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0 mi from route
Trip from Henrietta, TX to Corpus Christi, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 40m
Distance
479.1 mi
771 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
19 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 33m
★
6 AM
8h 41m
8 AM
8h 56m
10 AM
8h 46m
12 PM
8h 45m
3 PM
8h 47m
5 PM
8h 56m
8 PM
8h 36m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Henrietta, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Henrietta, TX to Corpus Christi, TX is 479.1 miles and takes about 8h 40m via North South Freeway and US 287, with a fuel budget near $72 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight is recommended. This journey takes you through the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a highway-focused drive for the majority of its 479.1 miles. You'll spend most of your time on major arteries, making good time if you're looking to cover ground efficiently. Consider this route if you prioritize speed and straightforward navigation over varied scenery. With a recommended two-day drive, you can break up the 8h 40m of driving and arrive in Corpus Christi refreshed.
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
239.5 miles from Henrietta, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 14m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| North South Freeway | 84.6 mi | 1h 27m |
| US 287 | 84.4 mi | 1h 31m |
| 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 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
| US Highway 181 | 23.3 mi | 26m |
Longest stretch:
North South Freeway
— 84.6 mi, about 1h 27m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 60 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,844 veh/hr typical · worst 3,686
Quietest
2 AM
~446 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.4×
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 Henrietta, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
1
Start on East Wichita Street
5 ft
·
5 sec
·
East Wichita Street
2
Turn left onto FM 1197
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
North Bridge Street
3
Turn right onto US 82
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
West Omega Street
4
Turn left onto TX 148
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
South Graham Street
5
Continue on TX 148
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
State Highway 148 South
6
Turn left onto US Highway 287 South
472 ft
·
12 sec
·
US Highway 287 South
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
8
Merge onto US 287
84 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
US 287
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 35W; US 287
4.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 35W Express Toll South
Use the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 35W TEXpress
4.0 mi
·
3 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Merge onto I 35W
85 mi
·
1 hr 27 min
·
North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
17
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
20
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
21
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
22
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
23
Continue on TX 80
51 mi
·
56 min
·
TX 80
24
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 792
25
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
26
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
27
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
South US Highway 181
28
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 8th Street
29
Continue on US 181
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 181 South
30
Continue on TX 89
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 89
31
Continue on US 181
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 181
32
Continue on US 181
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
33
Continue on US 181
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US Highway 181
34
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
35
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
36
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
37
Merge onto I 37
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 37
38
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
387 ft
·
10 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
39
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
444 ft
·
15 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
40
Continue on I 37
483 ft
·
9 sec
·
I 37
41
Arrive at destination
I 37
Trip Plan
Given the 8h 40m duration, splitting this drive over two days is advisable for a more relaxed pace. Aim to start early in the morning to maximize daylight, especially if you choose to drive it in one go. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without services is 84.6 miles. Plan your stops strategically, perhaps breaking the journey near the halfway point to rest and refuel. With a fuel cost estimated at $72, budgeting for gas is straightforward.
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 239.5 miles from Henrietta, TX, or about 4h 14m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.6 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 105 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 239.5 miles or 4h 14m 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 239.5 miles or 4h 14m
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 7h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Corpus Christi, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Henrietta, 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 Henrietta, TX
Aim for roughly 240 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Corpus Christi, TX
Aim for roughly 240 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Henrietta, 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 North South Freeway for about 84.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
240 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
240 mi · about 4.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 240 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 105 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 239.5 miles from Henrietta, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before North South Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 240 miles or 4.3 hours on the road.
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.
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Wise County Northbound
0 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
Bayfront Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+13618267529
Visit websiteHarbor Playhouse
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
+13618825500
Visit websiteWhataburger Field
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Corpus Christi, Texas
Visit websiteCorpus Christi Museum of Science and History
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
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 end, right off the route
Home stretch
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 end, right off the route
Home stretch
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 end, right off the route
Home stretch
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 end, right off the route
Home stretch
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 165 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 309.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
FM 1197 / North Bridge Street
Turn left onto FM 1197 / North Bridge Street
Navigation decision point
6
90.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m in
Take the exit toward I 35W Express Toll South
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W Express Toll South
6
224.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 58m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
250.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 25m 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
309.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 21m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.62 one way
$131.24 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
168 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $73.30 | $146.60 |
| premium | $4.23 | $79.69 | $159.39 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $90.46 | $180.93 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$196–$306
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 167.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
19 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Fort Worth, TX - Whitmore Street - Tesla Supercharger
Fort Worth, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Fort Worth, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Fort Worth, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Henrietta, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Henrietta, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Decatur, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Decatur, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Fort Worth, TX - North Freeway Service Road - Tesla Supercharger
Fort Worth, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Haltom City, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Haltom City, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Edgecliff Village, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Edgecliff Village, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Walmart EV Charging
Fort Worth, TX
WALMART
8 DCFC
Tesla: 7
eVgo Network: 4
ChargePoint Network: 2
Blink Network: 2
Electrify America: 2
WALMART: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 143.7 | 1 | $50.31 | $23.00 |
| Efficient EV | 119.8 | 1 | $41.92 | $19.16 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 191.6 | 2 | $67.07 | $30.66 |
Gas CO2
168 kg
EV CO2
56 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
Henrietta, TX
Late night in Henrietta on Monday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Clear
S 3 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 10:14PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 10:09PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night in Corpus Christi on Monday
Local time
3:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 10 to 17 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 10:14PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 10:09PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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.
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
6 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 40m 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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 181.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 87% of the route utilizing major roads like the North South Freeway, US 287, and TX 130 Toll. You'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including an uninterrupted 84.6 miles on the North South Freeway. While primarily highway, the road character remains consistent, allowing for steady progress across the Texas landscape. Expect a straightforward driving experience designed for covering distance efficiently.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.6 mi on North South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North South Freeway and US 287. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 1197 / North Bridge Street.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 479.1 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: near the start (FM 1197 / North Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 90.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.2 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
977 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
355 ft
Total Descent
1,261 ft
Highest Point
977 ft
~34.2 mi in
Elevation Range
971 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Henrietta, TX
Full guide →Founded 1857
Arriving 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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.6 miles on North South Freeway. 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 240 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 31 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 Corpus Christi, 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 31 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 1197 / North Bridge Street): Navigation decision point; at 90.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 224.2 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Corpus Christi, 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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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