This 370.4-mile drive from Groesbeck, TX to Laredo, TX is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take about 6 hours and 46 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Purple Heart Trail and I-35, it's a route that can realistically be completed in a single day, though an early start is recommended. You'll encounter a mixed drive profile, with a significant portion on major highways. Budget around $57 for fuel, and note that the journey passes through the Great Plains region of Texas. This trip is best suited for those who don't mind longer stretches of driving on well-established expressways.
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
185.2 miles from Groesbeck, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Groesbeck, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on West Trinity Street
95 ft·9 sec·West Trinity Street
2
Turn left onto TX 14
0.3 mi·28 sec·North Ellis Street
3
Turn right onto TX 164
0.6 mi·52 sec·West Yeagua Street
4
Continue on TX 164
16 mi·24 min·State Highway 164
5
Continue on TX 164
8.7 mi·13 min·East Texas Avenue
6
Merge onto TX 6
6.5 mi·6 min·East State Highway 6
7
Take the exit onto TX 6
0.3 mi·35 sec·TX 6
8
Turn left onto TX 6; Loop 340
5.6 mi·7 min·East Loop 340
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward I 35: Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin
10
Turn straight onto South Loop 340
0.2 mi·22 sec·South Loop 340
Toward I 35: Dallas, Ft Worth, Austin
11
Continue on South Loop 340
0.6 mi·1 min·South Loop 340
Toward I 35: Dallas, Ft Worth, Austin
12
Turn slight right
0.2 mi·50 sec
Toward I 35 South: Austin
13
Turn straight onto South Interstate 35
1.1 mi·1 min·South Interstate 35
14
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·55 sec
Toward I 35 South
15
Merge onto I 35
36 mi·37 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
18
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
2.1 mi·2 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
23
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
10 mi·12 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo StreetUse the slight right lane.
24
Continue on I 35
144 mi·2 hr 26 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
26
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
27
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
28
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour, 46-minute duration, starting your drive from Groesbeck before dawn is advisable to maximize daylight and arrive in Laredo at a reasonable hour. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, especially considering the longest stretch of 242.3 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $57, and refueling opportunities might be less frequent on certain segments of the Purple Heart Trail. This drive is manageable in one day, so you can enjoy flexibility in your pacing, but ensure you're well-rested before you begin.
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 185.2 miles from Groesbeck, TX, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 242.3 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 81 miles or 1h 40m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.2 miles or 3h 32m 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 44m
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 Groesbeck, 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 Groesbeck, TX
This is one driving day of about 370.4 miles and 6h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 81 miles from Groesbeck, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 242.3 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 17
5 decision points cluster between mile 77.3 and 215.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
77.3 mi into trip|~1h 36m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
133.2 mi into trip|~2h 35m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
7
206.6 mi into trip|~3h 56m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
213 mi into trip|~4h 4m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
215.1 mi into trip|~4h 6m in|I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Housto...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.97 one way
$111.94 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$61.26
$122.52
premium
$4.54
$66.13
$132.26
diesel
$5.61
$81.78
$163.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$56
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.1
1
$38.89
$17.78
Efficient EV
92.6
1
$32.41
$14.82
EV Truck/SUV
148.2
1
$51.86
$23.71
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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 14, 2026
Origin
Groesbeck, TX
Late night
in Groesbeck on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
83°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Tuesday
Local time
5:26 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued April 14 at 1:21AM MDT until April 14 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 14 at 12:13AM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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.
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
10 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 46m 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
~18 min detour
Free
near mile 217.1
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 38.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
The road character on this 370.4-mile journey is a blend, with 30% of the drive on highways. You'll experience a longest uninterrupted stretch of 242.3 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a sustained period of travel before transitions. The route transitions between the more direct I-35 and the Purple Heart Trail, suggesting a mix of higher-speed travel and potentially more localized segments. This profile means you'll likely encounter varied driving conditions, from open expressway to sections that might feel more like arterial roads.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
28 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 242.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
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 77.3 miles in near I 35.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 370.4 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 77.3 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.2 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.6 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): 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 Groesbeck, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward Austin, Ft Worth and Spur 536: Houston.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 46m. Total distance: 370.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 46m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 242.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 77.3 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 133.2 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 206.6 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 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.
