Spanning 525.8 miles across Texas, this journey from Corpus Christi to Kermit takes approximately 9 hours and 14 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the significant distance, you should plan for this to be a two-day trip rather than a single-day haul. You will rely heavily on I-37 and I-10 to navigate your way through the Great Plains, keeping a fuel budget of roughly $80 in mind. While the drive is straightforward, it is a serious commitment that requires careful pacing. Breaking the trip into two days will help you stay fresh behind the wheel as you transition between these two distinct Texas hubs.
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
262.9 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
247.5 mi
3h 56m
I 37
140.1 mi
2h 22m
FM 1601
25.4 mi
25m
State Highway 18 North
20.1 mi
29m
US 385
20.1 mi
22m
Farm to Market Road 305
18.1 mi
26m
I 20
16.8 mi
16m
McDermott Freeway
15.5 mi
18m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 247.5 mi, about 3h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Kermit, 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
247 mi·3 hr 56 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 307Toward US 190, FM 305: Iraan, McCamey
12
Continue on I 10 Service Road
0.1 mi·18 sec·I 10 Service Road
13
Turn right onto US 190
4.0 mi·5 min·US 190
14
Turn left onto FM 305
18 mi·26 min·Farm to Market Road 305
15
Continue on FM 305
2.3 mi·3 min·South Burleson Avenue
16
Continue on US 385
20 mi·22 min·US 385
17
Turn left onto TX 329
5.8 mi·8 min·West 6th Street
18
Turn right onto FM 1601
25 mi·25 min·FM 1601
19
Turn left onto Interstate Highway 20 Service Drive
0.1 mi·18 sec·Interstate Highway 20 Service Drive
20
Continue on East Interstate 20 State Route North
0.3 mi·44 sec·East Interstate 20 State Route North
21
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 20 West: El Paso
22
Merge onto I 20
17 mi·16 min·I 20
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·11 sec
Exit 83Toward I 20 Business West: Monahans
24
Continue on I 20 Bus
0.1 mi·11 sec·East Sealy Avenue
25
Continue on I 20 Bus
3.0 mi·5 min·East Interstate 20
26
Turn right onto TX 18
1.7 mi·2 min·North Main Avenue
27
Continue on TX 18
20 mi·29 min·State Highway 18 North
28
Continue on TX 18
1.3 mi·1 min·South Poplar Street
29
Turn right onto TX 115
167 ft·5 sec·East Austin Street
30
Turn right
111 ft·8 sec
31
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To manage the 525.8-mile distance comfortably, aim to make at least two planned stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you have a $80 fuel estimate, keep an eye on your gauge during that 247.5-mile stretch on I-10 where services may be spaced further apart. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue and ensure you reach your destination before dark. Splitting the drive over two days is highly recommended to keep the experience manageable. Always check your tire pressure and fluid levels before departing, as the sustained high speeds of this interstate-heavy route can be demanding on your vehicle.
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 262.9 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 4h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 247.5 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 116 miles or 1h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 262.9 miles or 4h 25m 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 262.9 miles or 4h 25m
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 8h
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kermit, 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 263 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Kermit, TX
Aim for roughly 263 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 116 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 247.5 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 141.4 and 406.2 — 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
406.2 mi into trip|~6h 42m in
Take the exit toward US 190, FM 305: Iraan, McCamey
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 307
Toward US 190, FM 305: Iraan, McCamey
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$79.45 one way
$158.90 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg184 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$86.96
$173.93
premium
$4.54
$93.88
$187.76
diesel
$5.61
$116.09
$232.18
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$209–$319
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 184 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
157.7
1
$55.21
$25.24
Efficient EV
131.5
1
$46.01
$21.03
EV Truck/SUV
210.3
2
$73.61
$33.65
Gas CO2
184 kg
EV CO2
62 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night
in Corpus Christi on Tuesday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
E 18 mph70% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Kermit, TX
Late night
in Kermit on Tuesday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
87°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.
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
15 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
9h 14m 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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 126.9
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 199.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed transit experience, as 94% of your journey takes place on major highways. The route is defined by long, sustained stretches of interstate, including a massive 247.5-mile segment on I-10 that will test your endurance. You will begin by navigating I-37 before transitioning onto the main interstate system, eventually finishing on FM 1601. It is a classic long-distance drive characterized by wide-open horizons and consistent highway speeds. While the road is efficient, the lack of frequent turns means you should prepare for a monotonous, interstate-heavy grind.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 247.5 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 Effort9/10
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 21 significant decision points across 525.8 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
2,580 ft10 ft
Total Climb
2,902 ft
Total Descent
332 ft
Highest Point
2,580 ft
~450.7 mi in
Elevation Range
2,570 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 Kermit, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome, Fm 305: Iraan and Mccamey.
Alamodome
141.4 mi in|~2h 23m
Fm 305: Iraan
406.2 mi in|~6h 42m
Mccamey
406.2 mi in|~6h 42m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
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".
The longest stretch is about 247.5 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 263 miles on day one.
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 Kermit, 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. 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 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kermit, TX before the return drive.
