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Trip from Pilot Point, TX to Laredo, TX

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

Drive Time

8h 34m

Distance

479.4 mi

772 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$72

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min
4 AM
8h 27m ★
6 AM
8h 35m
8 AM
8h 50m
10 AM
8h 40m
12 PM
8h 38m
3 PM
8h 41m
5 PM
8h 49m
8 PM
8h 30m

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 Denton County, Texas, United States

Pilot Point, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States

Laredo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 479.4-mile journey from Pilot Point, TX to Laredo, TX takes approximately 8 hours and 34 minutes, making it a solid two-day drive. You'll primarily travel on the Purple Heart Trail, North South Freeway, and I-35, with about 47% of the route being highway driving. With an estimated fuel cost of $72 and two planned stops, this trip offers a balanced pace. The drive traverses the Great Plains region throughout, so expect consistent, open landscapes. It's a manageable distance, but breaking it up will make for a more relaxed experience.

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

239.7 miles from Pilot Point, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 20m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 244.1 mi 4h 12m
North South Freeway 84.6 mi 1h 27m
I 35 58.6 mi 1h 1m
North Pan Am Expressway 18.5 mi 22m
I 35W 17.2 mi 18m
I 35W TEXpress 16.7 mi 16m
South Pan Am Expressway 10.4 mi 12m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 244.1 mi, about 4h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Pilot Point, TX and Laredo, TX.

1

Start on FM 1192

48 ft · 6 sec · South Jefferson Street
2

Turn left onto FM 1192

229 ft · 9 sec · West Main Street
3

Turn left onto US 377 Bus; FM 1192

1.2 mi · 2 min · South Washington Street
4

At end of road, turn right onto US 377; FM 455

3.7 mi · 5 min · South US Highway 377
5

Turn right onto FM 3524

4.9 mi · 8 min · East Sherman Drive
6

Continue on FM 428

5.6 mi · 7 min · FM 428
Use the left lane.
7

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 46 sec
Toward Loop 288 West Use the right lane.
8

Merge onto Loop 288; US 380 Truck

2.7 mi · 3 min · North Loop 288
9

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
Toward US 77
10

Turn right onto Spur 77

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Elm Street
11

Turn left onto North Interstate 35

0.7 mi · 59 sec · North Interstate 35
12

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward I 35 South
13

Merge onto I 35; US 77

2.7 mi · 2 min · I 35; US 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Take the exit onto I 35W

17 mi · 18 min · I 35W
Exit 467 Toward I 35W South, FM 1515: Fort Worth Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W Express

17 mi · 16 min · I 35W TEXpress
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
16

Merge onto I 35W

85 mi · 1 hr 27 min · North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20

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.
21

Continue on I 35

1.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Continue on I 35

10.0 mi · 11 min · North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

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.
25

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.
26

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.
27

Continue on I 35

144 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Turn right onto Houston Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Houston Street
29

Turn left onto I 35 Bus

272 ft · 12 sec · Salinas Avenue
30

Turn left onto Matamoros Street

306 ft · 5 sec · Matamoros Street
31

Arrive at destination

Matamoros Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 479.4-mile trip, consider an early morning departure to maximize daylight hours. With a duration of over 8.5 hours, splitting the drive over two days is highly recommended to avoid fatigue. Plan your two stops strategically for fuel and rest, especially before tackling the longest stretch of 244.1 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as gas stations can be spread out, and factor in the $72 estimated fuel cost when budgeting for your travel.

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 239.7 miles from Pilot Point, TX, or about 4h 20m 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 105 miles or 1h 59m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 239.7 miles or 4h 20m 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 239.7 miles or 4h 20m

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 33m

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 Pilot Point, 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 Pilot Point, TX

Aim for roughly 240 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Laredo, TX

Aim for roughly 240 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 105 miles from Pilot Point, 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.

city in Travis and Williamson counties in Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Round Rock, TX

240 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, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Round Rock, TX

240 mi · about 4.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Round Rock, TX after about 240 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Arlington, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 105 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Austin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 239.7 miles from Pilot Point, 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 244.1 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 240 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.

Nearby Places

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

Main Event Laredo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 479.4

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19567222695

Visit website

Petro Travel Center

3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 376.7

Pearsall, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+18303348222

Visit website

Children's Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, right off the route

1 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 274

San Marcos, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+15123938400

Visit website

Imaginarium of South Texas

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 479.4

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19567280404

Visit website

Slaughter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 479.4

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19567952350

Visit website

Bicentennial Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.6 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 68.5

Crowley, Texas

Hours: 6 am–9 pm

+18172972201

Visit website

Frio Farm & Ranch Ace Hardware

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour Moderately mile 376.7

Pearsall, Texas

Hours: 7:30 am–6 pm

+18303348707

Visit website

Calaboose African American History Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Around the midpoint, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 274

San Marcos, Texas

Hours: 10 am–2 pm

+15123938421

Visit website

Polo Patino Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 376.7

Pearsall, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+18303343676

Visit website

Toybrary Austin

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Around the midpoint, short detour

2 mi from route ~5 min detour mile 239.7

Austin, Texas

Hours: 10 am–6 pm

+15124343927

Visit website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 22

5 decision points cluster between mile 23.3 and 324.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
23.3 mi into trip | ~34m in | I 35W

Take the exit onto I 35W toward I 35W South, FM 1515: Fort Worth

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 467 Toward I 35W South, FM 1515: Fort Worth
8
242.2 mi into trip | ~4h 23m 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
315.7 mi into trip | ~5h 44m 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
322.1 mi into trip | ~5h 52m 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
324.2 mi into trip | ~5h 55m 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

$72.44 one way

$144.88 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 168 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $79.29 $158.58
premium $4.54 $85.59 $171.19
diesel $5.61 $105.85 $211.69

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$72

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$202–$312

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 167.7 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 143.8 1 $50.34 $23.01
Efficient EV 119.9 1 $41.95 $19.18
EV Truck/SUV 191.8 2 $67.12 $30.68

Gas CO2

168 kg

EV CO2

56 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 15, 2026

Origin

Pilot Point, TX

Morning in Pilot Point on Sunday

Local time

11:40 AM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laredo, TX

Morning in Laredo on Sunday

Local time

11:40 AM

CDT

Current temp

84°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.

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

13 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 34m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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...

8 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 342.4
View on nps.gov
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...

8 mi from route ~19 min detour Free near mile 154.1
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a mixed driving experience, blending efficient highway travel with other road types. Nearly half the route, 47%, is on major highways, allowing for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 244.1 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, which can be a significant segment to cover in one go. The road character will likely shift as you transition between these different road types, requiring you to adjust your driving style accordingly throughout the nearly 9-hour journey.

47% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 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?

8/10

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 23.3 miles in near I 35W.

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 22 significant decision points across 479.4 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 23.3 miles (I 35W): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.2 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 315.7 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.

On the drive from Pilot Point, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.

Spur 536: Houston

324.2 mi in | ~5h 55m | 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 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

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 240 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 23.3 miles (I 35W): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 242.2 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 315.7 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Not recommended in a single day. At 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.2 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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