Trip from Hurst, TX to Corpus Christi, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 12m

Distance

395 mi

636 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$60

one way

EV Charging

Excellent

21 DC fast

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 33 min

4 AM

7h 1m ★

6 AM

7h 12m

8 AM

7h 34m

10 AM

7h 20m

12 PM

7h 18m

3 PM

7h 21m

5 PM

7h 33m

8 PM

7h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Hurst, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Nueces County, Texas, United States

Corpus Christi, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Hurst, TX to Corpus Christi, TX is 395 miles and takes about 7h 12m via North South Freeway and TX 130 Toll, with a fuel budget near $60 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward journey. You'll mostly be on highway, making it a good option if you want to cover ground efficiently. With just two recommended stops and an overnight drive not being necessary, you have flexibility in how you pace this trip. It's a solid choice for reaching your destination without unnecessary 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

197.5 miles from Hurst, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 26m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
North South Freeway	85 mi	1h 28m
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
US Highway 181 South	16.1 mi	18m

Longest stretch: North South Freeway — 85 mi, about 1h 28m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Hurst, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.

Start on Harrison Lane

51 ft · 9 sec · Harrison Lane

Turn left onto West Pipeline Road

2.1 mi · 4 min · West Pipeline Road

Turn left onto Northeast Loop 820

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Northeast Loop 820

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Toward I 820 South

Merge onto I 820; TX 121; TX 183

0.5 mi · 36 sec · Airport Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121

0.2 mi · 16 sec · Airport Freeway

Exit 25A Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth Use the slight right lane.

Continue on TX 121

6.9 mi · 8 min · Airport Freeway

Exit 24B Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Ft Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 41 sec

Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 35W; US 287; US 377

85 mi · 1 hr 28 min · North South Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

26 mi · 26 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 55 sec

Exit 265 Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio Use the slight right lane.

Continue on TX 130 Toll

59 mi · 54 min · TX 130 Toll

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 29 sec

Exit 470 Toward US 183 South: Lockhart Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 183

0.5 mi · 35 sec · United States Highway 183

Continue on US 183

4.9 mi · 8 min · North Colorado Street

Continue on US 183

10 mi · 11 min · US 183

Continue on US 183

4.2 mi · 6 min · North Magnolia Avenue

Continue on TX 80

51 mi · 56 min · TX 80

Turn slight left onto FM 792

8.4 mi · 10 min · Farm-to-Market Road 792

Continue on TX 72; TX 239

0.8 mi · 1 min · East Main Street

Turn left onto US 181

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Sunset Strip Drive

Continue on US 181

40 mi · 45 min · South US Highway 181

Continue on US 181

0.8 mi · 55 sec · North 8th Street

Continue on US 181

16 mi · 18 min · US Highway 181 South

Continue on TX 89

4.1 mi · 4 min · State Highway 89

Continue on US 181

5.9 mi · 6 min · US Highway 181

Continue on US 181

1.3 mi · 1 min · Railroad Avenue

Continue on US 181

17 mi · 19 min · US Highway 181

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 43 sec

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 56 sec

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Merge onto I 37

0.3 mi · 29 sec · I 37

Continue on Interstate Highway 37

387 ft · 10 sec · Interstate Highway 37

Continue on Interstate Highway 37

444 ft · 15 sec · Interstate Highway 37

Continue on I 37

483 ft · 9 sec · I 37

Arrive at destination

I 37

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Hurst to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight. With only two recommended stops, plan them strategically for fuel, food, and stretching. The longest stretch without a major road change is 85 miles, so be sure to take a break before you need one. Given the 395-mile distance and 7h 12m estimated duration, this trip is comfortably achievable in a single day, but if you prefer a more relaxed pace, splitting it is also an option. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $60.

