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Trip from Laredo, TX to Richardson, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 49m

Distance

442.6 mi

712 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$67

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
7h 40m ★
6 AM
7h 49m
8 AM
8h 8m
10 AM
7h 56m
12 PM
7h 54m
3 PM
7h 57m
5 PM
8h 7m
8 PM
7h 44m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States

Laredo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in Collin and Dallas counties in Texas, United States

Richardson, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 442.6-mile journey from Laredo, TX, to Richardson, TX, is a substantial drive, estimated to take around 7 hours and 49 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E, with a portion of the South Pan Am Expressway, this route is best tackled in a single day, though planning for its 2 stops is wise. The estimated fuel cost for this trip is $67. You'll be traversing the Great Plains region for the entirety of this Texas-to-Texas drive, so expect consistent landscapes. This route offers a practical approach to covering significant ground within the state.

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

221.3 miles from Laredo, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 54m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 332.7 mi 5h 45m
I 35E 56.2 mi 58m
South Pan Am Expressway 21.5 mi 26m
North Central Expressway 11 mi 11m
North Pan Am Expressway 7.4 mi 8m
South Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
Interstate Highway 35 1.9 mi 2m
East R L Thornton Freeway 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 332.7 mi, about 5h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Richardson, 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 City Use 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: Austin Use 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

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

56 mi · 58 min · I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.
15

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street Use the slight right lane.
16

Keep slight left at fork

422 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana
17

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center
18

Keep slight left at fork

385 ft · 6 sec
Toward I 30 East: Texarkana
19

Continue on I 30; US 67

0.8 mi · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway
20

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 45 sec
Exit 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney Use the slight right lane.
21

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min
Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left lane.
22

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East
23

Merge onto US 75

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Continue on US 75

11 mi · 11 min · North Central Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
25

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 30 sec
Exit 24 Toward Belt Line Road, Main Street Use the slight right lane.
26

Turn straight onto South Central Expressway

0.5 mi · 56 sec · South Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
27

Turn right onto West Polk Street

0.3 mi · 48 sec · West Polk Street
28

Turn left onto South Greenville Avenue

329 ft · 16 sec · South Greenville Avenue
29

Turn right

54 ft · 4 sec
30

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

With a duration of nearly 8 hours, starting your drive from Laredo early in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight and allow for the 2 planned stops. The longest stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, covering 332.7 miles, means you'll want to ensure you're comfortable with the road conditions and have ample fuel before embarking on it. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before heading into longer sections. While this trip is feasible in one day, the "turn-heavy local drive" profile means you should factor in slightly more time than a typical interstate drive of similar mileage. Your estimated fuel cost is $67.

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 221.3 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 3h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 332.7 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 97 miles or 1h 39m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 221.3 miles or 3h 54m 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 43m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Richardson, 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 442.6 miles and 7h 49m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 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 332.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Downtown Wells Branch, TX, TX

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Wells Branch, TX

221 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

San Antonio, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 97 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Buda, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 221.3 miles from Laredo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 332.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Main Event Laredo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19567222695

Visit website

G2 Ranch

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 94.8

Pearsall, Texas

+12104194442

Visit website

San Antonio Museum of Art

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour Moderately mile 158.1

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12109788100

Visit website

San Antonio River Lock & Dam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 158.1

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+12102271373

Visit website

San Antonio Fire Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 158.1

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+12103907236

Visit website

Imaginarium of South Texas

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19567280404

Visit website

The DoSeum

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 158.1

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12102124453

Visit website

Village of Salado Visitors Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour mile 284.5

Salado, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12549478634

Visit website

The Amazing Mirror Maze

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 158.1

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+12102242288

Visit website

GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 158.1

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12102274746

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 19

5 decision points cluster between mile 155.9 and 441.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

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
426.8 mi into trip | ~7h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...
8
428.5 mi into trip | ~7h 32m in

Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney
8
441.4 mi into trip | ~7h 46m in

Take the exit toward Belt Line Road, Main Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 24 Toward Belt Line Road, Main Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$66.88 one way

$133.76 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 155 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $73.20 $146.41
premium $4.54 $79.02 $158.05
diesel $5.61 $97.72 $195.44

Estimated Tolls: $0.92

Central Expressway (11.5 mi) $0.92

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

$67

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$93–$118

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 154.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $46 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 132.8 1 $46.47 $21.24
Efficient EV 110.7 1 $38.73 $17.70
EV Truck/SUV 177 2 $61.96 $28.33

Gas CO2

155 kg

EV CO2

52 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

Laredo, TX

Late night in Laredo on Sunday

Local time

1:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Sunny

SE 10 to 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Destination

Richardson, TX

Late night in Richardson on Sunday

Local time

1:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

61°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

34 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 49m 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

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...

5 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 335.7
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

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 152.6
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a "turn-heavy local drive" profile for this 442.6-mile trip. While 24% of the route involves highway driving, the majority consists of local roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 332.7 miles along the Purple Heart Trail, indicating significant time spent on non-interstate segments. This suggests a driving experience that may involve more frequent adjustments and varied speed limits compared to a pure highway run. The character of the drive will likely shift as you transition between the longer local road segments and the more direct highway portions.

Only 24% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
30 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 332.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

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 155.9 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 442.6 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 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; at 426.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 Richardson, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.

Corpus Christi

155.9 mi in | ~2h 41m | via I 35

Johnson City

155.9 mi in | ~2h 41m | via I 35

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 Richardson, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1840

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 49m. Total distance: 442.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 49m 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 332.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.92 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. 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 Richardson, 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 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; at 426.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 7.8 hours each way, a round trip means 15.6 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Richardson, 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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