Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Willis, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
255.6 mi
411 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 2m
8 AM
5h 29m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 13m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 54m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Willis, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Corpus Christi, TX to Willis, TX is 255.6 miles and takes about 5h 2m via US Highway 59 South and North Freeway, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive. With a 75% highway share, expect a good portion of your travel to be on faster roads, making it a manageable one-day trip. Consider this drive if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Texas locations 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
127.8 miles from Corpus Christi, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US Highway 59 South | 88.6 mi | 1h 38m |
| United States Highway 77 | 33 mi | 37m |
| North Freeway | 31 mi | 35m |
| Southwest Freeway | 20.1 mi | 22m |
| Farm to Market Road 136 | 17.8 mi | 23m |
| West Sam Houston Tollway South | 12.2 mi | 14m |
| West Sam Houston Tollway North | 10.2 mi | 11m |
| New Harbor Bridge | 10.1 mi | 11m |
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 Willis, 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
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 115
Toward Sam Houston Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Merge onto BW 8
0.6 mi
·
42 sec
·
West Sam Houston Parkway South
27
Continue on SHT
12 mi
·
14 min
·
West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Take the exit onto SHT
0.4 mi
·
27 sec
·
West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto SHT
9.8 mi
·
11 min
·
West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight right at fork onto SHT
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the slight right lane.
31
Continue on BW 8
0.8 mi
·
53 sec
·
North Sam Houston Parkway West
32
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork
1.5 mi
·
3 min
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
34
Merge onto I 45
31 mi
·
35 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Take the exit
493 ft
·
12 sec
36
Turn straight onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
1.5 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
37
Turn right onto FM 1097
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Montgomery Street
Use the right lane.
38
Turn left onto TX 75; FM 1097
360 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Danville Street
39
Turn right onto FM 1097
35 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Stewart Street
40
Arrive at destination
FM 1097
Trip Plan
For this 5-hour drive, leaving Corpus Christi in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Willis with plenty of daylight. Since it's a single-day trip, you have flexibility, but aim to complete the longest stretch of 88.6 miles on US Highway 59 South before needing a significant break. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially as you get closer to Houston, where services can be more spread out. The estimated fuel cost is around $37, so budget accordingly and top off before entering more congested areas.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 127.8 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 2h 28m 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 56 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 127.8 miles or 2h 28m 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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Willis, 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 255.6 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 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
128 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 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 127.8 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
TA
0.1 mi from route
Victoria 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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.7 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 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 websiteWater's Edge Park
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 285 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 220.8 — 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.
7
193.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
Take the exit toward Sam Houston Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 115
Toward Sam Houston Tollway
6
193.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 46m in
Keep slight left at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
220.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m in
Take the exit toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown
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.
Toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Dallas, Downtown
7
220.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 18m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 45 North: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.01 one way
$70.02 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $39.10 | $78.21 |
| premium | $4.23 | $42.52 | $85.03 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $48.26 | $96.52 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.00
Sam Houston Tollway
(25 mi)
$2.00
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 89.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 76.7 | 0 | $26.84 | $12.27 |
| Efficient EV | 63.9 | 0 | $22.37 | $10.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 102.2 | 1 | $35.78 | $16.36 |
Gas CO2
89 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 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
Night in Corpus Christi on Monday
Local time
9:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 13 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38AM CDT until July 19 at 6:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM CDT until July 20 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Willis, TX
Night in Willis on Monday
Local time
9:17 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38AM CDT until July 19 at 6:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM CDT until July 20 at 12:00AM 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
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
5h 2m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 75% of this 255.6-mile drive on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 88.6 miles along US Highway 59 South. The transition from highway cruising to surface roads will likely occur around the 200-mile mark, depending on your exact path within the urban areas of Houston. Expect a notable increase in exits and potential traffic as you approach and navigate through the Houston metropolitan area.
75% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 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 United States Highway 77. 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 28 significant decision points across 255.6 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 193.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
380 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
416 ft
Total Descent
43 ft
Highest Point
380 ft
~255.6 mi in
Elevation Range
373 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 Willis, TX, road signs point toward Sam Houston Tollway and Downtown.
Sam Houston Tollway
193.3 mi in
|
~3h 46m
Downtown
220.6 mi in
|
~4h 18m
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 Willis, TX
Full guide →Founded 1937
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 5h 2m. Total distance: 255.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
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.
Expect about $2.00 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 15 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 Willis, 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 15 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 193.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 193.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Willis, 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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