Trip from Brownsville, TX to Waxahachie, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 22m
Distance
499 mi
803 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$68
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
Waxahachie, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Brownsville, TX to Waxahachie, TX is 499 miles and takes about 9h 22m via U.S. Highway 77, Purple Heart Trail, and Pickle Parkway, with a fuel budget near $78 and best split over two days. This route traverses the Great Plains region in Texas, offering a mostly highway experience. Given the 9+ hour drive time, planning for an overnight stop is advisable. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making this a straightforward trip for those prioritizing efficient travel between South Texas and the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
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
249.5 miles from Brownsville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 58m 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 35E | 27.8 mi | 27m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| I 37 | 19.7 mi | 19m |
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,987 veh/hr typical · worst 3,782
Quietest
2 AM
~483 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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 Waxahachie, TX.
Start on US 77 Business
Turn right onto East 7th Street
Turn left onto North Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 69E; US 77
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
Take the exit
Turn straight onto US Highway 77 Frontage Road
Turn right onto County Road 10
Turn left onto County Road 79
Turn left onto County Road 18
Turn sharp right
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 77
Continue on US 77
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 37
Take the exit
Turn right onto TX 359
At end of road, turn left onto US 181
Continue on US 181
Continue on US 181
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
Continue on FM 792
Turn straight onto TX 80
Continue on TX 80
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Continue on US 183
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
Keep slight left at fork
Merge onto I 35
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35; US 77
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
Take the exit
Turn straight onto South Interstate 35E
Turn right onto Five Points Road
Turn right onto FM 66
Turn left onto US 77
Continue on US 77
Turn right
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of over 9 hours, this trip is best split into two days to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight driving. Consider stopping around the halfway point, as you'll have a long stretch on U.S. Highway 77 before reaching other main roads. Budget around $78 for fuel, and remember to check your fuel levels before embarking on the longest 126.7-mile stretch. Two planned stops are recommended to break up the 499 miles.
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.
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 110 miles or 2h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 249.5 miles or 4h 58m 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 249.5 miles or 4h 58m
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 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waxahachie, 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 250 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Waxahachie, TX
Aim for roughly 250 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
250 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 San Antonio, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
250 mi · about 4.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 250 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
A short stop after about 110 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 249.5 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 250 miles or 4.7 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.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area
Flying J Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
Kenedy County Rest Area
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
Flying J Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Road Ranger
Petro Stopping Centers
Buc-ee's
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
Circle K
Ascent Travel Center
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
QuikTrip
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
Road Ranger
Love's Travel Stop
QuikTrip
Buc-ee's
TA
Service Plaza
Washington Plaza
Near the start, right off the route
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19565422064
Visit websiteStillman House Museum
Near the start, right off the route
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19565415560
Visit websiteGladys Porter Zoo
Near the start, right off the route
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19565467187
Visit websiteSouthern Pacific Linear Park
Near the start, right off the route
Brownsville, TX
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+19565422064
Visit websiteChildren's Museum of Brownsville
Near the start, short detour
Brownsville, TX
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19565489300
Visit websiteLincoln Park
Near the start, short detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+19569974875
Visit websiteNTER - The Great Escape
Near the end, short detour
Waxahachie, Texas
Hours: 5–9 pm
+12149801053
Visit websiteGet Air Trampoline Park
Near the start, short 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 285 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 497.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the ramp toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 North: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FM 66, FM 1446
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.35 one way
$136.69 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $76.34 | $152.69 |
| premium | $4.23 | $83.00 | $166.01 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $94.22 | $188.44 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$68
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$198–$308
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 174.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 149.7 | 1 | $52.40 | $23.95 |
| Efficient EV | 124.8 | 1 | $43.66 | $19.96 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 199.6 | 2 | $69.86 | $31.94 |
Gas CO2
175 kg
EV CO2
58 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
Morning in Brownsville on Sunday
Local time
9:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Partly Sunny
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:35PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:31PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Waxahachie, TX
Morning in Waxahachie on Sunday
Local time
9:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:35PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:31PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
5 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 22m 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.
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...
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect to spend about 74% of your time on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single highway is 126.7 miles, which occurs on U.S. Highway 77. After this extended highway cruising, you'll transition to other main roads like Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway, which will likely feel more rural. Keep an eye out for changing exit densities as you move between these different road types.
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.
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 499 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
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
793 ft
Total Descent
267 ft
Highest Point
785 ft
~356.4 mi in
Elevation Range
761 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 Waxahachie, TX, road signs point toward Skidmore and Waco.
Skidmore
Waco
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Einstein's Bros Bagels
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Waxahachie, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Th 07:00-20:30; Fr 07:00-19:00; Sa 09...
Lotus Café
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Brownsville, TX
Visit website956 Coffee Co.
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Brownsville, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteStarbucks
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Waxahachie, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: 08:00-20:00
Visit websiteDoña Elsa
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Cafeteria y delicias Mrs. Wong
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Heroica Matamoros
Straight From Phillys
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Waxahachie, TX
Hours: Tu-Th 11:00-16:45; Fr-Sa 11:00-18:45
Visit websiteWingstop
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
Brownsville, TX
Cuisine: wings
Sushi Bento
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Cuisine: sushi
Delicious Desserts and Deli
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Brownsville, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop;sandwich;tex-mex;dessert
Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-17:00
Visit websiteMcDonald's
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
Cuisine: burger
Marco's Pizza
Fast_food
Near the end, right off the route
Waxahachie, TX
Cuisine: pizza
Welcome to Texas Sign
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
Brownsville, TX
Mutual Public Square
Park
Near the start, short detour
Heroico Colegio Militar
Park
Near the start, short detour
Bluff Park
Park
Later in the drive, short detour
Stillman House Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
Brownsville, TX
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00
Visit websiteBrownsville Heritage Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
Brownsville, TX
Hours: Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00
Visit websiteManautou Building
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
Public Market and Town Hall
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
Old Ellis County Jail
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Juan H. Fernandez Store
Memorial
Near the start, right off the route
Cameron Hotel
Hotel
Near the start, right off the route
señor de lona
Guest_house
Near the start, short detour
Value Place
Motel
Near the start, short detour
El Quemador Ranch
Guest_house
Early in the drive, short detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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 Waxahachie, TX
Full guide →Founded 1850
Waxahachie is a city in Blackland Prairie region of Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Joshua Chapel A.M.E. Church — historic place in Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas
- • Saint Paul's Episcopal Church — building in Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas
- • Chautauqua Auditorium — historic place in Waxahachie, Ellis County, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Waxahachie, TX
More trips to Waxahachie, TX
Explore more options from Brownsville, TX or browse trips ending in Waxahachie, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.