Laredo, TX to Friona, TX is 634 miles and takes about 11 hours and 4 minutes via Purple Heart Trail and US 84, with a fuel budget near $85 and an overnight recommendation. This long-haul drive traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path across the state. You'll spend most of your time on major roads, making it a practical choice for covering significant distance efficiently. Given the 11-hour duration, planning for an overnight stop is key to a comfortable and safe trip. This route is best suited for those prioritizing direct travel over extensive sightseeing.
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
317 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 28m into the drive
.
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 Friona, 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
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
21
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
22
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
23
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
24
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
25
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
26
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
27
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
28
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
30
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
31
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
32
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
33
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
34
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
35
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
37
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
38
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi·6 min·Slaton Road
39
Continue on US 84
4.0 mi·5 min·Avenue Q South Drive
Use the left lane.
40
Turn left onto US 84
6.0 mi·7 min·Clovis Road
41
Continue on US 84
11 mi·11 min·Highway 84
42
Continue on US 84
25 mi·24 min·US Highway 84
43
Continue on US 84
8.0 mi·7 min·US 84
44
Continue on US 84
18 mi·18 min·US 84
45
Turn right onto US 70; TX 214
0.3 mi·45 sec·North 1st Street
46
Turn left onto TX 214
29 mi·31 min·TX 214
47
At end of road, turn right onto US 60; TX 214
0.2 mi·18 sec·West 11th Street
48
Arrive at destination
US 60; TX 214 Business
Trip Plan
With an 11-hour drive time, this trip is best split over two days. Aim to leave Laredo in the morning to make good progress. You'll want to plan for roughly 3 stops along the way to break up the drive and refuel. A sensible stopping point might be after about 5-6 hours of driving. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the longer stretches, as services can be spread out. Given the significant highway mileage, consider your fuel budget carefully as you plan your overnight destination.
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 317 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 5h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.6 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 139 miles or 2h 22m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 317 miles or 5h 28m 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 317 miles or 5h 28m
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 10h 1m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Friona, 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 317 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Friona, TX
Aim for roughly 317 miles and 5.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 139 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 139.6 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 30
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
$86.84 one way
$173.68 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg222 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$97.00
$193.99
premium
$4.23
$105.46
$210.92
diesel
$4.80
$119.71
$239.42
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$87
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$217–$327
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 221.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $67 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
190.2
2
$66.57
$30.43
Efficient EV
158.5
1
$55.48
$25.36
EV Truck/SUV
253.6
3
$88.76
$40.58
Gas CO2
222 kg
EV CO2
74 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 Jul 13, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Morning
in Laredo on Sunday
Local time
10:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 8 to 12 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 13 at 9:23AM CDT until July 13 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 13 at 8:39AM CDT until July 13 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Friona, TX
Morning
in Friona on Sunday
Local time
10:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
89°F
Sunny
ESE 5 to 10 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 13 at 9:23AM CDT until July 13 at 10:30AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 13 at 8:39AM CDT until July 13 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
9 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
11h 4m 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...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 153
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
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 196.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll be on highways for about 55% of this 634-mile trip. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 139.6 miles along Purple Heart Trail. After that, you'll transition to US 84 and I 10. Expect a mix of rural cruising and periods on major interstates. The route is defined by its long stretches, with a significant portion dedicated to highway driving before you reach surface roads.
55% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
48 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
At 11h 4m, 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 Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 30 significant decision points across 634 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
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,022 ft413 ft
Total Climb
3,940 ft
Total Descent
331 ft
Highest Point
4,022 ft
~634 mi in
Elevation Range
3,609 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 Friona, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1604: Somerset, Menard and Lubbock.
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.6 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 317 miles on day one.
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 Friona, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 11.1 hours each way, a round trip means 22.2 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Friona, TX before the return drive.
