Southlake, TX to Corpus Christi, TX is 404.6 miles and takes about 7h 27m via North South Freeway, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a single-day trip primarily focused on highway travel through the Great Plains region of Texas. You'll spend most of your time on major roadways, making it a straightforward journey. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to get from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to the South Texas coast without many detours.
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
202.3 miles from Southlake, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 37m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
North South Freeway
85 mi
1h 28m
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:
North South Freeway
— 85 mi, about 1h 28m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Southlake, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.
1
Start on FM 1709
1.0 mi·1 min·East Southlake Boulevard
2
Continue on FM 1709
2.1 mi·3 min·West Southlake Boulevard
Use the left lane.
3
Turn left onto FM 1938
1.9 mi·3 min·Davis Boulevard
Use the left lane.
4
Turn left onto FM 3029
4.9 mi·9 min·Precinct Line Road
5
Turn right onto Airport Freeway
431 ft·8 sec·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward TX 121 South, TX 183 WestUse the left lane.
7
Merge onto TX 121; TX 183
2.3 mi·2 min·Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121
0.2 mi·16 sec·Airport Freeway
Exit 25AToward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort WorthUse the slight right lane.
9
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi·8 min·Airport Freeway
Exit 24BToward TX 121 South: Downtown, Ft WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·41 sec
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: WacoUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 35W; US 287; US 377
85 mi·1 hr 28 min·North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi·26 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.7 mi·55 sec
Exit 265Toward TX 130 Toll South: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
16
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi·54 min·TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·29 sec
Exit 470Toward US 183 South: LockhartUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi·35 sec·United States Highway 183
19
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi·8 min·North Colorado Street
20
Continue on US 183
10 mi·11 min·US 183
21
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi·6 min·North Magnolia Avenue
22
Continue on TX 80
51 mi·56 min·TX 80
23
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi·10 min·Farm-to-Market Road 792
24
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi·1 min·East Main Street
25
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi·1 min·South Sunset Strip Drive
26
Continue on US 181
40 mi·45 min·South US Highway 181
27
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi·55 sec·North 8th Street
28
Continue on US 181
16 mi·18 min·US Highway 181 South
29
Continue on TX 89
4.1 mi·4 min·State Highway 89
30
Continue on US 181
5.9 mi·6 min·US Highway 181
31
Continue on US 181
1.3 mi·1 min·Railroad Avenue
32
Continue on US 181
17 mi·19 min·US Highway 181
33
Take the exit
0.4 mi·43 sec
34
Turn slight right
0.3 mi·56 sec
35
Take the ramp
0.5 mi·1 min
36
Merge onto I 37
0.3 mi·29 sec·I 37
37
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
387 ft·10 sec·Interstate Highway 37
38
Continue on Interstate Highway 37
444 ft·15 sec·Interstate Highway 37
39
Continue on I 37
483 ft·9 sec·I 37
40
Arrive at destination
I 37
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour estimated drive time, departing from Southlake in the morning is advisable to arrive in Corpus Christi before evening. With only 2 recommended stops, you can plan for a brief refueling or rest break roughly halfway. The longest stretch without a major road change is 85 miles, so be sure to fuel up before you hit that segment if your gauge is low. This route's highway-centric nature means you'll encounter plenty of service areas, but it's always wise to check your fuel level before leaving the immediate vicinity of a town.
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 202.3 miles from Southlake, TX, or about 3h 37m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 85 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 89 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 202.3 miles or 3h 37m 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 17m
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 Southlake, 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 Southlake, TX
This is one driving day of about 404.6 miles and 7h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Southlake, 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 North South Freeway for about 85 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 10 and 235.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the ramp toward TX 121 South, TX 183 West
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward TX 121 South, TX 183 West
9
12.5 mi into trip|~21m in|TX 121 / Airport Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121 / Airport Freeway toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
8
19.7 mi into trip|~29m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South:...
7
176.2 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
7
235.4 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
$61.14 one way
$122.27 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg142 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$66.92
$133.84
premium
$4.54
$72.24
$144.48
diesel
$5.61
$89.33
$178.66
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 141.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
121.4
1
$42.48
$19.42
Efficient EV
101.2
1
$35.40
$16.18
EV Truck/SUV
161.8
2
$56.64
$25.89
Gas CO2
142 kg
EV CO2
47 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Southlake, TX
Late night
in Southlake on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Corpus Christi, TX
Late night
in Corpus Christi on Sunday
Local time
3:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live 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.
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
7 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
7h 27m 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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 111.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly highway-focused, with 82% of the route utilizing major roads. You'll experience a consistent pace for extended periods, including an uninterrupted stretch of 85 miles on the North South Freeway. While the profile is largely highway, expect to transition between different main roads like TX 130 Toll and TX 80. This means a mix of high-speed cruising and potentially some varied road conditions as you navigate these segments.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 85 mi on North South Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on North South Freeway and TX 130 Toll. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 15 significant decision points across 404.6 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 10 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Southlake is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex region of Texas. It was once chosen as the best place to live within the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
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".
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 27m. Total distance: 404.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 27m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 85 miles on North South Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 10 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): 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. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 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.
