Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Laredo, TX to Pampa, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed May 28, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
12h 29m
Distance
713.3 mi
1,148 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$114
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
12h 18m
★
6 AM
12h 29m
8 AM
12h 52m
10 AM
12h 37m
12 PM
12h 35m
3 PM
12h 38m
5 PM
12h 50m
8 PM
12h 22m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Pampa, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Laredo, TX to Pampa, TX is 713.3 miles and takes about 12h 29m via Purple Heart Trail, Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, and I-10, with a fuel budget near $106 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route is a long-haul drive that keeps you within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Given its distance, it's best split over two days. Plan for a significant amount of time on the road, as you'll cover over 700 miles.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
356.7 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 12m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 139.6 mi | 2h 22m |
| Marshall Formby Memorial Highway | 109.9 mi | 1h 51m |
| I 10 | 99.8 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Frisco Avenue | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| State Highway 153 | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| North Main Street | 29.3 mi | 30m |
| East US Highway 60 | 28.8 mi | 31m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 139.6 mi, about 2h 22m
Traffic on I-27
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~615 veh/hr typical · worst 753
Quietest
2 AM
~47 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
13.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
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 Pampa, 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
140 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 140
Toward Loop 1604: Somerset
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on Interstate 35 South
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Interstate 35 South
6
Turn left onto Loop 1604
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Anderson Loop
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 1604
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward Valero Way
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Loop 1604 West
10
Turn left onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
12
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 83
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
15
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi
·
30 min
·
North Main Street
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 83
42 mi
·
44 min
·
Frisco Avenue
17
Continue on US 83
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Roberts Avenue
18
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft
·
18 sec
·
Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi
·
13 min
·
FM 2111
21
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 153
22
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 153
23
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
24
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
25
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Georgia Avenue
26
Take the ramp
340 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
27
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 20; US 84
28
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
30
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
31
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
32
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
33
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
34
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
35
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
37
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
38
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Slaton Road
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
40
Turn slight right onto Interstate 27
321 ft
·
6 sec
·
Interstate 27
41
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
42
Merge onto I 27; US 87
110 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
43
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Canyon Expressway
44
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
Exit 123B
Toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Use the straight / right lanes.
45
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 123B
Toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
46
Merge onto I 40; US 287
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
I 40; US 287
47
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 75
Toward Loop 335: Lakeside Drive
48
Turn straight onto East Interstate Drive
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
East Interstate Drive
49
Turn left onto Loop 335
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
South Lakeside Drive
50
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
47 sec
Toward US 60, I 40 Business: Amarillo Boulevard
51
Turn right onto I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
5.9 mi
·
6 min
·
East Amarillo Boulevard
52
Continue on US 60
29 mi
·
31 min
·
East US Highway 60
53
Continue on US 60
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
West 2nd Avenue
54
Continue on US 60
12 mi
·
12 min
·
US Highway 60
55
Continue on US 60
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
West Wilks Street
56
Continue on US 60; TX 152
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
West Brown Street
57
Turn left onto South Cuyler Street
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
·
South Cuyler Street
58
Turn right onto East Atchison Avenue
416 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Atchison Avenue
59
Turn left onto South Ballard Street
268 ft
·
7 sec
·
South Ballard Street
60
Arrive at destination
South Ballard Street
Trip Plan
For this 12-hour drive, departing early in the morning is recommended, especially if you plan to complete it in one day. However, the recommended two-day split makes for a more relaxed pace. You'll have 3 planned stops, which should be sufficient for breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the longest stretch without frequent services could be the 139.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. Budgeting around $106 for fuel is a good estimate.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 356.7 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 6h 12m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.6 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 157 miles or 2h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 356.7 miles or 6h 12m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 356.7 miles or 6h 12m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 11h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Pampa, 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.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 357 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Pampa, TX
Aim for roughly 357 miles and 6.2 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 157 miles from Laredo, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 139.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
235 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
471 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Plains, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
357 mi · about 6.2h in
A practical overnight split lands near San Angelo, TX after about 357 miles or 6.2 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 157 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 356.7 miles from Laredo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 139.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 357 miles or 6.2 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Medina County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Medina County Southbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Kerr County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Laredo
0.1 mi from route
La Salle County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
La Salle County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Scenic View
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Stripes
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.2 mi from route
Hale County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Hale County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.8 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Amarillo and Safety Rest Area
0.9 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
1.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
1.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
1.9 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.9 mi from route
National Truck Stop Amarillo
2.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 395 decision points cluster between mile 140 and 656.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
140 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1604: Somerset
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 140
Toward Loop 1604: Somerset
6
148.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
164.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward Valero Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Valero Way
8
656 mi into trip
|
~11h 23m in
Take the exit toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / right lanes.
