Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Seabrook, TX to Brownsville, 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
7h 12m
Distance
375.4 mi
604 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 1m
★
6 AM
7h 12m
8 AM
7h 34m
10 AM
7h 20m
12 PM
7h 18m
3 PM
7h 21m
5 PM
7h 33m
8 PM
7h 6m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Seabrook, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
Trip Overview
Seabrook to Brownsville is 375 miles and takes about 7 hours via U.S. Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward path across Texas. With 82% of the route on highways, it's largely a direct cruise, making it a manageable one-day trip. Plan for about two stops along the way to break up the 7-hour duration. It's a practical option if you need to get from the upper Texas coast down to the southern tip efficiently.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.7 miles from Seabrook, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 105 mi | 1h 56m |
| US Highway 59 | 74.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Alamo Street | 37.1 mi | 43m |
| US Highway 77 South | 33.2 mi | 37m |
| I 69E | 31.3 mi | 33m |
| South Sam Houston Tollway East | 21 mi | 24m |
| Southwest Freeway | 19.9 mi | 21m |
| US 59 | 15.8 mi | 18m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 105 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-69
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~682 veh/hr typical · worst 936
Quietest
2 AM
~109 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
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 Seabrook, TX and Brownsville, TX.
1
Start on this road
109 ft
·
9 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto Anders Avenue
120 ft
·
10 sec
·
Anders Avenue
3
Turn right onto Main Street
98 ft
·
4 sec
·
Main Street
4
Continue on NASA 1
5.3 mi
·
9 min
·
East NASA Parkway
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Continue on NASA 1
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
·
NASA Bypass
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
7
Turn straight onto East NASA Parkway
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East NASA Parkway
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on NASA Parkway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
NASA Parkway
9
Turn slight right
171 ft
·
6 sec
Use the right lane.
10
Turn slight right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
59 sec
·
Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward I 45 North
12
Merge onto I 45
5.7 mi
·
6 min
·
Gulf Freeway
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Exit 32
Toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi
·
1 min
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Use the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto BW 8
0.3 mi
·
18 sec
·
South Sam Houston Parkway East
16
Continue on SHT
21 mi
·
24 min
·
South Sam Houston Tollway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on BW 8
131 ft
·
1 sec
·
South Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
53 sec
Toward I 69, US 59 South, US 59 North: Victoria, Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 59 South, I 69: Victoria
Use the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 69; US 59
20 mi
·
21 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight lane.
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
22
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
23
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
24
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
25
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
26
Merge onto US 59
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
US 59
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 59
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
28
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
2 min
29
Continue on US 59
75 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US Highway 59
30
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
31
Merge onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
US Highway 77 South
32
Turn straight onto US 77
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Alamo Street
33
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
34
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
35
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
36
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.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
44 mi
·
46 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Expressway
40
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.
41
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 1B
Toward 12th-14th Street
Use the slight right lane.
42
Turn straight onto South Expressway
331 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Expressway
43
Turn right onto East 12th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 12th Street
Use the right lane.
44
Turn right onto US 77 Business
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Washington Street
45
Arrive at destination
US 77 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour estimated drive time, leaving Seabrook in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive in Brownsville before dark. With two recommended stops, consider taking your first break around the halfway point to refuel and stretch. The longest stretch without a major road change is about 105 miles on U.S. Highway 77, so keep an eye on your fuel gauge before entering that segment. The $55 fuel cost is an estimate, so it's wise to check current prices and adjust your budget. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your timing.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.7 miles from Seabrook, TX, or about 3h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105 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 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.7 miles or 3h 41m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 5m
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 Seabrook, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Seabrook, TX
This is one driving day of about 375.4 miles and 7h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Seabrook, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on U.S. Highway 77 for about 105 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187.7 miles from Seabrook, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before U.S. Highway 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105 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.
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.1 mi from route
Bounce N Play Seabrook
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
Seabrook, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+13466338320
Visit websiteWashington 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 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 websiteDinosaur Park
4.3
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Early in the drive, short detour
Early stretch
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Wharton, Texas
+19795322491
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 295 decision points cluster between mile 5.8 and 37.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
5.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Take the exit toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Sarah Deel Drive, NASA Parkway
8
14 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Take the exit toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway
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 32
Toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway
7
14.3 mi into trip
|
~21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
7
36.7 mi into trip
|
~48m in
Take the exit toward I 69, US 59 South, US 59 North: Victoria, Houston
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.
Toward I 69, US 59 South, US 59 North: Victoria...
8
37.1 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 59 South, I 69: Victoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 59 South, I 69: Victoria
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.42 one way
$102.84 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
131 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $57.43 | $114.87 |
| premium | $4.23 | $62.44 | $124.89 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $70.88 | $141.77 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.68
Sam Houston Tollway
(21 mi)
$1.68
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
$51
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.6 | 1 | $39.42 | $18.02 |
| Efficient EV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.85 | $15.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150.2 | 1 | $52.56 | $24.03 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 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
Seabrook, TX
Late night in Seabrook on Monday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 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
Brownsville, TX
Late night in Brownsville on Monday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
SSE 9 to 13 mph
0% 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
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 12m 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.
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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 362.4
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 284.8
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 82% of the 375 miles on major roads like U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59. You'll encounter your longest continuous stretch of highway driving for about 105 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The route transitions to surface streets like Alamo Street as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent cruising experience with fewer complex urban merges for most of the trip.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
45 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 105 mi on U.S. Highway 77.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on U.S. Highway 77 and US Highway 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.8 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 29 significant decision points across 375.4 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 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
125 ft
9 ft
Total Climb
175 ft
Total Descent
149 ft
Highest Point
125 ft
~80.4 mi in
Elevation Range
116 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 Seabrook, TX and Brownsville, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Spur 10: Cottonwood.
Houston
36.7 mi in
|
~48m
Spur 10: Cottonwood
57.8 mi in
|
~1h 12m
About the Cities
Starting in Seabrook, TX
Full guide →Founded 1961
North Barrier Coast is on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
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 7h 12m. Total distance: 375.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 105 miles on U.S. Highway 77. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.68 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. 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 18 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.4 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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