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Trip from Center, 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

9h 12m

Distance

491.1 mi

790 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$74

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 25 min
4 AM
9h 4m ★
6 AM
9h 12m
8 AM
9h 29m
10 AM
9h 18m
12 PM
9h 16m
3 PM
9h 19m
5 PM
9h 28m
8 PM
9h 7m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Shelby County, Texas, United States

Center, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States

Laredo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a 491.1-mile journey from Center, Texas, to Laredo, Texas, a drive that will likely take around 9 hours and 12 minutes to complete. Given the duration, this route is best split over two days, allowing for a more relaxed pace and time to appreciate the scenery. You'll be spending about 62% of your time on highways, with the main roads including TX 21, Purple Heart Trail, and West State Highway 7. With an estimated fuel cost of $74 and a recommended two stops, this highway-focused drive offers a straightforward way to traverse the Great Plains region of Texas. Consider this a practical, no-fuss trip for getting from point A to point B.

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

245.5 miles from Center, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 59m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
TX 21 148.3 mi 2h 48m
Purple Heart Trail 144.5 mi 2h 26m
West State Highway 7 51.7 mi 1h 4m
Pickle Parkway 34 mi 29m
I 10 32.7 mi 33m
Nacogdoches Street 30.2 mi 44m
West State Highway 21 17.8 mi 20m
South Pan Am Expressway 8.3 mi 9m
Longest stretch: TX 21 — 148.3 mi, about 2h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Center, TX and Laredo, TX.

1

Start on Porter Street

50 ft · 7 sec · Porter Street
2

Turn left onto Jackson

238 ft · 12 sec · Jackson
3

Turn right onto TX 87

0.1 mi · 20 sec · Shelbyville Street
4

Turn sharp left onto TX 7; TX 87

459 ft · 13 sec · Nacogdoches Street
5

Turn left onto TX 7; TX 87

464 ft · 8 sec · Austin Street
6

Turn right onto TX 7

0.4 mi · 32 sec · San Augustine Street
7

Turn slight right onto TX 7

30 mi · 44 min · Nacogdoches Street
8

Continue on TX 7

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Center Road
9

Turn left onto Loop 224

4.1 mi · 4 min · Northeast Stallings Drive
10

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 1 min
11

Turn left onto TX 7

0.5 mi · 47 sec · South Fredonia Street
12

Continue on TX 7

52 mi · 1 hr 4 min · West State Highway 7
13

Turn right onto US 287; TX 7

129 ft · 2 sec · 5th Street
14

Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21

196 ft · 6 sec · East Houston Avenue
15

Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21

289 ft · 8 sec · South 4th Street
16

Turn right onto TX 7; TX 21

1.6 mi · 2 min · East Goliad Avenue
17

Turn left onto TX 21

145 mi · 2 hr 44 min · TX 21
Use the left lane.
18

Turn left onto TX 95

0.3 mi · 29 sec · State Highway 95
Use the left / straight lanes.
19

Turn right onto TX 21

409 ft · 10 sec · State Highway 71 East
Use the right lane.
20

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec
Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West
21

Merge onto TX 21; TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · State Highway 71 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on TX 71; TX 21

0.7 mi · 49 sec · TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on TX 21; TX 71

2.8 mi · 3 min · TX 21; TX 71
24

Take the exit onto TX 21

0.3 mi · 51 sec · TX 21
Toward TX 21 West: San Marcos
25

Turn left onto TX 21

18 mi · 20 min · West State Highway 21
26

Turn left

0.3 mi · 1 min
Toward US 183, Toll 130 South Use the left lane.
27

Turn straight onto US 183

0.5 mi · 36 sec · US 183
28

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll South
29

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

34 mi · 29 min · Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
31

Merge onto I 10; TX 130

11 mi · 11 min · I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32

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.
33

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.
34

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.
35

Continue on I 10; US 90

8.0 mi · 9 min · Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36

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.
37

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward I 35 South: Laredo Use the slight left lane.
38

Merge onto I 35

8.3 mi · 9 min · South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39

Continue on I 35

144 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40

Turn right onto Houston Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Houston Street
41

Turn left onto I 35 Bus

272 ft · 12 sec · Salinas Avenue
42

Turn left onto Matamoros Street

306 ft · 5 sec · Matamoros Street
43

Arrive at destination

Matamoros Street

Trip Plan

For this 9-hour and 12-minute drive, splitting the 491.1 miles over two days is highly recommended. Aim to start your first day early to maximize daylight hours, especially since the longest stretch without a break is 148.3 miles on TX 21. Plan for your two recommended stops strategically, perhaps midway through your driving day or at a point where you can easily find amenities. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway driving can consume it steadily, and the estimated fuel cost is $74. A key tip for this route: be aware of potential changes in speed limits when transitioning between the main highways and other designated roads like Purple Heart Trail.

