Main Event Laredo
Near the start, short detour
Laredo, Texas
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+19567222695
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 37m
Distance
337.1 mi
543 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Seabrook, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Laredo, TX to Seabrook, TX is 337.1 miles and takes about 6h 37m via US 59/Lloyd Bentsen Highway/US Highway 59 East, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. With most of your travel on highways, it's a practical option for a single-day excursion, especially if you're looking for an efficient way to cover ground. Plan for a relatively uninterrupted drive, connecting two points within the same expansive 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
168.6 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .
| 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 |
| East NASA Parkway | 5.9 mi | 10m |
| Gulf Freeway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Clark Boulevard | 3 mi | 5m |
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Seabrook, TX.
Start on Matamoros Street
Turn left onto San Dario Avenue
Continue on San Dario Avenue
Turn right onto Park Street
Continue on Clark Boulevard
Turn left onto Bob Bullock Loop
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 59
Continue on US 59
Turn left onto US 59
Continue on US 59
Continue on US 59
Take the exit onto Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
Merge onto US 59; US 77
Take the exit
Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road
Continue on this road
Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 69; US 59
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto BW 8
Continue on SHT
Continue on BW 8
Take the exit
Keep slight right at fork
Merge onto I 45
Take the exit
Turn straight onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
Turn left onto FM 528
Continue on East NASA Parkway
Take the ramp
Merge onto NASA 1
Continue on NASA 1
Turn left onto Anders Avenue
Turn left
Arrive at destination
Given the 6.5-hour drive time, departing in the morning is ideal to ensure you arrive with daylight to spare. While you can complete this in one day, consider a stop if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The longest stretch without a significant break is nearly 160 miles on US 59, so ensure you have adequate fuel before setting out. There's only one recommended stop, so plan your breaks strategically. Keep an eye on fuel prices, as the estimated cost is around $49 for this route.
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 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 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 168.6 miles or 3h 16m 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 21m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Seabrook, TX than in the middle of the route.
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 337.1 miles and 6h 37m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
169 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.
A short stop after about 74 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 168.6 miles from Laredo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 159.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Near the start, short detour
Laredo, Texas
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+19567222695
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Seabrook, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+13466338320
Visit websiteNear the start, right off the route
Laredo, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19567280404
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 8 am–10 pm
Later in the drive, right off the route
El Campo, Texas
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Laredo, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19567952350
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 7 am–9 pm
+12812752825
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
El Campo, Texas
Hours: 6 am–10 pm
+19795415000
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
Kendleton, Texas
Hours: 7 am–6 pm
+12818359419
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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.
Take the exit toward Sam Houston Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
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
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 South: Galveston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FM 528: NASA Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$46.17 one way
$92.34 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $51.57 | $103.15 |
| premium | $4.23 | $56.07 | $112.15 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $63.65 | $127.30 |
Estimated Tolls: $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
$46
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 101.1 | 1 | $35.40 | $16.18 |
| Efficient EV | 84.3 | 0 | $29.50 | $13.48 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 134.8 | 1 | $47.19 | $21.57 |
Gas CO2
118 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Laredo on Monday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
100°F
Mostly Sunny
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
Late night in Seabrook on Monday
Local time
1:52 AM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Mostly Sunny
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
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.
This route is largely a highway cruise, with 73% of the drive on high-speed roads. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 159.7 miles on US 59. The highway portion transitions to surface roads at some point, but the majority of your time will be spent on these main arteries. Expect a consistent driving environment with relatively few interruptions from surface street traffic for much of the trip.
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.
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 23 significant decision points across 337.1 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.
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
353 ft
Total Descent
756 ft
Highest Point
604 ft
~72.2 mi in
Elevation Range
594 ft
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Laredo, TX to Seabrook, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sam Houston Tollway along the way.
Sam Houston Tollway
“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
Founded 1961
North Barrier Coast is on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 37m. Total distance: 337.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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