There are two ways to drive onto Mustang Island, and I genuinely love them both for different reasons. The ferry is free, scenic, and quick (most times), and it makes the drive feel like the start of vacation. The causeway route through Corpus Christi skips the ferry line altogether, and is a good route for grabbing food or groceries on the way into town, so if you’ve got somewhere to be at a certain time, it’s ideal.
I’ve done this drive more times than I can count over the past 20+ years, in every mood a road trip can put you in — relaxed and in no hurry, and also “we are so late, please let this go smoothly.” Here’s how I think about it.
Here’s the short version
- Ferry (via Aransas Pass → Port Aransas): Free, about a 10-minute crossing, dolphins and big ships along the way — the wait beforehand can be anywhere from nothing to a while during busy season.
- Causeway (via Corpus Christi → Port Aransas): No ferry involved at all, so your timing is easy to count on — it’s a few more miles, and you’ll want to plan for regular city traffic through Corpus Christi.
- My go-to: if my afternoon is wide open, I take the ferry and enjoy the ride. If I’ve got a road-weary kids or a reservation I care about, I take the JFK Causeway and don’t think twice.
The Ferry Route
This is the classic way in — the one that ends up in vacation photos. You come down TX-181 into Aransas Pass, follow Highway 361 to the landing, and cross the Corpus Christi Ship Channel on one of TxDOT’s car ferries.
Honestly, it’s one of my favorite parts of coming to Port A. The crossing takes less than 10 minutes, it’s completely free, and you’ll very likely spot dolphins playing in the wake, plus the occasional big cargo ship easing through the channel. If you’ve got kids with you, this turns “getting there” into part of the fun instead of just something to get through.
The one thing to know is that the wait time before you board can vary quite a bit depending on the day and time. Some mornings you’ll drive right on. A busy Saturday afternoon in July might mean settling in for a bit longer. There’s also some construction happening at the landing right now that’s affecting a couple of the ramps, so it’s a good idea to check conditions before you head that way.
I always take a quick look at current wait times before deciding — I keep a ferry wait time page just for this:
→ Check Current Ferry Wait Times
And if you do end up waiting a bit, a phone mount and a stocked snack bag make a real difference. You can’t run the AC once you’re loaded on the ferry, so I always keep a little portable fan in the car for the crossing — small thing, but it helps a lot in July and August.
My favorite travel fan is lightweight, USB-C rechargeable, and pinch-proof for little kids’ fingers.
TIP: If you're planning your beach trip to Port A soon, check current availability on VRBO or Expedia here. Popular dates like Spring Break, Summer weekends, SandFest and holidays book up fast, so don't wait to secure your rental ASAP.
The Causeway Route
This is the route I reach for when timing really matters. Instead of heading into Aransas Pass, you take I-37 into Corpus Christi, merge onto Highway 358 (South Padre Island Drive), then follow Park Road 22 across the JFK Causeway bridge onto North Padre Island, where it turns into Highway 361 straight up into Port Aransas.
What I love about this route is that there’s no guessing involved — no ferry means no waiting to see how the line looks. If you need to be somewhere at a specific time, this takes that whole variable off your plate.
It does mean a little more driving, and you’ll be passing through regular Corpus Christi traffic along the way, plus there’s some construction and congestion near Mustang Island State Park on the last stretch. It’s a bit longer in miles than the ferry route, but a lot of the time it’s the easier one to plan around.
So which should you pick?
| Ferry | Causeway | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free (just gas/mileage) |
| Time | Short crossing, wait time can vary | A bit longer drive, easy to predict |
| Great for | Open schedules, kids who’ll love it | Tight schedules, check-in times |
| Good to know | Peak-season lines, current construction | Corpus Christi traffic, bridge activity |
Here’s how I actually decide when I’m in the car: I check the wait times before I leave.
If it looks like 20–30 minutes or less, I take the ferry — it’s part of the fun, and I don’t mind the short wait.
If it’s backed up and I’ve got somewhere to be, I take the causeway and enjoy that drive instead.
Either way, you end up on the same beautiful island — it’s really just about what fits your day best. Enjoy your trip to Port A!
Plan your beach trip to Port Aransas
- Port Aransas Ferry Wait Time (Live Updates + Best Times to Go)
- How to Get to Port Aransas by Car, Boat or Plane
- Port Aransas Beach Parking Permit (Cost, Where to Buy & Tips)
- Where to Stay in Port Aransas