Origin
Duncanville, TX
Morning in Duncanville on Tuesday
Local time
9:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Duncanville, TX to Brownsville, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 28m
Distance
520.5 mi
838 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$79
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 20m
★
6 AM
9h 29m
8 AM
9h 46m
10 AM
9h 35m
12 PM
9h 33m
3 PM
9h 35m
5 PM
9h 45m
8 PM
9h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Duncanville, TX
Mark Direen
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
Trip Overview
Duncanville, TX to Brownsville, TX is 520.5 miles and takes about 9h 28m via U.S. Highway 77, South R L Thornton Freeway, and TX 130 Toll, with a fuel budget near $79 and best split over two days. This long-haul drive spans the Great Plains region for both its start and end points, offering a consistent landscape for much of the way. Given the nearly ten-hour estimated drive time, planning for an overnight stop is advisable to avoid fatigue. This route covers a significant distance within Texas, so consider your departure time based on daylight and potential traffic, especially near major urban areas.
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
260.3 miles from Duncanville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 34m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 105 mi | 1h 56m |
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 80.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| TX 130 Toll | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| TX 80 | 51.2 mi | 56m |
| South US Highway 181 | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 37.9 mi | 39m |
| I 69E | 31.3 mi | 33m |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 105 mi, about 1h 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Duncanville, TX and Brownsville, TX.
1
Start on this road
26 ft
·
3 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto East Center Street
21 ft
·
4 sec
·
East Center Street
3
Turn right onto North Main Street
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Main Street
4
Turn right onto East Interstate 20
94 ft
·
1 sec
·
East Interstate 20
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 20 East
6
Merge onto I 20
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto I 35E
81 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
13
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
16
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
17
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
18
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
19
Continue on TX 80
51 mi
·
56 min
·
TX 80
20
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 792
21
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
22
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
23
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
South US Highway 181
24
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 8th Street
25
Continue on US 181
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 181 South
26
Take the exit onto US 181
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 181
27
Keep slight right at fork onto US 181
213 ft
·
5 sec
·
US Route 181
28
Turn straight onto US 181
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 181
29
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
30
Merge onto US 77
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 77
31
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
33
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
34
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77
31 mi
·
33 min
·
I 69E; US 77
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
44 mi
·
46 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Expressway
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
9.0 mi
·
10 min
·
North Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 1B
Toward 12th-14th Street
Use the slight right lane.
40
Turn straight onto South Expressway
331 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Expressway
41
Turn right onto East 12th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 12th Street
Use the right lane.
42
Turn right onto US 77 Business
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Washington Street
43
Arrive at destination
US 77 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 9h 28m estimated duration, this trip is best enjoyed over two days to ensure a safe and comfortable drive. Aim to start early to maximize daylight, especially if you plan to drive straight through. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 520.5 miles into manageable segments, perhaps stopping around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during the 105-mile stretch on U.S. Highway 77, and take advantage of services when you see them. The $79 fuel cost is an estimate, so check current prices as you travel.
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 260.3 miles from Duncanville, TX, or about 4h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 115 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 260.3 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 260.3 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 22m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brownsville, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Duncanville, 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 Duncanville, TX
Aim for roughly 260 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Brownsville, TX
Aim for roughly 260 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 115 miles from Duncanville, 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 U.S. Highway 77 for about 105 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
172 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
344 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 Antonio, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
260 mi · about 4.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near New Braunfels, TX after about 260 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 115 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 260.3 miles from Duncanville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 260 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 519.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.8 mi into trip
|
~8m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
7
157.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
7
216.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 40m in
Take the exit toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
7
371.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 43m in
|
I 69E; US 77
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
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 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
7
519.4 mi into trip
|
~9h 26m in
Take the exit toward 12th-14th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward 12th-14th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$78.65 one way
$157.30 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
182 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $86.09 | $172.17 |
| premium | $4.54 | $92.93 | $185.86 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $114.92 | $229.84 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$209–$319
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 182.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 156.2 | 1 | $54.65 | $24.98 |
| Efficient EV | 130.1 | 1 | $45.54 | $20.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 208.2 | 2 | $72.87 | $33.31 |
Gas CO2
182 kg
EV CO2
61 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.
Destination
Brownsville, TX
Morning in Brownsville on Tuesday
Local time
9:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
1 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 28m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
With 88% of this trip on highways, you'll spend most of your time on faster-paced roads. The longest continuous stretch without needing to exit is 105 miles, found along U.S. Highway 77. Expect to transition from highway speeds to surface streets as you approach your destination, which can involve more frequent stops and slower traffic. The high highway percentage suggests a relatively straightforward drive with fewer complexities for most of the 520.5 miles.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 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 25 significant decision points across 520.5 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 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Duncanville, TX
Full guide →Founded 1880
Duncanville is a southern suburb of Dallas, part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Texas. Duncanville's population was 39,000 in 2019. The city is part of the Best Southwest area, which includes Duncanville, Cedar Hill, DeSoto, and Lancaster.
Arriving in Brownsville, TX
Full guide →Founded 1849
Located at the southernmost tip of Texas, Brownsville is a popular location for Mexican and American beach tourists. It is part of the Rio Grande Valley, a four-county region known for its abundance in citrus fruit production and Winter Texan population. The city features a combination of different climate regimes: Gulf Coast plains and the Great Plains. There is a lot to do in this city: historical museums, art galleries, beaches, birding locations and natural wildlife refuges. As Brownsville is a border town, its culture is predominantly Hispanic.
Top landmarks
- • USS Cabot — 1943 Independence-class aircraft carrier
- • Fort Brown — Texas, a former US Amy post
- • Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park — historic site in Brownsville (vicinity), Cameron County, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 miles on U.S. Highway 77. 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 260 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 Brownsville, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 216.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 19.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Brownsville, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Brownsville, TX
More trips to Brownsville, TX
Explore more options from Duncanville, TX or browse trips ending in Brownsville, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.