Main Event Laredo
Near the end, short detour
Laredo, Texas
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+19567222695
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
12h 17m
Distance
704.8 mi
1,134 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$107
one way
EV Charging
Good
8 stations
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Dumas, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
This 704.8-mile journey from Dumas, Texas, to Laredo, Texas, is a substantial undertaking, clocking in at 12 hours and 17 minutes of driving time. Given the distance and duration, it's best tackled over two days to avoid excessive fatigue. You'll primarily navigate the Purple Heart Trail, Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, and US Highway 84. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is around $107, and you can expect to make about three planned stops. This long-distance drive traverses parts of the Great Plains, so prepare for open landscapes as you head south.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
352.4 miles from Dumas, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 11m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 139.7 mi | 2h 21m |
| Marshall Formby Memorial Highway | 103.7 mi | 1h 43m |
| US Highway 84 | 73.9 mi | 1h 14m |
| I 10 | 59.6 mi | 1h |
| US Highway 287 | 44.2 mi | 45m |
| Grassmeyer Street | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| US 83 | 40 mi | 38m |
| State Highway 153 | 29.5 mi | 33m |
Step-by-step road directions between Dumas, TX and Laredo, TX.
Start on US 287
Continue on US 87; US 287
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287
Turn slight left onto US 287
Keep slight left at fork onto I 27
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Interstate 27
Turn left onto North Loop 289
Take the ramp
Merge onto Loop 289
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289
Turn right onto Spur 331
Merge onto US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Continue on US 84
Turn left onto Spur 575
Turn right onto TX 207
Turn straight onto TX 207
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
Take the exit
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
Turn right onto TX 70
Continue on TX 70
Turn left onto TX 153
Turn right onto FM 2111
Turn left onto TX 158
At end of road, turn right onto US 67; US 83
Turn left onto US 83
Continue on US 83
Continue on US 83
Take the exit onto US 83
Continue on I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 West
Turn right onto North Loop 1604 West
Take the ramp
Merge onto Loop 1604
Turn right onto Interstate 35 South
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 35
Turn right onto Houston Street
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
Arrive at destination
For this 12-hour drive, plan for at least two days of travel. Leaving early in the morning on your first day will allow you to cover a good portion of the 704.8 miles and reach a comfortable stopping point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 139.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be spaced out. With three recommended stops, you can strategically plan for breaks and meals to stay refreshed. Budgeting around $107 for fuel is a practical consideration for this trip.
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.
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 155 miles or 2h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 352.4 miles or 6h 11m 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 352.4 miles or 6h 11m
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 11h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laredo, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Dumas, 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 Dumas, TX
Aim for roughly 352 miles and 6.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 352 miles and 6.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
233 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
465 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 Kerrville, TXNight 1
352 mi · about 6.1h in
A practical overnight split lands near Mount Pleasant, TX after about 352 miles or 6.1 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 155 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 352.4 miles from Dumas, 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 139.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 352 miles or 6.1 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Near the end, short detour
Laredo, Texas
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+19567222695
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Dumas, Texas
+18069352222
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Dumas, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18663502738
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Dumas, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18069356666
Visit websiteNear the start, ~12 min detour
Amarillo, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Visit websiteNear the start, ~11 min detour
Amarillo, Texas
+18668167584
Near the start, short detour
Amarillo, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18889982546
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Amarillo, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the start, ~12 min detour
Amarillo, Texas
+18064182505
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Pearsall, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18303348222
Visit websiteNear the end, ~12 min detour
Pearsall, Texas
+12104194442
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Laredo, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19567280404
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Laredo, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19567952350
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Pearsall, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
+18303343676
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Pearsall, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+18303343676
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Dumas, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+18069353113
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: Closed
+12109681524
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Pearsall, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+18303343676
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Pearsall, Texas
Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm
+18303348707
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 46.3 and 538.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 toward US 287 South: Taylor Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit onto US 83 toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Frontage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$106.50 one way
$212.99 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $116.57 | $233.14 |
| premium | $4.54 | $125.84 | $251.67 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $155.61 | $311.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$107
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$237–$347
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 246.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $74 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 211.4 | 2 | $74.00 | $33.83 |
| Efficient EV | 176.2 | 2 | $61.67 | $28.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 281.9 | 3 | $98.67 | $45.11 |
Gas CO2
247 kg
EV CO2
82 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in Dumas on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Destination
Night in Laredo on Saturday
Local time
11:15 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
National Recreation Area
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
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...
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This route offers a mix of driving experiences, with 46% of the travel on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 139.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. While not a constant highway grind, you'll experience significant periods of sustained driving. The road character is primarily that of well-maintained state and US highways, suited for steady progress across Texas. Expect a consistent pace for much of the journey, allowing for efficient travel.
At 12h 17m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 46.3 miles in near US 287.
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 33 significant decision points across 704.8 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 46.3 miles (US 287): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 174.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 284.7 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Dumas, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward Loop 289, Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and Loop 1604 West.
Loop 289
Sh 70 South
Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater
San Angelo
Loop 1604 West
Dumas is a city on the High Plains of the Texas Panhandle.
“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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Solo Traveler
12h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
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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