Trip from Mansfield, 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 Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 55m

Distance

375.9 mi

605 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$51

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 44m ★

6 AM

6h 56m

8 AM

7h 19m

10 AM

7h 4m

12 PM

7h 1m

3 PM

7h 5m

5 PM

7h 18m

8 PM

6h 49m

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

Best Time

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city in Texas, USA; suburb of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex

Mansfield, TX

Wikimedia Commons

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

Corpus Christi, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Mansfield to Corpus Christi is 375.9 miles and takes about 6h 55m via I 35W and TX 130 Toll, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the Great Plains region of Texas to the Gulf Coast area, also within the Great Plains classification. The route is predominantly highway driving, making it a straightforward option for a single-day trip. You'll want to be prepared for a solid block of driving time, so planning your departure and a brief stop can help make the 6-hour-plus drive more comfortable.

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

187.9 miles from Mansfield, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 35W	63.5 mi	1h 4m
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: I 35W — 63.5 mi, about 1h 4m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,461 veh/hr typical · worst 3,169

Quietest

2 AM

~387 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 Mansfield, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.

Start on East Broad Street

182 ft · 8 sec · East Broad Street

Continue on East Broad Street

335 ft · 20 sec · East Broad Street

Turn left onto South Main Street

1.3 mi · 2 min · South Main Street

Turn right onto FM 917

1.5 mi · 2 min · Farm-to-Market Road 917

Continue on FM 917

0.7 mi · 58 sec · South 2nd Avenue

Continue on FM 917

9.0 mi · 14 min · East FM 917

Turn left onto South Burleson Boulevard

0.2 mi · 29 sec · South Burleson Boulevard

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward I 35W South Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 35W

63 mi · 1 hr 4 min · I 35W

Toward I 35W South: Waco 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 6h 55m drive, consider an early morning departure from Mansfield to maximize daylight. With a total distance of 375.9 miles, this trip is well-suited for a single day. You'll want to factor in at least one brief stop for fuel and a break, especially given the longest stretch of highway is 63.5 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge as you approach your destination, and remember the estimated fuel cost is around $55. This route offers flexibility, so you can adjust your stop timing as needed.

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 187.9 miles from Mansfield, TX, or about 3h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 63.5 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 83 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 187.9 miles or 3h 18m 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 45m

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 Mansfield, 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 Mansfield, TX

This is one driving day of about 375.9 miles and 6h 55m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Mansfield, 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 35W for about 63.5 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Hays County, Texas, United States, that extends into Caldwell and Guadalupe counties

Mid-route town

Meal stop

San Marcos, TX

188 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

Waxahachie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Montopolis, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 187.9 miles from Mansfield, 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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.9 and 206.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

12.9 mi into trip | ~21m in

Take the ramp toward I 35W South

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes. Toward I 35W South

13 mi into trip | ~21m in | I 35W

Merge onto I 35W toward I 35W South: Waco

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35W South: Waco

121 mi into trip | ~2h 13m 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.

147.5 mi into trip | ~2h 40m 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

206.7 mi into trip | ~3h 36m 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

$51.49 one way

$102.97 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 132 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$57.51	$115.02
premium	$4.23	$62.53	$125.05
diesel	$4.80	$70.98	$141.95

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$51

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 131.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	112.8	1	$39.47	$18.04
Efficient EV	94	1	$32.89	$15.04
EV Truck/SUV	150.4	1	$52.63	$24.06

Gas CO2

132 kg

EV CO2

44 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

Mansfield, TX

Morning in Mansfield on Sunday

Local time

10:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

73°F

Mostly Cloudy

S 5 mph 10% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Corpus Christi, TX

Morning in Corpus Christi on Sunday

Local time

10:25 AM

CDT

Current temp

82°F

Partly Cloudy

SSE 13 to 18 mph 9% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

96°F

San Marcos, TX

188 mi in

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

9 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 55m 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 ~11 min detour Free near mile 77.8

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 375.9 miles on major roads like I 35W and TX 130 Toll. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway at 63.5 miles on I 35W. The transition to surface roads will occur after significant highway cruising. Expect a consistent pace for most of the trip, with the primary roads offering straightforward navigation before you reach your destination.

83% 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: 63.5 mi on I 35W.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 35W and TX 130 Toll. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.9 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 375.9 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 12.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 13 miles (I 35W): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 121 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

773 ft 7 ft

Total Climb

556 ft

Total Descent

1,152 ft

Highest Point

773 ft

~134.2 mi in

Elevation Range

766 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Mansfield, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1856

Mansfield (Texas) is a fast growing city south of Arlington, between Dallas and Fort Worth.

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 6h 55m. Total distance: 375.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 63.5 miles on I 35W. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 22 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 22 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.9 hours each way, a round trip means 13.9 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Trip from Mansfield, TX to Corpus Christi, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-35

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

Circle K

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

Mansfield, TX

Corpus Christi, TX

Same local time

9 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 55m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

Waco Mammoth National Monument

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Mansfield, TX

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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