Concho County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Plains, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jun 3, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 46m
Distance
557.6 mi
897 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$85
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 37m
★
6 AM
9h 46m
8 AM
10h 4m
10 AM
9h 52m
12 PM
9h 51m
3 PM
9h 53m
5 PM
10h 3m
8 PM
9h 41m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Plains, TX
Carlos Cibelli
Trip Overview
This 557.6-mile journey from Corpus Christi, TX to Plains, TX is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take around 9 hours and 46 minutes of driving time. Given the distance and duration, this trip is best split over two days to avoid fatigue. You'll navigate primarily via I-37, I-10, and then US Highway 87 North. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is approximately $84. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, suggesting a drive that may traverse expansive, open landscapes. This route is a long-distance drive that requires some planning for an overnight stop.
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
278.8 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 37 | 140.1 mi | 2h 22m |
| I 10 | 98.7 mi | 1h 37m |
| US Highway 87 North | 75.3 mi | 1h 15m |
| West Broadway Street | 39.2 mi | 39m |
| US Highway 380 | 30.5 mi | 31m |
| North Main Street | 29.3 mi | 30m |
| Frisco Avenue | 21.5 mi | 23m |
| South US Highway 87 | 18.1 mi | 18m |
Longest stretch:
I 37
— 140.1 mi, about 2h 22m
Traffic on I-37
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,782 veh/hr typical · worst 2,317
Quietest
2 AM
~178 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
10×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 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 Plains, 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 140B
Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome
Use 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 156
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North: El Paso
Use 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
99 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
11
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 83
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
12
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi
·
30 min
·
North Main Street
Use the right lane.
13
Continue on US 83
21 mi
·
23 min
·
Frisco Avenue
14
Turn left onto US 87
39 mi
·
39 min
·
West Broadway Street
15
Continue on US 87; Loop 306
4.1 mi
·
5 min
·
South Bryant Boulevard
16
Continue on US 87; US 277
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Koenigheim Street
17
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
North Bryant Boulevard
18
Continue on US 87
23 mi
·
23 min
·
US Highway 87 North
19
Continue on US 87
16 mi
·
16 min
·
US 87
20
Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
52 mi
·
52 min
·
US Highway 87 North
21
Continue on US 87
15 mi
·
15 min
·
North US Highway 87
22
Continue on US 87
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
William Crooker Highway
23
Continue on US 87
18 mi
·
18 min
·
South US Highway 87
24
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Dallas Avenue
25
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lynn Avenue
26
Turn left onto US 180
0.7 mi
·
54 sec
·
North 4th Street
27
Turn right onto TX 137
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
North Bryan Avenue
28
Continue on TX 137
15 mi
·
22 min
·
North State Highway 137
29
Continue on TX 137
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
Brownfield Highway
30
Continue on TX 137
15 mi
·
14 min
·
Lamesa Highway
31
Continue on TX 137
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 137
32
Continue on TX 137
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamesa Highway
33
Turn left onto US 62; US 385; TX 137
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
Seagraves Road
34
Turn sharp right onto TX 137
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
South 14th Street
35
Turn left onto US 82; US 380
420 ft
·
8 sec
·
West Main Street
36
Continue on US 82; US 380
31 mi
·
31 min
·
US Highway 380
37
Continue on US 82; US 380
0.6 mi
·
50 sec
·
Cowboy Way
38
Arrive at destination
US 82; US 380
Trip Plan
For this 9-hour, 46-minute drive, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended. Consider departing early in the morning on your first day to cover a good portion of the miles, aiming for a rest stop around the halfway point. You'll have two main stops factored into the route, so use these for fuel and breaks. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially as you transition to US Highway 87 North, as services might become less frequent. A practical tip: familiarize yourself with the timing of your longest stretch on I-37 to better gauge your progress and plan your next break accordingly.
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 278.8 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 4h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.1 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 123 miles or 2h 5m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 278.8 miles or 4h 46m 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 278.8 miles or 4h 46m
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 38m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Plains, 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 279 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Plains, TX
Aim for roughly 279 miles and 4.9 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 123 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 37 for about 140.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
184 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
368 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 San Angelo, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
279 mi · about 4.9h in
A practical overnight split lands near Junction, TX after about 279 miles or 4.9 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 123 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 278.8 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 I 37 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 279 miles or 4.9 hours on the road.
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.
Kerr County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Parking Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
US-87 Knotts Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Scenic View
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Coke County Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
TA
1.9 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 websiteThe Escape Game San Antonio
5.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 8 am–12 pm
+17262273834
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 175 decision points cluster between mile 141.4 and 257.4 — 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
257.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 23m in
|
US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.65 one way
$169.30 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
195 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $93.30 | $186.60 |
| premium | $4.58 | $100.54 | $201.09 |
| diesel | $5.35 | $117.45 | $234.89 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$85
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$215–$325
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 195.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $59 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 167.3 | 2 | $58.55 | $26.76 |
| Efficient EV | 139.4 | 1 | $48.79 | $22.30 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 223 | 2 | $78.06 | $35.69 |
Gas CO2
195 kg
EV CO2
65 kg (67% 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.
Origin
Corpus Christi, TX
Afternoon in Corpus Christi on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 9:47PM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Plains, TX
Afternoon in Plains on Wednesday
Local time
3:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Clear
SW 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued May 30 at 9:47PM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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.
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
19 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 46m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 134.6
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 192.3
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
With 76% of this route on highways, expect a significant amount of time on faster-paced roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 140.1 miles on I-37. While much of the drive will be on interstates, the transition to US Highway 87 North will likely offer a change in scenery and pace. This route presents a predominantly highway-driven character, punctuated by a notable long stretch that demands sustained focus.
76% 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: 140.1 mi on I 37.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 37 and I 10. 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 17 significant decision points across 557.6 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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,642 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
3,806 ft
Total Descent
170 ft
Highest Point
3,642 ft
~557.6 mi in
Elevation Range
3,636 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.
Between Corpus Christi, TX and Plains, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome and Menard.
Alamodome
141.4 mi in
|
~2h 23m
Menard
257.4 mi in
|
~4h 23m
|
via US 83
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 Plains, TX
Full guide →City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 140.1 miles on I 37. 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 279 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 39 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 Plains, 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 39 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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 9.8 hours each way, a round trip means 19.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Plains, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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