Origin
Brownsville, TX
Morning in Brownsville on Tuesday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Brownsville, TX to Mansfield, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 42m
Distance
512.6 mi
825 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$77
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 34m
★
6 AM
9h 43m
8 AM
10h 0m
10 AM
9h 49m
12 PM
9h 47m
3 PM
9h 50m
5 PM
10h 0m
8 PM
9h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
Mansfield, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Brownsville, TX to Mansfield, TX is 512.6 miles and takes about 9h 42m via U.S. Highway 77, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway, with a fuel budget near $77 and an overnight recommendation. This long-haul drive spans the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward route for those heading north. With a recommended two days for the trip, you'll have ample time to break up the 512.6 miles comfortably. This route is a solid option if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground within the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
256.3 miles from Brownsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 5h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 126.7 mi | 2h 20m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| I 35W | 30.4 mi | 31m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| I 37 | 19.7 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 126.7 mi, about 2h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brownsville, TX and Mansfield, 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 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
1.3 mi
·
1 min
21
Continue on I 37
18 mi
·
18 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
Toward TX 359: Mathis, Skidmore
23
Turn right onto TX 359
12 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 359
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 8th Street
25
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US Highway 181 South
26
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
27
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
28
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
29
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
30
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
31
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
32
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
33
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
34
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
35
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
36
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
37
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
39
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
30 mi
·
31 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
43
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 30
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Turn straight onto South Burleson Boulevard
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
·
South Burleson Boulevard
45
Turn right onto FM 917
8.8 mi
·
14 min
·
East FM 917
46
Continue on FM 917
0.7 mi
·
56 sec
·
South 2nd Avenue
47
Continue on FM 917
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 917
48
Turn left onto South Main Street
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
49
Turn right onto East Broad Street
115 ft
·
2 sec
·
East Broad Street
50
Arrive at destination
East Broad Street
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 42m estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you plan to stop around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a clear break is 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77. Planning your overnight stop will be key to making this drive manageable, ensuring you don't feel rushed on either 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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 256.3 miles from Brownsville, TX, or about 5h 6m 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 113 miles or 2h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 256.3 miles or 5h 6m 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 256.3 miles or 5h 6m
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 8h 33m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mansfield, 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 256 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Mansfield, TX
Aim for roughly 256 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 113 miles from Brownsville, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 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.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
169 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
338 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 Round Rock, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
256 mi · about 4.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near New Braunfels, TX after about 256 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 113 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 256.3 miles from Brownsville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 256 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 285 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 499.9 — 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
6
305.8 mi into trip
|
~6h 6m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
7
364.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 2m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 North: Waco
7
469.5 mi into trip
|
~8h 50m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
6
499.9 mi into trip
|
~9h 21m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 30
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$77.46 one way
$154.91 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
179 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $84.78 | $169.56 |
| premium | $4.54 | $91.52 | $183.04 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $113.18 | $226.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$77
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$207–$317
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 179.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 153.8 | 1 | $53.82 | $24.60 |
| Efficient EV | 128.2 | 1 | $44.85 | $20.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 205 | 2 | $71.76 | $32.81 |
Gas CO2
179 kg
EV CO2
60 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.
Destination
Mansfield, TX
Morning in Mansfield on Tuesday
Local time
7:06 AM
CDT
Current temp
61°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.
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
18 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
9h 42m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 74% of your time on highways, with a significant 126.7-mile stretch on U.S. Highway 77. This means you'll experience extended periods of cruising before transitioning to surface roads. The profile of this drive is best described as a long-haul, so plan for a steady pace. You'll notice the change from more urban environments to more rural cruising as you move further north.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 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 Purple Heart Trail. 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 28 significant decision points across 512.6 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 305.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 364.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
722 ft
29 ft
Total Climb
1,004 ft
Total Descent
437 ft
Highest Point
722 ft
~366.1 mi in
Elevation Range
694 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 Mansfield, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.
Skidmore
171 mi in
|
~3h 25m
Waco
305.8 mi in
|
~6h 6m
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 — Texas, a former US Amy post
- • Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park — historic site in Brownsville (vicinity), Cameron County, Texas
Arriving in Mansfield, TX
Full guide →Founded 1856
Mansfield (Texas) is a fast growing city south of Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
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 256 miles on day one.
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 Mansfield, 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 1.4 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 305.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 364.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.7 hours each way, a round trip means 19.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mansfield, 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, and USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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