Pittsburg, TX to Laredo, TX is 519.6 miles and takes about 9h 28m via Purple Heart Trail and I-35, with a fuel budget near $75 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route traverses the Great Plains in both Texas and its destination state, making it a substantial long-haul drive. Given the nearly 10-hour duration, it's recommended to split this trip over two days to ensure a more relaxed pace. You'll spend 39% of your time on major highways, offering a mix of driving experiences.
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
259.8 miles from Pittsburg, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 53m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 64 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~2,906 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,347
Quietest
2 AM
~493 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Pittsburg, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on Church Street
74 ft·5 sec·Church Street
2
Turn right onto North Avenue
170 ft·12 sec·North Avenue
3
Turn left onto TX 11
311 ft·9 sec·Jefferson Street
4
Turn right onto FM 993
0.3 mi·40 sec·Lafayette Street
5
Turn right onto US 271
17 mi·19 min·South Greer Boulevard
6
Continue on US 271
2.8 mi·3 min·North Wood Street
7
Turn straight onto TX 155
13 mi·15 min·TX 155
8
Turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
9
Turn left onto TX 155
13 mi·14 min·TX 155
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto US 271; TX 155
4.8 mi·5 min·US Highway 271
11
Turn right onto Loop 323
1.6 mi·2 min·East Northeast Loop 323
12
Continue on Loop 323
4.3 mi·6 min·West Northwest Loop 323
13
Continue on Loop 323
0.6 mi·43 sec·South Southwest Loop 323
14
Turn right onto TX 31
1.6 mi·1 min·Chandler Highway
15
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 West
16
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·East Highway 31
17
Continue on TX 31
21 mi·23 min·State Highway 31 East
18
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
19
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
21
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft·14 sec
22
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
23
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi·6 min·East Royall Boulevard
24
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·State Highway 31 East
25
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·Northwest 2nd Street
26
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
27
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi·21 min·West State Highway 31
28
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
29
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
30
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi·2 min·East US Highway 84
31
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
32
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi·1 min·East Waco Drive
33
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft·12 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
34
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
35
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi·6 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
39
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
2.1 mi·2 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
44
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 StreetUse the slight right lane.
45
Continue on I 35
144 mi·2 hr 26 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
47
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
48
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
49
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
For this 519.6-mile drive, splitting the trip over two days is the most practical approach. Aim to leave early on your first day to cover roughly half the distance, perhaps stopping around the 244-mile mark on the Purple Heart Trail to rest. This allows you to tackle the remaining 5+ hours on I-35 fresh the next morning. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially before departing from more rural sections, and budget around $75 for gas. Two planned stops should be sufficient for this length of trip.
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 259.8 miles from Pittsburg, TX, or about 4h 53m 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 114 miles or 2h 14m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 259.8 miles or 4h 53m 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 259.8 miles or 4h 53m
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 8h 27m
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 Pittsburg, 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 Pittsburg, TX
Aim for roughly 260 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 260 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 114 miles from Pittsburg, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 27
5 decision points cluster between mile 123.6 and 364.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
123.6 mi into trip|~2h 25m in|TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
282.4 mi into trip|~5h 17m 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
355.8 mi into trip|~6h 38m 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
362.3 mi into trip|~6h 46m 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
364.4 mi into trip|~6h 49m 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
$71.17 one way
$142.34 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg182 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$79.49
$158.99
premium
$4.23
$86.43
$172.86
diesel
$4.80
$98.11
$196.22
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: 181.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $55 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
155.9
1
$54.56
$24.94
Efficient EV
129.9
1
$45.47
$20.78
EV Truck/SUV
207.8
2
$72.74
$33.25
Gas CO2
182 kg
EV CO2
61 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Pittsburg, TX
Afternoon
in Pittsburg on Sunday
Local time
12:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
91°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
S 5 mph29% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:05PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
Laredo, TX
Afternoon
in Laredo on Sunday
Local time
12:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 15 mph3% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 5:05PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:00PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
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
7 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
9h 28m 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.
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...
6 mi from route
~15 min detour
Free
near mile 179.2
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...
9 mi from route
~24 min detour
Free
near mile 358.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 39% of the 519.6 miles on major highways. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 244.1 miles along the Purple Heart Trail before transitioning to I-35. Expect a significant portion of this drive to involve rural cruising and navigating the numerous exits and merges characteristic of a long-haul interstate experience. The shift from surface roads to high-speed highway driving will be a notable change.
39% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
49 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
At 9h 28m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 123.6 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 27 significant decision points across 519.6 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 123.6 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 282.4 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 355.8 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
778 ft306 ft
Total Climb
679 ft
Total Descent
658 ft
Highest Point
778 ft
~259.8 mi in
Elevation Range
473 ft
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 Pittsburg, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.
Long-haul drive 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 260 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 123.6 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 282.4 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 355.8 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 9.5 hours each way, a round trip means 19.0 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.
