Laredo, TX to Alief, TX is 341.1 miles and takes about 5h 54m via Purple Heart Trail and I 10, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip is a straight shot across Texas, taking you from the southern edges of the Great Plains region to its more central parts. Expect a mixed drive with a significant portion on major highways, making it a straightforward journey. With a recommended one-day duration and a manageable fuel cost, this route is ideal for those looking for an efficient Texas traverse.
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
170.6 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 57m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,525 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,254
Quietest
2 AM
~318 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 102 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Alief, TX.
1
Start on Matamoros Street
0.3 mi·46 sec·Matamoros Street
2
Turn left onto San Dario Avenue
0.1 mi·11 sec·San Dario Avenue
3
Continue on I 35; I 27; US 83
144 mi·2 hr 27 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 35
8.4 mi·9 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 153Toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Del RioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: HoustonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10; US 87; US 90
8.0 mi·9 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10; US 90
22 mi·23 min·90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 10; TX 130
140 mi·2 hr 20 min·I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 743BToward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward TX 99 South: Grand ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto TX 99
4.8 mi·6 min·West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward FM 1093Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 99
156 ft·10 sec·West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left onto FM 1093
0.1 mi·15 sec·Farm to Market 1093 Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward WPT Toll East
17
Merge onto WPT
5.3 mi·5 min·Fort Bend Westpark Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on WPT
4.9 mi·5 min·Westpark Tollway
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward Cook RoadUse the slight right lane.
20
Continue on Cook Road
0.3 mi·36 sec·Cook Road
21
Arrive at destination
Cook Road
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 54m duration, it's best to depart Laredo in the morning to maximize daylight and arrive in Alief with ample time. While the drive can be completed in a single day, consider a brief stop midway to break up the longest stretch of 144.4 miles. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading onto longer highway segments, as the $52 estimated fuel cost suggests readily available services. The 90th Infantry Division Highway portion might present more service areas than the 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 170.6 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 2h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.4 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 75 miles or 1h 17m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 170.6 miles or 2h 57m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 49m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Alief, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Laredo, 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 Laredo, TX
This is one driving day of about 341.1 miles and 5h 54m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Laredo, 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 144.4 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 153.2 and 329.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
153.2 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Del Rio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 153
Toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87...
8
153.3 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Hous...
8
323.6 mi into trip|~5h 32m in
Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 743B
Toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Par...
7
324 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
6
329.6 mi into trip|~5h 40m in
Take the exit toward FM 1093
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward FM 1093
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.21 one way
$102.41 round trip
$3.81/gal25.4 MPG avg119 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$56.66
$113.32
premium
$4.57
$61.30
$122.61
diesel
$6.28
$84.28
$168.56
Estimated Tolls: $0.72
Fort Bend Westpark Tollway
(5.3 mi)$0.37
Westpark Tollway
(4.9 mi)$0.35
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
$51
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 119.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
102.3
1
$35.82
$16.37
Efficient EV
85.3
0
$29.85
$13.64
EV Truck/SUV
136.4
1
$47.75
$21.83
Gas CO2
119 kg
EV CO2
40 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.
Forecast as of Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Sunday
Local time
4:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Alief, TX
Late night
in Alief on Sunday
Local time
4:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
E 5 mph1% chanceLive 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
5 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
5h 54m 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
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 152.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive offers a mixed bag of highway and trail driving, with 47% of the route utilizing major highways like I 10. You'll encounter stretches that are more about covering ground efficiently, particularly on the Purple Heart Trail, which accounts for the longest uninterrupted stretch at 144.4 miles. The character of the road shifts from the trail's potentially more varied terrain to the consistent pace of the interstate. Expect a drive that balances open-road cruising with the practicalities of highway travel.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.4 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 153.2 miles in.
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 13 significant decision points across 341.1 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 153.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 323.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
646 ft75 ft
Total Climb
334 ft
Total Descent
672 ft
Highest Point
646 ft
~170.6 mi in
Elevation Range
571 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Laredo, TX and Alief, TX, road signs point toward Del Rio, Austin and Waco.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 54m. Total distance: 341.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.4 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.72 in tolls one way, starting with Fort Bend Westpark Tollway. 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.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 Alief, 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. There are 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 153.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 323.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Alief, TX before the return drive.
