Origin
Irving, TX
Late night in Irving on Tuesday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Irving, TX to Laredo, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 43m
Distance
435.3 mi
701 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$66
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 34m
★
6 AM
7h 43m
8 AM
8h 2m
10 AM
7h 50m
12 PM
7h 48m
3 PM
7h 51m
5 PM
8h 1m
8 PM
7h 37m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Irving, TX to Laredo, TX is 435.3 miles and takes about 7h 43m via Purple Heart Trail and I-35, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. You'll experience a mix of highway and surface roads on this fairly direct trek south. Given the duration, it's definitely achievable as a single-day trip, but be prepared for a solid amount of time behind the wheel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
217.7 miles from Irving, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 53m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 244.1 mi | 4h 12m |
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 80.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 18.5 mi | 22m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| South Walton Walker Boulevard | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Lyndon B Johnson Freeway | 4.6 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 244.1 mi, about 4h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Irving, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on North Ohio Street
436 ft
·
24 sec
·
North Ohio Street
2
Turn left onto West 2nd Street
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West 2nd Street
3
Turn straight onto TX 356
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Irving Boulevard
4
Turn slight right
393 ft
·
17 sec
5
Turn slight right onto South Loop 12
187 ft
·
3 sec
·
South Loop 12
6
Take the ramp
410 ft
·
10 sec
Toward Loop 12 South
7
Merge onto Loop 12
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Walton Walker Boulevard
Toward Loop 12 South
Use the slight left lane.
9
Turn slight right onto Duncanville Road
3.2 mi
·
6 min
·
Duncanville Road
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto West Interstate 20
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
West Interstate 20
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 20 East
12
Merge onto I 20
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Merge onto I 35E
81 mi
·
1 hr 22 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
19
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Use the slight left lane.
24
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 Street
Use the slight right lane.
25
Continue on I 35
144 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Houston Street
27
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft
·
12 sec
·
Salinas Avenue
28
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft
·
5 sec
·
Matamoros Street
29
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour, 43-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Irving. This allows you to tackle the longest stretch, the 244.1-mile Purple Heart Trail, with less traffic. With two planned stops, you can break up the drive effectively, perhaps one around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you move onto surface roads where stations might be less frequent than on the interstate. The $66 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always budget a little extra.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 217.7 miles from Irving, TX, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.1 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 96 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 217.7 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 41m
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 Irving, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Irving, TX
This is one driving day of about 435.3 miles and 7h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 miles from Irving, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 244.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
218 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 96 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 217.7 miles from Irving, 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 244.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 185 decision points cluster between mile 7.2 and 280.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
7.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
|
Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard toward Loop 12 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward Loop 12 South
7
16.8 mi into trip
|
~23m in
Take the exit toward I 35E South: Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 467B
Toward I 35E South: Waco
8
198.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m 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
8
277.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 1m 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
280.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 3m 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
$65.77 one way
$131.55 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
152 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $72.00 | $143.99 |
| premium | $4.54 | $77.72 | $155.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $96.11 | $192.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$66
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$91–$116
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 130.6 | 1 | $45.71 | $20.89 |
| Efficient EV | 108.8 | 1 | $38.09 | $17.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 174.1 | 2 | $60.94 | $27.86 |
Gas CO2
152 kg
EV CO2
51 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.
Destination
Laredo, TX
Late night in Laredo on Tuesday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
97°F
Unavailable
Live 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
13 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
7h 43m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a mixed bag, with 41% highway driving. You'll encounter a significant 244.1-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, which likely means more varied speed limits and potentially more local traffic. The transition from highway to surface roads will be a noticeable change in pace. Expect a good amount of exiting and merging as you navigate the different road types.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 244.1 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 7.2 miles in near Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 435.3 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 7.2 miles (Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Irving, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.
Spur 536: Houston
280.1 mi in
|
~5h 3m
|
via I 10; US 87
About the Cities
Starting in Irving, TX
Full guide →Founded 1903
Irving is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Irving has experienced exponential growth over the past fifty years, and is home to a multitude of attractions of all types, from modern art to major sporting events. Founded in 1902 out of the remnants of the small community of Kit, Irving is now a bustling city of approximately 197,000 residents. Rather like Dallas, it is divided into a highly affluent northern half and less affluent but highly diverse southern half. It is bounded to the east by the northern fork (Elm Fork) of the Trinity River and to the northwest by the sprawling D/FW International Airport.
Top landmarks
- • Ruth Paine Home — house in Irving, Texas, United States
Arriving in Laredo, TX
Full guide →“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
- • Cathedral of San Agustin — historic place in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
- • Fort McIntosh — historic district in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
- • San Agustin de Laredo Historic District — historic district in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 43m. Total distance: 435.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 43m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 244.1 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 7.2 miles (Loop 12 / South Walton Walker Boulevard): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 16.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.7 hours each way, a round trip means 15.4 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.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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