Spanning 501.8 miles across Texas, your journey from Laredo to Anthony is a serious long-distance haul that typically takes about 9 hours and 2 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the significant distance, I strongly recommend planning for two days on the road rather than pushing through in a single sitting. You will navigate via the Purple Heart Trail, I-35E, and the North Central Expressway as you traverse the Great Plains. Budgeting approximately $77 for fuel is a smart move to keep your finances on track. While the drive is straightforward, splitting the trip allows you to remain alert and enjoy the transition across the state.
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
250.9 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 26m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Anthony, 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
9.3 mi·11 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
1.7 mi·2 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35
10 mi·13 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson CityUse the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: AustinUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi·2 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
48 mi·52 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi·1 hr 40 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi·7 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi·33 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
56 mi·58 min·I 35E
Toward I 35E: DallasUse the slight right lane.
15
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 427AToward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin StreetUse the slight right lane.
16
Keep slight left at fork
422 ft·5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
17
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
18
Keep slight left at fork
385 ft·6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
19
Continue on I 30; US 67
0.8 mi·1 min·East R L Thornton Freeway
20
Take the exit
0.5 mi·45 sec
Exit 46Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinneyUse the slight right lane.
21
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinneyUse the slight left lane.
22
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi·26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
23
Merge onto US 75
0.7 mi·49 sec·Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on US 75
35 mi·37 min·North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.7 mi·1 min
Exit 44Toward TX 121 North: BonhamUse the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on TX 121
14 mi·15 min·Sam Rayburn Highway
Toward TX 121 North: Bonham
27
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward TX 160: Whitewright, Blue Ridge
28
Turn left onto TX 160
8.4 mi·12 min·State Highway 160
Use the left lane.
29
Continue on US 69
7.8 mi·11 min·US 69
30
Turn right onto FM 1897
4.4 mi·6 min·Ole Ambrose Road
31
Turn right onto FM 1753
1.0 mi·1 min·FM 1753
32
Arrive at destination
FM 1753
Trip Plan
To manage this 501.8-mile trek effectively, plan for at least two well-timed stops to break up the fatigue. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the brunt of midday traffic and maximize your daylight hours on the road. Since the longest stretch is over 330 miles, prioritize refueling during your scheduled breaks to avoid running low in more isolated areas. If you decide to split the trip, look for accommodations near the midpoint to ensure you aren't rushing the second half of the drive. Keep your eyes on the road and pace yourself to ensure a safe arrival in Anthony.
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 250.9 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 4h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 332.7 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 110 miles or 1h 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 250.9 miles or 4h 26m 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 250.9 miles or 4h 26m
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 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anthony, 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.
+
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 Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Anthony, TX
Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 110 miles from Laredo, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 332.7 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 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 155.9 and 428.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
155.9 mi into trip|~2h 41m in|I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight lane.
Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christ...
7
166.4 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
370.6 mi into trip|~6h 31m in|I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
8
426.8 mi into trip|~7h 29m in
Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 427A
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
8
428.5 mi into trip|~7h 32m in
Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 46
Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$75.82 one way
$151.65 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg176 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$82.99
$165.99
premium
$4.54
$89.59
$179.19
diesel
$5.61
$110.79
$221.58
Estimated Tolls: $2.81
Central Expressway
(35.1 mi)$2.81
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
$76
Tolls
$3
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$209–$319
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 175.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $53 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
150.5
1
$52.69
$24.09
Efficient EV
125.5
1
$43.91
$20.07
EV Truck/SUV
200.7
2
$70.25
$32.12
Gas CO2
176 kg
EV CO2
59 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Anthony, TX
Late night
in Anthony on Sunday
Local time
5:21 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°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
2 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
9h 2m 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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 346.1
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 155.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a classic long-distance interstate experience where efficiency is the primary goal. With 29% of your journey occurring on highways, you will spend most of your time focused on the open road. The most significant portion of your travel happens on the Purple Heart Trail, which features a demanding 332.7-mile stretch that serves as the backbone of your route. You won't find many technical local roads here; instead, anticipate a steady, high-speed pace that requires consistent focus. Prepare for a monotonous grind as you cover the vast distances typical of this region.
29% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 332.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
At 9h 2m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 155.9 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.
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 19 significant decision points across 501.8 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 155.9 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.4 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 370.6 miles (I 35E): 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 Laredo, TX and Anthony, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi, Johnson City, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Mckinney - among others.
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 332.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 251 miles on day one.
Expect about $2.81 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. 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 Anthony, 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 155.9 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.4 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 370.6 miles (I 35E): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and 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 9.0 hours each way, a round trip means 18.1 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Anthony, TX before the return drive.
