Conroe, TX to Laredo, TX is 378.9 miles and takes about 6h 37m via Katy Freeway, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent driving experience across Texas. It's a straightforward trip, primarily on highways, making it a solid choice for a single-day drive. With only one recommended stop, you can anticipate a relatively uninterrupted journey to your destination.
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
189.4 miles from Conroe, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 21m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Katy Freeway
149.1 mi
2h 30m
Purple Heart Trail
144.5 mi
2h 26m
North Grand Parkway West
37.8 mi
41m
I 10
12.2 mi
13m
I 45
12 mi
13m
South Pan Am Expressway
8.3 mi
9m
Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi
9m
South Frazier Street
1.6 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 149.1 mi, about 2h 30m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,525 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,254
Quietest
2 AM
~318 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 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 Conroe, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on North Pacific Street
0.2 mi·53 sec·North Pacific Street
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·North Main Street
3
Turn right onto Mill Avenue
0.1 mi·25 sec·Mill Avenue
4
Turn left onto TX 75
1.6 mi·2 min·South Frazier Street
5
Turn right onto Loop 336
0.1 mi·19 sec·South Loop 336 West
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Turn left onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
442 ft·10 sec·Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward I 45 South
8
Merge onto I 45
12 mi·13 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 71AToward 99 Toll West: Grand ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
11
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
38 mi·41 min·North Grand Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San AntonioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
14
Merge onto I 10; US 90
149 mi·2 hr 30 min·Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Continue on I 10; US 90
8.0 mi·9 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit onto I 10; US 87
0.2 mi·22 sec·I 10; US 87
Exit 572Toward I 35, I 10 West, US 87 North: Laredo, El Paso, AustinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 35 South: LaredoUse the slight left lane.
20
Merge onto I 35
8.3 mi·9 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35
144 mi·2 hr 26 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
23
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
24
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
25
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 37m estimated drive time, leaving Conroe in the morning should allow you to reach Laredo before evening. The single recommended stop is a good opportunity to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $56, and it's wise to top off when you see prices that work for you. Since this is a single-day drive, you have flexibility in your departure time, but an early start is always recommended for longer Texas drives.
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 189.4 miles from Conroe, TX, or about 3h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.1 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 83 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.4 miles or 3h 21m 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 35m
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 Conroe, 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 Conroe, TX
This is one driving day of about 378.9 miles and 6h 37m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Conroe, 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 Katy Freeway for about 149.1 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 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.7 and 225.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
14.7 mi into trip|~19m in
Take the exit toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 71A
Toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
7
53.8 mi into trip|~1h 2m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Antonio
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.
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Anton...
7
54.4 mi into trip|~1h 4m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
8
225 mi into trip|~3h 58m 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
225.2 mi into trip|~3h 59m 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
$56.88 one way
$113.76 round trip
$3.81/gal25.4 MPG avg133 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$62.94
$125.87
premium
$4.57
$68.10
$136.20
diesel
$6.28
$93.62
$187.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
113.7
1
$39.78
$18.19
Efficient EV
94.7
1
$33.15
$15.16
EV Truck/SUV
151.6
1
$53.05
$24.25
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Conroe, TX
Evening
in Conroe on Thursday
Local time
5:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Laredo, TX
Evening
in Laredo on Thursday
Local time
5:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph18% chanceLive 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
9 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 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.
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
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 222.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 60% of this drive is on highways, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on higher-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 149.1 miles on the Katy Freeway. You'll transition from highway to surface roads, so be prepared for changes in speed limits and traffic density as you move between these road types. Expect to encounter urban merging and then more rural cruising as you progress.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 149.1 mi on Katy Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
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 14.7 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 21 significant decision points across 378.9 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 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
715 ft132 ft
Total Climb
792 ft
Total Descent
596 ft
Highest Point
715 ft
~243.9 mi in
Elevation Range
583 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Conroe, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward San Antonio, El Paso and Austin.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 37m. Total distance: 378.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 149.1 miles on Katy Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 47 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 47 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 53.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 54.4 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 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.2 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.
