Traveling from Corpus Christi to Ballinger covers 345.4 miles, a journey that typically takes about 5 hours and 57 minutes of driving time. Because this route stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can expect a consistent landscape throughout your trek. You should budget approximately $53 for fuel to complete the trip. While it is possible to finish this drive in a single day, the nearly six-hour duration makes it a substantial commitment behind the wheel. Planning for one scheduled stop will help break up the monotony and keep you refreshed. Overall, this is a straightforward, highway-focused route that serves as a practical connection between these two Texas locations.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
172.7 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 59m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 37
140.1 mi
2h 22m
I 10
98.7 mi
1h 37m
Frisco Avenue
41.9 mi
44m
North Main Street
29.3 mi
30m
Roberts Avenue
16.5 mi
18m
McDermott Freeway
15.5 mi
18m
East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi
3m
US 83
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 37
— 140.1 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Ballinger, TX.
1
Start on I 37
17 mi·17 min·I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
2
Keep slight left at fork
1.3 mi·1 min
3
Continue on I 37
123 mi·2 hr 4 min·I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 140BToward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, AlamodomeUse the slight right lane.
5
Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard
1.4 mi·3 min·East César E. Chávez Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 35 North
7
Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87
93 ft·1 sec·South Pan Am Expressway
8
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.9 mi·1 min·McDermott Freeway
Exit 156Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El PasoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87
15 mi·17 min·McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 83
Exit 456Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
12
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi·30 min·North Main Street
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Frisco Avenue
14
Continue on US 83
17 mi·18 min·Roberts Avenue
15
Arrive at destination
2 ft·US 83
Trip Plan
To manage the 345.4-mile distance comfortably, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue during the final hours of the drive. Since you only have one planned stop, choose a location around the halfway point to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 140.1-mile stretch on I-37, as services may be spaced further apart than you anticipate. Because the drive is a single-day commitment, having your snacks and audio entertainment ready before you leave will make the long stretches on I-10 feel much shorter. Flexibility is your best asset here, so don't hesitate to pull over if you need an extra break to maintain focus.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 172.7 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 2h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.1 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 76 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 172.7 miles or 2h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Ballinger, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Corpus Christi, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Corpus Christi, TX
This is one driving day of about 345.4 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Corpus Christi, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 37 for about 140.1 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 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 141.4 and 257.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
141.4 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
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 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodom...
8
143.2 mi into trip|~2h 28m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
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.
Exit 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
6
144.1 mi into trip|~2h 29m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
158.7 mi into trip|~2h 46m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
257.4 mi into trip|~4h 23m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.19 one way
$104.38 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg121 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$57.13
$114.25
premium
$4.54
$61.67
$123.34
diesel
$5.61
$76.26
$152.52
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
103.6
1
$36.27
$16.58
Efficient EV
86.4
0
$30.22
$13.82
EV Truck/SUV
138.2
1
$48.36
$22.11
Gas CO2
121 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Apr 13, 2026
Origin
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night
in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
5:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SE 15 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:13AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:02AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Ballinger, TX
Late night
in Ballinger on Sunday
Local time
5:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:13AM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 13 at 12:02AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 57m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
26 mi from route
~64 min detour
Free
near mile 190.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a trip dominated by high-speed transit, as 74% of the route consists of highway driving. You will spend the bulk of your time navigating I-37, I-10, and Frisco Avenue. Your stamina will be tested early on, as the longest uninterrupted stretch spans 140.1 miles along I-37. The road character is largely consistent, favoring efficiency and speed over winding local scenery. Be prepared for a focused, interstate-heavy experience that requires steady attention rather than frequent gear changes or technical maneuvering.
74% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.1 mi on I 37.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 37 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 141.4 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 11 significant decision points across 345.4 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 141.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.2 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,066 ft10 ft
Total Climb
2,056 ft
Total Descent
440 ft
Highest Point
2,066 ft
~222 mi in
Elevation Range
2,056 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Corpus Christi, TX and Ballinger, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome and Menard.
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".
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 57m. Total distance: 345.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (74%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.1 miles on I 37. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Ballinger, 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 141.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 143.2 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 144.1 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Ballinger, TX before the return drive.
