This 555.8-mile drive from Atlanta, Texas, to Laredo, Texas, will take you approximately 10 hours and 10 minutes to complete. Given the duration and distance, it's best planned as a two-day trip to avoid fatigue. You'll primarily travel on the Purple Heart Trail and TX 155 before merging onto I-35. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $84. This route traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a long-distance experience. With two planned stops, you can break up the journey effectively.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
277.9 miles from Atlanta, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 15m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,906 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,347
Quietest
2 AM
~493 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Atlanta, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on FM 249
3.3 mi·4 min·East Main Street
2
Continue on US 59
11 mi·12 min·US 59
3
Turn right onto TX 155
40 mi·45 min·TX 155
4
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
1.5 mi·1 min·North Wood Street
5
Turn straight onto TX 155
13 mi·15 min·TX 155
6
Turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn left onto TX 155
13 mi·14 min·TX 155
Use the left lane.
8
Turn right onto US 271; TX 155
4.8 mi·5 min·US Highway 271
9
Turn right onto Loop 323
1.6 mi·2 min·East Northeast Loop 323
10
Continue on Loop 323
4.3 mi·6 min·West Northwest Loop 323
11
Continue on Loop 323
0.6 mi·43 sec·South Southwest Loop 323
12
Turn right onto TX 31
1.6 mi·1 min·Chandler Highway
13
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 West
14
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·East Highway 31
15
Continue on TX 31
21 mi·23 min·State Highway 31 East
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
17
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
19
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft·14 sec
20
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
21
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi·6 min·East Royall Boulevard
22
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·State Highway 31 East
23
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·Northwest 2nd Street
24
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
25
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi·21 min·West State Highway 31
26
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
27
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
28
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi·2 min·East US Highway 84
29
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
30
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi·1 min·East Waco Drive
31
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft·12 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
33
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi·6 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
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.
37
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
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.
41
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.
42
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.
43
Continue on I 35
144 mi·2 hr 26 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
45
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
46
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
47
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
For this 10-hour journey, consider departing early in the morning to make good progress. Splitting the drive over two days is highly recommended, with an overnight stop around the halfway point. Monitor your fuel levels, especially on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. The longest stretch without a break is over 244 miles, so plan your refueling and rest stops accordingly. Aim to complete the TX 155 and Purple Heart Trail portions before the main interstate push on I-35.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 277.9 miles from Atlanta, TX, or about 5h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.1 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 122 miles or 2h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 277.9 miles or 5h 15m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 277.9 miles or 5h 15m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 9h 8m
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 Atlanta, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Atlanta, TX
Aim for roughly 278 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 278 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 122 miles from Atlanta, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
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 25
5 decision points cluster between mile 159.7 and 400.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
159.7 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
318.5 mi into trip|~5h 58m 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
7
392 mi into trip|~7h 19m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
398.4 mi into trip|~7h 27m 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
400.5 mi into trip|~7h 30m 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
$76.13 one way
$152.25 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg195 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$85.03
$170.07
premium
$4.23
$92.45
$184.90
diesel
$4.80
$104.95
$209.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$76
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$206–$316
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 194.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $58 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
166.7
2
$58.36
$26.68
Efficient EV
139
1
$48.63
$22.23
EV Truck/SUV
222.3
2
$77.81
$35.57
Gas CO2
194 kg
EV CO2
65 kg (66% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 16, 2026
Origin
Atlanta, TX
Late night
in Atlanta on Sunday
Local time
2:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
92°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 0 to 5 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:21PM CDT until July 16 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:19PM CDT until July 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Sunday
Local time
2:42 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:21PM CDT until July 16 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:19PM CDT until July 16 at 8:00PM 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
6 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
10h 10m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 402.5
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...
10 mi from route
~25 min detour
Free
near mile 210.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The drive begins with a significant portion on the Purple Heart Trail, featuring the longest uninterrupted stretch of 244.1 miles. This section likely offers a more local road feel before transitioning to I-35. Overall, 46% of the route utilizes highways, indicating a mix of faster travel and potentially more scenic, slower-paced segments. As you progress, the character of the road will shift from the open stretches of the Purple Heart Trail to the more consistent pace of interstate driving.
46% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
47 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
At 10h 10m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 159.7 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
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 25 significant decision points across 555.8 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 159.7 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 318.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 392 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
851 ft258 ft
Total Climb
856 ft
Total Descent
701 ft
Highest Point
851 ft
~277.9 mi in
Elevation Range
593 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 Atlanta, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.
Long-haul drive 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.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 278 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 41 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 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 159.7 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 318.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 392 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.2 hours each way, a round trip means 20.3 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.
