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Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Hackberry, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 41m
Distance
421.1 mi
678 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 32m
★
6 AM
7h 42m
8 AM
8h 1m
10 AM
7h 48m
12 PM
7h 46m
3 PM
7h 49m
5 PM
8h 0m
8 PM
7h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Hackberry, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 421.1-mile drive from Corpus Christi, TX to Hackberry, TX clocks in at about 7 hours and 41 minutes, making it a manageable, albeit long, day trip. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a portion of the Pickle Parkway mixed in. With a fuel cost estimated at $64, this highway-focused journey through the Great Plains region of Texas is efficient. Planning for two stops should allow you to break up the drive comfortably. Consider starting early to make the most of your day on the road.
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
210.5 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 97.7 mi | 1h 39m |
| I 35E | 59.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| Pickle Parkway | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| US Highway 181 South | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| State Highway 80 North | 30.8 mi | 35m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 23.9 mi | 26m |
| State Highway 80 | 23.6 mi | 25m |
| US Highway 181 | 16 mi | 18m |
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 Hackberry, 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
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
30
Take the exit
411 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
31
Keep slight right at fork
468 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto Oak Lawn Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Oak Lawn Avenue
33
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward DNT North
34
Merge onto DNT
24 mi
·
26 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
Toward Cotton Gin Road, Main Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Turn straight onto CR 13
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Dallas Parkway
37
Turn left onto Main Street
3.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
38
Continue on King Road
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
King Road
39
Turn left onto Price Circle
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Price Circle
40
Arrive at destination
Price Circle
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 41-minute drive, departing early from Corpus Christi is recommended to avoid the bulk of traffic and maximize daylight. With two planned stops, aim to stretch your legs and refuel roughly every two to three hours. The longest stretch without a break is nearly 100 miles, so be prepared for that. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before entering longer stretches of highway where services might be spaced farther apart.
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 210.5 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 3h 56m 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 93 miles or 1h 47m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 210.5 miles or 3h 56m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hackberry, 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 421.1 miles and 7h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 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
211 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 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 210.5 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
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
Service Plaza
2.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 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 225 decision points cluster between mile 226.9 and 415.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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
390.9 mi into trip
|
~7h 2m in
Take the exit toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
7
391 mi into trip
|
~7h 2m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
415.4 mi into trip
|
~7h 30m in
Take the exit toward Cotton Gin Road, Main Street
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.
Toward Cotton Gin Road, Main Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.63 one way
$127.26 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
147 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $69.65 | $139.29 |
| premium | $4.54 | $75.18 | $150.37 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $92.97 | $185.95 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.91
Dallas North Tollway
(23.9 mi)
$1.91
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 126.3 | 1 | $44.22 | $20.21 |
| Efficient EV | 105.3 | 1 | $36.85 | $16.84 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 168.4 | 2 | $58.95 | $26.95 |
Gas CO2
147 kg
EV CO2
49 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
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night in Corpus Christi on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
E 18 mph
70% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued April 20 at 3:22PM CDT until April 20 at 6:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Fire Weather Watch
Fire Weather Watch issued April 20 at 2:28PM CDT until April 22 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Hackberry, TX
Late night in Hackberry on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°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
7 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 41m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 304.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-centric experience for 63% of this trip, designed for steady progress. You'll encounter a substantial uninterrupted stretch of 97.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering extended periods of driving. While the primary focus is on efficient travel via major roadways, the inclusion of segments like the Pickle Parkway may offer slight variations in scenery and speed. This route prioritizes covering ground over winding, scenic byways, aiming for a consistent driving pace.
63% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and I 35E. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 226.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 22 significant decision points across 421.1 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 226.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 331.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 390.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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.
Between Corpus Christi, TX and Hackberry, TX, road signs point toward Waco and Dnt North.
Waco
168 mi in
|
~3h 16m
Dnt North
391.3 mi in
|
~7h 3m
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 41m. Total distance: 421.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 41m 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.
Expect about $1.91 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Hackberry, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 226.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 331.7 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 390.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hackberry, 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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