Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Brownsville, TX to Pasadena, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 17m
Distance
363.1 mi
584 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$50
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 7m
★
6 AM
7h 18m
8 AM
7h 39m
10 AM
7h 25m
12 PM
7h 23m
3 PM
7h 26m
5 PM
7h 38m
8 PM
7h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
Pasadena, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Embarking on this 363.1-mile journey from Brownsville, TX to Pasadena, TX will take approximately 7 hours and 17 minutes of driving time. This route is entirely within Texas, moving you from the southern tip of the state across to the Houston metropolitan area. With a fuel cost estimated at $55 and focused primarily on highways, this drive is well-suited as a single-day trip, though you have the flexibility to stop twice along the way. The Great Plains region provides the backdrop for this straightforward, highway-focused passage.
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
181.6 miles from Brownsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m 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 77 | 37.6 mi | 44m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| Southwest Freeway | 16.7 mi | 18m |
| Main Street | 11.5 mi | 15m |
| North Expressway | 10.6 mi | 12m |
| South Loop West | 9.3 mi | 11m |
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
~682 veh/hr typical · worst 936
Quietest
2 AM
~109 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Pasadena, 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
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
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 112
Toward US 90 Alt: Sugar Land, Stafford
Use the slight right lane.
34
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
35
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Use the straight / right lanes.
36
Merge onto US 90 Alt
11 mi
·
15 min
·
Main Street
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto South Loop West Frontage Road
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
South Loop West Frontage Road
38
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 610 East
39
Merge onto I 610
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
South Loop West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Exit 30B
Toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
Use the slight right lane.
41
Keep slight right at fork
206 ft
·
5 sec
Toward Central Street, Old Galveston Road
Use the slight right lane.
42
Turn straight
385 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on La Porte Freeway Frontage Road
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
La Porte Freeway Frontage Road
44
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward TX 225 East
45
Merge onto TX 225
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Continue on TX 225
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
Pasadena Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Shaver Street, Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
48
Turn straight onto Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
49
Turn right onto South Shaver Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Shaver Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
50
Turn left onto Southmore Avenue
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Southmore Avenue
Use the left lane.
51
Turn left onto South Main Street
84 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Main Street
Use the left lane.
52
Arrive at destination
South Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, an early morning departure from Brownsville is recommended to arrive in Pasadena with daylight to spare. With only two suggested stops, you can strategically plan your breaks to coincide with the longest stretches of highway, perhaps breaking up the 126.7-mile segment on U.S. Highway 77. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $55, and plan your refueling accordingly. This route's highway-centric nature means you can maintain a good pace, but always be aware of changing traffic conditions as you approach the Houston area.
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 181.6 miles from Brownsville, TX, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.7 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 80 miles or 1h 31m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181.6 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pasadena, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Brownsville, TX
This is one driving day of about 363.1 miles and 7h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Brownsville, 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 U.S. Highway 77 for about 126.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
182 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 181.6 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.
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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.9 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.2 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 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 websiteEl Campo Lost Lagoon
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
1.3 mi from route
~3 min detour
El Campo, Texas
+19792751600
Visit websiteGet Air Trampoline Park
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, short detour
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+19564293782
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 355 decision points cluster between mile 335.5 and 363.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
335.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 39m in
Take the exit toward US 90 Alt: Sugar Land, Stafford
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 112
Toward US 90 Alt: Sugar Land, Stafford
8
358 mi into trip
|
~7h 9m in
Take the exit toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
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 30B
Toward TX 225 East: Pasadena, La Porte
9
358.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Central Street, Old Galveston Road
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Central Street, Old Galveston Road
7
361.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 13m in
Take the exit toward Shaver Street, Main Street
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.
Toward Shaver Street, Main Street
7
363.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 17m in
|
South Main Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.73 one way
$99.47 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
127 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $55.55 | $111.10 |
| premium | $4.23 | $60.40 | $120.80 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $68.56 | $137.12 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 127 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.9 | 1 | $38.13 | $17.43 |
| Efficient EV | 90.8 | 1 | $31.77 | $14.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 145.2 | 1 | $50.83 | $23.24 |
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Brownsville, TX
Night in Brownsville on Monday
Local time
9:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:45AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:45AM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Pasadena, TX
Night in Pasadena on Monday
Local time
9:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:45AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Watch
Flood Watch issued July 17 at 1:45AM MDT until July 17 at 6:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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.
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
1 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
7h 17m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 12.5
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 87.6
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 predominantly highway-focused drive, with 89% of the route utilizing major roadways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 126.7 miles on U.S. Highway 77, offering extended periods of steady travel. The primary roads guiding you include U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59 South, ensuring a consistent driving experience for much of the trip. This profile suggests a journey where maintaining speed and covering distance efficiently is the main objective.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
52 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 335.5 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 35 significant decision points across 363.1 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 335.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 358 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 358.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
109 ft
27 ft
Total Climb
143 ft
Total Descent
152 ft
Highest Point
109 ft
~285.3 mi in
Elevation Range
82 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 Pasadena, TX, road signs point toward Sinton, Victoria and Stafford.
Sinton
152.3 mi in
|
~3h 7m
|
via US 77
Victoria
152.3 mi in
|
~3h 7m
|
via US 77
Stafford
335.5 mi in
|
~6h 39m
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
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 17m. Total distance: 363.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 — we found about 20 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 Pasadena, 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 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 335.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 358 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 358.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7.3 hours each way, a round trip means 14.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pasadena, 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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