Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Tenaha, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 28m
Distance
387.6 mi
624 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$53
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 19m
★
6 AM
7h 29m
8 AM
7h 49m
10 AM
7h 36m
12 PM
7h 34m
3 PM
7h 37m
5 PM
7h 48m
8 PM
7h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Tenaha, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Corpus Christi, TX to Tenaha, TX is 387.6 miles and takes about 7h 28m via US Highway 59 South/US 59/I-69, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent driving experience across Texas. With an 89% highway share, expect a relatively straightforward trip focused on covering distance. It's a solid choice if you're looking for a direct path between these two Texas points without extensive detours.
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
193.8 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 48m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 59 | 57.5 mi | 1h 5m |
| I-69 | 42 mi | 44m |
| Eastex Freeway | 39.8 mi | 46m |
| Southwest Freeway | 34.7 mi | 40m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| North US Highway 59 | 32.9 mi | 37m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 17.8 mi | 23m |
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 Tenaha, 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
40 mi
·
46 min
·
Eastex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69; US 59
0.7 mi
·
44 sec
·
I 69; US 59
27
Continue on I-69; US 59
42 mi
·
44 min
·
I-69; US 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on US 59; FM 942
36 mi
·
40 min
·
US 59; FM 942
29
Take the exit onto US 59
5.7 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
Toward US 59 North, Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
30
Keep slight right at fork onto US 59
16 mi
·
17 min
·
US 59
Toward US 59 North: Nacogdoches
31
Turn left
0.7 mi
·
1 min
32
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
this road
33
Merge onto Loop 224
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Southwest Stallings Drive
34
Continue on US 59
33 mi
·
37 min
·
North US Highway 59
35
Turn right onto Loop 157
73 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Center Street
36
Arrive at destination
Loop 157
Trip Plan
For this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Corpus Christi to maximize daylight and avoid potential afternoon traffic. With only 2 recommended stops, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch without a major exit is 88.6 miles on US Highway 59 South, so ensure you're fueled up before entering that segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach Tenaha, as services can become less frequent in rural areas. This is a manageable one-day trip, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, a brief overnight stop could be planned.
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 193.8 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 3h 48m 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 85 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 193.8 miles or 3h 48m 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 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Tenaha, 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 387.6 miles and 7h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 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 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
194 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 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 193.8 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 US Highway 59 South if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 88.6 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.
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
Polk County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Polk County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.8 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 205.7 — 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.
5
0.5 mi into trip
|
~0m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
40.8 mi into trip
|
~49m in
|
FM 774
At end of road, turn left onto FM 774
Navigation decision point
5
173.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 24m in
|
I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Merge onto I 69; US 59 / Southwest Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.09 one way
$106.18 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
136 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $59.30 | $118.60 |
| premium | $4.23 | $64.47 | $128.95 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $73.19 | $146.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 135.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 116.3 | 1 | $40.70 | $18.60 |
| Efficient EV | 96.9 | 1 | $33.92 | $15.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 155 | 1 | $54.26 | $24.81 |
Gas CO2
136 kg
EV CO2
45 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
Afternoon in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 13 to 18 mph
9% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Tenaha, TX
Afternoon in Tenaha on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 10:46PM CDT until July 17 at 3:45AM 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
8 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 28m 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 drive is mostly highway, with 89% of the 387.6 miles on major roads like US Highway 59 South and I-69. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 88.6 miles on US Highway 59 South, indicating extended periods of open road cruising. Surface streets will likely appear as you approach your destination in Tenaha, TX, breaking up the highway travel. Expect the typical flow of traffic and exits associated with significant highway corridors in Texas.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 59 South and US 59. 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
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 22 significant decision points across 387.6 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 0.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 0.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.8 miles (FM 774): Navigation decision point.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
437 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
481 ft
Total Descent
136 ft
Highest Point
437 ft
~360 mi in
Elevation Range
430 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 Tenaha, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches along the way.
Loop 287 East: Nacogdoches
326.5 mi in
|
~6h 17m
|
via US 59
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 Tenaha, TX
Full guide →Founded 1886
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 28m. Total distance: 387.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 28m 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 20 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 Tenaha, 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 20 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 0.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 40.8 miles (FM 774): Navigation decision point.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Tenaha, 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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