Exit 123B
Toward I 40, US 287 South: Albuquerque, Oklahom...
10
656.1 mi into trip
|
~11h 24m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 123B
Toward I 40 East, US 287 South: Oklahoma City,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$114.04 one way
$228.09 round trip
$4.06/gal
25.4 MPG avg
250 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.47 | $125.39 | $250.78 |
| premium | $4.79 | $134.46 | $268.92 |
| diesel | $5.52 | $155.10 | $310.20 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$114
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$244–$354
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 249.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-25.
Driving Electric?
About $75 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 214 | 2 | $74.90 | $34.24 |
| Efficient EV | 178.3 | 2 | $62.41 | $28.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 285.3 | 3 | $99.86 | $45.65 |
Gas CO2
250 kg
EV CO2
83 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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.
Origin
Laredo, TX
Night in Laredo on Wednesday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
E 9 mph
56% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 27 at 3:33AM CDT until May 27 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 27 at 3:31AM CDT until May 27 at 6:30AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Pampa, TX
Night in Pampa on Wednesday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Patchy Fog
ESE 5 mph
44% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 27 at 3:33AM CDT until May 27 at 3:45AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued May 27 at 3:31AM CDT until May 27 at 6:30AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
17 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
12h 29m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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...
17 mi from route
~42 min detour
Free
near mile 147.6
View on nps.gov
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
National Monument
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
24 mi from route
~61 min detour
Free
near mile 688.7
View on nps.gov
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 688.7
View on nps.gov
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 196.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive involves 45% on highways. You'll encounter a longest stretch of 139.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail before transitioning to other roads. Expect to spend a good portion of your time on surface roads, with exits being less frequent than on a full interstate experience. This means more consistent cruising speeds between towns.
45% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
60 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 12h 29m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 140 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 39 significant decision points across 713.3 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 140 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.4 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,603 ft
413 ft
Total Climb
3,723 ft
Total Descent
899 ft
Highest Point
3,603 ft
~662.4 mi in
Elevation Range
3,190 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Pampa, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1604: Somerset, Menard, Lubbock, Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.
Loop 1604: Somerset
140 mi in
|
~2h 23m
Menard
266.2 mi in
|
~4h 34m
|
via US 83
Lubbock
419.7 mi in
|
~7h 21m
|
via US 84
Oklahoma City
656 mi in
|
~11h 23m
Fort Worth
656 mi in
|
~11h 23m
About the Cities
Starting in Laredo, TX
Full guide →“The Gateway City” · Founded 1755
Laredo is a city with 262,000 (2019) inhabitants on the South Texas Plains. Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, is just across the Rio Grande.
Top landmarks
- • Cathedral of San Agustin — historic place in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
- • Fort McIntosh — historic district in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
- • San Agustin de Laredo Historic District — historic district in Laredo, Webb County, Texas
Arriving in Pampa, TX
Full guide →Founded 1888
Pampa is the second largest city in the High Plains region of the Texas Panhandle. Pampa hosts the Top o' Texas Rodeo each year in July, which brings competitors from Texas and the surrounding states to Gray County. The White Deer Land Company Museum, which showcases ranching exhibits, is in downtown Pampa. In 2020, it was home to 17,000 people.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
12h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 357 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 66 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 Pampa, 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 3 meaningful breaks. There are 66 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 140 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.4 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 12.5 hours each way, a round trip means 25.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Pampa, TX before the return drive.
How this page is built
Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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Explore more options from Laredo, TX or browse trips ending in Pampa, TX.
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