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 245.5 miles from Center, TX, or about 4h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.3 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 108 miles or 2h 21m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 245.5 miles or 4h 59m 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 245.5 miles or 4h 59m

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 8h 10m

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 Center, 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 Center, TX

Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Laredo, TX

Aim for roughly 246 miles and 4.6 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Center, 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 TX 21 for about 148.3 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Austin, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Austin, TX

246 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Austin, TX

Popular next leg

Austin, TX to Laredo, TX

234.9 mi · 4h 9m

Overnight Options

Night 1

Austin, TX

246 mi · about 4.6h in

A practical overnight split lands near Austin, TX after about 246 miles or 4.6 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

College Station, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 108 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Austin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 245.5 miles from Center, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before TX 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 148.3 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 246 miles or 4.6 hours on the road.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Main Event Laredo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 491.1

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19567222695

Visit website

Petro Travel Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 385.8

Pearsall, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18303348222

Visit website

Imaginarium of South Texas

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 491.1

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19567280404

Visit website

Slaughter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 491.1

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19567952350

Visit website

Durst Taylor Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 35.1

Nacogdoches, Texas

Hours: 10 am–4 pm

+19365604443

Visit website

Pecan Acres Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.1 mi from route ~8 min detour mile 35.1

Nacogdoches, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+19365592960

Visit website

Frio Farm & Ranch Ace Hardware

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour Moderately mile 385.8

Pearsall, Texas

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+18303348707

Visit website

Independence Hills Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 491.1

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Polo Patino Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.5 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 385.8

Pearsall, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18303343676

Visit website

Lake Casa Blanca International State Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 491.1

Laredo, Texas

+19567253826

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 31

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.2 and 337.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street

Turn sharp left onto TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street

Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach

7
260.1 mi into trip | ~5h 16m 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
295.3 mi into trip | ~5h 48m 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
337.2 mi into trip | ~6h 33m 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
337.4 mi into trip | ~6h 34m 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

$74.21 one way

$148.41 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 172 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $81.22 $162.45
premium $4.54 $87.68 $175.37
diesel $5.61 $108.43 $216.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$74

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$204–$314

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 171.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $52 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 147.3 1 $51.57 $23.57
Efficient EV 122.8 1 $42.97 $19.64
EV Truck/SUV 196.4 2 $68.75 $31.43

Gas CO2

172 kg

EV CO2

57 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

Center, TX

Night in Center on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

55°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laredo, TX

Night in Laredo on Saturday

Local time

9:45 PM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Sunny

SE 10 to 14 mph 0% chance 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.

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

40 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

9h 12m 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

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 ~17 min detour Free near mile 338.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This trip is primarily a highway-focused drive, with 62% of the total mileage on faster roads. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch at 148.3 miles on TX 21, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While much of the route utilizes main highways, the inclusion of TX 21, Purple Heart Trail, and West State Highway 7 suggests a mix that could offer varied driving experiences beyond a typical interstate. Expect a steady pace for much of the journey, making it an efficient way to cover ground across the Texas landscape.

62% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.3 mi on TX 21.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 31 significant decision points across 491.1 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 0.2 miles (TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 260.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 295.3 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.

Between Center, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward Toll 130 South, El Paso and Austin.

Toll 130 South

260.1 mi in | ~5h 16m

El Paso

337.2 mi in | ~6h 33m | via I 10; US 87

Austin

337.2 mi in | ~6h 33m | via I 10; US 87

About the Cities

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).

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 148.3 miles on TX 21. 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 246 miles on day one.

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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (TX 7; TX 87 / Nacogdoches Street): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach; at 260.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 295.3 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 9.2 hours each way, a round trip means 18.4 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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