Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Stephenville, TX to Brownsville, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 54m
Distance
481 mi
774 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 46m
★
6 AM
8h 54m
8 AM
9h 10m
10 AM
9h 0m
12 PM
8h 58m
3 PM
9h 1m
5 PM
9h 9m
8 PM
8h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stephenville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
Trip Overview
This 481-mile journey from Stephenville, TX to Brownsville, TX will take approximately 8 hours and 54 minutes of driving time. Primarily utilizing South US Highway 281 and U.S. Highway 77, this route is heavily highway-focused, with 98% of the drive on major roads. Given the duration, splitting this trip over two days is recommended to avoid fatigue. With an estimated fuel cost of $73, it's a manageable expense for a significant drive. You'll traverse the Great Plains region throughout this trip, experiencing a consistent landscape for much of the way.
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
240.5 miles from Stephenville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 36m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South US Highway 281 | 153.1 mi | 2h 56m |
| Lucian Adams Freeway | 125.1 mi | 2h 6m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 105 mi | 1h 56m |
| I 69E | 31.3 mi | 33m |
| North US Highway 281 | 19 mi | 20m |
| US 281 | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| North Expressway | 11.1 mi | 12m |
| North Water Street | 3.6 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
South US Highway 281
— 153.1 mi, about 2h 56m
Traffic on I-37
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 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
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Stephenville, TX and Brownsville, TX.
1
Start on TX 108
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
·
North Graham Street
2
Continue on TX 108
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Graham Avenue
3
Continue on TX 108
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South State Highway 108
4
At end of road, turn right onto US 281
17 mi
·
19 min
·
South US Highway 281
5
Continue on US 281; TX 6
0.4 mi
·
28 sec
·
North 2nd Street
6
Turn right onto US 281
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
North Walnut Street
Use the right lane.
7
Turn straight onto US 281
19 mi
·
20 min
·
North US Highway 281
8
Continue on US 281
2.3 mi
·
2 min
·
North Rice Street
9
Continue on US 281
43 mi
·
49 min
·
South US Highway 281
10
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
1.6 mi
·
3 min
·
North Key Avenue
11
Turn right onto US 281 Bus
20 mi
·
21 min
·
South US Highway 281
12
Continue on US 281
3.6 mi
·
5 min
·
North Water Street
13
Continue on US 281
46 mi
·
54 min
·
South US Highway 281
14
Continue on US 281
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Main Street
15
Continue on US 281
27 mi
·
31 min
·
South US Highway 281
16
Turn straight onto US 281
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
US 281
17
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281 HOV Lane
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
US 281 HOV Lane
18
Merge onto US 281
15 mi
·
17 min
·
US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 37; US 281
3.2 mi
·
3 min
·
William J Bordelon Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
20
Continue on I 37; US 281
125 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
Lucian Adams Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
44 mi
·
46 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Expressway
25
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.
26
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 1B
Toward 12th-14th Street
Use the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto South Expressway
331 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Expressway
28
Turn right onto East 12th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 12th Street
Use the right lane.
29
Turn right onto US 77 Business
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Washington Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 77 Business
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour, 54-minute drive, consider departing early in the morning. With 481 miles and two recommended stops, pacing yourself is key. The longest stretch on South US Highway 281 is over 150 miles, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly. Given the duration, breaking this trip into two days is advisable for a more relaxed experience. A practical tip: be aware that U.S. Highway 77 can experience varying traffic conditions as you approach populated areas near the coast.
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 240.5 miles from Stephenville, TX, or about 4h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.1 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 106 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 240.5 miles or 4h 36m 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 240.5 miles or 4h 36m
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 7h 48m
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 Stephenville, 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 Stephenville, TX
Aim for roughly 241 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Brownsville, TX
Aim for roughly 241 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 106 miles from Stephenville, 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 US Highway 281 for about 153.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
241 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
241 mi · about 4.5h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Antonio, TX after about 241 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 106 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 240.5 miles from Stephenville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South US Highway 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 241 miles or 4.5 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.
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
TXB Market
2.5 mi from route
Washington 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 websiteHemisfair
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+12107094750
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 websiteGO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12102274746
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, short detour
Halfway reset
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
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 websiteRoosevelt Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.9 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–11 pm
+12102077275
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 19.5 and 479.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
19.5 mi into trip
|
~23m in
|
US 281 / North Walnut Street
Turn right onto US 281 / North Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
332.4 mi into trip
|
~6h 9m in
|
I 69E; US 77
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
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 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
6
425.1 mi into trip
|
~7h 52m in
|
I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
470.9 mi into trip
|
~8h 41m in
|
I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77; US 83 / North Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
479.9 mi into trip
|
~8h 51m in
Take the exit toward 12th-14th Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 1B
Toward 12th-14th Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$65.88 one way
$131.76 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
168 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $73.59 | $147.18 |
| premium | $4.23 | $80.01 | $160.02 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $90.82 | $181.64 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$196–$306
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 168.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 144.3 | 1 | $50.51 | $23.09 |
| Efficient EV | 120.3 | 1 | $42.09 | $19.24 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 192.4 | 2 | $67.34 | $30.78 |
Gas CO2
168 kg
EV CO2
56 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.
Origin
Stephenville, TX
Afternoon in Stephenville on Sunday
Local time
12:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 to 10 mph
30% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 6:07PM CDT until July 16 at 6:45PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 6:07PM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
Destination
Brownsville, TX
Afternoon in Brownsville on Sunday
Local time
12:22 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 8 to 17 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:23PM CDT until July 16 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 6:21PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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.
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
8h 54m 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...
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
Free
near mile 215.6
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 481
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...
14 mi from route
~36 min detour
Free
near mile 149.3
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
~68 min detour
$25
near mile 398.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a largely highway-focused drive, covering 98% of the 481 miles on major arteries like South US Highway 281 and U.S. Highway 77. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 153.1 miles on South US Highway 281, offering a good period of consistent travel. While primarily highway, the transition onto Lucian Adams Freeway indicates a shift as you approach your destination. This route offers a predictable driving experience with minimal complex navigation.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.1 mi on South US Highway 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 281 and Lucian Adams Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 19.5 miles in near US 281 / North Walnut Street.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 481 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 19.5 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 332.4 miles (I 69E; US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 425.1 miles (I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
1,466 ft
21 ft
Total Climb
490 ft
Total Descent
1,727 ft
Highest Point
1,466 ft
~103.1 mi in
Elevation Range
1,445 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Stephenville, TX
Full guide →Founded 1856
Stephenville is a city in the Cross Timbers region of Texas. Acclaimed "Cowboy Capital of the World" (okay, maybe there's more than one), it's the home to Tarleton State University, part of the Texas A&M system, and even has an equine therapy program.
Top landmarks
- • Erath County Courthouse — historic place in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas
- • Erath Memorial Arch — historic place in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas
- • First National Bank Building — historic place in Stephenville, Erath County, 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).
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.1 miles on South US Highway 281. 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 241 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 19 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 19 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 19.5 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 332.4 miles (I 69E; US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 425.1 miles (I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.9 hours each way, a round trip means 17.8 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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