Trip from Stamford, TX to Corpus Christi, TX

Pin this trip

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 46m

Distance

441 mi

710 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$68

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min

4 AM

7h 37m ★

6 AM

7h 46m

8 AM

8h 5m

10 AM

7h 53m

12 PM

7h 51m

3 PM

7h 54m

5 PM

8h 4m

8 PM

7h 41m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

Stamford, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Nueces County, Texas, United States

Corpus Christi, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Stamford to Corpus Christi is 441 miles and takes about 7h 46m via Lucian Adams Freeway and US 83, with a fuel budget near $64 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip cuts across Texas, taking you from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Expect a mostly highway drive, making it a straightforward point-to-point connection. With only two recommended stops and a single day's drive, this route is ideal for getting from point A to point B 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

220.5 miles from Stamford, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 56m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Lucian Adams Freeway	140.3 mi	2h 23m
US 83	87.3 mi	1h 31m
I 10	71.7 mi	1h 14m
Grassmeyer Street	41.9 mi	44m
Commercial Avenue	32.5 mi	35m
Ellis Street	29.4 mi	31m
South 7th Street	16.5 mi	18m
US 277	14.2 mi	16m

Longest stretch: Lucian Adams Freeway — 140.3 mi, about 2h 23m

Traffic on I-37

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~2,279 veh/hr typical · worst 2,875

Quietest

2 AM

~201 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

11.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 103 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 Stamford, TX and Corpus Christi, TX.

Start on TX 6

60 ft · 3 sec · East McHarg Avenue

Continue on US 277 Business

0.7 mi · 1 min · West McHarg Street

Turn left onto US 277 Frontage Road

335 ft · 6 sec · US 277 Frontage Road

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 33 sec

Merge onto US 277

14 mi · 16 min · US 277

Turn slight right onto US 83; US 277

32 mi · 35 min · Commercial Avenue

Continue on US 83; US 84

7.8 mi · 8 min · US 83; US 84

Continue on US 83

39 mi · 44 min · US 83

Turn left onto US 83

17 mi · 18 min · South 7th Street

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 83

42 mi · 44 min · Grassmeyer Street

Continue on US 83

29 mi · 31 min · Ellis Street

Take the exit onto US 83

40 mi · 38 min · US 83

Toward I 10 East: San Antonio Use the left lane.

Continue on I 10

54 mi · 54 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

17 mi · 19 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

1.7 mi · 2 min · McDermott Freeway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.2 mi · 16 sec · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

0.5 mi · 1 min · Dolorosa Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on West Market Street

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West Market Street

Continue on East Market Street

0.4 mi · 40 sec · East Market Street

Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way

0.2 mi · 21 sec · Tower of the Americas Way

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward I 37 South, US 281 South

Merge onto I 37; US 281

1.4 mi · 1 min · William J Bordelon Freeway

Continue on I 37; US 281

140 mi · 2 hr 23 min · Lucian Adams Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on Interstate Highway 37

387 ft · 10 sec · Interstate Highway 37

Continue on Interstate Highway 37

444 ft · 15 sec · Interstate Highway 37

Continue on I 37

483 ft · 9 sec · I 37

Arrive at destination

I 37

Trip Plan

Given the 7h 46m estimated driving time, leaving Stamford early in the morning is your best bet to complete this 441-mile trip within daylight. You'll have about 140 miles between fuel stops at one point, so ensure your tank is sufficiently full before embarking on that segment. With only two recommended stops, plan for breaks that allow you to stretch and refuel. The $64 fuel cost is an estimate, so factor in potential price variations. This is a drive best tackled in a single day, offering flexibility for impromptu breaks.

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 220.5 miles from Stamford, TX, or about 3h 56m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 140.3 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 97 miles or 1h 48m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 220.5 miles or 3h 56m 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 44m

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 Stamford, 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 Stamford, TX

This is one driving day of about 441 miles and 7h 46m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Stamford, 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 Lucian Adams Freeway for about 140.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kerrville, TX

221 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

Ballinger, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 97 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kerrville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 220.5 miles from Stamford, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Corpus Christi, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13618267529

Visit website

Harbor Playhouse

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

Corpus Christi, Texas

+13618825500

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Corpus Christi, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+13618263460

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 94.9 and 296.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

94.9 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in | US 83 / South 7th Street

Turn left onto US 83 / South 7th Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

182.7 mi into trip | ~3h 20m 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

276.9 mi into trip | ~4h 53m 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.

296 mi into trip | ~5h 15m 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

296.7 mi into trip | ~5h 16m 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

$67.52 one way

$135.04 round trip

$3.89/gal 25.4 MPG avg 154 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.29	$74.52	$149.04
premium	$4.64	$80.53	$161.05
diesel	$6.18	$107.28	$214.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$68

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$93–$118

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 154.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.

Driving Electric?

About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	132.3	1	$46.31	$21.17
Efficient EV	110.3	1	$38.59	$17.64
EV Truck/SUV	176.4	2	$61.74	$28.22

Gas CO2

154 kg

EV CO2

52 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.

Forecast as of Oct 18, 2026

Origin

Stamford, TX

Late night in Stamford on Monday

Local time

3:48 AM

CDT

Current temp

40°F

Mostly Clear

S 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

Destination

Corpus Christi, TX

Late night in Corpus Christi on Monday

Local time

3:48 AM

CDT

Current temp

59°F

Mostly Clear

N 13 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 18 at 2:18AM CDT until October 20 at 7:32PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued October 18 at 2:12AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville 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

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

7h 46m 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.

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...

3 mi from route ~8 min detour Free near mile 304.1

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 243.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This is a predominantly highway drive, with 72% of the route on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 140.3 miles on Lucian Adams Freeway before transitioning to other highways. Expect a more rural cruising feel for significant portions of the drive, especially as you move away from the initial freeway segment. The drive involves a substantial amount of highway time, so be prepared for consistent speeds.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

29 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?

8/10

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 94.9 miles in near US 83 / South 7th Street.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 441 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 94.9 miles (US 83 / South 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 182.7 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 276.9 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

2,123 ft 7 ft

Total Climb

987 ft

Total Descent

2,594 ft

Highest Point

2,123 ft

~157.5 mi in

Elevation Range

2,116 ft

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 Stamford, TX to Corpus Christi, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Downtown along the way.

Downtown

296 mi in | ~5h 15m

About the Cities

Starting in Stamford, TX

Full guide →

Stamford is in the North Central Plains region of Texas.

Arriving in Corpus Christi, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1839

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".

Top landmarks

• USS Lexington — 1942 Essex-class aircraft carrier
• Corpus Christi Cathedral — historic place in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas
• Old Nueces County Courthouse — historic place in Corpus Christi, Nueces 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 46m. Total distance: 441 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 — we found about 37 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 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. There are 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.5 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.

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.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!

/500

Explore More

Explore more options from Stamford, TX or browse trips ending in Corpus Christi, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Stamford, TX to Corpus Christi, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-37

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Rest Area

Scenic View

Love's Travel Stop

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Flying J Travel Center

Kerr County Westbound Rest Area

Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area

San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area

Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area

Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area

Parking Area

Picnic Area

Picnic Area

QuikTrip

Picnic Area

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

Bayfront Park

Harbor Playhouse

Whataburger Field

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

The Art Museum of South Texas

Texas State Aquarium

Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education Center

Water's Edge Park

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Stamford, TX

Corpus Christi, TX

Same local time

19 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 46m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in Stamford, TX

Arriving in Corpus Christi, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?