Origin
Big Lake, TX
Night in Big Lake on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Lake, TX to Laredo, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 23m
Distance
337.3 mi
543 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 11m
★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 48m
10 AM
6h 32m
12 PM
6h 30m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 47m
8 PM
6h 16m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Lake, TX
Thilina Alagiyawanna
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 337.3-mile drive from Big Lake, TX to Laredo, TX is a feasible one-day trip, estimated to take around 6 hours and 23 minutes. You'll primarily be on South US Highway 83, South State Highway 55, and I-10, with a significant 78% of the journey on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is $51. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent driving experience. It’s a straightforward journey that can comfortably be completed in a single day.
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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
168.7 miles from Big Lake, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 17m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South US Highway 83 | 108.9 mi | 1h 58m |
| South State Highway 55 | 36.6 mi | 41m |
| I 10 | 33.4 mi | 31m |
| TX 55 | 33.3 mi | 37m |
| Main Street | 28.6 mi | 42m |
| South Texas Highway 55 | 25.4 mi | 28m |
| US 277 | 21.6 mi | 24m |
| East 2nd Street | 18 mi | 18m |
Longest stretch:
South US Highway 83
— 108.9 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Lake, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on US 67
18 mi
·
18 min
·
East 2nd Street
2
Turn right onto TX 163
29 mi
·
42 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on TX 163
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Avenue E
4
Turn left onto 15th Street
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
15th Street
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
6
Merge onto I 10
33 mi
·
31 min
·
I 10
7
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 399
Toward Loop 467: Sonora
8
Continue on South Service Road
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
South Service Road
9
Continue on Loop 467
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
North Crockett Avenue
10
Turn right onto US 277
22 mi
·
24 min
·
US 277
11
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 55
33 mi
·
37 min
·
TX 55
12
Turn right onto TX 55
25 mi
·
28 min
·
South Texas Highway 55
13
Continue on TX 55
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North State Highway 55
14
Continue on TX 55
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Nueces Street
15
Continue on TX 55
37 mi
·
41 min
·
South State Highway 55
16
Turn right onto US 83
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Milam Street
17
Continue on US 83
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Getty Street
18
Turn right onto US 83
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Crystal City Highway
19
Continue on US 83
47 mi
·
53 min
·
South US Highway 83
20
Continue on US 83
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Street
21
Continue on US 83
62 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
South US Highway 83
22
Continue on US 83
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
I-35 Frontage Road
23
Take the ramp onto US 83
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
US 83
24
Merge onto I 35; I 27; US 83
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
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 make the most of this 6-hour, 23-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Big Lake to maximize daylight. With only one recommended stop and a longest stretch of 108.9 miles on South US Highway 83, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the halfway point or when you anticipate needing fuel. The $51 fuel cost is a good estimate, but it's always wise to have a little extra buffer. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on US-83, as services can be more spread out in certain sections.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 168.7 miles from Big Lake, TX, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.9 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 74 miles or 1h 28m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.7 miles or 3h 17m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 19m
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 Big Lake, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Big Lake, TX
This is one driving day of about 337.3 miles and 6h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Big Lake, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on South US Highway 83 for about 108.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
169 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 168.7 miles from Big Lake, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South US Highway 83 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.9 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 145 decision points cluster between mile 18 and 337.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
18 mi into trip
|
~18m in
|
TX 163 / Main Street
Turn right onto TX 163 / Main Street
Navigation decision point
4
47.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 3m in
|
15th Street
Turn left onto 15th Street
Navigation decision point
5
81.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 35m in
Take the exit toward Loop 467: Sonora
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Exit 399
Toward Loop 467: Sonora
5
337.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 23m in
|
I 35 Bus / Salinas Avenue
Turn left onto I 35 Bus / Salinas Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
337.3 mi into trip
|
~6h 23m in
|
Matamoros Street
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$50.97 one way
$101.93 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
118 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $55.79 | $111.57 |
| premium | $4.54 | $60.22 | $120.45 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $74.47 | $148.94 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101.2 | 1 | $35.42 | $16.19 |
| Efficient EV | 84.3 | 0 | $29.51 | $13.49 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.9 | 1 | $47.22 | $21.59 |
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Laredo, TX
Night in Laredo on Saturday
Local time
11:19 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
24 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
6h 23m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 78% of the mileage covered on major roadways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 108.9 miles along South US Highway 83, so be prepared for extended periods on this particular road. While primarily highway, the mix of South US Highway 83, South State Highway 55, and I-10 suggests a varied road surface and speed environment as you progress south. This isn't a winding, scenic byway, but rather a direct path connecting two points.
78% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.9 mi on South US Highway 83.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 83 and South State Highway 55. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 18 miles in near TX 163 / Main Street.
Driving Effort
4/10
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 6h 23m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 14 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 18 miles (TX 163 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.6 miles (15th Street): Navigation decision point; at 81.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Big Lake, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 467: Sonora along the way.
Loop 467: Sonora
81.4 mi in
|
~1h 35m
About the Cities
Starting in Big Lake, TX
Full guide →Big Lake is a city in the West Hill Country of Texas.
Arriving in Laredo, TX
Full guide →“The Gateway City” · Founded 1755
Laredo is a city with 262,000 (2019) inhabitants on the South Texas Plains. Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, is just across the Rio Grande.
Top landmarks
- • Cathedral of San Agustin — historic place in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
- • Fort McIntosh — historic district in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
- • San Agustin de Laredo Historic District — historic district in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 337.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (78%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.9 miles on South US Highway 83. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 18 miles (TX 163 / Main Street): Navigation decision point; at 47.6 miles (15th Street): Navigation decision point; at 81.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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