Diboll to Laredo is 457.8 miles and takes about 8h via Katy Freeway and US 59, with a fuel budget near $72 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. It's a predominantly highway drive that will get you where you need to go efficiently. Consider this trip if you prefer to cover ground quickly and are comfortable with extended periods on the interstate.
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
228.9 miles from Diboll, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 4m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Katy Freeway
149.1 mi
2h 30m
Purple Heart Trail
144.5 mi
2h 26m
US 59
74.8 mi
1h 20m
North Grand Parkway East
51.7 mi
56m
I 10
12.2 mi
13m
South Pan Am Expressway
8.3 mi
9m
Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi
9m
North Temple Drive
2.5 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 149.1 mi, about 2h 30m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,530 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,214
Quietest
2 AM
~317 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
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 Diboll, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on Judd
145 ft·6 sec·Judd
2
Turn left onto North Temple Drive
2.5 mi·3 min·North Temple Drive
3
Take the ramp
1.7 mi·2 min
4
Continue on US 59
75 mi·1 hr 20 min·US 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi·25 sec
Toward TX 99 TollUse the slight right lane.
6
Turn straight onto Eastex Freeway Frontage Road
1.4 mi·2 min·Eastex Freeway Frontage Road
Use the straight / uturn lanes.
7
Turn right onto North Grand Parkway East
0.9 mi·1 min·North Grand Parkway East
8
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·44 sec·this road
Toward TX 99 Toll West
9
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
51 mi·55 min·North Grand Parkway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San AntonioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto I 10; US 90
149 mi·2 hr 30 min·Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Continue on I 10; US 90
8.0 mi·9 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 35 South: LaredoUse the slight left lane.
18
Merge onto I 35
8.3 mi·9 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
144 mi·2 hr 26 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
21
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
22
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
23
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8-hour duration, you could technically complete this drive in a single day if you start early. However, splitting it over two days is recommended to avoid fatigue. Aim to leave Diboll in the morning to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can break up the 457.8 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on fuel levels, especially during the longer highway stretches, as services can become less frequent in certain areas. The $72 fuel estimate is a good baseline for budgeting.
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 228.9 miles from Diboll, TX, or about 4h 4m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.1 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 101 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 228.9 miles or 4h 4m 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 228.9 miles or 4h 4m
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 6h 59m
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 Diboll, 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 Diboll, TX
Aim for roughly 229 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 229 miles and 4 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 101 miles from Diboll, 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 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 78.9 and 304.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
78.9 mi into trip|~1h 25m in
Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 99 Toll
7
132.7 mi into trip|~2h 26m 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
133.3 mi into trip|~2h 27m 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
303.9 mi into trip|~5h 22m 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
304.1 mi into trip|~5h 22m 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
$62.70 one way
$125.41 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg160 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$70.04
$140.08
premium
$4.23
$76.15
$152.30
diesel
$4.80
$86.44
$172.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$63
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$193–$303
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 160.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
137.3
1
$48.07
$21.97
Efficient EV
114.5
1
$40.06
$18.31
EV Truck/SUV
183.1
2
$64.09
$29.30
Gas CO2
160 kg
EV CO2
54 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 19, 2026
Origin
Diboll, TX
Late night
in Diboll on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
S 0 to 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Sunday
Local time
1:59 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 10:11PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:53PM CDT until July 20 at 6:00AM 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.
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
5 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
8h 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
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 299.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is mostly highway, with 67% of the route on high-speed roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 149.1 miles on the Katy Freeway. Expect to transition from highway to surface roads as you progress through the trip. The sheer length of the highway segments suggests you'll encounter fewer traffic lights and more consistent cruising speeds for significant portions of the drive.
67% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and Purple Heart Trail. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 78.9 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
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 16 significant decision points across 457.8 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 78.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
734 ft130 ft
Total Climb
742 ft
Total Descent
536 ft
Highest Point
734 ft
~327.5 mi in
Elevation Range
604 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Diboll, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward San Antonio, El Paso and Austin.
The longest stretch is about 149.1 miles on Katy Freeway. 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 229 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 78.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 132.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 133.3 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 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 16.0 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.
