Addison, TX to Laredo, TX is 441.8 miles and takes about 7h 48m via Purple Heart Trail and I-35, with a fuel budget near $68 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route cuts south through the Great Plains of Texas, offering a straightforward path between two points within the same region. It's a solid option if you need to get from the Dallas area down to the border efficiently. Expect a mix of highway speeds and some surface road driving as you make your way south.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
220.9 miles from Addison, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 54m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 152 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,245 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,776
Quietest
2 AM
~557 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Addison, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on this road
84 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left
66 ft·6 sec
3
Turn right onto Addison Circle
200 ft·11 sec·Addison Circle
4
Turn left onto Addison Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Addison Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto Belt Line Road
0.4 mi·54 sec·Belt Line Road
6
Turn straight
283 ft·10 sec
7
Turn straight onto Dallas Parkway
163 ft·3 sec·Dallas Parkway
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward DNT South
9
Merge onto DNT
11 mi·12 min·Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
329 ft·8 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
13
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 35E South
14
Merge onto I 35E
1.8 mi·2 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
16
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
21
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
2.1 mi·2 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
26
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
10 mi·12 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo StreetUse the slight right lane.
27
Continue on I 35
144 mi·2 hr 26 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
29
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
30
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
31
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour drive time, starting your trip early in the morning from Addison is your best bet to arrive in Laredo before dark. With only 2 recommended stops, you have flexibility in how you pace your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longer 244.1-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. The $68 fuel estimate is a helpful guide for budgeting. Since this is a single-day trip, you can afford to take your time and adjust your schedule as needed.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 220.9 miles from Addison, TX, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.1 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 97 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 220.9 miles or 3h 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laredo, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Addison, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Addison, TX
This is one driving day of about 441.8 miles and 7h 48m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Addison, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 244.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.8 and 286.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.8 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35E South
7
12.2 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
204.6 mi into trip|~3h 36m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
284.4 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
286.5 mi into trip|~5h 8m in|I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Housto...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.51 one way
$121.03 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg155 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$67.59
$135.18
premium
$4.23
$73.49
$146.98
diesel
$4.80
$83.42
$166.84
Estimated Tolls: $0.84
Dallas North Tollway
(10.5 mi)$0.84
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 154.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
132.5
1
$46.39
$21.21
Efficient EV
110.5
1
$38.66
$17.67
EV Truck/SUV
176.7
2
$61.85
$28.28
Gas CO2
155 kg
EV CO2
52 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Addison, TX
Late night
in Addison on Monday
Local time
2:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Monday
Local time
2:38 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 48m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 106.6
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 289.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 42% of this drive is on highways, with the remaining portion on surface roads. You'll encounter one stretch of 244.1 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, which will likely involve more varied speeds and potentially more frequent stops. The transition from highway to surface roads will be noticeable as you navigate through towns and along different types of terrain. Expect to encounter more exits and urban merging as you approach and depart major population centers.
42% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 244.1 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 441.8 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.6 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
726 ft480 ft
Total Climb
291 ft
Total Descent
383 ft
Highest Point
726 ft
~189.3 mi in
Elevation Range
245 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Addison, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 48m. Total distance: 441.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 48m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 244.1 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.84 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 53 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Laredo, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 53 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.6 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Laredo, TX before the return drive.
