Laredo to Livingston is 422.4 miles and takes about 7h 21m via Purple Heart Trail and I 10, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a primarily highway experience that transitions to a mix of highway and surface roads. It's a manageable one-day trip if you get an early start, providing a straightforward path through the state. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground with minimal complexity.
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
211.2 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 39m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,530 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,214
Quietest
2 AM
~317 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
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 Livingston, 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
140 mi·2 hr 20 min·I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·44 sec
Exit 743BToward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward TX 99 Toll North: Grand ParkwayUse the slight left lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·20 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll North
13
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
52 mi·55 min·West Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 69 North: ClevelandUse the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 99 Toll
0.8 mi·1 min·TX 99 Toll
16
Merge onto I 69; US 59
11 mi·12 min·Eastex Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69; US 59
0.7 mi·44 sec·I 69; US 59
18
Continue on I-69; US 59
31 mi·32 min·I-69; US 59
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
20
Continue on US 59 Business
1.3 mi·1 min·Pan American Drive
21
Continue on US 59 Business
0.6 mi·56 sec·South Washington Avenue
22
Arrive at destination
US 59 Business
Trip Plan
To complete this 7h 21m drive in one day, aim to depart Laredo early, ideally by 8 AM, to allow ample time for your two planned stops. The longest stretch without a major road change is 144.4 miles on Purple Heart Trail, so plan your fuel and rest breaks accordingly before you embark on that segment. Your estimated fuel cost is around $66, so ensure you have sufficient funds or a payment method ready. The latter half of the drive involves a higher percentage of surface roads, so be prepared for potentially slower speeds and more local traffic.
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 211.2 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 3h 39m 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 93 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 211.2 miles or 3h 39m 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 15m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Livingston, 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 422.4 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 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 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 153.2 and 376.4 — 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...
8
323.6 mi into trip|~5h 32m in
Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
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 743B
Toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Par...
7
324 mi into trip|~5h 33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
6
376.4 mi into trip|~6h 30m in
Take the exit toward I 69 North: Cleveland
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 69 North: Cleveland
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$57.86 one way
$115.71 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg148 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$64.62
$129.25
premium
$4.23
$70.26
$140.52
diesel
$4.80
$79.76
$159.51
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
126.7
1
$44.35
$20.28
Efficient EV
105.6
1
$36.96
$16.90
EV Truck/SUV
169
2
$59.14
$27.03
Gas CO2
148 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 Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Evening
in Laredo on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 15 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:54PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:54PM CDT until July 18 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Livingston, TX
Evening
in Livingston on Monday
Local time
7:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 0 to 5 mph14% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:54PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 8:54PM CDT until July 18 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
5 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 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 160.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This 422.4-mile trip is 59% highway, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on interstates. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 144.4 miles on Purple Heart Trail. Expect to transition from highway driving to a mixed surface profile as you approach your destination. The frequent exits on I-10 can make for a busy driving experience in certain sections.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
22 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?
9/10
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 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 13 significant decision points across 422.4 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 323.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
650 ft130 ft
Total Climb
381 ft
Total Descent
625 ft
Highest Point
650 ft
~150.9 mi in
Elevation Range
520 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 Livingston, TX, road signs point toward Del Rio, Austin and Waco.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 21m. Total distance: 422.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 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 144.4 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 49 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 Livingston, 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. There are 49 rest areas 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 323.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Livingston, TX before the return drive.
