Dickinson, TX to Laredo, TX is 338 miles and takes about 6h 33m via US 59, with a fuel budget near $50 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region on both ends. For the most part, you'll be on a highway, making it a straightforward trip. With just one recommended stop and a 90% highway share, this route is designed for efficient travel. Plan for a single day of driving to cover the 338 miles.
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
169 miles from Dickinson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 17m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 59
123.9 mi
2h 18m
US Highway 59
74.7 mi
1h 22m
US Highway 59 West
65.2 mi
1h 16m
South Sam Houston Tollway East
21 mi
24m
Southwest Freeway
19.9 mi
21m
South Gulf Freeway
11.7 mi
13m
US Highway 59 South
4.4 mi
4m
Clark Boulevard
3 mi
5m
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 123.9 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Dickinson, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on FM 517
159 ft·4 sec·Main Street
2
Continue on FM 517
0.3 mi·31 sec·Pine Street
3
Continue on FM 517
1.4 mi·2 min·Pine Drive
4
Turn right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
1.0 mi·1 min·Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
5
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 45 NorthUse the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto I 45
12 mi·13 min·South Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Exit 32Toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston TollwayUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
1.1 mi·1 min
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston TollwayUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto BW 8
0.3 mi·18 sec·South Sam Houston Parkway East
10
Continue on SHT
21 mi·24 min·South Sam Houston Tollway East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on BW 8
131 ft·1 sec·South Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Toward I 69, US 59 South, US 59 North: Victoria, HoustonUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward US 59 South, I 69: VictoriaUse the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 69; US 59
20 mi·21 min·Southwest Freeway
Use the straight lane.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi·28 sec
Exit 94Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
Continue on Northwest Zac Lenz Parkway Frontage Road East
0.3 mi·39 sec·Northwest Zac Lenz Parkway Frontage Road East
27
Turn right onto US 59
49 mi·57 min·US 59
28
Continue on US 59
1.3 mi·2 min·West Corpus Christi Street
29
Continue on US 59
65 mi·1 hr 16 min·US Highway 59 West
30
Continue on US 59; TX 44
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 59; TX 44
31
Turn left onto Bob Bullock Loop
0.8 mi·1 min·Bob Bullock Loop
32
Turn right onto Spur 400
3.0 mi·5 min·Clark Boulevard
33
Continue on Park Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·Park Street
34
Turn left onto Santa Ursula Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Santa Ursula Avenue
35
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
36
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
37
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
38
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 33m estimated drive time, leaving Dickinson, TX in the morning allows for arrival in Laredo, TX well before evening. The route is mostly highway, so you can cover ground quickly. You'll want to plan for one stop to break up the 338 miles; consider doing this after about half the distance. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 123.9-mile stretch on US 59 where services might be less frequent. The $50 fuel estimate is a good baseline, but check current prices before you depart.
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 169 miles from Dickinson, TX, or about 3h 17m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.9 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 169 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 24m
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 Dickinson, 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 Dickinson, TX
This is one driving day of about 338 miles and 6h 33m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 miles from Dickinson, 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 US 59 for about 123.9 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 14.6 and 58.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
14.6 mi into trip|~18m in
Take the exit toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 32
Toward SHT West, SHT East: Sam Houston Tollway
7
14.9 mi into trip|~19m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward SHT West: Sam Houston Tollway
7
37.3 mi into trip|~45m in
Take the exit toward I 69, US 59 South, US 59 North: Victoria, Houston
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 69, US 59 South, US 59 North: Victoria...
8
37.7 mi into trip|~46m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 59 South, I 69: Victoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward US 59 South, I 69: Victoria
6
58.5 mi into trip|~1h 9m in
Take the exit toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 94
Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartle...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.75 one way
$103.50 round trip
$3.89/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.29
$57.11
$114.23
premium
$4.64
$61.72
$123.44
diesel
$6.18
$82.22
$164.45
Estimated Tolls: $1.68
Sam Houston Tollway
(21 mi)$1.68
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$52
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.4
1
$35.49
$16.22
Efficient EV
84.5
0
$29.58
$13.52
EV Truck/SUV
135.2
1
$47.32
$21.63
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 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 Oct 17, 2026
Origin
Dickinson, TX
Afternoon
in Dickinson on Saturday
Local time
2:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Clear
N 15 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Laredo, TX
Afternoon
in Laredo on Saturday
Local time
2:00 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Mostly Cloudy
NNW 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 33m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is primarily a highway cruise, with 90% of the 338 miles on US 59. You'll experience a long stretch of uninterrupted driving, with 123.9 miles on US 59 without needing to exit. The remaining 10% of the route will involve surface roads, likely as you enter or leave towns. Expect to see consistent highway mileage markers and potentially more frequent exits in populated areas.
90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
38 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.9 mi on US 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and US Highway 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 14.6 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 20 significant decision points across 338 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 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
602 ft12 ft
Total Climb
778 ft
Total Descent
376 ft
Highest Point
602 ft
~314.3 mi in
Elevation Range
590 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dickinson, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Spur 10: Cottonwood.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 33m. Total distance: 338 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 33m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 123.9 miles on US 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.68 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 12 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 12 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 14.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 14.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 37.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.1 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.
