
0.7 mi·44 sec·I 69; US 59
36
Continue on I-69; US 59
42 mi·44 min·I-69; US 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on US 59; FM 942
36 mi·40 min·US 59; FM 942
38
Take the exit onto US 59
5.7 mi·7 min·US 59
Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
39
Keep slight right at fork onto US 59
16 mi·17 min·US 59
Toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches
40
Turn left
0.7 mi·1 min
41
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·41 sec·this road
42
Merge onto Loop 224
5.9 mi·6 min·Southwest Stallings Drive
43
Continue on US 59
0.9 mi·58 sec·North US Highway 59
44
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Use the left lane.
45
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·20 sec·this road
46
Merge onto US 259
11 mi·12 min·US Highway 259
47
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi·3 min·US Route 259
48
Continue on US 259
2.8 mi·3 min·South Railroad Avenue
49
Continue on US 259
16 mi·18 min·US Route 259
50
Turn right onto US 79; US 259
1.8 mi·2 min·Highway 79
51
Continue on US 259
1.9 mi·2 min·Kilgore Drive
52
Turn right onto TX 322
0.8 mi·1 min·TX 322
53
Continue on TX 322
15 mi·16 min·TX 322
Use the straight lane.
54
Continue on TX 322
1.4 mi·2 min·Gardiner Mitchell Parkway
Use the straight lane.
55
At end of road, turn left onto TX 322; TX 149
3.5 mi·5 min·Estes Parkway
Use the straight lane.
56
Continue on South High Street
3.1 mi·5 min·South High Street
57
Turn left onto US 80
59 ft·1 sec·West Marshall Avenue
58
Arrive at destination
US 80
Trip Plan
For this 11-hour drive, breaking it into two days is the most sensible approach. Aim to depart early on your first day to cover a significant portion, perhaps around 6 hours of driving, before finding a place to rest. You'll have 3 recommended stops along the way, so keep an eye out for services. The longest stretch without a town is over 126 miles on U.S. Highway 77, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment. Budget around $83 for fuel, but check current prices as they can fluctuate.
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 281.1 miles from Brownsville, TX, or about 5h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 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 124 miles or 2h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 281.1 miles or 5h 33m 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 281.1 miles or 5h 33m
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 9h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Longview, 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 281 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Longview, TX
Aim for roughly 281 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 124 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 U.S. Highway 77 for about 126.7 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 555.6 — 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
5
1.8 mi into trip|~3m in|I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
132.9 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Turn sharp right
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
351.4 mi into trip|~6h 58m in|I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
555.6 mi into trip|~10h 51m in|TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway
At end of road, turn left onto TX 322; TX 149 / Estes Parkway
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.56 one way
$163.13 round trip
$3.69/gal25.4 MPG avg197 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.08
$90.37
$180.75
premium
$4.43
$98.10
$196.19
diesel
$5.60
$123.93
$247.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 196.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $59 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
168.7
2
$59.03
$26.99
Efficient EV
140.6
1
$49.19
$22.49
EV Truck/SUV
224.9
2
$78.71
$35.98
Gas CO2
197 kg
EV CO2
66 kg (66% 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 Sep 4, 2026
Origin
Brownsville, TX
Afternoon
in Brownsville on Friday
Local time
4:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 8 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 4 at 1:00AM CDT until September 4 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued September 3 at 11:26PM CDT until September 5 at 12:44PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
Longview, TX
Afternoon
in Longview on Friday
Local time
4:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Clear
0 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 4 at 1:00AM CDT until September 4 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued September 3 at 11:26PM CDT until September 5 at 12:44PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston 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
9 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
11h 2m 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.
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...
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
~71 min detour
$25
near mile 77.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the total mileage on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77 before transitioning to other highways. Expect a high concentration of exits and potential for merging traffic as you navigate through populated areas along the way. The overall feel is one of consistent forward momentum on well-maintained routes.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
58 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 126.7 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 South. 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 Effort10/10
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 31 significant decision points across 562.2 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.8 miles (I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
475 ft32 ft
Total Climb
579 ft
Total Descent
245 ft
Highest Point
475 ft
~522.1 mi in
Elevation Range
443 ft
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 Longview, TX, road signs point toward Sinton, Victoria and Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches.
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.
Longview is a city in the Piney Woods region of Texas. At one time a major headquarters of the vast East Texas Oil Field, petroleum remains a large part of the city's economy. Founded in 1871, the city earned its name when surveyors for the Southern Pacific Railroad noted what a "long view" they could see from a hill near the center of the new town. Longview is now home to more than 75,000 residents and has grown to be an important center of commerce and industry for the Piney Woods region of Texas.
The longest stretch is about 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77. 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 281 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Longview, 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 29 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 1.8 miles (I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.9 miles: Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
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 11.0 hours each way, a round trip means 22.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Longview, TX before the return drive.
