Laredo, TX to Nassau Bay, TX is 332.7 miles and takes about 6h 30m via US 59, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward transit across Texas. You'll be on highways for most of the trip, making it a functional route for getting from point A to point B efficiently. With a recommended one-day drive, it's a practical option if you need to cover this distance without overnight stops.
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
166.3 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 59
159.7 mi
3h 2m
Lloyd Bentsen Highway
57.6 mi
1h 1m
US Highway 59 East
47.7 mi
53m
South Sam Houston Tollway West
21 mi
24m
Southwest Freeway
20.1 mi
22m
Gulf Freeway
5.6 mi
6m
Clark Boulevard
3 mi
5m
US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 159.7 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Nassau Bay, 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 San Dario Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·San Dario Avenue
4
Turn right onto Park Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·Park Street
5
Continue on Clark Boulevard
3.0 mi·5 min·Clark Boulevard
6
Turn left onto Bob Bullock Loop
0.8 mi·1 min·Bob Bullock Loop
7
Take the ramp
231 ft·6 sec
8
Merge onto US 59
1.1 mi·1 min·East Saunders Street
9
Continue on US 59
58 mi·1 hr 1 min·Lloyd Bentsen Highway
10
Turn left onto US 59
67 mi·1 hr 18 min·US 59
11
Continue on US 59
1.6 mi·3 min·West Houston Street
12
Continue on US 59
48 mi·53 min·US Highway 59 East
13
Take the exit onto Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
0.5 mi·1 min·Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
14
Merge onto US 59; US 77
93 mi·1 hr 43 min·US 59; US 77
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi·37 sec
16
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
1.6 mi·2 min·59 Northbound Frontage Road
17
Continue on this road
0.4 mi·58 sec·this road
18
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
2.0 mi·4 min·US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
19
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
1.3 mi·2 min·Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
20
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
21
Merge onto I 69; US 59
20 mi·22 min·Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Take the exit
0.2 mi·17 sec
Exit 115Toward Sam Houston TollwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·52 sec
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto BW 8
0.1 mi·10 sec·South Sam Houston Parkway West
25
Continue on SHT
21 mi·24 min·South Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on BW 8
0.2 mi·16 sec·South Sam Houston Parkway East
27
Take the exit
0.7 mi·50 sec
Toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Houston, GalvestonUse the right lane.
28
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·57 sec
Toward I 45 South: GalvestonUse the slight right lane.
29
Merge onto I 45
5.6 mi·6 min·Gulf Freeway
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Exit 25Toward FM 528: NASA ParkwayUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
0.7 mi·1 min·Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Turn left onto FM 528
1.0 mi·1 min·NASA Parkway
Use the straight / left lanes.
33
Continue on East NASA Parkway
0.6 mi·1 min·East NASA Parkway
34
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward NASA 1 EastUse the left lane.
35
Merge onto NASA 1
0.4 mi·30 sec·NASA Bypass
36
Continue on NASA 1
0.4 mi·42 sec·East NASA Parkway
Use the left lane.
37
Turn right onto Point Lookout Drive
0.2 mi·57 sec·Point Lookout Drive
38
Turn left onto Saxony Lane
461 ft·20 sec·Saxony Lane
39
Enter roundabout onto Vinland Lane
54 ft·4 sec·Vinland Lane
40
Continue on Vinland Lane
0.2 mi·45 sec·Vinland Lane
41
Turn right onto San Sebastian Lane
254 ft·13 sec·San Sebastian Lane
42
Turn right
14 ft·1 sec
43
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 30m estimated drive time and 332.7 miles, leaving in the morning is your best bet to complete this trip in a single day. Plan for one stop to manage your time effectively, keeping the longest stretch of 159.7 miles in mind. The fuel cost is estimated at $49, so factor that into your budget. As you approach Nassau Bay, be aware of increasing traffic and more frequent exits, especially if you are not accustomed to urban driving environments.
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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 166.3 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 3h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.7 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 73 miles or 1h 23m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.3 miles or 3h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 13m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Nassau Bay, 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 332.7 miles and 6h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 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 US 59 for about 159.7 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 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 299.5 and 328.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
299.5 mi into trip|~5h 48m in
Take the exit toward Sam Houston Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 115
Toward Sam Houston Tollway
6
299.7 mi into trip|~5h 48m in
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
321.7 mi into trip|~6h 13m in
Take the exit toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Houston, Galveston
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the right lane.
Toward I 45 North, I 45 South: Houston, Galvest...
7
322.4 mi into trip|~6h 14m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Galveston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 45 South: Galveston
7
328.5 mi into trip|~6h 22m in
Take the exit toward FM 528: NASA Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25
Toward FM 528: NASA Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$49.94 one way
$99.89 round trip
$3.81/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.22
$55.26
$110.52
premium
$4.57
$59.79
$119.59
diesel
$6.28
$82.21
$164.41
Estimated Tolls: $1.68
Sam Houston Tollway
(21 mi)$1.68
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
$50
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$77–$102
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.4 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.8
1
$34.93
$15.97
Efficient EV
83.2
0
$29.11
$13.31
EV Truck/SUV
133.1
1
$46.58
$21.29
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Oct 19, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Friday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Slight Chance Rain Showers
0 mph18% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Nassau Bay, TX
Late night
in Nassau Bay on Friday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy
NE 5 mph2% chanceLive forecast
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
2 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
6h 30m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 72% of the 332.7 miles on major highways, including US 59 and Lloyd Bentsen Highway. The longest continuous stretch on these roads is 159.7 miles, also on US 59. Expect a good amount of highway cruising with a relatively high concentration of exits as you approach your destination. Once you transition off the main highways, the driving environment will change.
72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
43 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 159.7 mi on US 59.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and Lloyd Bentsen Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 299.5 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 27 significant decision points across 332.7 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 299.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.7 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
631 ft12 ft
Total Climb
392 ft
Total Descent
794 ft
Highest Point
631 ft
~71.3 mi in
Elevation Range
619 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Laredo, TX to Nassau Bay, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sam Houston Tollway along the way.
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 30m. Total distance: 332.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 159.7 miles on US 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.68 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston 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.
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 Nassau Bay, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 299.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 321.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Nassau Bay, TX before the return drive.
