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Trip from Lakeway, TX to Laredo, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 32m

Distance

245.8 mi

396 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$37

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
4h 19m ★
6 AM
4h 32m
8 AM
4h 59m
10 AM
4h 42m
12 PM
4h 39m
3 PM
4h 43m
5 PM
4h 58m
8 PM
4h 24m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Lakeway, TX, TX

Lakeway, TX

Danny Meneses

city in and county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States

Laredo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Lakeway, TX to Laredo, TX is 245.8 miles and takes about 4 hours 32 minutes via Purple Heart Trail, North Pan Am Expressway, and South Pan Am Expressway, with a fuel budget near $38 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward journey south. Expect a drive that involves a fair amount of turning, so staying alert is key. With just one recommended stop and a relatively short duration, this trip is well-suited for a single-day adventure, making it a practical option for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

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

122.9 miles from Lakeway, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 27m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 182.5 mi 3h 6m
North Pan Am Expressway 18.5 mi 22m
South Pan Am Expressway 10.4 mi 12m
North FM 1626 8.8 mi 11m
West Highway 71 5.9 mi 8m
45 Southwest Toll Road 3.4 mi 3m
Ranch Road 620 South 2.9 mi 4m
West Slaughter Lane 2.3 mi 4m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 182.5 mi, about 3h 6m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Lakeway, TX and Laredo, TX.

1

Start on this road

112 ft · 13 sec · this road
2

Turn left onto Lohmans Crossing Road

1.9 mi · 4 min · Lohmans Crossing Road
3

Turn right onto RM 620

2.9 mi · 4 min · Ranch Road 620 South
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
4

Turn left onto TX 71

5.9 mi · 8 min · West Highway 71
Use the left lane.
5

Continue on State Highway 71 West

1.1 mi · 1 min · State Highway 71 West
6

Turn slight right

274 ft · 10 sec
7

Merge onto West US Highway 290 Frontage Road

0.9 mi · 1 min · West US Highway 290 Frontage Road
8

Turn left onto RM 1826

0.9 mi · 1 min · Ranch Road 1826
9

Turn left onto West Slaughter Lane

2.3 mi · 4 min · West Slaughter Lane
Use the left lane.
10

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward Loop 1 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Merge onto Loop 1

1.9 mi · 2 min · South Mopac Expressway
12

Keep slight left at fork

0.3 mi · 31 sec
Toward 45 Toll East Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
13

Merge onto 45 Toll

3.4 mi · 3 min · 45 Southwest Toll Road
Toward TX 45 Toll Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork

293 ft · 7 sec
Toward FM 1626 South Use the right lane.
15

Turn straight onto FM 1626

8.8 mi · 11 min · North FM 1626
16

Turn slight right

172 ft · 6 sec
Toward I 35 South: San Marcos Use the right lane.
17

Turn straight onto South Interstate 35

1.0 mi · 1 min · South Interstate 35
18

Continue on I 35 Business

0.4 mi · 41 sec · North Old Highway 81
19

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 27 sec
Toward I 35 South
20

Merge onto I 35

26 mi · 27 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on I 35

1.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 35

10.0 mi · 11 min · North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

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.
25

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.
26

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.
27

Continue on I 35

144 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Turn right onto Houston Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Houston Street
29

Turn left onto I 35 Bus

272 ft · 12 sec · Salinas Avenue
30

Turn left onto Matamoros Street

306 ft · 5 sec · Matamoros Street
31

Arrive at destination

Matamoros Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour 32-minute drive time, departing from Lakeway in the morning will allow you to reach Laredo with plenty of daylight to spare. Plan for your single stop strategically, perhaps midway through the journey, to stretch your legs and refuel if necessary. With a fuel cost estimate of around $38, it's wise to check prices before you leave. Since this is a single-day trip, you have the flexibility to adjust your departure time, but be aware of the 'turn-heavy local drive' profile and keep your focus on the road, especially on the extended stretch of Purple Heart Trail.

Morning Departure

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

Evening Departure

A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 122.9 miles from Lakeway, TX, or about 2h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 182.5 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 54 miles or 1h 11m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 122.9 miles or 2h 27m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 46m

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 Lakeway, 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 Lakeway, TX

This is one driving day of about 245.8 miles and 4h 32m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 54 miles from Lakeway, 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 182.5 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Kirby, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Kirby, TX

123 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.

Popular next leg

Kirby, TX to Laredo, TX

164.2 mi · 2h 53m

Pacing Suggestions

New Braunfels, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 54 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Natalia, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 122.9 miles from Lakeway, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 182.5 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Main Event Laredo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19567222695

Visit website

Petro Travel Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, ~10 min detour

Halfway reset 4 mi from route ~10 min detour

Pearsall, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18303348222

Visit website

San Antonio Museum of Art

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour Moderately

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12109788100

Visit website

San Antonio River Lock & Dam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Early stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+12102271373

Visit website

San Antonio Fire Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+12103907236

Visit website

Imaginarium of South Texas

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19567280404

Visit website

The DoSeum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12102124453

Visit website

The Amazing Mirror Maze

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+12102242288

Visit website

GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12102274746

Visit website

Hemisfair

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+12107094750

Visit website

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 18 and 90.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

7
18 mi into trip | ~28m in

Keep slight left at fork toward 45 Toll East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes. Toward 45 Toll East
7
21.7 mi into trip | ~32m in

Keep slight right at fork toward FM 1626 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane. Toward FM 1626 South
7
82 mi into trip | ~1h 42m 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
88.4 mi into trip | ~1h 50m 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
90.5 mi into trip | ~1h 52m 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

$37.14 one way

$74.28 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 86 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $40.65 $81.31
premium $4.54 $43.89 $87.77
diesel $5.61 $54.27 $108.54

Estimated Tolls: $0.24

45 Southwest Toll Road (3.4 mi) $0.24

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

$37

Tolls

$0

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$62–$87

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 86 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 73.7 0 $25.81 $11.80
Efficient EV 61.5 0 $21.51 $9.83
EV Truck/SUV 98.3 1 $34.41 $15.73

Gas CO2

86 kg

EV CO2

29 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 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.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026

Origin

Lakeway, TX

Late night in Lakeway on Tuesday

Local time

4:36 AM

CDT

Current temp

87°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laredo, TX

Late night in Laredo on Tuesday

Local time

4:36 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

10 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

4h 32m on the road

An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.

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

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 ~17 min detour Free near mile 93.2
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive leans towards a turn-heavy local experience, with only 21% of the route on highways. You'll cover a significant 182.5 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, which suggests a more direct, potentially less divided road. While there are highway segments like the North and South Pan Am Expressways, the overall feel is likely more about navigating local thoroughfares and junctions. Be prepared for a dynamic driving experience that requires your attention to navigate the various turns and road types.

Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 182.5 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 18 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 245.8 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 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82 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 Lakeway, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1 South, 45 Toll East, Fm 1626 South and Spur 536: Houston.

Loop 1 South

15.8 mi in | ~25m

45 Toll East

18 mi in | ~28m

Fm 1626 South

21.7 mi in | ~32m

Spur 536: Houston

90.5 mi in | ~1h 52m | via I 10; US 87

About the Cities

Starting in Lakeway, TX

Full guide →

Lakeway is a city in the Hill Country region of Texas. It is just outside of Austin.

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 4h 32m. Total distance: 245.8 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 32m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 182.5 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.24 in tolls one way, starting with 45 Southwest Toll Road. 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.

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 18 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 21.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 82 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Laredo, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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