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Trip from Plano, TX to Harlingen, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
9h 27m
Distance
518.2 mi
834 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$71
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
9h 19m
★
6 AM
9h 27m
8 AM
9h 44m
10 AM
9h 33m
12 PM
9h 32m
3 PM
9h 34m
5 PM
9h 43m
8 PM
9h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Plano, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Harlingen, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Plano to Harlingen is 518.2 miles and takes about 9h 27m via South R L Thornton Freeway and U.S. Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day, though an overnight is recommended. This is a long-haul drive primarily within Texas, taking you from the Great Plains region down towards the southern tip of the state. Given the duration, splitting this into two days will offer a more relaxed pace. Expect a route that involves a significant amount of highway driving, making it efficient for covering distance. It's a straightforward trip for those looking to travel south through the state.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
259.1 miles from Plano, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 88.2 mi | 1h 37m |
| 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 69E | 31.3 mi | 33m |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
Longest stretch:
South R L Thornton Freeway
— 89.9 mi, about 1h 32m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~4,007 veh/hr typical · worst 4,783
Quietest
2 AM
~579 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
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 Plano, TX and Harlingen, TX.
1
Start on East 15th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East 15th Street
Use the straight lane.
2
Turn left onto Central Expressway
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 75 South
4
Merge onto US 75
17 mi
·
17 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
501 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Use the slight left lane.
6
Continue on North Central Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Turn right onto Elm Street
304 ft
·
10 sec
·
Elm Street
8
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
9
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Young Street
10
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
315 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
11
Turn right onto Canton Street
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Canton Street
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 30 West
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
14
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Use the left / right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
17
Continue on I 35E
89 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426
Toward Dallas Zoo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
22
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
25
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
26
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
27
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
28
Continue on TX 80
51 mi
·
56 min
·
TX 80
29
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 792
30
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
31
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
32
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
South US Highway 181
33
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 8th Street
34
Continue on US 181
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 181 South
35
Take the exit onto US 181
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 181
36
Keep slight right at fork onto US 181
213 ft
·
5 sec
·
US Route 181
37
Turn straight onto US 181
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 181
38
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
39
Merge onto US 77
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 77
40
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
41
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
42
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
43
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.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
45
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
27 mi
·
27 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 29A
Toward US 77 Business, Loop 499: Valley International Airport, Primera Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
47
At end of road, turn left onto US 77 Bus
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
Business 77
48
Turn slight right onto US 77 Bus
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North 77 Sunshine Strip
49
Turn slight right onto North Commerce Street
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
North Commerce Street
50
Arrive at destination
South Commerce Street
Trip Plan
For this 518.2-mile drive, it's best to break it into two days to avoid fatigue. Plan to depart in the morning, giving you ample time for your first day's driving and a comfortable overnight stop. With a 9h 27m estimated drive time, aiming for around 4-5 hours of driving per day is a good target. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is $69; it's wise to refuel before reaching the longest stretch of highway, which is 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton Freeway, to ensure you have plenty of gas.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 259.1 miles from Plano, TX, or about 4h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 89.9 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 114 miles or 2h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 259.1 miles or 4h 33m 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 259.1 miles or 4h 33m
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 8h 19m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Harlingen, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Plano, 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 Plano, TX
Aim for roughly 259 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Harlingen, TX
Aim for roughly 259 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 114 miles from Plano, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on South R L Thornton Freeway for about 89.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
171 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
342 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in San Antonio, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
259 mi · about 4.7h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 259 miles or 4.7 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 114 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 259.1 miles from Plano, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South R L Thornton Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 89.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 259 miles or 4.7 hours on the road.
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
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
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
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.3 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
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
1.3 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 mi from route
Dark Hour Haunted House
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
+14692980556
Visit websiteDoris D Miller Park
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Waco, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit website11th Hour Escape
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: 12–5:30 pm
+14692095978
Visit websiteHeritage Farmstead Museum
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, short detour
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Plano, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19728810140
Visit websiteHugh Ramsey Nature Park
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Harlingen, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19562165951
Visit websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 315 decision points cluster between mile 17.5 and 514.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
17.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
19.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
7
19.7 mi into trip
|
~24m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / right lanes.
Toward I 35E South: Waco
7
180.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 10m 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
8
514.7 mi into trip
|
~9h 21m in
Take the exit toward US 77 Business, Loop 499: Valley International Airport, Primera Road
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 29A
Toward US 77 Business, Loop 499: Valley Interna...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$70.98 one way
$141.95 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
181 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $79.28 | $158.56 |
| premium | $4.23 | $86.20 | $172.39 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $97.85 | $195.69 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.40
Central Expressway
(17.5 mi)
$1.40
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
$71
Tolls
$1
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$202–$312
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 181.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $54 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 155.5 | 1 | $54.41 | $24.87 |
| Efficient EV | 129.6 | 1 | $45.34 | $20.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 207.3 | 2 | $72.55 | $33.16 |
Gas CO2
181 kg
EV CO2
61 kg (66% 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
Plano, TX
Night in Plano on Sunday
Local time
11:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 0 to 10 mph
62% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 13 at 11:04AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 13 at 11:01AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Harlingen, TX
Night in Harlingen on Sunday
Local time
11:05 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 12 to 15 mph
13% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 13 at 11:04AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 13 at 11:01AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
10 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
9h 27m 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.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 107.2
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...
18 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 518.2
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...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
$25
near mile 464.6
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 predominantly highway cruising, with 87% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway on South R L Thornton Freeway, covering 89.9 miles. The remaining portion of your drive will transition to surface roads, likely with more frequent intersections and local traffic as you get closer to your destination. Expect to navigate through a mix of urban merging and open-road driving.
87% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 89.9 mi on South R L Thornton Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South R L Thornton Freeway 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 17.5 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 31 significant decision points across 518.2 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 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
802 ft
28 ft
Total Climb
487 ft
Total Descent
1,116 ft
Highest Point
802 ft
~74 mi in
Elevation Range
774 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.
On the drive from Plano, TX to Harlingen, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Brownsville along the way.
Brownsville
395.2 mi in
|
~7h 9m
|
via I 69E; US 77
About the Cities
Starting in Plano, TX
Full guide →Founded 1873
Plano is a city of 285,000 people (2020) in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas and is north of Dallas. It is home to the headquarters of several large corporations.
Top landmarks
- • Heritage Farmstead Museum — building in Texas, United States
- • Plano Station, Texas Electric Railway — historic place in Plano, Collin County, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 89.9 miles on South R L Thornton 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 259 miles on day one.
Expect about $1.40 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. 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 38 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 Harlingen, 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. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 19.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument, 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 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 18.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Harlingen, 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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