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Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Cockrell Hill, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 5m
Distance
389.4 mi
627 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 55m
★
6 AM
7h 6m
8 AM
7h 28m
10 AM
7h 14m
12 PM
7h 12m
3 PM
7h 15m
5 PM
7h 27m
8 PM
6h 59m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Cockrell Hill, TX
PedroEsparza
Trip Overview
Corpus Christi, TX to Cockrell Hill, TX is 389.4 miles and takes about 7h 5m via Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and I 35E, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the Great Plains, staying within the state. It's a primarily highway route, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. With only 2 planned stops and a longest stretch of nearly 100 miles, it's designed for a single-day transit.
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
194.7 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| I 35E | 52.9 mi | 54m |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| US Highway 181 | 16 mi | 18m |
| US 181 | 14.7 mi | 16m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 97.7 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Cockrell Hill, TX.
1
Start on I 37
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 37
2
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
3
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
4
Turn right onto North Brownlee Boulevard
122 ft
·
2 sec
·
North Brownlee Boulevard
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
6
Merge onto US 181; TX 35
10 mi
·
11 min
·
New Harbor Bridge
7
Keep slight right at fork onto US 181
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
US 181
8
Keep slight left at fork onto US 181
14 mi
·
15 min
·
US 181
9
Continue on TX 89
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 89
10
Continue on US 181
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 181
11
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
South 8th Street
12
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
US Highway 181 South
13
Continue on US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
14
Turn right onto TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Main Street
15
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 72; TX 239
233 ft
·
3 sec
·
East Main Street
16
Continue on FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Helena Road
17
Turn straight onto TX 80
24 mi
·
25 min
·
State Highway 80
18
Continue on TX 80
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
South Nixon Avenue
19
Continue on TX 80; TX 97
31 mi
·
35 min
·
State Highway 80 North
20
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
21
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
South Colorado Street
22
Continue on US 183
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
United States Highway 183
23
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
24
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward I 35 North: Waco
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto I 35
65 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
53 mi
·
54 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
30
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Exit 424
Toward Illinois Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn left onto West Illinois Avenue
3.3 mi
·
7 min
·
West Illinois Avenue
32
Turn right onto Riviera Drive
173 ft
·
4 sec
·
Riviera Drive
33
Continue on Dryden Drive
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Dryden Drive
34
Continue on Burns Avenue
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
Burns Avenue
35
At end of road, turn left onto West Clarendon Drive
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Clarendon Drive
36
Turn right onto Phinney Avenue
447 ft
·
19 sec
·
Phinney Avenue
37
Arrive at destination
Phinney Avenue
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time and 389.4-mile distance, leaving Corpus Christi in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Cockrell Hill before dark. Plan for your two stops to be about halfway through your drive, perhaps around the 3 to 4-hour mark, to break up the 97.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition off the main highways; the $59 fuel cost is an estimate, so topping up when you see favorable prices is wise. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but sticking to a schedule will help you avoid late-night driving.
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 194.7 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 97.7 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 86 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 194.7 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 Cockrell Hill, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Corpus Christi, TX
This is one driving day of about 389.4 miles and 7h 5m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 86 miles from Corpus Christi, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 97.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
195 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 86 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 194.7 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 97.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J 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
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.2 mi from route
Bayfront Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13618267529
Visit websiteHarbor Playhouse
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
+13618825500
Visit websiteWhataburger Field
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Visit websiteCorpus Christi Museum of Science and History
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
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 start, right off the route
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 start, right off the route
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 start, right off the route
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 start, right off the route
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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 384.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
168 mi into trip
|
~3h 16m 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
226.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m 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
331.7 mi into trip
|
~6h in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
384.6 mi into trip
|
~6h 54m in
Take the exit toward Illinois Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 424
Toward Illinois Avenue
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$58.84 one way
$117.68 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
136 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $64.40 | $128.81 |
| premium | $4.54 | $69.52 | $139.05 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $85.97 | $171.95 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 136.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 116.8 | 1 | $40.89 | $18.69 |
| Efficient EV | 97.4 | 1 | $34.07 | $15.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 155.8 | 1 | $54.52 | $24.92 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
46 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
Corpus Christi, TX
Morning in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
9:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cockrell Hill, TX
Morning in Cockrell Hill on Sunday
Local time
9:52 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.
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
11 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 5m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 295.4
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on the highway for about 66% of this 389.4-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. After that, you'll transition to surface roads as you approach your destination. Expect a mix of cruising on major arteries and navigating through areas with more frequent exits and local traffic as you get closer to the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 97.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in.
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 18 significant decision points across 389.4 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Corpus Christi, TX to Cockrell Hill, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco along the way.
Waco
168 mi in
|
~3h 16m
About the Cities
Starting 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 5m. Total distance: 389.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 5m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 97.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 27 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 Cockrell Hill, 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 168 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 226.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cockrell Hill, 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 NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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Return Trip
Cockrell Hill, TX to Corpus Christi, TXPlan the drive back the other way.
390.2 mi
7h 7m
Continue From Cockrell Hill, TX
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