Victoria County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Tomball, 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 6m
Distance
371.8 mi
598 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$56
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 56m
★
6 AM
7h 7m
8 AM
7h 29m
10 AM
7h 15m
12 PM
7h 12m
3 PM
7h 16m
5 PM
7h 28m
8 PM
7h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Tomball, TX
Danny Meneses
Brownsville, TX
Eddie O.
Trip Overview
Tomball, TX to Brownsville, TX is 371.8 miles and takes about 7h 6m via U.S. Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a relatively quick trip for a single day. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover the distance between these two Texas cities without extensive 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
185.9 miles from Tomball, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Highway 77 | 105 mi | 1h 56m |
| US Highway 59 | 74.7 mi | 1h 22m |
| Alamo Street | 37.1 mi | 43m |
| US Highway 77 South | 33.2 mi | 37m |
| I 69E | 31.3 mi | 33m |
| Southwest Freeway | 20.2 mi | 22m |
| US 59 | 15.8 mi | 18m |
| North Sam Houston Tollway West | 12.3 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
U.S. Highway 77
— 105 mi, about 1h 56m
Traffic on I-69
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~698 veh/hr typical · worst 1,031
Quietest
2 AM
~112 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.2×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 Tomball, TX and Brownsville, TX.
1
Start on FM 2920
1.1 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 2920
2
Continue on FM 2920
0.2 mi
·
42 sec
·
FM 2920
3
Turn left onto TX 249
0.5 mi
·
47 sec
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
Toward TBT Toll South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Merge onto TBT
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on TX 249
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
Tomball Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward FM 1960: Gessner Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Turn straight onto Tomball Parkway Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
52 sec
·
Tomball Parkway Frontage Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
9
Turn right onto North Gessner Drive
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Gessner Drive
10
Continue on Gessner Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Gessner Road
11
Turn right onto BW 8
0.1 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Sam Houston Parkway West
12
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
Toward SHT Toll West
13
Merge onto SHT
12 mi
·
14 min
·
North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto SHT
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
West Sam Houston Tollway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on BW 8
0.6 mi
·
40 sec
·
West Sam Houston Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Downtown, Victoria
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 69 South, US 59 South: Victoria
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
18
Merge onto I 69; US 59
20 mi
·
22 min
·
Southwest Freeway
Use the straight lane.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
20
Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
21
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
22
Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
23
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
24
Merge onto US 59
9.2 mi
·
10 min
·
US 59
25
Keep slight left at fork onto US 59
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
US 59
26
Take the exit
1.5 mi
·
2 min
27
Continue on US 59
75 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
US Highway 59
28
Keep slight left at fork onto Spur 91
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Spur 91
29
Merge onto US 77
33 mi
·
37 min
·
US Highway 77 South
30
Turn straight onto US 77
37 mi
·
43 min
·
Alamo Street
31
Take the exit onto US 77
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
US 77
Toward I 37, US 77, I 69E
32
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
33
Merge onto I 37; US 77; I 69E
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
I 37; US 77; I 69E
Use the straight lane.
34
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.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
36
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
44 mi
·
46 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Expressway
38
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.
39
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
Exit 1B
Toward 12th-14th Street
Use the slight right lane.
40
Turn straight onto South Expressway
331 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Expressway
41
Turn right onto East 12th Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East 12th Street
Use the right lane.
42
Turn right onto US 77 Business
29 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Washington Street
43
Arrive at destination
US 77 Business
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour estimated drive time, leaving Tomball in the morning is advisable to ensure you arrive in Brownsville with daylight to spare. With two planned stops, you can break up the 371.8 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 105 miles on U.S. Highway 77, as services might be less frequent in certain areas. The estimated fuel cost is around $54, so budget accordingly. This is a trip that can comfortably be completed in one day, giving you flexibility in your pacing.
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 185.9 miles from Tomball, TX, or about 3h 38m 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 82 miles or 1h 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.9 miles or 3h 38m 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
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 Tomball, 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 Tomball, TX
This is one driving day of about 371.8 miles and 7h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Tomball, 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
186 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 185.9 miles from Tomball, 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.
Service Plaza
0 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Victoria County Northbound Rest Area
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
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.7 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 285 decision points cluster between mile 11.5 and 370.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
11.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Take the exit toward FM 1960: Gessner Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FM 1960: Gessner Road
7
33.2 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Take the exit toward US 59 North, US 59 South: Downtown, Victoria
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 US 59 North, US 59 South: Downtown, Vict...
8
33.5 mi into trip
|
~43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 69 South, US 59 South: Victoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 69 South, US 59 South: Victoria
7
223.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 21m 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
370.7 mi into trip
|
~7h 4m 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
$55.59 one way
$111.19 round trip
$3.80/gal
25.4 MPG avg
130 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.31 | $63.06 | $126.12 |
| premium | $4.68 | $68.52 | $137.04 |
| diesel | $5.79 | $84.74 | $169.48 |
Estimated Tolls: $1.71
Sam Houston Tollway
(17.9 mi)
$1.43
Tomball Tollway
(4 mi)
$0.28
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.1 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.04 | $17.85 |
| Efficient EV | 93 | 1 | $32.53 | $14.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 148.7 | 1 | $52.05 | $23.80 |
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
44 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
Tomball, TX
Afternoon in Tomball on Sunday
Local time
1:43 PM
CDT
Current temp
50°F
Mostly Clear
N 0 to 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
1:43 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
8 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 6m 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...
7 mi from route
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 359
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
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 282.1
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
Eighty-two percent of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll experience mostly high-speed cruising. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 105 miles on U.S. Highway 77. As you approach your destination, expect to transition from the highway environment to surface streets like Alamo Street, which will involve more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds. The profile is mostly highway, indicating limited changes in elevation or complex driving conditions.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 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 US Highway 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.5 miles in.
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 28 significant decision points across 371.8 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 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
184 ft
34 ft
Total Climb
88 ft
Total Descent
237 ft
Highest Point
184 ft
Elevation Range
150 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Tomball, TX and Brownsville, TX, road signs point toward Victoria and Spur 10: Cottonwood.
Victoria
33.2 mi in
|
~43m
Spur 10: Cottonwood
54.3 mi in
|
~1h 7m
About the Cities
Starting in Tomball, TX
Full guide →Founded 1907
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 6m. Total distance: 371.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 6m 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.
Expect about $1.71 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 11.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 33.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 33.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 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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