Balch Springs, TX to Laredo, TX is 433.3 miles and takes about 7h 37m via Purple Heart Trail and I-35, with a fuel budget near $63 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive keeps you within the Great Plains region for its entirety, transitioning from more urban surroundings near Dallas to increasingly open country as you head south. It's a straightforward, single-day trip if you're looking for a direct connection between these two Texas points. Plan for a consistent drive with minimal geographical surprises.
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
216.7 miles from Balch Springs, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 49m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 136 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,881 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,353
Quietest
2 AM
~491 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 Balch Springs, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on Terry Drive
47 ft·3 sec·Terry Drive
2
Turn right onto Hickory Tree Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Hickory Tree Road
3
Turn left onto Elam Road
0.3 mi·57 sec·Elam Road
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward I 635 South
5
Merge onto I 635
13 mi·14 min·Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 467BToward I 35E South: WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 35E
80 mi·1 hr 22 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
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.
18
Continue on I 35
144 mi·2 hr 26 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Balch Springs to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 433.3 miles into manageable segments. The longest stretch, 244.1 miles, is on the Purple Heart Trail, so be mindful of fuel availability and plan your refueling before hitting that longer section. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $63 budget is an estimate and prices can vary, especially in more rural areas.
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 216.7 miles from Balch Springs, TX, or about 3h 49m 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 95 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 216.7 miles or 3h 49m 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 36m
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 Balch Springs, 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 Balch Springs, TX
This is one driving day of about 433.3 miles and 7h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 95 miles from Balch Springs, 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.5 and 278 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.5 mi into trip|~17m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
8
196.1 mi into trip|~3h 26m 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
269.5 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
275.9 mi into trip|~4h 55m 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
278 mi into trip|~4h 58m 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
$59.35 one way
$118.70 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg152 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$66.29
$132.58
premium
$4.23
$72.07
$144.15
diesel
$4.80
$81.82
$163.63
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$59
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$84–$109
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 151.6 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
130
1
$45.50
$20.80
Efficient EV
108.3
1
$37.91
$17.33
EV Truck/SUV
173.3
2
$60.66
$27.73
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 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
Balch Springs, TX
Late night
in Balch Springs on Monday
Local time
3:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 mph31% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:34PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Monday
Local time
3:54 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 15 mph7% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:34PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:11PM CDT until July 17 at 11:00PM 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.
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
7h 37m 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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 89.7
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 283.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route has a 43% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on major interstates like I-35. The longest continuous stretch on the Purple Heart Trail is 244.1 miles, indicating a significant segment of non-interstate driving. Expect to encounter a mix of high-speed cruising and surface road conditions, likely with more frequent exits and potentially slower speeds once you leave the main freeways.
43% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 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 14.5 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 13 significant decision points across 433.3 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 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.1 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 269.5 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
815 ft413 ft
Total Climb
545 ft
Total Descent
635 ft
Highest Point
815 ft
~185.7 mi in
Elevation Range
402 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 Balch Springs, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 37m. Total distance: 433.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 37m 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.
Yes — we found about 55 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 55 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.1 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 269.5 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 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.3 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.
