Drive from Aransas Refuge to Johnson Space Center (Texas Highway 35)

Open this route in Google Maps3 stops in order · 177 mi · free, no sign-up

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Rechargeable Clip Fan
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Rand McNally Road Atlas
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Printable route poster: Texas Gulf — Bolivar to Mustang Island

Route poster: Texas Gulf — Bolivar to Mustang IslandDigital download, 9 stops on one map. Nothing is shipped. Get the poster — $12

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Road distance and drive time are a routing estimate (OSRM) with no traffic and no stops.

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The three stops from our co-pilot reel, in the order you would drive them through the Texas Gulf Coast. Facts and visitor notes come from official sources (linked under each stop). The photos are ours. Mileage and drive time are a routing estimate without traffic or stops. Check current road and hours before you go.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Our photo.

Verified facts
- The refuge is the wintering home of the last wild flock of endangered whooping cranes. Source: fws.gov ↗
- Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 and now covers more than 115,000 acres along the Texas Gulf Coast. Source: fws.gov ↗
- More than 400 species of birds are attracted to the refuge by mild winters, bay waters and abundant food. Source: fws.gov ↗
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131 mi · 3 hr 31 min from stop 1

Brazos Bend State Park

Our photo.

Verified facts
- Alligators are common in some areas of Brazos Bend State Park. Source: tpwd.texas.gov ↗
- Brazos Bend State Park has 37 miles of trails. Source: tpwd.texas.gov ↗
- Brazos Bend State Park is 45 miles from downtown Houston. Source: tpwd.texas.gov ↗
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45 mi · 1 hr 21 min from stop 2

Johnson Space Center

Our photo.

Verified facts
- Flight controllers in the Mission Control Center have managed human spaceflight missions in real time since 1965, beginning with Gemini IV. Source: nasa.gov ↗
- NASA Administrator James E. Webb announced Houston would be the site of a brand-new spaceflight center. Source: nasa.gov ↗
- The Lunar Receiving Lab, completed in September 1967, served as the Apollo astronaut quarantine facility after the first three successful landing missions. Source: nasa.gov ↗
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