Laredo, TX to Mission Bend, TX is 337.7 miles and takes about 5h 52m via Purple Heart Trail and I 10, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you through the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path from one point to another. Expect a mixed driving experience, with a significant portion on highways but also some time on surface roads. It's a solid option if you're looking for a direct route within Texas without extensive detours.
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
168.8 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 55m 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 Mission Bend, 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 right at fork
0.8 mi·1 min
Toward TX 99 South: Grand ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
12
Merge onto TX 99
4.8 mi·6 min·West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·40 sec
Toward FM 1093Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 99
156 ft·10 sec·West Grand Parkway South Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left onto FM 1093
0.1 mi·15 sec·Farm to Market 1093 Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·30 sec
Toward WPT Toll East
17
Merge onto WPT
4.2 mi·4 min·Fort Bend Westpark Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
Toward TX 6, FM 1093, FM 1464: Westheimer RoadUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on FM 1093
0.3 mi·27 sec·Farm to Market 1093 Road
20
Continue on Alief Clodine Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·Alief Clodine Road
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
21
Turn right onto FM 1464
0.4 mi·42 sec·FM 1464
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto Bellaire Boulevard
1.4 mi·2 min·Bellaire Boulevard
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Addicks Clodine Road
0.3 mi·32 sec·Addicks Clodine Road
24
Turn right onto Los Altos Drive
277 ft·17 sec·Los Altos Drive
25
Turn left onto Marisol Drive
0.1 mi·27 sec·Marisol Drive
26
Arrive at destination
Marisol Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 52m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight. You'll have one main road, Purple Heart Trail, for a significant portion, so plan your first stop there if you need a break. The fuel cost is estimated at $49, so ensure your tank is full before departing Laredo. With a single day recommended, you have flexibility in pacing your stops, but keep an eye on the transition from surface roads to the interstate as you get closer to Mission Bend.
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 168.8 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 2h 55m 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 74 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.8 miles or 2h 55m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Mission Bend, 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 337.7 miles and 5h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 153.2 and 334.6 — 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 right at fork toward TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
7
334.6 mi into trip|~5h 46m in
Take the exit toward TX 6, FM 1093, FM 1464: Westheimer Road
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.
Toward TX 6, FM 1093, FM 1464: Westheimer Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$46.25 one way
$92.51 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg118 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$51.67
$103.33
premium
$4.23
$56.17
$112.35
diesel
$4.80
$63.76
$127.53
Estimated Tolls: $0.29
Fort Bend Westpark Tollway
(4.2 mi)$0.29
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$72–$97
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 118.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
101.3
1
$35.46
$16.21
Efficient EV
84.4
0
$29.55
$13.51
EV Truck/SUV
135.1
1
$47.28
$21.61
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (66% 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
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
100°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 14 to 18 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:57AM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:57AM CDT until July 18 at 8:52PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Mission Bend, TX
Late night
in Mission Bend on Monday
Local time
4:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 to 10 mph22% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:57AM CDT until July 19 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:57AM CDT until July 18 at 8:52PM 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
5h 52m 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
~16 min detour
Free
near mile 151.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
About 48% of this route is on the highway, meaning you'll spend a good chunk of time on I 10. You'll encounter a 144.4-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail before transitioning to highway driving. Be prepared for a mix of cruising and potentially more frequent exits as you approach your destination.
48% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
26 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?
8/10
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 Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 337.7 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
640 ft90 ft
Total Climb
334 ft
Total Descent
658 ft
Highest Point
640 ft
~120.6 mi in
Elevation Range
550 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 Mission Bend, TX, road signs point toward Del Rio, Austin and Waco.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 52m. Total distance: 337.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 52m 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.
Expect about $0.29 in tolls one way, starting with Fort Bend Westpark Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Mission Bend, 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 1 rest area 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 5.9 hours each way, a round trip means 11.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Mission Bend, TX before the return drive.
