Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Fort Davis, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 5m

Distance

544 mi

875 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$82

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min

4 AM

8h 57m ★

6 AM

9h 6m

8 AM

9h 22m

10 AM

9h 11m

12 PM

9h 10m

3 PM

9h 12m

5 PM

9h 21m

8 PM

9h 1m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city and county seat of Nueces County, Texas, United States

Corpus Christi, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Fort Davis, TX

Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Corpus Christi, TX to Fort Davis, TX is 544 miles and takes about 9h 5m via I 37, I 10, and TX 17, with a fuel budget near $82 and the need for an overnight stop. This trip takes you across the vast landscapes of Texas, transitioning from the coastal plains region towards the more arid West Texas plains. It's a long-haul drive primarily on major highways, making it a straightforward yet lengthy transit. Given its duration, planning for at least one overnight stay is essential for a comfortable experience.

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

272 miles from Corpus Christi, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 33m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	345.4 mi	5h 28m
I 37	140.1 mi	2h 22m
TX 17	31.2 mi	38m
McDermott Freeway	15.5 mi	18m
I 10 Business	7.3 mi	10m
East César E. Chávez Boulevard	1.4 mi	3m
State Street	1.3 mi	1m
South Pan Am Expressway	<0.1 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 345.4 mi, about 5h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Fort Davis, TX.

Start on I 37

17 mi · 17 min · I 37

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 1 min

Continue on I 37

123 mi · 2 hr 4 min · I 37

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 140B Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard

1.4 mi · 3 min · East César E. Chávez Boulevard

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 10 West, I 35 North

Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87

93 ft · 1 sec · South Pan Am Expressway

Take the exit onto I 10; US 87

0.9 mi · 1 min · McDermott Freeway

Exit 156 Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87

15 mi · 17 min · McDermott Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

345 mi · 5 hr 28 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit onto TX 17

0.3 mi · 43 sec · TX 17

Exit 209 Toward I 10 Business Loop, SH 17: Balmorhea, Fort Davis

Turn left onto I 10 Business; TX 17

0.2 mi · 17 sec · I 10 Business; TX 17

Turn right onto I 10 Business; TX 17

7.1 mi · 10 min · I 10 Business; TX 17

Turn left onto TX 17

31 mi · 37 min · TX 17

At end of road, turn left onto TX 17; TX 118

1.3 mi · 1 min · State Street

Arrive at destination

TX 17; TX 118

Trip Plan

For this 9h 5m drive, splitting it over two days is highly recommended. Aim to depart Corpus Christi early in the morning on your first day to maximize daylight hours. Your longest stretch of highway is over 345 miles on I 10, so plan your fuel stops accordingly before entering that section. Consider stopping for the night around the halfway point or where you find convenient lodging along I 10. On your second day, the final leg on TX 17 will be shorter, allowing for a more relaxed arrival in Fort Davis.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 272 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 4h 33m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 345.4 miles.

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 120 miles or 2h 2m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 272 miles or 4h 33m 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 272 miles or 4h 33m

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 7h 55m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Davis, 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.

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 Corpus Christi, TX

Aim for roughly 272 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Fort Davis, TX

Aim for roughly 272 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 120 miles from Corpus Christi, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 345.4 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Fair Oaks Ranch, TX

180 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Big Lake, TX

359 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 Big Lake, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Kerrville, TX

272 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 272 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

San Antonio, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 120 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kerrville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 272 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 345.4 miles.

Overnight split

0.7 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.7 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 website

Harbor Playhouse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Corpus Christi, Texas

+13618825500

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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 141.4 and 504.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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...

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

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.

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.

504.2 mi into trip | ~8h 14m in | TX 17

Take the exit onto TX 17 toward I 10 Business Loop, SH 17: Balmorhea, Fort Davis

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 209 Toward I 10 Business Loop, SH 17: Balmorhea, Fo...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$82.20 one way

$164.40 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 190 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$89.97	$179.95
premium	$4.54	$97.13	$194.26
diesel	$5.61	$120.11	$240.22

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$82

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$212–$322

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 190.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $57 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	163.2	2	$57.12	$26.11
Efficient EV	136	1	$47.60	$21.76
EV Truck/SUV	217.6	2	$76.16	$34.82

Gas CO2

190 kg

EV CO2

64 kg (66% less)

Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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 15, 2026

Origin

Corpus Christi, TX

Morning in Corpus Christi on Sunday

Local time

9:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Davis, TX

Morning in Fort Davis on Sunday

Local time

9:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

50°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

60°F

Big Lake, TX

359 mi in

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

22 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 5m 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.

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...

3 mi from route ~6 min detour Free near mile 131.3

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

27 mi from route ~67 min detour Free near mile 187.6

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly on highways, with 99% of the route utilizing them. You'll encounter the longest stretch of uninterrupted highway at 345.4 miles along I 10. Expect a significant period of rural cruising on this interstate segment, with fewer exits and services compared to more urban stretches. The transition to TX 17 will mark the end of the primary highway portion of your trip.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

16 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 345.4 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 37. 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 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 14 significant decision points across 544 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.

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 Fort Davis, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome and Sh 17: Balmorhea.

Alamodome

141.4 mi in | ~2h 23m

Sh 17: Balmorhea

504.2 mi in | ~8h 14m | via TX 17

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

Arriving in Fort Davis, TX

Full guide →

Fort Davis is a town in the Big Bend Country region of Texas.

Top landmarks

• Fort Davis National Historic Site — historic site in Fort Davis, Jeff Davis County, Texas

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 345.4 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 272 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 49 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 Fort Davis, 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 49 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Davis, 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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