Alpine, TX to Laredo, TX is 384 miles and takes about 7 hours and 4 minutes via US Highway 90 East and South US Highway 83, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. You'll spend most of your time on highways, making it a fairly straightforward trip. If you're looking for a direct route with minimal fuss, this one fits the bill. It's a solid choice for a single-day transit.
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
192 miles from Alpine, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 30m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 90 East
113.2 mi
2h 8m
East US Highway 90
82.1 mi
1h 25m
South US Highway 83
62 mi
1h 4m
US 277
47.5 mi
54m
East Main Street
41.9 mi
48m
Purple Heart Trail
17.6 mi
19m
Loop 79
12 mi
13m
North Veterans Boulevard
2.8 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 90 East
— 113.2 mi, about 2h 8m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 12 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,103 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,375
Quietest
2 AM
~159 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 37 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 Alpine, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on US 67; US 90
242 ft·8 sec·West Avenue E
2
Turn left onto North 6th Street
338 ft·20 sec·North 6th Street
3
Turn left onto US 67; US 90
0.7 mi·52 sec·West Holland Avenue
4
Continue on US 67; US 90
30 mi·31 min·East US Highway 90
5
Continue on US 90
0.5 mi·51 sec·Northeast 1st Street
6
Continue on US 90; US 385
52 mi·53 min·East US Highway 90
7
Continue on US 90
2.1 mi·2 min·West Oak Street
8
Continue on US 90
113 mi·2 hr 8 min·US Highway 90 East
9
Take the exit onto Loop 79
12 mi·13 min·Loop 79
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 277
48 mi·54 min·US 277
11
Turn left onto US 277
2.8 mi·4 min·North Veterans Boulevard
12
Turn left onto US 57; US 277
42 mi·48 min·East Main Street
13
Turn right onto Loop 225
0.2 mi·14 sec·South 5th Street
14
Turn slight left onto Loop 225
0.3 mi·22 sec·Loop 225
15
At end of road, turn right onto US 83
62 mi·1 hr 4 min·South US Highway 83
16
Continue on US 83
0.3 mi·26 sec·I-35 Frontage Road
17
Take the ramp onto US 83
0.1 mi·18 sec·US 83
18
Merge onto I 35; I 27; US 83
18 mi·19 min·Purple Heart Trail
19
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
20
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
21
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
22
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour duration, starting in Alpine, TX early in the morning is advisable to maximize daylight. With two planned stops, you can break up the 384 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch of 113.2 miles on US Highway 90 East is a good point to plan your first break or fuel stop. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you transition to US Highway 83, as services can be spread out in this region. This drive is easily completed in one day, offering flexibility in your timing.
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 192 miles from Alpine, TX, or about 3h 30m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 113.2 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 84 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 192 miles or 3h 30m 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
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 Alpine, 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 Alpine, TX
This is one driving day of about 384 miles and 7h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 84 miles from Alpine, 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 US Highway 90 East for about 113.2 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 384 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North 6th Street
Turn left onto North 6th Street
Navigation decision point
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|US 67; US 90 / West Holland Avenue
Turn left onto US 67; US 90 / West Holland Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
210.7 mi into trip|~3h 51m in|US 277
At end of road, turn left onto US 277
Navigation decision point
5
383.9 mi into trip|~7h 4m in|I 35 Bus / Salinas Avenue
Turn left onto I 35 Bus / Salinas Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
384 mi into trip|~7h 4m in|Matamoros Street
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$52.60 one way
$105.19 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg134 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$58.75
$117.50
premium
$4.23
$63.87
$127.75
diesel
$4.80
$72.51
$145.01
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 134.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
115.2
1
$40.32
$18.43
Efficient EV
96
1
$33.60
$15.36
EV Truck/SUV
153.6
1
$53.76
$24.58
Gas CO2
134 kg
EV CO2
45 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 17, 2026
Origin
Alpine, TX
Late night
in Alpine on Monday
Local time
2:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Mostly Clear
S 5 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 11:58PM CDT until July 17 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Monday
Local time
2:18 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Tornado Warning
Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 11:58PM CDT until July 17 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM 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
16 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 4m 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.
Amistad National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-b...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
near mile 185.4
Park Closure: Diablo East Marina Cove, Scuba Cove, and Walkway Access Are Closed
Caution: Help Prevent Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Infestation
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 80% highway, so expect long stretches of consistent driving. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 113.2 miles on US Highway 90 East, which means you can settle in for a good while before needing to think about your next turn. The remaining 20% will transition you to surface roads, likely with more frequent intersections and a different pace as you near your destination. Watch for the shift from rural highway cruising to more developed areas.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 113.2 mi on US Highway 90 East.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US Highway 90 East and East US Highway 90. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North 6th Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 4m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 67; US 90 / West Holland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 210.7 miles (US 277): Navigation decision point.
Alpine is a city of 6,000 people (2019) in Texas. It has an historic downtown, and is a good base for exploring Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and Davis Mountains State Park.
Top landmarks
•The Holland Hotel — historic place in Alpine, Brewster County, Texas
The longest stretch is about 113.2 miles on US Highway 90 East. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 9 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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 9 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North 6th Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.1 miles (US 67; US 90 / West Holland Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 210.7 miles (US 277): Navigation decision point.
Yes — Amistad National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.1 hours each way, a round trip means 14.2 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.
