How far is Corpus Christi, TX from South Padre Island, TX?
The driving distance from Corpus Christi, TX to South Padre Island, TX is about 179.8 miles (289.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 26m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 118.1 miles (190.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 52m 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 03h 26m.
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.
City in Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Corpus Christi and South Padre Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi and South Padre Island.
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1
Start on the route
4.2 mi · 5 min
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2
Take the exit slight left toward TX 358: Padre Island
2157 ft · 53 sec
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3
Continue on North Padre Island Drive
1.6 km · 1 min · North Padre Island Drive
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4
Take the exit slight right toward TX 44: Robstown, Alice
2142 ft · 52 sec
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5
Continue straight
11.4 mi · 12 min
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6
Turn left onto South US Highway 77
3143 ft · 1 min · South US Highway 77
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7
Take the ramp slight left
1508 ft · 37 sec
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8
Merge slight left onto U.S. Highway 77
6.3 mi · 7 min · U.S. Highway 77
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9
Continue on Driscoll Bypass
4.2 mi · 5 min · Driscoll Bypass
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10
Continue on U.S. Highway 77
13.8 mi · 15 min · U.S. Highway 77
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11
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Highway 77
61.3 mi · 1 hr 9 min · U.S. Highway 77
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12
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Highway 77
43.7 mi · 47 min · U.S. Highway 77
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13
Continue on North Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · North Expressway
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Interstate 169
3.7 mi · 4 min · Interstate 169
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15
Continue on I-169, TX 550 Toll
1.3 km · 52 sec · I-169, TX 550 Toll
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16
Continue straight
2 mi · 2 min
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17
Continue on State Highway 550
3.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 550
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18
Turn left
1123 ft · 27 sec
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19
Merge slight left onto Brownsville-Port Isabel Highway
14.1 mi · 16 min · Brownsville-Port Isabel Highway
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20
Turn right onto State Highway 100
1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 100
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21
Turn slight right onto West Queen Isabella Boulevard
2460 ft · 1 min · West Queen Isabella Boulevard
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22
Continue on Queen Isabella Causeway
2.7 mi · 5 min · Queen Isabella Causeway
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23
Turn left onto Padre Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · Padre Boulevard
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24
Turn right onto East Haas Street
155 m · 20 sec · East Haas Street
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25
Turn left onto Gulf Boulevard
3129 ft · 2 min · Gulf Boulevard
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26
Turn right
27 m · 12 sec
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27
Turn left
24 m · 6 sec
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28
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Corpus Christi and South Padre Island.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
U.S. Highway 77
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Highway 77
61.3 mi · 01h 10m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Corpus Christi and Partly Sunny near South Padre Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Corpus Christi to South Padre Island?
The road trip is about 179.8 miles (289.4 km) and usually takes 03h 26m 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?
Raymondville is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90.1 miles from Corpus Christi and 89.7 miles from South Padre Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 118.1 miles (190.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 61.7 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 10:08 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $24.00 one way or $47.99 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Corpus Christi and Partly Sunny near South Padre Island.
Stop Ideas Near Raymondville
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 Raymondville.
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Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Corpus Christi and South Padre Island. Straight-line distance: 118.11 mi (190.08 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 South Padre Island
Town in Texas, United States
| Population | 2,752 |
| Coordinates | 26.1036900, -97.1646900 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Padre Island (-97.16469, 26.10369)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 289 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 34m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $24.00 | $47.99 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $27.00 | $54.00 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $29.15 | $58.31 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $25.36 | $50.71 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.