This 317.2-mile drive from Laredo, TX to Killeen, TX, will take approximately 5 hours and 24 minutes, making it a feasible day trip. You'll primarily navigate on the Purple Heart Trail, Pickle Parkway, and State Highway 195. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $48, with about half of the drive being on highways. This route offers a mixed driving experience as you traverse from the Great Plains region of Texas to another part of the same region. Planning for one stop along the way should be sufficient for this journey.
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
158.6 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 44m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,436 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,709
Quietest
2 AM
~234 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
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 Killeen, 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
11 mi·10 min·I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 614Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on TX 130 Toll
86 mi·1 hr 19 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, KilleenUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on North Interstate 35
0.3 mi·25 sec·North Interstate 35
14
Turn left onto TX 195
34 mi·38 min·State Highway 195
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn slight right
263 ft·9 sec
Use the right lane.
16
Turn slight right onto US 190 Bus
0.9 mi·1 min·West Veterans Memorial Boulevard
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left
83 ft·8 sec
18
Turn right
74 ft·5 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour, 24-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Laredo to maximize daylight. With a total distance of 317.2 miles, you can comfortably complete this in one day, but plan for that single recommended stop to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 144.4-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. The $48 fuel cost is a good baseline for budgeting your trip.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 158.6 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 2h 44m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.4 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 70 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.6 miles or 2h 44m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 23m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Killeen, 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 317.2 miles and 5h 24m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 144.4 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 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 281.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|San Dario Avenue
Turn left onto San Dario Avenue
Navigation decision point
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...
8
194.8 mi into trip|~3h 22m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
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 614
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
8
281.8 mi into trip|~4h 43m in
Keep slight right at fork toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward TX 195 North: Florence, Killeen
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.45 one way
$86.89 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg111 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$48.53
$97.06
premium
$4.23
$52.76
$105.53
diesel
$4.80
$59.89
$119.79
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 111 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
95.2
1
$33.31
$15.23
Efficient EV
79.3
0
$27.76
$12.69
EV Truck/SUV
126.9
1
$44.41
$20.30
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Monday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
100°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 14 to 18 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:14AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
Killeen, TX
Late night
in Killeen on Monday
Local time
4:37 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:14AM CDT until July 17 at 2:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 11:03AM CDT until July 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
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
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
5h 24m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 153.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route presents a mixed driving profile, with 47% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter a longest uninterrupted stretch of 144.4 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, indicating substantial portions of consistent travel. The combination of main roads like the Pickle Parkway and State Highway 195 suggests a varied experience behind the wheel, moving from potentially faster highway sections to more localized road characteristics. Expect a dynamic drive that isn't solely a monotonous interstate cruise.
47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.4 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near San Dario Avenue.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 317.2 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (San Dario Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
949 ft413 ft
Total Climb
971 ft
Total Descent
561 ft
Highest Point
949 ft
~294.5 mi in
Elevation Range
535 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 Killeen, TX, road signs point toward Del Rio, Austin and Waco.
Killeen is a city in the Central Hill Country of Texas. It is home to U.S. Army installation Fort Cavasos, one of the largest military bases in the world.
Top landmarks
•Killeen High School — historic place in Killeen, Bell County, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 24m. Total distance: 317.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 24m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.4 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 35 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 Killeen, 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 35 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (San Dario Avenue): Navigation decision point; 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.
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 5.4 hours each way, a round trip means 10.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Killeen, TX before the return drive.
