Origin
Caldwell, TX
Morning in Caldwell on Tuesday
Local time
10:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Caldwell, TX to Laredo, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 22m
Distance
305.5 mi
492 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 9m
★
6 AM
5h 23m
8 AM
5h 50m
10 AM
5h 32m
12 PM
5h 29m
3 PM
5h 33m
5 PM
5h 48m
8 PM
5h 15m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Caldwell, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Caldwell, TX to Laredo, TX is 305.5 miles and takes about 5h 22m via Purple Heart Trail, with a fuel budget near $46 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for both its start and end points. Expect a mixed drive experience, with a significant portion on a highway but also opportunities to experience state roads. It's a manageable one-day trip, making it a straightforward option if you're looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
152.8 miles from Caldwell, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 144.5 mi | 2h 26m |
| State Highway 21 West | 49.5 mi | 55m |
| Pickle Parkway | 34 mi | 29m |
| I 10 | 32.7 mi | 33m |
| West State Highway 21 | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 8.3 mi | 9m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 8 mi | 9m |
| TX 21 | 3.2 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 144.5 mi, about 2h 26m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Caldwell, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on South Echols Street
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Echols Street
2
Turn left onto TX 21
50 mi
·
55 min
·
State Highway 21 West
3
Turn left onto TX 95
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 95
Use the left / straight lanes.
4
Turn right onto TX 21
409 ft
·
10 sec
·
State Highway 71 East
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West
6
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 71 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 21; TX 71
9
Take the exit onto TX 21
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
TX 21
Toward TX 21 West: San Marcos
10
Turn left onto TX 21
18 mi
·
20 min
·
West State Highway 21
11
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183, Toll 130 South
Use the left lane.
12
Turn straight onto US 183
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 183
13
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll South
14
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
34 mi
·
29 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 10; US 90; TX 130
9.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
0.8 mi
·
51 sec
·
90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 10; US 90
8.0 mi
·
9 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
I 10; US 87
Exit 572
Toward I 35, I 10 West, US 87 North: Laredo, El Paso, Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: Laredo
Use the slight left lane.
23
Merge onto I 35
8.3 mi
·
9 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Given the 5h 22m estimated duration, starting your drive from Caldwell in the morning is recommended to ensure you arrive in Laredo well before sunset. You'll have one suggested stop along the way, but with the drive being under six hours, you have flexibility. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, as the longest stretch without a break is over 140 miles. The $46 fuel cost estimate is helpful for budgeting, but always check current prices before you depart.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 152.8 miles from Caldwell, TX, or about 2h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.5 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 67 miles or 1h 18m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 152.8 miles or 2h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
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 Caldwell, 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 Caldwell, TX
This is one driving day of about 305.5 miles and 5h 22m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 67 miles from Caldwell, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 144.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
153 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 67 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 152.8 miles from Caldwell, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 144.5 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 49.8 and 151.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
49.8 mi into trip
|
~56m in
|
TX 95 / State Highway 95
Turn left onto TX 95 / State Highway 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
74.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 26m in
Turn left toward US 183, Toll 130 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 183, Toll 130 South
7
109.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 59m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
8
151.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
|
I 10; US 87
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87 toward I 35, I 10 West, US 87 North: Laredo, El Paso, Austin
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 572
Toward I 35, I 10 West, US 87 North: Laredo, El...
7
151.8 mi into trip
|
~2h 44m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35 South: Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Laredo
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.16 one way
$92.32 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
107 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $50.53 | $101.06 |
| premium | $4.54 | $54.54 | $109.09 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $67.45 | $134.90 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 106.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 91.6 | 1 | $32.08 | $14.66 |
| Efficient EV | 76.4 | 0 | $26.73 | $12.22 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 122.2 | 1 | $42.77 | $19.55 |
Gas CO2
107 kg
EV CO2
36 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.
Destination
Laredo, TX
Morning in Laredo on Tuesday
Local time
10:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°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
11 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
5h 22m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
6 mi from route
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 147.5
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed drive, with 52% of it being highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 144.5 miles along the Purple Heart Trail, so be prepared for a significant period of continuous driving. The journey begins on State Highway 21 West before transitioning to the Purple Heart Trail and Pickle Parkway. You'll likely experience a blend of faster highway travel and potentially more local road conditions, so keep your driving style adaptable.
52% 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: 144.5 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 49.8 miles in near TX 95 / State Highway 95.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 305.5 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 49.8 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.7 miles: 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Caldwell, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward Toll 130 South, El Paso and Austin.
Toll 130 South
74.5 mi in
|
~1h 26m
El Paso
151.6 mi in
|
~2h 44m
|
via I 10; US 87
Austin
151.6 mi in
|
~2h 44m
|
via I 10; US 87
About the Cities
Starting in Caldwell, TX
Full guide →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 5h 22m. Total distance: 305.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 22m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.5 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 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 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 49.8 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 74.5 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 109.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — 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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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