This 412.9-mile drive from Laredo, TX to Rhode Island, TX will take approximately 7 hours and 23 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day journey, it covers ground primarily on the Purple Heart Trail, State Highway 31, and the South Pan Am Expressway. With a fuel cost estimated at $62 and just two recommended stops, this route offers a straightforward trip. The Great Plains region frames both your departure and arrival, suggesting a consistent landscape. This is a practical option if you're looking to cover distance efficiently within Texas.
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
206.4 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 38m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Rhode Island, 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
5.5 mi·6 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto South Interstate 45
0.5 mi·50 sec·South Interstate 45
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·32 sec
24
Merge onto I 45
20 mi·19 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi·41 sec
Exit 206Toward FM 833Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
307 ft·10 sec·North Interstate 45
27
Turn left onto FM 833
1.3 mi·3 min·FM 833
28
At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833
52 ft·1 sec·North State Highway 75
29
Turn left onto FM 833
0.9 mi·1 min·East FM 833
30
Turn right onto County Road 161
10 ft·0 sec·County Road 161
31
Arrive at destination
County Road 161
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 23-minute duration, starting early is advised to comfortably complete this drive in one day. Plan for your two stops to be strategically placed, perhaps around the halfway point or for a meal break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 299.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. The $62 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always have a little extra buffer. This route's 'turn-heavy' nature means staying alert and confirming your navigation frequently is key.
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 206.4 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 3h 38m 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 91 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.4 miles or 3h 38m 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 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rhode Island, 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 412.9 miles and 7h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 154.2 and 410.3 — 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
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
7
410.3 mi into trip|~7h 18m in
Take the exit toward FM 833
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 206
Toward FM 833
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.39 one way
$124.78 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg145 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$68.29
$136.58
premium
$4.54
$73.72
$147.44
diesel
$5.61
$91.16
$182.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.9
1
$43.35
$19.82
Efficient EV
103.2
1
$36.13
$16.52
EV Truck/SUV
165.2
2
$57.81
$26.43
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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 Apr 17, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Night
in Laredo on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 13 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Fire Weather Watch
The Fire Weather Watch has been replaced. Please see the latest information from NWS Midland/Odessa TX on this developin...
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 2:01AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Rhode Island, TX
Night
in Rhode Island on Saturday
Local time
11:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live 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
1 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 23m 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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
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...
7 mi from route
~19 min detour
Free
near mile 341.7
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...
9 mi from route
~23 min detour
Free
near mile 156.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 24% of the journey on highways. The majority of your time will be spent on local roads, including a significant 299.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail. This means you'll be navigating more intersections and potentially encountering varied speed limits. The character of the drive shifts from highway to more localized routes, requiring your attention to be on the immediate surroundings rather than distant vistas.
Only 24% 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 15 significant decision points across 412.9 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.
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 Rhode Island, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
Rhode Island (RI) is the smallest state of the United States of America, tucked between Massachusetts and Connecticut in New England. Nonetheless, it has over 400 mi (640 km) of coastline, courtesy of Narragansett Bay and islands such as Aquidneck Island, home to Newport, the "City by the Sea". While Rhode Island contains the name "island" in its name, most of its area is not on an island.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 23m. Total distance: 412.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 23m 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.
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 Rhode Island, 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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
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 — Waco Mammoth National Monument and 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 14.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Rhode Island, TX before the return drive.
