How far is Corpus Christi, TX from Ames, TX?
The driving distance from Corpus Christi, TX to Ames, TX is about 253.8 miles (408.4 km), with a travel time of about 05h 00m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 223.5 miles (359.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 01m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 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 05h 00m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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.
This small community in Wharton County, Texas, is situated on the Gulf Coastal Plain, an area characterized by its flat terrain and fertile soils.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Corpus Christi and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi and Ames.
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1
Start on the route
1177 ft · 22 sec
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2
Take the exit slight right
1209 ft · 30 sec
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3
Keep slight left
1576 ft · 40 sec
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4
Turn right onto North Brownlee Boulevard
37 m · 2 sec · North Brownlee Boulevard
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5
Take the ramp slight left
681 ft · 17 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto New Harbor Bridge
10.1 mi · 11 min · New Harbor Bridge
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7
Keep slight left
1.5 mi · 2 min
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8
Take the exit slight right
1737 ft · 42 sec
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9
Turn straight onto State Highway 35
2925 ft · 1 min · State Highway 35
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10
Turn left onto Farm to Market Road 136
17.8 mi · 23 min · Farm to Market Road 136
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11
Continue straight
9.6 mi · 10 min
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12
At the end of the road, turn left
1.5 mi · 2 min
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13
Turn right onto South Alamo Street
1.9 mi · 3 min · South Alamo Street
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14
Turn slight right onto United States Highway 77
33 mi · 37 min · United States Highway 77
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15
Keep slight left to continue on Spur 91
1.5 mi · 2 min · Spur 91
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16
Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South
88.6 mi · 1 hr 38 min · US Highway 59 South
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17
Take the exit slight right
1551 ft · 38 sec
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18
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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19
Continue straight
2146 ft · 59 sec
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20
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2 mi · 5 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
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21
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
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22
Take the ramp slight left toward I 69 North, US 59 North
1304 ft · 32 sec
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23
Merge slight left onto Southwest Freeway
32.6 mi · 38 min · Southwest Freeway
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24
Keep slight right to continue on Southwest Freeway
2.1 mi · 3 min · Southwest Freeway
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25
Continue on Eastex Freeway
1.2 mi · 2 min · Eastex Freeway
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26
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Beaumont, San Antonio
1421 ft · 35 sec
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27
Keep slight left to continue on I 10 East: Beaumont
1.4 km · 2 min
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28
Merge slight left onto East Freeway
4.3 mi · 5 min · East Freeway
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29
Keep slight right to continue on Crosby Freeway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Crosby Freeway
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30
Turn straight onto Crosby Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Crosby Freeway
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31
Take the exit straight toward US 90
1304 ft · 32 sec
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32
Continue on Crosby Freeway
9.2 mi · 11 min · Crosby Freeway
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33
Continue on Crosby Freeway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Crosby Freeway
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34
Continue on Beaumont Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Beaumont Highway
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35
Continue on US Highway 90
1.5 mi · 2 min · US Highway 90
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36
Continue on United States Highway 90 West
15 mi · 18 min · United States Highway 90 West
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37
Turn left onto Martin L King Street North
30 m · 3 sec · Martin L King Street North
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38
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Martin L King Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Corpus Christi and Ames.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
US Highway 59 South
Merge slight left onto US Highway 59 South
88.6 mi · 01h 38m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Mostly Cloudy leaving Corpus Christi and Partly Sunny near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Corpus Christi to Ames?
The road trip is about 253.8 miles (408.4 km) and usually takes 05h 00m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Louise is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126.9 miles from Corpus Christi and 126.8 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 223.5 miles (359.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.3 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 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:58 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.86 one way or $67.72 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around Corpus Christi and Partly Sunny near Ames.
Stop Ideas Near Louise
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Louise.
Prairie View, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Corpus Christi and Ames. Straight-line distance: 223.53 mi (359.74 km).
#1 Corpus Christi
The second most populous city in Texas and the center of the Corpus Christi metropolitan area.
| Population | 327,248 |
| Coordinates | 27.8005800, -97.3963800 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Ames
City in Liberty County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,064 |
| Coordinates | 30.0538300, -94.7435300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ames (-94.74353, 30.05383)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 408 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 20m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 37m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 09m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $33.86 | $67.72 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.10 | $76.20 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $41.14 | $82.27 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $35.78 | $71.55 |
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 · Apr 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.