How far is Brownsville, TX from San Marcos, TX?
The driving distance from Brownsville, TX to San Marcos, TX is about 317.6 miles (511.2 km), with a travel time of about 06h 01m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 276.4 miles (444.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 12h 03m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 06h 01m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Texas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Partly Cloudy
Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Brownsville and San Marcos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Brownsville and San Marcos.
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1
Start on East Washington Street
1682 ft · 41 sec · East Washington Street
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2
Turn right onto East 7th Street
1.5 km · 2 min · East 7th Street
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3
Turn left onto North Frontage Road
999 ft · 20 sec · North Frontage Road
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4
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69E North, US 77 North, US 83 North
2235 ft · 55 sec
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5
Merge slight left onto North Expressway
10.6 mi · 12 min · North Expressway
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6
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
102 mi · 1 hr 53 min · U.S. Highway 77
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7
Keep slight right
623 ft · 8 sec
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8
Keep slight right
1.2 km · 2 min
-
9
Turn left onto FM 772
1009 ft · 17 sec · FM 772
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10
Turn straight onto South 6th Street
4.4 mi · 7 min · South 6th Street
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11
Turn left onto West King Avenue
14.5 mi · 18 min · West King Avenue
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12
Take the ramp right
1 km · 2 min
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13
Merge slight left
54.2 mi · 1 hr 2 min
-
14
Keep slight left to continue on Nueces Street
14.7 mi · 19 min · Nueces Street
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15
Continue straight
1199 ft · 16 sec
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16
Take the exit straight
60.8 mi · 1 hr 2 min
-
17
Take the exit slight right toward I 410, TX 130, US 281 South
971 ft · 24 sec
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18
Keep slight right to continue on I 410 North, TX 130 North
2383 ft · 58 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Connally Loop
10.6 mi · 12 min · Connally Loop
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20
Merge slight left onto North Pan Am Expressway
2.8 mi · 3 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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21
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway
-
22
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail
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23
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
-
24
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
15.9 mi · 17 min · Purple Heart Trail
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25
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 82 West, TX 123 South: Seguin
1008 ft · 25 sec
-
26
Turn straight onto South Interstate 35
1058 ft · 23 sec · South Interstate 35
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27
Turn left onto South Guadalupe Street
2523 ft · 52 sec · South Guadalupe Street
-
28
Turn right onto East Grove Street
120 m · 8 sec · East Grove Street
-
29
Turn left onto South LBJ Drive
2988 ft · 1 min · South LBJ Drive
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30
Turn left
128 m · 36 sec
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31
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Guadalupe Street
43 m · 3 sec · North Guadalupe Street
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32
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Guadalupe Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Brownsville and San Marcos.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
U.S. Highway 77
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
102 mi · 01h 53m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Partly Cloudy leaving Brownsville and Sunny near San Marcos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Brownsville to San Marcos?
The road trip is about 317.6 miles (511.2 km) and usually takes 06h 01m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Alice is a useful midpoint, sitting about 159.2 miles from Brownsville and 158.4 miles from San Marcos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 276.4 miles (444.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 41.2 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.36 one way or $84.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Cloudy around Brownsville and Sunny near San Marcos.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Brownsville and San Marcos. Straight-line distance: 276.43 mi (444.87 km).
#1 Brownsville
The southernmost city in Texas.
| Population | 183,428 |
| Coordinates | 25.9017500, -97.4974800 |
| Altitude | 10 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Marcos
The most populous city in Hays County, Texas.
| Population | 66,350 |
| Coordinates | 29.8832700, -97.9413900 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Marcos (-97.94139, 29.88327)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 511 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 35m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 56m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 57m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $42.36 | $84.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.66 | $95.33 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $51.47 | $102.93 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $44.76 | $89.52 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.