Planning a trip from Memphis, Texas, to Corpus Christi, Texas? This 584.4-mile journey will take approximately 10 hours and 49 minutes of driving time, making it a substantial trek best split over two days. You'll primarily be on Lucian Adams Freeway and US 83, with about 79% of the drive on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $88. Given the long-distance profile and the need for breaks, planning for at least one overnight stop is highly recommended to enjoy the drive without feeling rushed. Both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout your travel.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
292.2 miles from Memphis, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 48m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Memphis, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
1
Start on US 287
0.5 mi·35 sec·Boykin Drive
2
Turn slight right onto US 287
14 mi·13 min·US Highway 287
3
Continue on US 287
0.7 mi·58 sec·Burnett Street
4
Continue on US 287
14 mi·14 min·US Highway 287
5
Continue on US 287
0.6 mi·48 sec·Avenue F Northwest
6
Turn right onto US 62; US 83
90 mi·1 hr 52 min·US Highway 83 North
7
Turn right onto US 83
98 ft·3 sec·US 83
8
Turn left onto US 83; US 380
39 mi·57 min·US 83; US 380
9
Continue on US 83; US 277
0.1 mi·7 sec·West Court Plaza
10
Turn slight right onto US 83; US 277
32 mi·35 min·Commercial Avenue
11
Continue on US 83; US 84
7.8 mi·8 min·US 83; US 84
12
Continue on US 83
39 mi·44 min·US 83
13
Turn left onto US 83
17 mi·18 min·South 7th Street
Use the left lane.
14
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Grassmeyer Street
15
Continue on US 83
29 mi·31 min·Ellis Street
16
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi·38 min·US 83
Toward I 10 East: San AntonioUse the left lane.
17
Continue on I 10
54 mi·54 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
22
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
23
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
24
Continue on West Market Street
0.4 mi·42 sec·West Market Street
25
Continue on East Market Street
0.4 mi·40 sec·East Market Street
26
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
0.2 mi·21 sec·Tower of the Americas Way
Use the right lane.
27
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 37 South, US 281 South
28
Merge onto I 37; US 281
1.4 mi·1 min·William J Bordelon Freeway
29
Continue on I 37; US 281
140 mi·2 hr 23 min·Lucian Adams Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
387 ft·10 sec·Interstate Highway 37
31
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
444 ft·15 sec·Interstate Highway 37
32
Continue on I 37
483 ft·9 sec·I 37
33
Arrive at destination
I 37
Trip Plan
For this 10-hour, 49-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you plan to split it over two days. With 584.4 miles to cover, pacing yourself with stops is key; the data suggests three stops, which should be sufficient. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $88, and it's always wise to refuel when you see stations on longer highway stretches like US 83. Breaking the trip into two days is advisable, perhaps stopping around the halfway point to avoid fatigue on this long-distance drive.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 292.2 miles from Memphis, TX, or about 5h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.3 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 129 miles or 2h 37m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 292.2 miles or 5h 48m 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 292.2 miles or 5h 48m
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 9h 48m
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 Memphis, 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 Memphis, TX
Aim for roughly 292 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Corpus Christi, TX
Aim for roughly 292 miles and 5.4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 129 miles from Memphis, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Lucian Adams Freeway for about 140.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 238.3 and 440.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
238.3 mi into trip|~4h 50m in|US 83 / South 7th Street
Turn left onto US 83 / South 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
326.1 mi into trip|~6h 24m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
6
420.3 mi into trip|~7h 56m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
439.4 mi into trip|~8h 18m in
Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
6
440.1 mi into trip|~8h 19m in|North Pecos-La Trinidad
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$88.30 one way
$176.61 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg205 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$96.66
$193.31
premium
$4.54
$104.34
$208.68
diesel
$5.61
$129.03
$258.06
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$88
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$218–$328
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 204.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $61 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
175.3
2
$61.36
$28.05
Efficient EV
146.1
1
$51.14
$23.38
EV Truck/SUV
233.8
2
$81.82
$37.40
Gas CO2
204 kg
EV CO2
68 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Memphis, TX
Late night
in Memphis on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night
in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 15 mph0% chanceLive 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.
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
19 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
10h 49m 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.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 443.3
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
28 mi from route
~71 min detour
Free
near mile 403
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway drive, with 79% of the total mileage covered on major roads like Lucian Adams Freeway and US Highway 83 North. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 140.3 miles on Lucian Adams Freeway, offering a good opportunity to settle into a rhythm. While much of the drive is on these main arteries, the character can shift as you navigate through varied Texas terrain. Be prepared for a mix of faster highway travel and potentially more localized road conditions as you approach your destination, with a total of three recommended stops to break up the journey.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 140.3 mi on Lucian Adams Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Lucian Adams Freeway and US 83. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 238.3 miles in near US 83 / South 7th Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 584.4 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 238.3 miles (US 83 / South 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 326.1 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 420.3 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Memphis, TX to Corpus Christi, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.
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".
The longest stretch is about 140.3 miles on Lucian Adams 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 292 miles on day one.
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 3 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 238.3 miles (US 83 / South 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 326.1 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 420.3 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.8 hours each way, a round trip means 21.7 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.
