Laredo, TX to Hereford, TX is 637.1 miles and takes about 11h 18m via Purple Heart Trail and I 10, with a fuel budget near $94 and an overnight recommendation. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, moving from the southern part of the state to the Panhandle region, both within the Great Plains. You'll be covering a significant distance, so planning for an overnight stop is a good idea to make the trip more manageable. Consider this route if you're looking for a direct path across the state with a clear objective.
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
318.6 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 30m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,126 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,419
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Hereford, 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
16 mi·16 min·US Highway 84
43
Turn right onto Loop 430
320 ft·8 sec·Delano Avenue
44
At end of road, turn left onto Loop 430
2.2 mi·3 min·Delano Avenue
45
Turn right onto US 385
21 mi·21 min·North Eastside Avenue
46
Continue on North Main Street
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Main Street
47
Turn straight onto US 385
21 mi·22 min·US 385
48
Turn left onto US 385
21 mi·31 min·US 385
49
Turn right onto US 60
0.5 mi·37 sec·West 1st Street
50
Turn left
242 ft·17 sec
51
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 11h 18m estimated drive time, splitting this trip over two days is the most practical approach. Aim to leave early in the morning on your first day, covering roughly half the distance to allow for a comfortable overnight stay. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 139.6-mile segment on Purple Heart Trail, as services might be more spread out. You'll want to plan your fuel stops to coincide with your planned overnight rest to ensure you're well-prepared for the second leg of your drive.
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 318.6 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 5h 30m 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 140 miles or 2h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 318.6 miles or 5h 30m 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 318.6 miles or 5h 30m
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 5m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hereford, 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 319 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Hereford, TX
Aim for roughly 319 miles and 5.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 140 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 33
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
$92.43 one way
$184.86 round trip
$3.69/gal25.4 MPG avg223 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.08
$102.41
$204.83
premium
$4.43
$111.17
$222.33
diesel
$5.60
$140.44
$280.88
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$92
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$222–$332
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 222.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $67 in charging
· 2 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
191.1
2
$66.90
$30.58
Efficient EV
159.3
1
$55.75
$25.48
EV Truck/SUV
254.8
3
$89.19
$40.77
Gas CO2
223 kg
EV CO2
75 kg (66% 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 Sep 1, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Wednesday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
106°F
Sunny
ESE 9 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued September 1 at 5:38PM CDT until September 1 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued September 1 at 4:56PM CDT until September 2 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Hereford, TX
Late night
in Hereford on Wednesday
Local time
3:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Mostly Clear
S 10 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued September 1 at 5:38PM CDT until September 1 at 7:30PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued September 1 at 4:56PM CDT until September 2 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Lake Charles 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
37 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 18m 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
~50 min detour
Free
near mile 153.8
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 197.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
With 52% of the drive on highways, you'll experience a mix of interstate cruising and surface road travel. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 139.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. Expect to transition from high-speed interstate travel to more rural cruising as you proceed north. The route involves approximately 3 stops, so plan your breaks accordingly.
52% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
51 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 18m, 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 33 significant decision points across 637.1 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
3,817 ft413 ft
Total Climb
3,737 ft
Total Descent
333 ft
Highest Point
3,817 ft
~637.1 mi in
Elevation Range
3,404 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 Hereford, 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 319 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 Hereford, 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 11.3 hours each way, a round trip means 22.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Hereford, TX before the return drive.
