Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Kountze, TX

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

Drive Time

Distance

298.8 mi

481 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

5h 48m ★

6 AM

6h 1m

8 AM

6h 26m

10 AM

6h 10m

12 PM

6h 7m

3 PM

6h 11m

5 PM

6h 25m

8 PM

5h 53m

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

Best Time

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

Corpus Christi, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Kountze, TX

Thomas balabaud

Trip Overview

Corpus Christi, TX to Kountze, TX is 298.8 miles and takes about 6h via US Highway 59 South, Southwest Freeway, and United States Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward trip if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Given the 6-hour estimated drive time, it's well-suited for a single-day adventure, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

149.4 miles from Corpus Christi, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US Highway 59 South	88.6 mi	1h 38m
Southwest Freeway	34.7 mi	40m
United States Highway 77	33 mi	37m
TX 326	24.4 mi	36m
US Highway 90	21 mi	24m
Farm to Market Road 136	17.8 mi	23m
Crosby Freeway	17.5 mi	20m
United States Highway 90 West	16 mi	18m

Longest stretch: US Highway 59 South — 88.6 mi, about 1h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on I 37

0.2 mi · 21 sec · I 37

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Turn right onto North Brownlee Boulevard

122 ft · 2 sec · North Brownlee Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Merge onto US 181; TX 35

10 mi · 11 min · New Harbor Bridge

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 35

1.5 mi · 1 min · TX 35

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 42 sec

Turn straight onto State Highway 35

0.6 mi · 1 min · State Highway 35

Turn left onto FM 136

18 mi · 23 min · Farm to Market Road 136

Continue on FM 2678

9.6 mi · 9 min · FM 2678

At end of road, turn left onto FM 774

1.5 mi · 2 min · FM 774

Turn right onto US 77

1.9 mi · 3 min · South Alamo Street

Turn slight right onto US 77

33 mi · 37 min · United States Highway 77

Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91

1.5 mi · 1 min · Spur 91

Merge onto US 59

89 mi · 1 hr 38 min · US Highway 59 South

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec

Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 58 sec · this road

Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

2.0 mi · 4 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 69 North, US 59 North

Merge onto I 69; US 59

33 mi · 37 min · Southwest Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59

2.1 mi · 2 min · Southwest Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 69; US 59

1.2 mi · 1 min · Eastex Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 34 sec

Exit 132 Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.9 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 East: Beaumont Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10; US 90

4.3 mi · 5 min · East Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90

4.5 mi · 5 min · Crosby Freeway

Toward US 90 East: Liberty Use the straight / right lanes.

Turn straight onto US 90

1.7 mi · 2 min · Crosby Freeway

Toward US 90 East

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward US 90

Continue on US 90

9.2 mi · 10 min · Crosby Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 90

2.1 mi · 2 min · Crosby Freeway

Continue on US 90

5.0 mi · 5 min · Beaumont Highway

Continue on US 90

1.5 mi · 1 min · US Highway 90

Continue on US 90

16 mi · 18 min · United States Highway 90 West

Continue on US 90

19 mi · 22 min · US Highway 90

Turn left onto TX 326

24 mi · 36 min · TX 326

Use the left lane.

At end of road, turn sharp left onto US 69; US 287

0.2 mi · 19 sec · US 69; US 287

Turn right onto East Brown Street

258 ft · 12 sec · East Brown Street

Turn left onto South Cherry Street

98 ft · 4 sec · South Cherry Street

Arrive at destination

South Cherry Street

Trip Plan

For this 6-hour drive, leaving Corpus Christi in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and avoid late-night navigation. Since the route is about 298.8 miles and can be completed in a single day, you have flexibility with your stops. Plan for at least one break during the longest stretch of 88.6 miles on US Highway 59 South to refuel and stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into less populated stretches, and be prepared for potential traffic as you pass through the Houston metropolitan area.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 149.4 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 2h 52m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 88.6 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 66 miles or 1h 19m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 149.4 miles or 2h 52m 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 50m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kountze, 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 298.8 miles and 6h.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 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 US Highway 59 South for about 88.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houston, TX

149 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

Aransas Pass, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 149.4 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

2.4 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

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 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 25

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 214.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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.

205.7 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in | I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

209.1 mi into trip | ~4h 6m in

Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio

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 132 Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Anto...

209.3 mi into trip | ~4h 7m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East: Beaumont

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward I 10 East: Beaumont

214.5 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in | US 90 / Crosby Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Crosby Freeway toward US 90 East: Liberty

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes. Toward US 90 East: Liberty

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$40.93 one way

$81.85 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 105 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$45.71	$91.43
premium	$4.23	$49.70	$99.40
diesel	$4.80	$56.42	$112.84

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 104.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	89.6	1	$31.37	$14.34
Efficient EV	74.7	0	$26.15	$11.95
EV Truck/SUV	119.5	1	$41.83	$19.12

Gas CO2

105 kg

EV CO2

35 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Corpus Christi, TX

Evening in Corpus Christi on Saturday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

89°F

Mostly Sunny

SE 18 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:16PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Kountze, TX

Evening in Kountze on Saturday

Local time

8:29 PM

CDT

Current temp

93°F

Mostly Sunny

S 5 mph 14% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 4:16PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 22 at 11:48AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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

4 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

6h 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.

What kind of drive is this?

You'll spend about 86% of this 298.8-mile drive on highways, with the longest uninterrupted stretch covering 88.6 miles on US Highway 59 South. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads as you approach your destination. The high percentage of highway driving suggests you'll encounter a consistent flow of traffic and numerous exits, particularly as you navigate through urban areas like Houston via Southwest Freeway.

86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 88.6 mi on US Highway 59 South.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 South and Southwest Freeway. 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 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 25 significant decision points across 298.8 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 205.7 miles (I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 209.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

114 ft 7 ft

Total Climb

215 ft

Total Descent

139 ft

Highest Point

114 ft

~149.4 mi in

Elevation Range

107 ft

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 Kountze, TX, road signs begin pointing toward San Antonio along the way.

San Antonio

209.1 mi in | ~4h 6m

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 Kountze, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1881

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 6h. Total distance: 298.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 88.6 miles on US Highway 59 South. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 14 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 Kountze, 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. There are 14 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Kountze, 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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Kountze, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Victoria County Northbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Victoria County Southbound Rest Area

Buc-ee's

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

Bayfront Park

Harbor Playhouse

Whataburger Field

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

The Art Museum of South Texas

Texas State Aquarium

Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education Center

Water's Edge Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Corpus Christi, TX

Kountze, TX

Same local time

4 degrees warmer at arrival

6h on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Corpus Christi, TX

Arriving in Kountze, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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