Traveling from Laredo to Barrett covers 370.5 miles across the Texas Great Plains, a journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes of drive time. Because this is a manageable distance, you can easily complete the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $57 for fuel to cover the distance. You will primarily navigate via I-10, the Purple Heart Trail, and the 90th Infantry Division Highway. Since the entire drive stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, the landscape remains consistent as you move toward your destination.
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
185.2 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
151.1 mi
2h 34m
Purple Heart Trail
144.4 mi
2h 27m
90th Infantry Division Highway
22.2 mi
23m
Crosby Freeway
14.2 mi
16m
Katy Freeway
10.9 mi
13m
South Pan Am Expressway
8.4 mi
9m
Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi
9m
East Freeway
5.8 mi
7m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 151.1 mi, about 2h 34m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Barrett, 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
151 mi·2 hr 34 min·I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·22 sec
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy TollwayUse the slight left lane.
11
Merge onto I 10 Toll
3.2 mi·4 min·Katy Tollway
12
Take the exit
0.2 mi·15 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Merge onto I 10; US 90
11 mi·13 min·Katy Freeway
Use the slight left lane.
14
Continue on I 10; US 90
5.8 mi·7 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90
4.5 mi·5 min·Crosby Freeway
Toward US 90 East: LibertyUse the straight / right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 90
1.7 mi·2 min·Crosby Freeway
Toward US 90 East
17
Take the exit
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward US 90
18
Continue on US 90
8.0 mi·9 min·Crosby Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward FM 2100, FM 1942: CrosbyUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn sharp right onto FM 2100
0.2 mi·33 sec·Crosby Lynchburg Road
21
Turn left onto FM 1942
74 ft·1 sec·Farm to Market 1942
Use the left lane.
22
Arrive at destination
FM 1942
Trip Plan
To keep your 6.5-hour journey comfortable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since you are facing a significant stretch of 151.1 miles on the interstate, checking your tire pressure and gas levels before departing is a smart move. Leaving early in the morning will help you avoid the worst of any potential congestion as you near the end of your route. Given the simplicity of the path, you have the flexibility to choose your own pace, though maintaining a consistent speed will help you stick to your estimated $57 fuel budget. Prioritize your single stop strategically to break up the monotony of the longer highway sections.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.2 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 3h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.1 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 82 miles or 1h 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.2 miles or 3h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Barrett, 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 370.5 miles and 6h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 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 I 10 for about 151.1 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 14
5 decision points cluster between mile 153.2 and 369.9 — 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...
6
335 mi into trip|~5h 45m in
Take the exit toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
7
355.5 mi into trip|~6h 11m in|US 90 / Crosby Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 90 / Crosby Freeway toward US 90 East: Liberty
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
Toward US 90 East: Liberty
7
369.9 mi into trip|~6h 28m in
Take the exit toward FM 2100, FM 1942: Crosby
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.
Toward FM 2100, FM 1942: Crosby
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$55.98 one way
$111.97 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg130 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$61.28
$122.56
premium
$4.54
$66.15
$132.30
diesel
$5.61
$81.80
$163.60
Estimated Tolls: $0.23
Katy Tollway
(3.2 mi)$0.23
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
$56
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$81–$106
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 129.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
111.1
1
$38.90
$17.78
Efficient EV
92.6
1
$32.42
$14.82
EV Truck/SUV
148.2
1
$51.87
$23.71
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Night
in Laredo on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SE 10 to 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Barrett, TX
Night
in Barrett on Saturday
Local time
11:16 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°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
31 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
6h 30m 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.
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 153.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route offers a mixed driving profile, balancing high-speed transit with localized segments. You will spend 54% of your time on highways, providing plenty of opportunities to make steady progress. Be prepared for a long haul, as your longest uninterrupted stretch spans 151.1 miles along I-10. While the road transitions between major interstates and secondary highways, the experience is largely defined by the vast, open feel of the Texas landscape. Expect a straightforward drive that prioritizes efficiency over technical, winding maneuvers.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 151.1 mi on I 10.
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 14 significant decision points across 370.5 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 335 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 Barrett, TX, road signs point toward Del Rio, Austin and Waco.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 370.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 151.1 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.23 in tolls one way, starting with Katy 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.
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 Barrett, 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 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 335 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
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 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Barrett, TX before the return drive.
