How far is Corpus Christi, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance from Corpus Christi, TX to Waco, TX is about 296.4 miles (477 km), with a travel time of about 05h 27m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 259.4 miles (417.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 54m 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 27m.
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 Guadalupe County, Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Clear
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Corpus Christi and Waco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Corpus Christi and Waco.
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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 right
1.6 km · 1 min
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8
Keep slight left
13.7 mi · 16 min
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9
Continue on State Highway 89
4.1 mi · 5 min · State Highway 89
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10
Continue on US Highway 181
16 mi · 18 min · US Highway 181
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11
Continue on South 8th Street
1.3 km · 56 sec · South 8th Street
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12
Continue on US Highway 181 South
40.2 mi · 46 min · US Highway 181 South
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13
Continue on South Sunset Strip Drive
1.2 mi · 1 min · South Sunset Strip Drive
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14
Turn right onto West Main Street
1.2 km · 1 min · West Main Street
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15
Keep slight left to continue on East Main Street
71 m · 4 sec · East Main Street
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16
Continue on Helena Road
8.4 mi · 11 min · Helena Road
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17
Turn straight onto State Highway 80
23.6 mi · 26 min · State Highway 80
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18
Continue on South Nixon Avenue
1 mi · 2 min · South Nixon Avenue
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19
Continue on State Highway 80 North
30.8 mi · 35 min · State Highway 80 North
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20
Continue on US 183
10.1 mi · 12 min · US 183
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21
Continue on South Colorado Street
4.9 mi · 9 min · South Colorado Street
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22
Continue on United States Highway 183
1282 ft · 17 sec · United States Highway 183
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23
Keep slight left to continue on TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
2447 ft · 35 sec
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24
Merge slight left onto Pickle Parkway
58.5 mi · 55 min · Pickle Parkway
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25
Keep slight left to continue on I 35 North: Waco
2045 ft · 50 sec
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26
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
64.7 mi · 1 hr 6 min · Purple Heart Trail
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27
Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway
2.5 mi · 3 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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28
Take the exit slight right toward 18th - 17th Streets
1380 ft · 34 sec
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29
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
759 ft · 21 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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30
Turn left onto South 17th Street
1.4 mi · 4 min · South 17th Street
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31
Turn left onto West Waco Drive
143 m · 26 sec · West Waco Drive
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32
Continue on West Waco Drive
34 m · 8 sec · West Waco Drive
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33
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Waco Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Corpus Christi and Waco.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Purple Heart Trail
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
64.7 mi · 01h 06m
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 Clear leaving Corpus Christi and Mostly Clear near Waco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Corpus Christi to Waco?
The road trip is about 296.4 miles (477 km) and usually takes 05h 27m 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?
Luling is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.5 miles from Corpus Christi and 147.9 miles from Waco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 259.4 miles (417.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 37 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 6:06 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.53 one way or $79.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Clear around Corpus Christi and Mostly Clear near Waco.
Stop Ideas Near Luling
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 Luling.
San Marcos Station
Austin
San Antonio Station
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Corpus Christi and Waco. Straight-line distance: 259.45 mi (417.54 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 Waco
The 11th most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 141,377 |
| Coordinates | 31.5493300, -97.1466700 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waco (-97.14667, 31.54933)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 477 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $39.53 | $79.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.48 | $88.95 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $48.02 | $96.04 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $41.77 | $83.53 |
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 03, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.