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Trip from Little River-Academy, TX to Corpus Christi, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 23, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 55m
Distance
261.8 mi
421 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 42m
★
6 AM
4h 55m
8 AM
5h 22m
10 AM
5h 5m
12 PM
5h 2m
3 PM
5h 6m
5 PM
5h 21m
8 PM
4h 47m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Little River-Academy, TX
Eddie O.
Corpus Christi, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This straightforward drive from Little River-Academy, TX, to Corpus Christi, TX, covers 261.8 miles and will take about 4 hours and 55 minutes. It's a perfect candidate for a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $40. The route is predominantly highway-focused, making it efficient for reaching your destination. You'll travel through the Great Plains region for both your departure and arrival points, indicating a consistent landscape throughout your journey. With only one recommended stop, this trip is designed for direct travel.
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
130.9 miles from Little River-Academy, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 130 Toll | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| TX 80 | 51.2 mi | 56m |
| South US Highway 181 | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| US Highway 181 | 23.3 mi | 26m |
| I 35 | 19.9 mi | 20m |
| US Highway 181 South | 16.1 mi | 18m |
| US 183 | 10.1 mi | 11m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 792 | 8.4 mi | 10m |
Longest stretch:
TX 130 Toll
— 58.5 mi, about 54m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,225 veh/hr typical · worst 3,908
Quietest
2 AM
~495 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Little River-Academy, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
1
Start on FM 436
7.2 mi
·
9 min
·
West Main Street
2
Turn left onto Loop 121
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Loop 121
3
Turn left onto South I-35 Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
4
Continue on South I-35 Frontage Road
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 35 South
6
Merge onto I 35
20 mi
·
20 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
8
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
11
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
12
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
13
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
14
Continue on TX 80
51 mi
·
56 min
·
TX 80
15
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 792
16
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
17
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
18
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
South US Highway 181
19
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 8th Street
20
Continue on US 181
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 181 South
21
Continue on TX 89
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 89
22
Continue on US 181
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 181
23
Continue on US 181
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Railroad Avenue
24
Continue on US 181
17 mi
·
19 min
·
US Highway 181
25
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
26
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
56 sec
27
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
1 min
28
Merge onto I 37
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
I 37
29
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
387 ft
·
10 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
30
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
444 ft
·
15 sec
·
Interstate Highway 37
31
Continue on I 37
483 ft
·
9 sec
·
I 37
32
Arrive at destination
I 37
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 55-minute duration, starting your drive from Little River-Academy in the morning is ideal to arrive in Corpus Christi with plenty of daylight. Plan for one stop to break up the journey, perhaps around the halfway point or where you feel ready for a stretch. The longest stretch without a significant break is 58.5 miles on TX 130 Toll, so be mindful of your fuel level before entering that segment. With a manageable distance and a straightforward highway focus, this trip offers flexibility, allowing you to adjust your pace as needed.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 130.9 miles from Little River-Academy, TX, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.5 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 58 miles or 1h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 130.9 miles or 2h 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 3h 59m
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 Little River-Academy, 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 Little River-Academy, TX
This is one driving day of about 261.8 miles and 4h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 58 miles from Little River-Academy, 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 TX 130 Toll for about 58.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
131 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 58 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 130.9 miles from Little River-Academy, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 92.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
3
7.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Loop 121
Turn left onto Loop 121
Navigation decision point
3
8.3 mi into trip
|
~11m in
|
South I-35 Frontage Road
Turn left onto South I-35 Frontage Road
Navigation decision point
5
13.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
|
I 35
Merge onto I 35
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
33.5 mi into trip
|
~39m 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
92.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m 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
$39.30 one way
$78.60 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
92 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $43.49 | $86.97 |
| premium | $4.57 | $47.05 | $94.10 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $64.69 | $129.37 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 91.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 78.5 | 0 | $27.49 | $12.57 |
| Efficient EV | 65.5 | 0 | $22.91 | $10.47 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 104.7 | 1 | $36.65 | $16.76 |
Gas CO2
92 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 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.
Origin
Little River-Academy, TX
Late night in Little River-Academy on Friday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny
E 0 to 5 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night in Corpus Christi on Friday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
NE 10 to 14 mph
11% chance
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.
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 55m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is heavily highway-oriented, with 88% of the journey on major roadways. Expect a consistent pace for most of the 4 hours and 55 minutes, primarily utilizing TX 130 Toll, TX 80, and South US Highway 181. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 58.5 miles on the TX 130 Toll, offering a solid period of steady driving. The profile suggests a functional, highway-focused experience rather than a winding, scenic exploration.
88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.5 mi on TX 130 Toll.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 130 Toll and TX 80. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 7.2 miles in near Loop 121.
Driving Effort
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 261.8 miles you will encounter 9 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 7.2 miles (Loop 121): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles (South I-35 Frontage Road): Navigation decision point; at 13.5 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
740 ft
7 ft
Total Climb
251 ft
Total Descent
733 ft
Highest Point
740 ft
~18.7 mi in
Elevation Range
733 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Little River-Academy, TX
Full guide →Founded 1836
Arriving 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
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 4h 55m. Total distance: 261.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.5 miles on TX 130 Toll. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 10 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.2 miles (Loop 121): Navigation decision point; at 8.3 miles (South I-35 Frontage Road): Navigation decision point; at 13.5 miles (I 35): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.8 hours — manageable with a long break at Corpus Christi, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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