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 197.5 miles from Hurst, TX, or about 3h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85 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 87 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 197.5 miles or 3h 26m 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 2m

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 Hurst, 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 Hurst, TX

This is one driving day of about 395 miles and 7h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Hurst, 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 North South Freeway for about 85 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Hays County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kyle, TX

198 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

Killeen, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Wells Branch, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 197.5 miles from Hurst, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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 website

Harbor Playhouse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Corpus Christi, Texas

+13618825500

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 website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 225.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

2.1 mi into trip | ~4m in | Northeast Loop 820

Turn left onto Northeast Loop 820

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

2.9 mi into trip | ~5m in | TX 121 / Airport Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121 / Airport Freeway toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 25A Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth

10.1 mi into trip | ~14m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South:...

166.6 mi into trip | ~2h 56m 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

225.8 mi into trip | ~3h 52m 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

$59.69 one way

$119.37 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 138 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$65.33	$130.66
premium	$4.54	$70.52	$141.05
diesel	$5.61	$87.21	$174.42

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$60

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$85–$110

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 138.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

EV Charging Along Route

21 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent

Lowe's Home Improvement - Tesla Supercharger

Fort Worth, TX

Tesla

16 DCFC

The Foundry District - Tesla Supercharger

Fort Worth, TX

Tesla

16 DCFC

University Park Village - Tesla Supercharger

Fort Worth, TX

Tesla

16 DCFC

Walmart EV Charging

Bedford, TX

WALMART

12 DCFC

Fuel City Haltom City - Tesla Supercharger

Haltom City, TX

Tesla

12 DCFC

Lone Star Ranch Travel Center - Tesla Supercharger

Edgecliff Village, TX

Tesla

12 DCFC

1201 Airport Fwy

Euless, TX

HYPERFUEL

8 DCFC

Walmart EV Charging

North Richland Hills, TX

WALMART

8 DCFC

Tesla: 5 eVgo Network: 5 WALMART: 3 Electrify America: 2 HYPERFUEL: 1 Non-Networked: 1 SHELL_RECHARGE: 1 ChargePoint Network: 1 LOOP: 1 Blink Network: 1

Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	118.5	1	$41.47	$18.96
Efficient EV	98.8	1	$34.56	$15.80
EV Truck/SUV	158	1	$55.30	$25.28

Gas CO2

138 kg

EV CO2

46 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.

Forecast as of Apr 21, 2026

Origin

Hurst, TX

Morning in Hurst on Tuesday

Local time

7:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Corpus Christi, TX

Morning in Corpus Christi on Tuesday

Local time

7:23 AM

CDT

Current temp

69°F

Chance Rain Showers

SE 12 to 15 mph 38% chance Live forecast

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 20 at 11:56PM CDT until April 22 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX

Fire Weather Watch

Fire Weather Watch issued April 20 at 11:56PM CDT until April 22 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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

12 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 12m 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.

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...

4 mi from route ~10 min detour Free near mile 95.3

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This route is heavily highway-focused, with 84% of the drive on major roads. Expect a predominantly fast-paced experience, with the longest uninterrupted stretch being 85 miles on the North South Freeway. The transition through TX 130 Toll will keep your momentum going. While it's a highway-centric drive, the profile suggests a generally consistent experience, allowing you to settle into a rhythm. You'll spend the majority of your time on well-maintained, high-speed roadways.

84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 85 mi on North South Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North South Freeway and TX 130 Toll. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near Northeast Loop 820.

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 14 significant decision points across 395 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 2.1 miles (Northeast Loop 820): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.9 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 10.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

About the Cities

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).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 12m. Total distance: 395 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 85 miles on North South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

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 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Hurst, TX or browse trips ending in Corpus Christi, TX.

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Trip from Hurst, TX to Corpus Christi, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Quality Services Towing & Tires

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

Pilot Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

Buc-ee's

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Circle K

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Plaza

Pilot Travel Center

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

QuikTrip

Road Ranger

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Buc-ee's

TA

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

Bayfront Park

Harbor Playhouse

Whataburger Field

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

The Art Museum of South Texas

Texas State Aquarium

Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education Center

Water's Edge Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Hurst, TX

Corpus Christi, TX

Same local time

12 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 12m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in Corpus Christi, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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