Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Center, TX to Corpus Christi, 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
7h 33m
Distance
383.9 mi
618 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 24m
★
6 AM
7h 34m
8 AM
7h 54m
10 AM
7h 41m
12 PM
7h 39m
3 PM
7h 42m
5 PM
7h 53m
8 PM
7h 28m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Center, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 383.9-mile journey from Center, TX to Corpus Christi, TX is a substantial drive, estimated to take around 7 hours and 33 minutes. It's a single-day trip, but be prepared for a full day behind the wheel. The route is largely on major highways, with a 53% highway share, and you'll encounter a mixed driving profile. With an estimated fuel cost of $58, it's a budget-friendly option for a Texas road trip. This drive traverses within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape throughout.
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
191.9 miles from Center, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Diboll Relief Route | 113.5 mi | 2h 4m |
| US Highway 59 | 74.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Southwest Freeway | 34.7 mi | 40m |
| US Highway 77 South | 33.2 mi | 37m |
| Nacogdoches Street | 30.2 mi | 44m |
| South US Highway 59 | 19.4 mi | 22m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 17.7 mi | 23m |
| US 59 | 17 mi | 19m |
Longest stretch:
Diboll Relief Route
— 113.5 mi, about 2h 4m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Center, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
1
Start on Porter Street
50 ft
·
7 sec
·
Porter Street
2
Turn left onto Jackson
238 ft
·
12 sec
·
Jackson
3
Turn right onto TX 87
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
Shelbyville Street
4
Turn sharp left onto TX 7; TX 87
459 ft
·
13 sec
·
Nacogdoches Street
5
Turn left onto TX 7; TX 87
464 ft
·
8 sec
·
Austin Street
6
Turn right onto TX 7
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
San Augustine Street
7
Turn slight right onto TX 7
30 mi
·
44 min
·
Nacogdoches Street
8
Continue on TX 7
0.4 mi
·
37 sec
·
Center Road
9
Turn left onto Loop 224
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Northeast Stallings Drive
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
11
Turn left onto US 59 Bus
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Street
12
Continue on US 59
19 mi
·
22 min
·
South US Highway 59
13
Take the exit
396 ft
·
9 sec
Toward South First Street
14
Turn straight onto South Medford Drive
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
South Medford Drive
15
Turn left onto US 59 Bus
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South First Street
16
Continue on US 59
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
US 59
17
Continue on US 59
114 mi
·
2 hr 4 min
·
Diboll Relief Route
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 69; US 59
35 mi
·
40 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
20
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
21
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
22
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
24
Merge onto US 59
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
US 59
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 59
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
26
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
2 min
27
Continue on US 59
75 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US Highway 59
28
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
29
Merge onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
US Highway 77 South
30
Turn straight onto US 77
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Alamo Street
31
Turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East Empresario Street
32
Turn right onto FM 2678
9.6 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 2678
Use the right lane.
33
Continue on FM 136
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Farm to Market Road 136
34
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
35
Merge onto TX 35
12 mi
·
13 min
·
TX 35
36
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
37
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
38
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
39
Merge onto I 37
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 37
40
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
387 ft
·
10 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
41
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
444 ft
·
15 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
42
Continue on I 37
483 ft
·
9 sec
·
I 37
43
Arrive at destination
I 37
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Center, TX, to maximize daylight. With 2 planned stops, you can comfortably break up the 383.9 miles. Consider spacing your stops roughly every 2-3 hours. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 113.5-mile stretch on Diboll Relief Route. The relatively short duration makes it a manageable day trip, allowing for flexibility in your schedule.
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 191.9 miles from Center, TX, or about 3h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.5 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 84 miles or 1h 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 191.9 miles or 3h 48m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Corpus Christi, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Center, 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 Center, TX
This is one driving day of about 383.9 miles and 7h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Center, 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 Diboll Relief Route for about 113.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
192 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 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 191.9 miles from Center, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Diboll Relief Route if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 113.5 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Polk County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Polk County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.8 mi from route
Bayfront Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13618267529
Visit websiteHarbor Playhouse
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
+13618825500
Visit websiteWhataburger Field
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Visit websiteCorpus Christi Museum of Science and History
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13618264667
Visit websiteThe Art Museum of South Texas
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13618253500
Visit websiteTexas State Aquarium
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+13618811200
Visit websiteTexas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education Center
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 12–5 pm
+13618818827
Visit websiteWater's Edge Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13618263460
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 205 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 342.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Jackson
Turn left onto Jackson
Navigation decision point
5
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 87 / Shelbyville Street
Turn right onto TX 87 / Shelbyville Street
Navigation decision point
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street
Turn sharp left onto TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach
6
210.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
Take the exit toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartle...
6
342.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m in
|
FM 2678
Turn right onto FM 2678
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.58 one way
$105.16 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
134 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $58.73 | $117.47 |
| premium | $4.23 | $63.86 | $127.71 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $72.49 | $144.98 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 115.2 | 1 | $40.31 | $18.43 |
| Efficient EV | 96 | 1 | $33.59 | $15.36 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 153.6 | 1 | $53.75 | $24.57 |
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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.
Origin
Center, TX
Late night in Center on Sunday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 11:58PM CDT until July 17 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
4:08 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 13 to 18 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 11:58PM CDT until July 17 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
8 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 33m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with over half of your journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on roads like Diboll Relief Route and US Highway 59. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 113.5 miles on the Diboll Relief Route, so plan your fuel and breaks accordingly. While much of the drive is on faster roads, there are also sections that feel more like local or arterial routes, offering a varied driving experience.
53% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.5 mi on Diboll Relief Route.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Jackson.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 383.9 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: near the start (Jackson): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (TX 87 / Shelbyville Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
367 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
39 ft
Total Descent
399 ft
Highest Point
367 ft
Elevation Range
360 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.
On the drive from Center, TX to Corpus Christi, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.
Spur 10: Cottonwood
210.1 mi in
|
~4h 9m
About the Cities
Starting in Center, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Shelby County Courthouse Square — historic place in Center, Shelby County, Texas
Arriving in Corpus Christi, TX
Full guide →Corpus Christi (called Corpus by the locals) is Texas's largest coastal city and the gateway to Padre Island. While Corpus Christi isn't on the way to much of anything except itself (and the islands off its coast), it offers enough to fill a visit in its own right, or a multi-day trip from San Antonio, Austin, or Houston. The name is Latin for "Body of Christ".
Top landmarks
- • USS Lexington — 1942 Essex-class aircraft carrier
- • Corpus Christi Cathedral — historic place in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas
- • Sherman Building — listed on the NRHP in Nuences 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 33m. Total distance: 383.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 113.5 miles on Diboll Relief Route. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 19 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 Corpus Christi, 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Jackson): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (TX 87 / Shelbyville Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Corpus Christi, 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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