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Trip from Laredo, TX to Fort Worth, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 23m

Distance

420.2 mi

676 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$63

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
7h 13m ★
6 AM
7h 24m
8 AM
7h 45m
10 AM
7h 31m
12 PM
7h 29m
3 PM
7h 32m
5 PM
7h 44m
8 PM
7h 18m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States

Laredo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city and county seat of Tarrant County, Texas, United States

Fort Worth, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 437.4 miles across the Great Plains, your journey from Laredo to Fort Worth is a direct trek through the heart of Texas. Expect to spend approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes behind the wheel, making this a manageable, albeit long, single-day trip. You will navigate via San Dario Avenue, the Purple Heart Trail, and the South Pan Am Expressway to reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $65, it is a straightforward drive that does not require an overnight stay if you are comfortable with a full day of travel. Since both cities reside within the Great Plains, the terrain remains consistent throughout your transition from the border region to the North Texas hub.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

210.1 miles from Laredo, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 332.7 mi 5h 45m
I 35W 49.2 mi 51m
South Pan Am Expressway 21.5 mi 26m
North Pan Am Expressway 7.4 mi 8m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
Interstate Highway 35 1.9 mi 2m
Matamoros Street 0.3 mi <1m
South Freeway 0.2 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 332.7 mi, about 5h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Fort Worth, 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 City Use 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: Austin Use 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 left at fork onto I 35W

49 mi · 51 min · I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth Use the slight left lane.
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 35 sec
Exit 49A Toward Allen Avenue Use the slight right lane.
16

Turn straight onto South Freeway

0.1 mi · 18 sec · South Freeway
17

Turn left onto East Allen Avenue

210 ft · 12 sec · East Allen Avenue
18

Turn left onto South Freeway

258 ft · 5 sec · South Freeway
19

Arrive at destination

South Freeway

Trip Plan

To keep your 6-hour and 15-minute drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Since the route is turn-heavy and lacks long, uninterrupted highway stretches, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to avoid peak congestion and ensure you reach Fort Worth before dark. Keep your $65 fuel budget handy, as local roads may offer different gas station accessibility compared to major interstates. Because this route involves significant local road navigation, rely on a reliable GPS to track your turns along the Purple Heart Trail and South Pan Am Expressway. Flexibility is your greatest asset here, so be ready to adjust your pace based on the local traffic patterns you encounter along the way.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 210.1 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 332.7 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 92 miles or 1h 34m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 210.1 miles or 3h 42m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 6h 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Worth, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Laredo, TX

This is one driving day of about 420.2 miles and 7h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 92 miles from Laredo, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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.

city in and county seat of Hays County, Texas, United States, that extends into Caldwell and Guadalupe counties

Mid-route town

Meal stop

San Marcos, TX

210 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Uvalde Estates, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 92 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

San Marcos, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 210.1 miles from Laredo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 332.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Main Event Laredo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19567222695

Visit website

Imaginarium of South Texas

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19567280404

Visit website

Slaughter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19567952350

Visit website

Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.3 mi from route ~6 min detour

New Braunfels, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+18304024603

Visit website

Forest Park Miniature Railroad

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Fort Worth, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18179665509

Visit website

Toybrary Austin

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15124343927

Visit website

Cultural Activities Center

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

Final third 2.5 mi from route ~6 min detour

Temple, Texas

Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm

+12547739926

Visit website

Pioneer Farms

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Halfway reset 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15128371215

Visit website

SAMSAT AREA 21

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

Early stretch 2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12108003110

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 154.2 and 419.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
154.2 mi into trip | ~2h 39m in | I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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 35W

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
419.8 mi into trip | ~7h 22m in

Take the exit toward Allen Avenue

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Exit 49A Toward Allen Avenue

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$63.49 one way

$126.99 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 147 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $69.50 $139.00
premium $4.54 $75.02 $150.05
diesel $5.61 $92.77 $185.55

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$63

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$88–$113

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 147 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 126.1 1 $44.12 $20.17
Efficient EV 105.1 1 $36.77 $16.81
EV Truck/SUV 168.1 2 $58.83 $26.89

Gas CO2

147 kg

EV CO2

49 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 14, 2026

Origin

Laredo, TX

Morning in Laredo on Tuesday

Local time

7:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

97°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Fort Worth, TX

Morning in Fort Worth on Tuesday

Local time

7:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

83°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers

S 15 mph 20% chance Live forecast

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 3:29PM CDT until April 14 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 14 at 3:26PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX

88°F

San Marcos, TX

210 mi in

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

14 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

7h 23m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention rather than a mindless cruise. While you might expect long stretches of open highway, this route currently features 0% highway share, meaning you will be navigating local roads like San Dario Avenue for the duration of the trip. The longest uninterrupted stretch is effectively zero miles on San Dario Avenue, indicating a road profile that requires frequent maneuvering. You will not find the monotony of a high-speed interstate here; instead, anticipate a more technical experience. This approach provides a unique, hands-on feel for the regional road network as you move steadily toward Fort Worth.

Only 21% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
19 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?

7/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 154.2 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 420.2 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 154.2 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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.

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 Fort Worth, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.

Corpus Christi

155.9 mi in | ~2h 41m | via I 35

Johnson City

155.9 mi in | ~2h 41m | via I 35

About the Cities

Starting in Laredo, TX

Full guide →

“The Gateway City” · Founded 1755

Laredo is a city with 262,000 (2019) inhabitants on the South Texas Plains. Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, is just across the Rio Grande.

Top landmarks

  • • Cathedral of San Agustin — historic place in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
  • • Fort McIntosh — historic district in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
  • • San Agustin de Laredo Historic District — historic district in Laredo, Webb County, Texas

Arriving in Fort Worth, TX

Full guide →

“Panther city” · Founded 1849

Fort Worth is a city in the Prairies and Lakes region of Texas. With a population of approximately 1,020,000, it is Texas' 5th largest city. It is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, which has a population exceeding 6 million. Sometimes referred to as Cowtown, it is by far closer to its cowboy roots than neighboring Dallas. This article also covers North Richland Hills, a neighboring community.

Top landmarks

  • • Amon Carter Museum of American Art — art museum in Fort Worth, Texas
  • • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth — art museum
  • • St. Patrick Cathedral in Fort Worth — church located in Fort Worth, Texas

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 23m. Total distance: 420.2 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile.

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.

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 Fort Worth, 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 154.2 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Fort Worth, TX before the return drive.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Fort Worth, TX to Laredo, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

420.1 mi 7h 22m

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