Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Stanton, 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

7h 56m

Distance

457.3 mi

736 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 27 min

4 AM

7h 47m ★

6 AM

7h 56m

8 AM

8h 14m

10 AM

8h 2m

12 PM

8h 1m

3 PM

8h 3m

5 PM

8h 13m

8 PM

7h 51m

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

city in and county seat of Martin County, Texas, United States

Stanton, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Corpus Christi to Stanton is 457.3 miles and takes about 7h 56m via I 37, I 10, and US Highway 87 North, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same vast landscape, primarily on well-traveled highways. It's a straightforward trip, mostly consisting of freeway driving, making it a practical choice if you need to cover a significant distance within Texas in a single day. You'll encounter a good share of highway miles, so expect a consistent pace for most of the journey.

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

228.6 miles from Corpus Christi, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 54m 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	67.5 mi	1h 8m
West Broadway Street	39.2 mi	39m
North Main Street	29.3 mi	30m
Frisco Avenue	21.5 mi	23m
US 87	15.8 mi	16m
McDermott Freeway	15.5 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 Stanton, TX.

Start on I 37

17 mi · 17 min · I 37

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

1.3 mi · 1 min

Continue on I 37

123 mi · 2 hr 4 min · I 37

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 27 sec

Exit 140B Toward Cesar Estrada Chavez Boulevard, Alamodome Use the slight right lane.

Turn left onto East César E. Chávez Boulevard

1.4 mi · 3 min · East César E. Chávez Boulevard

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Toward I 10 West, I 35 North

Merge onto I 10; I 35; US 87

93 ft · 1 sec · South Pan Am Expressway

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.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 87

15 mi · 17 min · McDermott Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Take the exit onto US 83

0.3 mi · 44 sec · US 83

Exit 456 Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard

Turn right onto US 83; US 377

29 mi · 30 min · North Main Street

Use the right lane.

Continue on US 83

21 mi · 23 min · Frisco Avenue

Turn left onto US 87

39 mi · 39 min · West Broadway Street

Continue on US 87; Loop 306

4.1 mi · 5 min · South Bryant Boulevard

Continue on US 87; US 277

1.4 mi · 2 min · South Koenigheim Street

Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus

4.3 mi · 6 min · North Bryant Boulevard

Continue on US 87

23 mi · 23 min · US Highway 87 North

Continue on US 87

16 mi · 16 min · US 87

Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163

44 mi · 44 min · US Highway 87 North

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 54 sec

Turn left onto West Interstate 20

0.4 mi · 55 sec · West Interstate 20

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 15 sec

Toward I 20 West: Midland

Merge onto I 20

13 mi · 13 min · I 20

Take the exit

445 ft · 10 sec

Exit 158 Toward I 20 Business West: Stanton

Continue on I 20 Bus

0.1 mi · 11 sec · North I-20 Service Road

Continue on I 20 Bus

1.3 mi · 1 min · East Business I-20

Continue on I 20 Bus

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Front Street

Turn left onto South Saint Mary Street

85 ft · 3 sec · South Saint Mary Street

Arrive at destination

South Saint Mary Street

Trip Plan

Given the 7h 56m estimated drive time, leaving Corpus Christi in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Stanton with daylight to spare. With a fuel cost estimated at $69, plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially since you'll be on the highway for a significant portion. The 2 recommended stops are well-spaced for stretching your legs. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach the less populated stretches of US Highway 87 North, as services can be more spread out there than on the interstates.

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 228.6 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 3h 54m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.1 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 101 miles or 1h 42m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 228.6 miles or 3h 54m 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 53m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stanton, 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 457.3 miles and 7h 56m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 101 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 I 37 for about 140.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kerrville, TX

229 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

San Antonio, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 101 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kerrville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 228.6 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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 18

5 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.

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...

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

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.

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.

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

$62.64 one way

$125.27 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 160 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$69.96	$139.93
premium	$4.23	$76.07	$152.13
diesel	$4.80	$86.35	$172.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 160 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	137.2	1	$48.02	$21.95
Efficient EV	114.3	1	$40.01	$18.29
EV Truck/SUV	182.9	2	$64.02	$29.27

Gas CO2

160 kg

EV CO2

54 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Corpus Christi, TX

Afternoon in Corpus Christi on Sunday

Local time

12:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSE 13 to 18 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX

Destination

Stanton, TX

Afternoon in Stanton on Sunday

Local time

12:32 PM

CDT

Current temp

67°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 10 to 15 mph 57% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:41PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth 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

15 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 56m 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.

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 ~16 min detour Free near mile 126.1

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 ~65 min detour Free near mile 189.2

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This route is 77% highway, meaning you'll spend the majority of your time on high-speed roads like I 37 and I 10. The longest continuous stretch on these freeways is 140.1 miles, providing ample opportunity for sustained cruising. As you transition to US Highway 87 North, expect a change in scenery and potentially more local traffic as you move away from the interstate. You'll be making 2 planned stops along the way.

77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

30 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?

9/10

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 9/10

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 18 significant decision points across 457.3 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

2,666 ft 7 ft

Total Climb

3,097 ft

Total Descent

438 ft

Highest Point

2,666 ft

~457.3 mi in

Elevation Range

2,660 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 Stanton, 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 Stanton, TX

Full guide →

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 56m. Total distance: 457.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 56m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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 — we found about 37 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 Stanton, 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 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 7.9 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Stanton, 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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Explore more options from Corpus Christi, TX or browse trips ending in Stanton, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Stanton, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-37

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Concho County Rest Area

Kerr County Westbound Rest Area

San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area

Parking Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Love's Travel Stop

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Flying J Travel Center

Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area

Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area

Scenic View

Picnic Area

Rest Area

QuikTrip

Coke County Rest Area

Picnic Area

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Picnic Area

Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

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

Stanton, TX

Same local time

15 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 56m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

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 Stanton, 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?