Laredo, TX to Mabank, TX is 435.9 miles and takes about 7h 57m via Purple Heart Trail, with a fuel budget near $66 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Expect a route that largely sticks to surface roads, making it a more relaxed pace than a pure interstate trip. With only two recommended stops and a longest stretch of nearly 300 miles, you can tailor your day to your liking, whether you prefer to push through or take it easy.
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
217.9 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 51m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 128 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,906 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,347
Quietest
2 AM
~493 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Mabank, 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 CityUse 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: AustinUse 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
6.0 mi·6 min·South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi·28 sec
Exit 338Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead DriveUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi·30 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
15
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi·52 sec·East Waco Drive
16
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
17
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi·3 min·East US Highway 84
18
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
19
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
20
Continue on TX 31
19 mi·21 min·State Highway 31
21
Turn right onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·East State Highway 31
23
Continue on TX 31
8.0 mi·9 min·Northeast 2nd Street
24
Turn left onto TX 274
7.1 mi·10 min·State Highway 274
25
Continue on TX 274
5.8 mi·8 min·South Tool Drive
26
Continue on TX 274
1.1 mi·1 min·South Seven Points Boulevard
27
Turn right onto TX 334
6.0 mi·8 min·East Cedar Creek Parkway
28
Turn left onto TX 198
0.3 mi·24 sec·North Gun Barrel Lane
29
Continue on TX 198
2.3 mi·3 min·South 3rd Street
30
Turn right onto East Market Street
47 ft·2 sec·East Market Street
31
Arrive at destination
East Market Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7h 57m estimated drive time, starting early from Laredo is advisable to maximize daylight. You'll have a longest stretch of 299.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, so plan your stops strategically, perhaps one midway and another closer to your destination. With only two recommended stops and a fuel cost estimated at $66, you have flexibility in your pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially on the longer surface road sections where stations might be less frequent than on major interstates.
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 217.9 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 3h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.7 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 96 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 217.9 miles or 3h 51m 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 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mabank, 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 435.9 miles and 7h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 96 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 299.7 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 154.2 and 336.9 — 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
6
235.3 mi into trip|~4h 10m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
336.9 mi into trip|~5h 57m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
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 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.70 one way
$119.41 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg153 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$66.69
$133.38
premium
$4.23
$72.51
$145.01
diesel
$4.80
$82.31
$164.61
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 152.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
20 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
San Antonio, TX - Broadway - Tesla Supercharger
San Antonio, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Natalia, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Natalia, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
San Antonio, TX - East Basse Road - Tesla Supercharger
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
130.8
1
$45.77
$20.92
Efficient EV
109
1
$38.14
$17.44
EV Truck/SUV
174.4
2
$61.03
$27.90
Gas CO2
153 kg
EV CO2
51 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 21, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Morning
in Laredo on Tuesday
Local time
10:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Clear
SE 12 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 1:01AM CDT until July 21 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 1:00AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Destination
Mabank, TX
Morning
in Mabank on Tuesday
Local time
10:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Clear
0 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 1:01AM CDT until July 21 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued July 21 at 1:00AM CDT until July 21 at 7:00PM 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.
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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
7h 57m 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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 150.3
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 330.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route features a highway share of 23%, meaning you'll spend most of your time on surface roads. The longest stretch of continuous driving is 299.7 miles, primarily on the Purple Heart Trail. You’ll encounter a mix of rural cruising and areas with frequent intersections as you transition from the expressways to State Highway 31 and then onto other surface roads.
Only 23% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 299.7 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 435.9 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
839 ft356 ft
Total Climb
515 ft
Total Descent
535 ft
Highest Point
839 ft
~249.1 mi in
Elevation Range
484 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 Mabank, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 57m. Total distance: 435.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 299.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 41 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 Mabank, 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 41 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mabank, TX before the return drive.
