Laredo, TX to Waller, TX is 334.5 miles and takes about 5h 59m via Purple Heart Trail and I 10, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive across Texas. With a highway share of 49%, you'll experience a mix of faster travel and more local road conditions. This route is ideal for a single-day trip, especially if you prefer to get to your destination without needing an overnight stay. Consider it a practical way to cover ground efficiently 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
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
167.2 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 54m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,530 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,214
Quietest
2 AM
~317 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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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 Waller, 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
8.4 mi·9 min·South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Take the exit
0.1 mi·15 sec
Exit 153Toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Del RioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·52 sec
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: HoustonUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto I 10; US 87; US 90
8.0 mi·9 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 10; US 90
22 mi·23 min·90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the slight right lane.
9
Continue on I 10; TX 130
128 mi·2 hr 8 min·I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.4 mi·1 min
Toward FM 1489: Koomey Road, Simonton
11
Turn left onto FM 1489
0.6 mi·1 min·FM 1489
12
Turn right onto US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·Front Street
13
Turn left onto FM 359
0.1 mi·12 sec·Bains Street
14
Turn right onto FM 362
13 mi·22 min·FM 362
15
Turn slight right onto FM 362
1.7 mi·3 min·FM 362
16
Turn slight right onto FM 362
5.7 mi·10 min·FM 362
17
Turn sharp right onto US 290 Bus
0.4 mi·39 sec·Hempstead Highway
18
Arrive at destination
US 290 Bus
Trip Plan
For this 5h 59m drive, leaving in the morning will give you plenty of daylight to reach Waller, TX. The route has only one recommended stop, so consider fueling up before you depart Laredo, TX, as the longest stretch without a break is 144.4 miles. While it's manageable in one day, the flexibility of a shorter drive means you can adjust your pace if needed. Pay attention to the change from highway to surface roads around the halfway point, as this will alter your driving experience.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 167.2 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 2h 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 144.4 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 74 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 167.2 miles or 2h 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 4h 42m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Waller, 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 334.5 miles and 5h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 74 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 144.4 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 312.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|San Dario Avenue
Turn left onto San Dario Avenue
Navigation decision point
8
153.2 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Del Rio
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 153
Toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87...
8
153.3 mi into trip|~2h 38m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Hous...
5
153.7 mi into trip|~2h 39m in|I 10; US 87; US 90 / Jose Lopez Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 87; US 90 / Jose Lopez Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
312.2 mi into trip|~5h 20m in
Take the exit toward FM 1489: Koomey Road, Simonton
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward FM 1489: Koomey Road, Simonton
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$45.82 one way
$91.63 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$51.18
$102.35
premium
$4.23
$55.64
$111.28
diesel
$4.80
$63.16
$126.32
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 117 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
100.4
1
$35.12
$16.06
Efficient EV
83.6
0
$29.27
$13.38
EV Truck/SUV
133.8
1
$46.83
$21.41
Gas CO2
117 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026
Origin
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Monday
Local time
4:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
105°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 14 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 4:21PM MDT until July 19 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 5:19PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Waller, TX
Late night
in Waller on Monday
Local time
4:33 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Sunny
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 4:21PM MDT until July 19 at 6:15PM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 5:19PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
12 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
5h 59m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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...
7 mi from route
~17 min detour
Free
near mile 149.9
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about half the drive, 49%, on highways. The longest continuous stretch on highway is 144.4 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. After that, expect a shift to surface roads, which will likely involve more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds. The transition between these road types is a key feature of this drive.
49% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 144.4 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near San Dario Avenue.
Driving Effort5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 334.5 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (San Dario Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 153.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
656 ft130 ft
Total Climb
527 ft
Total Descent
690 ft
Highest Point
656 ft
~167.2 mi in
Elevation Range
526 ft
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 Waller, TX, road signs point toward Del Rio, Austin, Waco and Simonton.
Del Rio
153.2 mi in|~2h 38m
Austin
183.9 mi in|~3h 11m|via I 10; TX 130
Waco
183.9 mi in|~3h 11m|via I 10; TX 130
Simonton
312.2 mi in|~5h 20m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 59m. Total distance: 334.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 59m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (49%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 144.4 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 46 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.
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. There are 46 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (San Dario Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 153.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 153.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — 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 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 12.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Waller, TX before the return drive.
