Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Lakeway, TX to Brownsville, 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
6h 40m
Distance
360.9 mi
581 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$49
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 28m
★
6 AM
6h 40m
8 AM
7h 4m
10 AM
6h 49m
12 PM
6h 46m
3 PM
6h 50m
5 PM
7h 3m
8 PM
6h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lakeway, TX
Danny Meneses
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
Trip Overview
Lakeway, TX to Brownsville, TX is 360.9 miles and takes about 6h 40m via I 37 and U.S. Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive through the heart of the state. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a practical choice for a direct trip. Consider this if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground between these two Texas locations.
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
180.5 miles from Lakeway, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 37 | 118.7 mi | 1h 59m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 105 mi | 1h 56m |
| Purple Heart Trail | 38 mi | 40m |
| I 69E | 31.3 mi | 33m |
| North Expressway | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| Connally Loop | 11 mi | 12m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 10 mi | 11m |
| North FM 1626 | 8.8 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
I 37
— 118.7 mi, about 1h 59m
Traffic on I-37
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~1,146 veh/hr typical · worst 1,732
Quietest
2 AM
~151 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Lakeway, TX and Brownsville, TX.
1
Start on this road
112 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
Turn left onto Lohmans Crossing Road
1.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Lohmans Crossing Road
3
Turn right onto RM 620
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Ranch Road 620 South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4
Turn left onto TX 71
5.9 mi
·
8 min
·
West Highway 71
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on State Highway 71 West
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 71 West
6
Turn slight right
274 ft
·
10 sec
7
Merge onto West US Highway 290 Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West US Highway 290 Frontage Road
8
Turn left onto RM 1826
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Ranch Road 1826
9
Turn left onto West Slaughter Lane
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
West Slaughter Lane
Use the left lane.
10
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Loop 1 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Merge onto Loop 1
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Mopac Expressway
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi
·
31 sec
Toward 45 Toll East
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto 45 Toll
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
45 Southwest Toll Road
Toward TX 45 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
293 ft
·
7 sec
Toward FM 1626 South
Use the right lane.
15
Turn straight onto FM 1626
8.8 mi
·
11 min
·
North FM 1626
16
Turn slight right
172 ft
·
6 sec
Toward I 35 South: San Marcos
Use the right lane.
17
Turn straight onto South Interstate 35
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Interstate 35
18
Continue on I 35 Business
0.4 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Old Highway 81
19
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Toward I 35 South
20
Merge onto I 35
26 mi
·
27 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Connally Loop
Toward I 410 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 41
Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Merge onto I 37
119 mi
·
1 hr 59 min
·
I 37
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
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.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
44 mi
·
46 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Expressway
32
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.
33
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 1B
Toward 12th-14th Street
Use the slight right lane.
34
Turn straight onto South Expressway
331 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Expressway
35
Turn right onto East 12th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 12th Street
Use the right lane.
36
Turn right onto US 77 Business
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Washington Street
37
Arrive at destination
US 77 Business
Trip Plan
With a driving time of around 6 hours and 40 minutes, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. You'll have one recommended stop, so plan it strategically along your route. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the 118.7-mile stretch on I 37. The estimated fuel cost is $52, so budget accordingly. The transition from highway to U.S. Highway 77 is where you might notice a change in traffic flow and speed.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 180.5 miles from Lakeway, TX, or about 3h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 118.7 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 79 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 180.5 miles or 3h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 34m
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 Lakeway, 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 Lakeway, TX
This is one driving day of about 360.9 miles and 6h 40m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 79 miles from Lakeway, 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 I 37 for about 118.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
180 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 79 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 180.5 miles from Lakeway, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 37 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 118.7 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.
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.7 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.7 mi from route
TA
1.7 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.8 mi from route
QuikTrip
2 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
Washington Plaza
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+19565422064
Visit websiteStillman House Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 10 am–4 pm
+19565415560
Visit websiteMorgan's Wonderland
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3 pm
+12104955888
Visit websiteGladys Porter Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+19565467187
Visit websiteSouthern Pacific Linear Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Brownsville, TX
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+19565422064
Visit websiteChildren's Museum of Brownsville
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Brownsville, TX
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+19565489300
Visit websiteLincoln Park
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
+19569974875
Visit websiteGet Air Trampoline Park
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+19564293782
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 255 decision points cluster between mile 18 and 93.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
18 mi into trip
|
~28m in
Keep slight left at fork toward 45 Toll East
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward 45 Toll East
7
21.7 mi into trip
|
~32m in
Keep slight right at fork toward FM 1626 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward FM 1626 South
7
82 mi into trip
|
~1h 42m in
|
I 410 / Connally Loop
Keep slight right at fork onto I 410 / Connally Loop toward I 410 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 410 South
8
92.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Take the exit toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus Christi
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 41
Toward I 37, US 281 North: San Antonio, Corpus...
7
93.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 37 South: Corpus Christi
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.43 one way
$98.86 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
126 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $55.21 | $110.43 |
| premium | $4.23 | $60.03 | $120.06 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $68.14 | $136.29 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.24
45 Southwest Toll Road
(3.4 mi)
$0.24
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
$49
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 108.3 | 1 | $37.89 | $17.32 |
| Efficient EV | 90.2 | 1 | $31.58 | $14.44 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 144.4 | 1 | $50.53 | $23.10 |
Gas CO2
126 kg
EV CO2
42 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
Lakeway, TX
Evening in Lakeway on Monday
Local time
7:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 19 at 8:11PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 8:08PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Brownsville, TX
Evening in Brownsville on Monday
Local time
7:01 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 9 to 14 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 19 at 8:11PM CDT until July 19 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 8:08PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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
4 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
6h 40m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 99.6
View on nps.gov
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 348.5
View on nps.gov
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 273.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 83% of the 360.9 miles spent on major roads like I 37. You'll encounter a long stretch of 118.7 miles on I 37 before transitioning to U.S. Highway 77. Expect to see a steady stream of exits and towns as you cruise through the Texas landscape. The final portion of your drive will be on surface roads.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
37 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 118.7 mi on I 37.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 37 and U.S. Highway 77. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18 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 360.9 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 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82 miles (I 410 / Connally Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
839 ft
29 ft
Total Climb
208 ft
Total Descent
929 ft
Highest Point
839 ft
~77.3 mi in
Elevation Range
811 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 Lakeway, TX and Brownsville, TX, road signs point toward Fm 1626 South and Corpus Christi.
Fm 1626 South
21.7 mi in
|
~32m
Corpus Christi
92.9 mi in
|
~1h 54m
About the Cities
Starting in Lakeway, TX
Full guide →Lakeway is a city in the Hill Country region of Texas. It is just outside of Austin.
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).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 40m. Total distance: 360.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 118.7 miles on I 37. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.24 in tolls one way, starting with 45 Southwest Toll Road. 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 27 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 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82 miles (I 410 / Connally Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 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, 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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