Trip from Corpus Christi, TX to Wink, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

9h 13m

Distance

545.6 mi

878 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$82

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 24 min

4 AM

9h 6m ★

6 AM

9h 14m

8 AM

9h 30m

10 AM

9h 20m

12 PM

9h 18m

3 PM

9h 20m

5 PM

9h 30m

8 PM

9h 9m

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 Winkler County, Texas, United States

Wink, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Corpus Christi to Wink is 545.6 miles and takes about 9h 13m via I 37, I 10, and US 285, with a fuel budget near $79 and not enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-haul drive that stays within Texas, moving you from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Given the significant driving time, planning for at least two days is recommended to make this trip manageable. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward, primarily highway-based trek across the state.

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

272.8 miles from Corpus Christi, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 34m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	297.5 mi	4h 43m
I 37	140.1 mi	2h 22m
North US Highway 285	49 mi	55m
I 20	23.2 mi	21m
Rodgers Street	15.9 mi	23m
McDermott Freeway	15.5 mi	18m
East César E. Chávez Boulevard	1.4 mi	3m
Interstate 10 West	0.2 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 297.5 mi, about 4h 43m

Traffic on I-37

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 40 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,782 veh/hr typical · worst 2,364

Quietest

2 AM

~179 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

10×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 102 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 Wink, 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

297 mi · 4 hr 43 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec

Exit 257 Toward US 285: Pecos, Sanderson

Continue on Interstate 10 West

0.2 mi · 24 sec · Interstate 10 West

Take the ramp

224 ft · 6 sec

Merge onto US 285

49 mi · 55 min · North US Highway 285

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 43 sec

Toward I 20 East: Odessa

Merge onto I 20

23 mi · 21 min · I 20

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 41 sec

Exit 66 Toward FM 1927, SH 115: Pyote, Kermit

Continue on Avenue E

0.1 mi · 21 sec · Avenue E

Turn left onto TX 115

16 mi · 23 min · Rodgers Street

Continue on TX 115

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Hendricks Boulevard

Turn right onto FM 1232

78 ft · 2 sec · Southwest 1st Street

Arrive at destination

FM 1232

Trip Plan

With a 9h 13m estimated drive time, breaking this trip into two days is highly advisable. Aim to depart Corpus Christi in the morning to maximize your first day's mileage. Plan for your overnight stop roughly halfway, perhaps around the 297.5-mile mark on I 10, or slightly beyond depending on your pace and lodging availability. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on US Highway 285, as services can be more spread out in that section. Ensure you have at least two planned stops to stretch your legs and refuel.

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 272.8 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, or about 4h 34m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 297.5 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 120 miles or 2h 2m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 272.8 miles or 4h 34m 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 272.8 miles or 4h 34m

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 3m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Wink, 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 273 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Wink, TX

Aim for roughly 273 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 120 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 10 for about 297.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

San Antonio, TX

180 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.

Popular next leg

San Antonio, TX to Wink, TX

403 mi · 6h 48m

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

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Junction, TX

360 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 Junction, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Kerrville, TX

273 mi · about 4.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Kerrville, TX after about 273 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

San Antonio, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 120 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kerrville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 272.8 miles from Corpus Christi, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 297.5 miles.

Overnight split

0.7 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.9 mi from route

Service Plaza

1.6 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 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 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 141.4 and 456.2 — 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.

456.2 mi into trip | ~7h 29m in

Take the exit toward US 285: Pecos, Sanderson

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Exit 257 Toward US 285: Pecos, Sanderson

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$81.90 one way

$163.81 round trip

$3.81/gal 25.4 MPG avg 191 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.22	$90.63	$181.25
premium	$4.57	$98.06	$196.12
diesel	$6.28	$134.81	$269.62

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$82

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$212–$322

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 190.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.

Driving Electric?

About $57 in charging · 2 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	163.7	2	$57.29	$26.19
Efficient EV	136.4	1	$47.74	$21.82
EV Truck/SUV	218.2	2	$76.38	$34.92

Gas CO2

191 kg

EV CO2

64 kg (66% 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.

Forecast as of Oct 20, 2026

Origin

Corpus Christi, TX

Afternoon in Corpus Christi on Thursday

Local time

1:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Sunny

NE 10 to 14 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Tsunami Warning

TEST Tsunami Warning issued October 20 at 12:31PM EDT until October 20 at 1:31PM EDT by NWS National Tsunami Warning Cen...

Destination

Wink, TX

Afternoon in Wink on Thursday

Local time

1:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Sunny

SE 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Tsunami Warning

TEST Tsunami Warning issued October 20 at 12:31PM EDT until October 20 at 1:31PM EDT by NWS National Tsunami Warning Cen...

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

2 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 13m 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 ~6 min detour Free near mile 131.7

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...

27 mi from route ~66 min detour Free near mile 188.1

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is 96% highway driving, so expect consistent cruising for most of the 545.6 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 297.5 miles on I 10, meaning you'll have long periods of highway travel before reaching surface roads. You'll notice the transition to more rural cruising as you get closer to Wink.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 297.5 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and I 37. 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 17 significant decision points across 545.6 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

2,883 ft 7 ft

Total Climb

3,655 ft

Total Descent

866 ft

Highest Point

2,883 ft

~467.7 mi in

Elevation Range

2,876 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 Wink, TX, road signs point toward Alamodome and Sanderson.

Alamodome

141.4 mi in | ~2h 23m

Sanderson

456.2 mi in | ~7h 29m

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 Wink, TX

Full guide →

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 297.5 miles on I 10. 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 273 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 56 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 Wink, 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 56 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 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.5 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Wink, 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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