Origin
Lamesa, TX
Late night in Lamesa on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lamesa, 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
8h 21m
Distance
455.7 mi
733 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$69
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 14m
★
6 AM
8h 21m
8 AM
8h 36m
10 AM
8h 26m
12 PM
8h 25m
3 PM
8h 27m
5 PM
8h 35m
8 PM
8h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lamesa, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 482.9-mile drive from Lamesa to Laredo will take approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes, making it a feasible day trip if you get an early start. You'll primarily be navigating on North Lynn Avenue, South Dallas Avenue, and Highway 87, with no interstate driving involved. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $74. With two planned stops, you'll have opportunities to break up the drive. This route offers a straightforward path through the heart of Texas, transitioning from the Great Plains region in Lamesa to the Great Plains in Laredo, providing a consistent sense of the landscape.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
227.8 miles from Lamesa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 6m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South US Highway 83 | 108.9 mi | 1h 58m |
| US 277 | 81.8 mi | 1h 31m |
| William B Crooker Memorial Highway | 52.1 mi | 52m |
| South State Highway 55 | 36.6 mi | 41m |
| TX 55 | 33.3 mi | 37m |
| US 87 | 32.3 mi | 37m |
| South Texas Highway 55 | 25.4 mi | 28m |
| North US Highway 87 | 18.1 mi | 18m |
Longest stretch:
South US Highway 83
— 108.9 mi, about 1h 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lamesa, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on this road
160 ft
·
13 sec
·
this road
2
At end of road, turn right onto US 87
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
North Lynn Avenue
3
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
South Dallas Avenue
4
Continue on US 87; US 180
18 mi
·
18 min
·
South US Highway 87
5
Continue on US 87
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
William Crooker Highway
6
Continue on US 87
18 mi
·
18 min
·
North US Highway 87
7
Continue on US 87
52 mi
·
52 min
·
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
8
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
4th Street
9
Continue on US 87
15 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 87 South
10
Continue on US 87
32 mi
·
37 min
·
US 87
11
Take the exit onto US 277
60 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 277
Toward US 277 South: Eldorado
12
Turn left onto US 277; Loop 467
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
North Crockett Avenue
13
Turn right onto US 277
22 mi
·
24 min
·
US 277
14
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 55
33 mi
·
37 min
·
TX 55
15
Turn right onto TX 55
25 mi
·
28 min
·
South Texas Highway 55
16
Continue on TX 55
3.6 mi
·
4 min
·
North State Highway 55
17
Continue on TX 55
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
North Nueces Street
18
Continue on TX 55
37 mi
·
41 min
·
South State Highway 55
19
Turn right onto US 83
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
Milam Street
20
Continue on US 83
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
North Getty Street
21
Turn right onto US 83
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
Crystal City Highway
22
Continue on US 83
47 mi
·
53 min
·
South US Highway 83
23
Continue on US 83
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North 1st Street
24
Continue on US 83
62 mi
·
1 hr 4 min
·
South US Highway 83
25
Continue on US 83
0.3 mi
·
26 sec
·
I-35 Frontage Road
26
Take the ramp onto US 83
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
US 83
27
Merge onto I 35; I 27; US 83
18 mi
·
19 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
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
To make the most of this 7-hour and 30-minute journey, aim for an early morning departure from Lamesa to maximize daylight. With two stops recommended, plan your breaks strategically to coincide with services or simply to stretch your legs. Given the local road nature and frequent turns, staying alert and aware of your surroundings is key. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially since there are no interstate services to rely on, and budget for the estimated $74 fuel cost. A good tip for this route is to familiarize yourself with Highway 87's segments beforehand, as it forms a significant portion of your path.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 227.8 miles from Lamesa, TX, or about 4h 6m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 108.9 miles.
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 100 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 227.8 miles or 4h 6m 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 227.8 miles or 4h 6m
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 7h 17m
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 Lamesa, 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 Lamesa, TX
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 228 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 100 miles from Lamesa, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on South US Highway 83 for about 108.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
228 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 Junction, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
228 mi · about 4.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near Junction, TX after about 228 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 100 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 227.8 miles from Lamesa, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before South US Highway 83 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 108.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 228 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 455.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 87 / North Lynn Avenue
At end of road, turn right onto US 87 / North Lynn Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
140.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
|
US 277
Take the exit onto US 277 toward US 277 South: Eldorado
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Toward US 277 South: Eldorado
4
223 mi into trip
|
~4h in
|
TX 55
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 55
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
5
455.5 mi into trip
|
~8h 20m in
|
I 35 Bus / Salinas Avenue
Turn left onto I 35 Bus / Salinas Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
455.6 mi into trip
|
~8h 20m in
|
Matamoros Street
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.86 one way
$137.71 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
159 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $75.37 | $150.74 |
| premium | $4.54 | $81.36 | $162.72 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $100.61 | $201.23 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$69
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$199–$309
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 159.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $48 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 136.7 | 1 | $47.85 | $21.87 |
| Efficient EV | 113.9 | 1 | $39.87 | $18.23 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 182.3 | 2 | $63.80 | $29.16 |
Gas CO2
159 kg
EV CO2
53 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.
Destination
Laredo, TX
Late night in Laredo on Tuesday
Local time
5:49 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.
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 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
8h 21m on the road
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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, as indicated by its 0% highway share. While there isn't a defined longest uninterrupted stretch to note, the profile suggests a journey where you'll be making frequent adjustments rather than settling into a high-speed cruise. The roads, including North Lynn Avenue, South Dallas Avenue, and Highway 87, will likely involve more engagement with local traffic patterns and varying speed limits. This means you should be prepared for a more dynamic driving experience as you navigate through towns and rural areas.
82% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 108.9 mi on South US Highway 83.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 83 and US 277. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 87 / North Lynn Avenue.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 8h 21m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 12 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 87 / North Lynn Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 140.4 miles (US 277): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 223 miles (TX 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
About the Cities
Starting in Lamesa, TX
Full guide →Lamesa is a city in the Llano Estacado region of Texas. It is heavy on the agriculture sector and gives off an authentic feel of provincial Texan life.
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?
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 21m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (82%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 108.9 miles on South US Highway 83. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 228 miles on day one.
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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. 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: near the start (US 87 / North Lynn Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 140.4 miles (US 277): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early; at 223 miles (TX 55): Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.4 hours each way, a round trip means 16.7 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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