Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Orange, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 13m
Distance
318.4 mi
512 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 0m
★
6 AM
6h 13m
8 AM
6h 39m
10 AM
6h 22m
12 PM
6h 20m
3 PM
6h 23m
5 PM
6h 37m
8 PM
6h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Orange, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Corpus Christi to Orange, TX is 318.4 miles and takes about 6h 13m via East Freeway and US Highway 59 South, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, traversing much of eastern Texas. Expect a fairly straightforward drive, primarily on well-maintained highways, making it a manageable one-day excursion. This route is a practical choice for getting from the Gulf Coast inland toward the Louisiana border without venturing too far off the beaten path.
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
159.2 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 3m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Freeway | 102.7 mi | 1h 54m |
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| Southwest Freeway | 34.7 mi | 40m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 17.8 mi | 23m |
| New Harbor Bridge | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| FM 2678 | 9.6 mi | 9m |
| US 59 Northbound Frontage Road | 2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
East Freeway
— 102.7 mi, about 1h 54m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~3,979 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~448 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 98 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi, TX and Orange, 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 left at fork onto TX 35
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 35
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
9
Turn straight onto State Highway 35
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 35
10
Turn left onto FM 136
18 mi
·
23 min
·
Farm to Market Road 136
11
Continue on FM 2678
9.6 mi
·
9 min
·
FM 2678
12
At end of road, turn left onto FM 774
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 774
13
Turn right onto US 77
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
South Alamo Street
14
Turn slight right onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
United States Highway 77
15
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
16
Merge onto US 59
89 mi
·
1 hr 38 min
·
US Highway 59 South
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
18
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
59 Northbound Frontage Road
19
Continue on this road
0.4 mi
·
58 sec
·
this road
20
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi
·
4 min
·
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
21
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
22
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
23
Merge onto I 69; US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69; US 59
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 69; US 59
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Eastex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
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.
27
Keep slight left at fork
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 East: Beaumont
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 10; US 90
4.3 mi
·
5 min
·
East Freeway
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
13 mi
·
16 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
85 mi
·
1 hr 33 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 874A
Toward US 90 Business: Pinehurst
32
Turn straight onto West I-10 Service Road
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
West I-10 Service Road
33
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 Bus
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Park Avenue
34
Continue on US 90 Bus
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Strickland Drive
35
Turn left onto US 90 Bus; TX 87
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Macarthur Drive
36
Continue on US 90 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Green Avenue
37
Turn right onto 7th Street
45 ft
·
2 sec
·
7th Street
38
Arrive at destination
7th Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Corpus Christi to avoid any potential traffic, especially as you navigate the initial urban areas. With a total duration under seven hours and only one recommended stop, this is easily a single-day trip, offering flexibility in your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without significant exits is over 100 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $46, so be sure to factor that into your budget.
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 159.2 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 3h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 102.7 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 70 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 159.2 miles or 3h 3m 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 6m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Orange, 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 318.4 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 East Freeway for about 102.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
159 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 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 159.2 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 East Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 102.7 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.
Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Chambers County Westbound Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Chambers County Eastbound Rest Area
0.5 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.5 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
1.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
2.5 mi from route
Stark Museum of Art
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
Orange, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+14098862787
Visit websiteBayfront 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 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.
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
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.
8
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...
7
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
6
214.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 14m in
|
I 10 / East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.61 one way
$95.22 round trip
$3.80/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.31 | $54.00 | $108.01 |
| premium | $4.68 | $58.68 | $117.36 |
| diesel | $5.79 | $72.57 | $145.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111.4 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.5 | 1 | $33.43 | $15.28 |
| Efficient EV | 79.6 | 0 | $27.86 | $12.74 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 127.4 | 1 | $44.58 | $20.38 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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
Evening in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Partly Cloudy
N 13 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
Orange, TX
Evening in Orange on Sunday
Local time
5:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Mostly Clear
NE 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville 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
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
6h 13m 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?
This route is mostly highway, with 87% of the 318.4 miles on major roads. You'll encounter the longest stretch of continuous highway at 102.7 miles on East Freeway. The shift from highway to surface roads will occur gradually as you approach your destination in Orange. Be prepared for a dense pattern of exits and entrances for a significant portion of this drive.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 102.7 mi on East Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on East Freeway and US Highway 59 South. 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 318.4 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 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
112 ft
-2 ft
Total Climb
161 ft
Total Descent
161 ft
Highest Point
112 ft
~136.4 mi in
Elevation Range
114 ft
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 Orange, 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 →Founded 1839
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
- • Old Nueces County Courthouse — historic place in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas
Arriving in Orange, TX
Full guide →Founded 1830
Orange is in the Bayous region of East Texas. It is on the Sabine River, which is the border between Texas and Louisiana.
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 13m. Total distance: 318.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 13m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 102.7 miles on East Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 Orange, 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 29 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 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Orange, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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