Plainview, TX to Laredo, TX is 581.8 miles and takes about 10h 10m via Purple Heart Trail and US Highway 84, with a fuel budget near $85 and enough daylight to finish in a day if you start early. This long-haul drive spans across Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to the southern edge of the state. It's a straightforward trip that primarily uses highways, making it a good option if you need to cover a lot of ground efficiently. Plan for a full day of driving, as the 10-hour duration means you'll want to maximize your time on the road.
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
290.9 miles from Plainview, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 5h 10m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 32 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,126 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,419
Quietest
2 AM
~202 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 105 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 Plainview, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on I 27 Bus
0.8 mi·1 min·North Columbia Street
2
Turn straight onto I 27 Bus
4.2 mi·6 min·South Business I-27
3
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·43 sec
4
Merge onto I 27; US 87
37 mi·37 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
5
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 536BToward Loop 289
6
Turn straight onto North Interstate 27
0.5 mi·1 min·North Interstate 27
7
Turn left onto North Loop 289
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Loop 289
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
9
Merge onto Loop 289
7.5 mi·8 min·Loop 289
10
Take the exit
421 ft·10 sec
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
11
Keep slight right at fork
233 ft·5 sec
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
12
Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southeast Loop 289
13
Turn right onto Spur 331
1.9 mi·2 min·Southeast Drive
14
Merge onto US 84
0.2 mi·13 sec·Slaton Road
15
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
16
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
17
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
18
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
19
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
20
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
21
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
22
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi·6 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
24
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 244Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
25
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southwest Georgia Avenue
26
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
27
Continue on TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
28
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
29
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
30
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·TX 158
31
At end of road, turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
32
Turn left onto US 83
17 mi·18 min·South 7th Street
Use the left lane.
33
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Grassmeyer Street
34
Continue on US 83
29 mi·31 min·Ellis Street
35
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi·38 min·US 83
Toward I 10 East: San AntonioUse the left lane.
36
Continue on I 10
54 mi·54 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
5.4 mi·5 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 556BToward Frontage RoadUse the slight right lane.
39
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 West
0.4 mi·41 sec·Interstate 10 West
40
Turn right onto North Loop 1604 West
0.6 mi·1 min·North Loop 1604 West
41
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West
42
Merge onto Loop 1604
24 mi·29 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Turn right onto Interstate 35 South
0.2 mi·20 sec·Interstate 35 South
44
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 35 South
45
Merge onto I 35
140 mi·2 hr 21 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
Given the 10h 10m duration, this is best tackled as a two-day trip, splitting the 581.8 miles into more manageable segments. Aim to start your first day early to maximize daylight hours. With two recommended stops, you can break up the drive nicely, perhaps stopping around the halfway point. Keep an eye on fuel, especially as you move further south, and utilize the recommended two stops for both rest and refueling. A specific tip for this route is to be aware that the longest stretch on Purple Heart Trail is nearly 140 miles, so ensure you have sufficient fuel before embarking on that segment.
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 290.9 miles from Plainview, TX, or about 5h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.7 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 128 miles or 2h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 290.9 miles or 5h 10m 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 290.9 miles or 5h 10m
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 9h 9m
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 Plainview, 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 Plainview, TX
Aim for roughly 291 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 291 miles and 5.1 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 128 miles from Plainview, 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 139.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
The midpoint is around 290.9 miles from Plainview, 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 139.7 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 291 miles or 5.1 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 31
5 decision points cluster between mile 51.5 and 415.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
51.5 mi into trip|~56m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
6
161.8 mi into trip|~2h 50m in|US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
168.2 mi into trip|~2h 56m in
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
8
315.6 mi into trip|~5h 36m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
7
415.1 mi into trip|~7h 15m in
Take the exit toward Frontage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 556B
Toward Frontage Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$84.41 one way
$168.81 round trip
$3.69/gal25.4 MPG avg204 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.08
$93.52
$187.05
premium
$4.43
$101.52
$203.03
diesel
$5.60
$128.25
$256.50
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$84
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$214–$324
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 203.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-08-31.
Driving Electric?
About $61 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
174.5
2
$61.09
$27.93
Efficient EV
145.5
1
$50.91
$23.27
EV Truck/SUV
232.7
2
$81.45
$37.24
Gas CO2
204 kg
EV CO2
68 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Aug 22, 2026
Origin
Plainview, TX
Late night
in Plainview on Friday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Mostly Clear
SW 5 to 10 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 21 at 11:46PM CDT until August 22 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 21 at 10:52PM CDT until August 23 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
Destination
Laredo, TX
Late night
in Laredo on Friday
Local time
4:16 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 8 to 13 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 21 at 11:46PM CDT until August 22 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lake Charles LA
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued August 21 at 10:52PM CDT until August 23 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX
75°F
Sweetwater, TX
192 mi in
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
8 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
10h 10m 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
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...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 441.4
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 381.2
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 47% of this 581.8-mile drive on highways, with the remaining miles on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch without a major change in road type is 139.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. Expect to transition between the faster pace of the interstate and the more varied conditions of US Highway 84, which can mean more local traffic and varying speed limits as you pass through different towns. This is a long-haul drive, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving.
47% 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: 139.7 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 10h 10m, 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 51.5 miles in.
Driving Effort10/10
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 31 significant decision points across 581.8 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 51.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 161.8 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,363 ft413 ft
Total Climb
402 ft
Total Descent
3,351 ft
Highest Point
3,363 ft
Elevation Range
2,950 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Plainview, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward Loop 289, Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo and Loop 1604 West.
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.7 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 291 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 51.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 161.8 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 10.2 hours each way, a round trip means 20.4 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.
