Seth Ward, TX to Corpus Christi, TX is 578.1 miles and takes about 10h 7m via Lucian Adams Freeway, US Highway 84, and I 10, with a fuel budget near $84 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route spans across the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a long-haul drive that's best split over two days. If you're looking for a straightforward trip with minimal fuss, this option connects two points within the same state, making for a predictable experience. Consider this if you need to cover a significant distance within Texas without venturing into unfamiliar territory.
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
289 miles from Seth Ward, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 9m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,281 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,827
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Seth Ward, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
1
Start on Wood Avenue
0.4 mi·1 min·Wood Avenue
2
At end of road, turn right onto FM 400
2.2 mi·4 min·East 24th Street
3
Turn right onto TX 194
0.6 mi·1 min·Dimmitt Road
4
Turn left onto North Interstate 27
0.2 mi·26 sec·North Interstate 27
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
6
Merge onto I 27; US 87
43 mi·43 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 536BToward Loop 289
8
Turn straight onto North Interstate 27
0.5 mi·1 min·North Interstate 27
9
Turn left onto North Loop 289
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Loop 289
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
11
Merge onto Loop 289
7.5 mi·8 min·Loop 289
12
Take the exit
421 ft·10 sec
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
13
Keep slight right at fork
233 ft·5 sec
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
14
Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southeast Loop 289
15
Turn right onto Spur 331
1.9 mi·2 min·Southeast Drive
16
Merge onto US 84
0.2 mi·13 sec·Slaton Road
17
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
18
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
19
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
20
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
21
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
22
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
23
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
24
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi·6 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 244Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
27
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southwest Georgia Avenue
28
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
29
Continue on TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
30
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
31
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
32
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·TX 158
33
At end of road, turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
34
Turn left onto US 83
17 mi·18 min·South 7th Street
Use the left lane.
35
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Grassmeyer Street
36
Continue on US 83
29 mi·31 min·Ellis Street
37
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi·38 min·US 83
Toward I 10 East: San AntonioUse the left lane.
38
Continue on I 10
54 mi·54 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
41
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
42
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
43
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
44
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
45
Continue on West Market Street
0.4 mi·42 sec·West Market Street
46
Continue on East Market Street
0.4 mi·40 sec·East Market Street
47
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
0.2 mi·21 sec·Tower of the Americas Way
Use the right lane.
48
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 37 South, US 281 South
49
Merge onto I 37; US 281
1.4 mi·1 min·William J Bordelon Freeway
50
Continue on I 37; US 281
140 mi·2 hr 23 min·Lucian Adams Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
387 ft·10 sec·Interstate Highway 37
52
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
444 ft·15 sec·Interstate Highway 37
53
Continue on I 37
483 ft·9 sec·I 37
54
Arrive at destination
I 37
Trip Plan
Given the 10-hour duration, planning for an overnight stop is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours, especially if you plan to drive straight through. For a two-day trip, consider stopping around the halfway point or where convenient services are readily available. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch on Lucian Adams Freeway is over 140 miles; it's wise to refuel before hitting that segment. The estimated fuel cost of $84 is a good baseline for budgeting.
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 289 miles from Seth Ward, TX, or about 5h 9m 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 127 miles or 2h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 289 miles or 5h 9m 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 289 miles or 5h 9m
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 5m
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 Seth Ward, 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 Seth Ward, TX
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Corpus Christi, TX
Aim for roughly 289 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 127 miles from Seth Ward, 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 Lucian Adams Freeway for about 140.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 289 miles from Seth Ward, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before Lucian Adams Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 140.3 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 289 miles or 5.1 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 55.8 and 433.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
55.8 mi into trip|~1h 1m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
6
166 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
172.5 mi into trip|~3h 1m in
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
8
319.8 mi into trip|~5h 41m 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
8
433.2 mi into trip|~7h 36m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$79.18 one way
$158.36 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg202 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$88.44
$176.89
premium
$4.23
$96.16
$192.32
diesel
$4.80
$109.16
$218.31
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$79
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$209–$319
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 202.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $61 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
173.4
2
$60.70
$27.75
Efficient EV
144.5
1
$50.58
$23.12
EV Truck/SUV
231.2
2
$80.93
$37.00
Gas CO2
202 kg
EV CO2
68 kg (66% 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Seth Ward, TX
Morning
in Seth Ward on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph21% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:06PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Corpus Christi, TX
Morning
in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
9:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 18 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:06PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 4:03PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
102°F
Roscoe, TX
191 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.
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
5 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 7m 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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 438.5
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 378.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 73% of the drive on highways, you'll spend a good portion of your time cruising at higher speeds. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 140.3 miles on Lucian Adams Freeway. Expect to transition from highway cruising to surface roads, which can mean more frequent intersections and varying speed limits. The concentration of exits on the highway sections suggests a more developed corridor, especially as you approach larger areas.
73% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
54 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?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Lucian Adams Freeway and US Highway 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 55.8 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 33 significant decision points across 578.1 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 55.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 166 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,372 ft7 ft
Total Climb
375 ft
Total Descent
3,741 ft
Highest Point
3,372 ft
Elevation Range
3,366 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Seth Ward, TX and Corpus Christi, TX, road signs point toward Loop 289, Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and Downtown.
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 289 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 55.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 166 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 172.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 10.1 hours each way, a round trip means 20.2 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.
