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Trip from Temple, TX to Brownsville, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 21m
Distance
397.8 mi
640 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$59
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 11m
★
6 AM
7h 22m
8 AM
7h 43m
10 AM
7h 29m
12 PM
7h 27m
3 PM
7h 30m
5 PM
7h 42m
8 PM
7h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Temple, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
Trip Overview
Temple, TX to Brownsville, TX is 397.8 miles and takes about 7h 21m via U.S. Highway 77 and TX 130 Toll, with a fuel budget near $58 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route cuts south through the heart of Texas, transitioning from the Great Plains region to a similar landscape as you head toward the border. With 92% of the drive on highways, expect a fairly direct trip. It's a solid choice for a single-day drive if you're looking to cover ground 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
198.9 miles from Temple, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 37m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 105 mi | 1h 56m |
| TX 130 Toll | 58.5 mi | 54m |
| TX 80 | 51.2 mi | 56m |
| South US Highway 181 | 40.2 mi | 45m |
| I 69E | 31.3 mi | 33m |
| I 35 | 26.5 mi | 26m |
| US Highway 181 South | 16.1 mi | 18m |
| US 77 | 12 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 105 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,225 veh/hr typical · worst 3,908
Quietest
2 AM
~495 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 104 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 Temple, TX and Brownsville, TX.
1
Start on Spur 290
11 ft
·
4 sec
·
North 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto TX 53
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Adams Avenue
3
Continue on TX 53
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
Airport Road
4
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North General Bruce Drive
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward I 35 South
6
Merge onto I 35
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
26 mi
·
26 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.7 mi
·
55 sec
Exit 265
Toward TX 130 Toll South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on TX 130 Toll
59 mi
·
54 min
·
TX 130 Toll
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
Exit 470
Toward US 183 South: Lockhart
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on US 183
0.5 mi
·
35 sec
·
United States Highway 183
12
Continue on US 183
4.9 mi
·
8 min
·
North Colorado Street
13
Continue on US 183
10 mi
·
11 min
·
US 183
14
Continue on US 183
4.2 mi
·
6 min
·
North Magnolia Avenue
15
Continue on TX 80
51 mi
·
56 min
·
TX 80
16
Turn slight left onto FM 792
8.4 mi
·
10 min
·
Farm-to-Market Road 792
17
Continue on TX 72; TX 239
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
18
Turn left onto US 181
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sunset Strip Drive
19
Continue on US 181
40 mi
·
45 min
·
South US Highway 181
20
Continue on US 181
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
North 8th Street
21
Continue on US 181
16 mi
·
18 min
·
US Highway 181 South
22
Take the exit onto US 181
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
US 181
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 181
213 ft
·
5 sec
·
US Route 181
24
Turn straight onto US 181
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
US Highway 181
25
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
46 sec
26
Merge onto US 77
12 mi
·
13 min
·
US 77
27
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
28
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
29
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
30
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.
31
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
32
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
44 mi
·
46 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Expressway
34
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.
35
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 1B
Toward 12th-14th Street
Use the slight right lane.
36
Turn straight onto South Expressway
331 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Expressway
37
Turn right onto East 12th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 12th Street
Use the right lane.
38
Turn right onto US 77 Business
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Washington Street
39
Arrive at destination
US 77 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 21m estimated drive time, starting from Temple, TX in the morning is advisable to ensure you reach Brownsville, TX with ample daylight. The route includes 2 recommended stops, which can be strategically placed to break up the 397.8 miles, especially the 105-mile stretch on U.S. Highway 77. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the estimated cost is around $58, and plan your refueling stops accordingly. This drive is manageable in one day, so you have flexibility in timing your stops and 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 198.9 miles from Temple, TX, or about 3h 37m 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 88 miles or 1h 27m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.9 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 15m
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 Temple, 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 Temple, TX
This is one driving day of about 397.8 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 88 miles from Temple, 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
199 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 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 198.9 miles from Temple, 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.
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Circle K
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
2.1 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 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 websiteGet Air Trampoline Park
4.2
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.8 mi from route
~4 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 10 am–8 pm
+19564293782
Visit websiteTony Gonzalez Park
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1.9 mi from route
~5 min detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19565416202
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 225 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 396.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
8.5 mi into trip
|
~10m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
35 mi into trip
|
~37m 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
94.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m 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
7
249.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 36m 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
7
396.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 19m 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
$59.48 one way
$118.96 round trip
$3.80/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.31 | $67.47 | $134.94 |
| premium | $4.68 | $73.31 | $146.62 |
| diesel | $5.79 | $90.66 | $181.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 139.2 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 119.3 | 1 | $41.77 | $19.09 |
| Efficient EV | 99.5 | 1 | $34.81 | $15.91 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 159.1 | 1 | $55.69 | $25.46 |
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
47 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
Temple, TX
Afternoon in Temple on Sunday
Local time
4:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Partly Cloudy
N 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
Brownsville, TX
Afternoon in Brownsville on Sunday
Local time
4:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Partly Cloudy
NNW 12 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
12 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 21m 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...
8 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 384.1
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 315.5
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 predominantly highway, with 92% of the 397.8 miles taking place on major thoroughfares like U.S. Highway 77 and TX 130 Toll. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 105 miles on U.S. Highway 77, offering a good opportunity for steady cruising. The highway portion will likely feel quite continuous, with fewer exits and more open road before transitioning to surface streets closer to your destination.
92% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
39 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 TX 130 Toll. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.5 miles in near I 35.
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 22 significant decision points across 397.8 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 8.5 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
907 ft
30 ft
Total Climb
215 ft
Total Descent
894 ft
Highest Point
907 ft
~28.4 mi in
Elevation Range
877 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Temple, TX
Full guide →Founded 1881
Temple is a city in the Blackland Prairie region of Texas that started as a railroad town back in 1882.
Top landmarks
- • Kyle Hotel — building in Temple, Bell 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 — former US Amy post in Texas
- • 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 21m. Total distance: 397.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 21m 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.
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 8.5 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 35 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 94.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 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, 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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