Origin
Lindale, TX
Late night in Lindale on Tuesday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Lindale, TX to Laredo, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
8h 30m
Distance
471.7 mi
759 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$71
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
8h 23m
★
6 AM
8h 31m
8 AM
8h 46m
10 AM
8h 36m
12 PM
8h 35m
3 PM
8h 37m
5 PM
8h 45m
8 PM
8h 26m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Lindale, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 471.7-mile journey from Lindale, TX, to Laredo, TX, is a substantial drive, best tackled over two days with an estimated duration of 8 hours and 30 minutes. You'll primarily navigate the Purple Heart Trail and I-35, with a portion on State Highway 31 East. With a projected fuel cost of around $71 and two planned stops, this trip offers a mixed driving experience across the Great Plains region of Texas. While it's possible to do in one very long day, splitting it is highly recommended for a more relaxed pace.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
235.9 miles from Lindale, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 21m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 244.1 mi | 4h 12m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| State Highway 31 East | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| West State Highway 31 | 18.8 mi | 21m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 18.5 mi | 22m |
| State Highway 31 | 17.2 mi | 17m |
| Toll 49 | 12.1 mi | 12m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 11.8 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 244.1 mi, about 4h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Lindale, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on FM 16
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Hubbard Street
2
Continue on FM 16
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 16 West
3
Take the ramp
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
Toward Toll 49 South
4
Merge onto Toll 49
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Toll 49
5
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
Toward TX 31: Chandler, Tyler
6
Keep slight right at fork
194 ft
·
5 sec
7
Merge onto TX 31
2.4 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 31 West
8
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Highway 31
9
Continue on TX 31
21 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 31 East
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
11
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jed Robinson Loop
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
13
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft
·
14 sec
14
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 31 West
15
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Royall Boulevard
16
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 31 East
17
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
18
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
West State Highway 31
20
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
21
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
22
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East US Highway 84
23
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
24
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Waco Drive
25
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
27
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
31
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Use the slight left lane.
36
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
10 mi
·
12 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Use the slight right lane.
37
Continue on I 35
144 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Houston Street
39
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft
·
12 sec
·
Salinas Avenue
40
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft
·
5 sec
·
Matamoros Street
41
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 8-hour and 30-minute drive, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight hours. With 471.7 miles and two recommended stops, pacing yourself is key. The longest stretch without a break is over 244 miles, so plan your refueling and rest breaks accordingly, especially given the $71 fuel estimate. Given the drive's length, splitting it into two days is advisable; aim to complete roughly half the distance on your first day to avoid fatigue. Keep an eye on road signage for the Purple Heart Trail and I-35 to ensure you stay on the most efficient path.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 235.9 miles from Lindale, TX, or about 4h 21m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.1 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 104 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 235.9 miles or 4h 21m 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 235.9 miles or 4h 21m
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 7h 29m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laredo, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Lindale, 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 Lindale, TX
Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Lindale, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 244.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Overnight candidate
236 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 Round Rock, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
236 mi · about 4.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near Round Rock, TX after about 236 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 104 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 235.9 miles from Lindale, 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 244.1 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 236 miles or 4.3 hours on the road.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 235 decision points cluster between mile 75.7 and 316.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
75.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 27m in
|
TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
234.5 mi into trip
|
~4h 19m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
7
307.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 40m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
314.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 48m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
316.5 mi into trip
|
~5h 51m in
|
I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Housto...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$71.27 one way
$142.55 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
165 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $78.02 | $156.03 |
| premium | $4.54 | $84.22 | $168.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $104.15 | $208.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$71
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$201–$311
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 165 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 141.5 | 1 | $49.53 | $22.64 |
| Efficient EV | 117.9 | 1 | $41.27 | $18.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 188.7 | 2 | $66.04 | $30.19 |
Gas CO2
165 kg
EV CO2
55 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.
Destination
Laredo, TX
Late night in Laredo on Tuesday
Local time
5:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 17 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued April 14 at 2:35PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 1:54PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
15 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
8h 30m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a mixed drive on this route, with only 36% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch at 244.1 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a consistent segment of travel. The transition between the Purple Heart Trail, I-35, and State Highway 31 East means you'll experience varying road types and speeds, so be prepared for changes in driving conditions. This isn't a pure interstate cruise, but rather a blend that requires attention to the road as it progresses.
36% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 244.1 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 75.7 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
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 23 significant decision points across 471.7 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 75.7 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 234.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.9 miles (I 35 / 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Lindale, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.
Spur 536: Houston
316.5 mi in
|
~5h 51m
|
via I 10; US 87
About the Cities
Arriving 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
City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
8h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 244.1 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 236 miles on day one.
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 Laredo, 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 75.7 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 234.5 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 307.9 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 17.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Laredo, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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