Laredo, TX to Cloverleaf, TX is 361.9 miles and takes about 6h 21m via I 10, Purple Heart Trail, and 90th Infantry Division Highway, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. You'll travel through the Great Plains region of Texas for this entire trip. The route offers a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving, making it a manageable one-day excursion. Given the relatively short duration, you can choose to depart at your leisure, though an early start will allow for a more relaxed pace.
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
181 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 8m 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
Katy Freeway
10.9 mi
13m
East Freeway
10.3 mi
12m
South Pan Am Expressway
8.4 mi
9m
Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi
9m
Katy Tollway
3.2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 151.1 mi, about 2h 34m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 68 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,377 veh/hr typical
· worst 4,262
Quietest
2 AM
~415 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8.1×
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 Cloverleaf, 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 left at fork onto I 10
4.5 mi·5 min·East Freeway
Use the straight / right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.2 mi·20 sec
Exit 780Toward Market Street Road, Uvalde Road, Freeport StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto East Freeway Frontage Road
0.8 mi·1 min·East Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
18
Turn left onto Freeport Street
0.6 mi·1 min·Freeport Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn right onto Brownwood Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Brownwood Street
20
Turn right onto Hollywood Street
73 ft·3 sec·Hollywood Street
21
Arrive at destination
Hollywood Street
Trip Plan
With a total drive time of just over 6 hours, this trip is easily completed in a single day. To make the most of it, consider leaving Laredo in the morning to avoid potential afternoon heat and allow ample time for the transition from highway to surface roads. You'll encounter one main stretch of 151.1 miles on I 10, so plan for a fuel stop before or after this segment. While there's only one recommended stop, you'll want to be mindful of fuel availability on the surface road portions, especially if you depart later in the day.
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 181 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 3h 8m 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 80 miles or 1h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 181 miles or 3h 8m 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 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cloverleaf, 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 361.9 miles and 6h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 153.2 and 360 — 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
6
355.5 mi into trip|~6h 11m in|I 10 / East Freeway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
360 mi into trip|~6h 17m in
Take the exit toward Market Street Road, Uvalde Road, Freeport Street
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 780
Toward Market Street Road, Uvalde Road, Freepor...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.33 one way
$108.66 round trip
$3.81/gal25.4 MPG avg127 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$60.11
$120.22
premium
$4.57
$65.04
$130.08
diesel
$6.28
$89.42
$178.84
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
$54
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 126.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $38 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
108.6
1
$38.00
$17.37
Efficient EV
90.5
1
$31.67
$14.48
EV Truck/SUV
144.8
1
$50.67
$23.16
Gas CO2
127 kg
EV CO2
42 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Morning
in Laredo on Sunday
Local time
7:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Cloverleaf, TX
Morning
in Cloverleaf on Sunday
Local time
7:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
NE 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
4 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 21m 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 149.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 361.9-mile drive is about 52% highway, meaning you'll spend roughly 3.2 hours on interstates like I 10 before transitioning to surface roads. The longest continuous stretch on a highway is 151.1 miles on I 10. Expect to encounter a mix of faster-paced highway travel and slower surface road sections, with the latter potentially featuring more frequent intersections and lower speed limits as you approach your destination. The profile is described as mixed highway & surface, indicating a noticeable change in driving conditions.
52% 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: 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 15 significant decision points across 361.9 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
802 ft27 ft
Total Climb
508 ft
Total Descent
895 ft
Highest Point
802 ft
~129.3 mi in
Elevation Range
775 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 Cloverleaf, TX, road signs point toward Del Rio, Austin and Waco.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 21m. Total distance: 361.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 21m 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.
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 Cloverleaf, 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 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 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Cloverleaf, TX before the return drive.
