Traveling from Aubrey to Laredo covers a substantial 472.7-mile journey that typically takes about 8 hours and 23 minutes behind the wheel. Because of the duration, splitting this trip over two days is highly recommended to keep you refreshed. You should budget approximately $72 for fuel, though actual costs can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency. The route primarily utilizes the Purple Heart Trail, the North South Freeway, and I-35 to navigate across the Texas landscape. Since both your origin and destination sit within the Great Plains region, you can expect a consistent environmental feel throughout the transit. Planning for two strategic stops will help break up the long hours on the road.
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
236.3 miles from Aubrey, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 13m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Aubrey, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on East Elm Street
49 ft·4 sec·East Elm Street
2
Turn right onto FM 428
146 ft·11 sec·South Main Street
3
Turn left onto FM 428
8.8 mi·12 min·West Sherman Drive
Use the left lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·46 sec
Toward Loop 288 WestUse the right lane.
5
Merge onto Loop 288; US 380 Truck
2.7 mi·3 min·North Loop 288
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward US 77
7
Turn right onto Spur 77
0.9 mi·1 min·North Elm Street
8
Turn left onto North Interstate 35
0.7 mi·59 sec·North Interstate 35
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward I 35 South
10
Merge onto I 35; US 77
2.7 mi·2 min·I 35; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit onto I 35W
17 mi·18 min·I 35W
Exit 467Toward I 35W South, FM 1515: Fort WorthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W Express
17 mi·16 min·I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
13
Merge onto I 35W
85 mi·1 hr 27 min·North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
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.
22
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.
23
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.
24
Continue on I 35
144 mi·2 hr 26 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
26
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
27
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
28
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
To manage the 8-hour and 23-minute transit effectively, aim for an early morning departure to beat potential traffic congestion on major corridors. Since the route requires two planned stops, use these intervals to stretch and refuel rather than rushing through the 472.7-mile total. If you choose to split the trip into two days, look for lodging options near the halfway point to maximize your rest. Keep a close eye on the long 244.1-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as this is where you will spend the bulk of your time. Staying hydrated and switching drivers if possible will make the transition between the different highway sections much more manageable.
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 236.3 miles from Aubrey, TX, or about 4h 13m 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 104 miles or 1h 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 236.3 miles or 4h 13m 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 236.3 miles or 4h 13m
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 7h 22m
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 Aubrey, 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 Aubrey, TX
Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Aubrey, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 16.6 and 317.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
16.6 mi into trip|~23m in|I 35W
Take the exit onto I 35W toward I 35W South, FM 1515: Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 467
Toward I 35W South, FM 1515: Fort Worth
8
235.5 mi into trip|~4h 12m 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
308.9 mi into trip|~5h 33m 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
315.3 mi into trip|~5h 41m 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
317.4 mi into trip|~5h 44m 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
$71.43 one way
$142.85 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg165 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$78.18
$156.36
premium
$4.54
$84.40
$168.79
diesel
$5.61
$104.37
$208.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 165.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
141.8
1
$49.63
$22.69
Efficient EV
118.2
1
$41.36
$18.91
EV Truck/SUV
189.1
2
$66.18
$30.25
Gas CO2
165 kg
EV CO2
55 kg (67% 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Aubrey, TX
Morning
in Aubrey on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Laredo, TX
Morning
in Laredo on Tuesday
Local time
7:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SE 10 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued April 16 at 9:52AM MDT until April 17 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 16 at 4:14AM CDT until April 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
17 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
8h 23m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 130.4
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed interstate travel with other road types. About 45% of your journey will take place on highways, providing a steady pace as you move south. You will face your longest stretch of the trip early on, covering 244.1 miles specifically on the Purple Heart Trail. While the North South Freeway and I-35 sections help facilitate consistent progress, the overall experience is defined by these lengthy, uninterrupted segments. Expect a functional drive that prioritizes efficiency and connectivity over winding backroads.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 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 16.6 miles in near I 35W.
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 20 significant decision points across 472.7 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 16.6 miles (I 35W): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.5 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 308.9 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Aubrey, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.
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.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 236 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 54 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 54 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 16.6 miles (I 35W): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 235.5 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 308.9 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.8 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.
