Laredo, TX to Childress, TX is 564.8 miles and takes about 10h 30m via US 83 and I-10, with a fuel budget near $89 and best split over two days. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, beginning in the southern part of the state and heading north. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, making it a straightforward trip for those looking to cover a significant distance efficiently. Given the 10.5-hour duration, breaking this into two days is highly recommended for a more relaxed experience.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
282.4 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 83
207.2 mi
4h 16m
Purple Heart Trail
139.6 mi
2h 22m
I 10
99.8 mi
1h 38m
Frisco Avenue
41.9 mi
44m
North Main Street
29.3 mi
30m
Anderson Loop
24.2 mi
29m
Roberts Avenue
16.5 mi
18m
Avenue F Northwest
1.4 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 83
— 207.2 mi, about 4h 16m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,126 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,410
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Childress, 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
140 mi·2 hr 22 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·33 sec
Exit 140Toward Loop 1604: SomersetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on Interstate 35 South
0.1 mi·14 sec·Interstate 35 South
6
Turn left onto Loop 1604
8.0 mi·10 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 1604
16 mi·18 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Toward Valero WayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
1.0 mi·1 min·North Loop 1604 West
10
Turn left onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi·33 sec·Interstate 10 West
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
12
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 83
Exit 456Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
15
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi·30 min·North Main Street
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Frisco Avenue
17
Continue on US 83
17 mi·18 min·Roberts Avenue
18
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
0.9 mi·1 min·Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn straight onto US 83
79 mi·1 hr 27 min·US 83
Toward US 83 North
20
Turn slight right onto US 83; US 277
0.1 mi·7 sec·East Court Plaza
21
Continue on US 83; US 277
1.4 mi·1 min·Commercial Avenue
22
Take the exit onto US 83
38 mi·56 min·US 83
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 83
90 mi·1 hr 52 min·US 83
24
Turn right onto US 287
1.4 mi·1 min·Avenue F Northwest
25
Arrive at destination
US 287
Trip Plan
For this 10.5-hour drive, planning for two days is the best approach. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight hours. Consider stopping for the night around the halfway point to avoid fatigue. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 207.2-mile stretch on US 83, as services can be spaced out in rural areas. Your estimated fuel cost is around $89, so budget accordingly.
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 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 282.4 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 4h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 207.2 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 124 miles or 2h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 282.4 miles or 4h 52m 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 282.4 miles or 4h 52m
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 9h 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Childress, 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 282 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Childress, TX
Aim for roughly 282 miles and 5.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 124 miles from Laredo, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 83 for about 207.2 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 140 and 266.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
140 mi into trip|~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1604: Somerset
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 140
Toward Loop 1604: Somerset
6
148.4 mi into trip|~2h 34m in|Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
164.6 mi into trip|~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward Valero Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Valero Way
6
167.5 mi into trip|~2h 57m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
266.2 mi into trip|~4h 34m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$88.77 one way
$177.53 round trip
$3.99/gal25.4 MPG avg198 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.39
$97.55
$195.10
premium
$4.72
$104.93
$209.87
diesel
$5.60
$124.43
$248.87
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$89
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$219–$329
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 197.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-18.
Driving Electric?
About $59 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
169.4
2
$59.30
$27.11
Efficient EV
141.2
1
$49.42
$22.59
EV Truck/SUV
225.9
2
$79.07
$36.15
Gas CO2
198 kg
EV CO2
66 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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 May 27, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Night
in Laredo on Wednesday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
ESE 10 to 14 mph58% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 26 at 7:35PM CDT until May 26 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 26 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Destination
Childress, TX
Night
in Childress on Wednesday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 to 10 mph79% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 26 at 7:35PM CDT until May 26 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 26 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
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
12 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
10h 30m 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.
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...
19 mi from route
~46 min detour
Free
near mile 136.3
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 194.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily highway driving, with 54% of the 564.8 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 207.2 miles on US 83 before transitioning to other highway systems. Expect extended periods of rural cruising as you navigate between these two Texas cities. The extensive highway share means you'll have fewer stops for traffic lights but should plan for longer distances between services.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 207.2 mi on US 83.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
At 10h 30m, 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 140 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 15 significant decision points across 564.8 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 140 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.4 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,263 ft413 ft
Total Climb
2,208 ft
Total Descent
751 ft
Highest Point
2,263 ft
~282.4 mi in
Elevation Range
1,850 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 Childress, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1604: Somerset and Menard.
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 207.2 miles on US 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 282 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 46 rest areas or service plazas 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 Childress, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 140 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.4 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.5 hours each way, a round trip means 21.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Childress, TX before the return drive.
