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Trip from Port Lavaca, TX to Laredo, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 11m

Distance

214.7 mi

346 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$29

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
3h 58m ★
6 AM
4h 11m
8 AM
4h 37m
10 AM
4h 20m
12 PM
4h 18m
3 PM
4h 22m
5 PM
4h 36m
8 PM
4h 3m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

city in and county sear of Calhoun County, Texas, United States

Port Lavaca, TX

Wikimedia Commons

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

Laredo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 214.7-mile drive from Port Lavaca, TX, to Laredo, TX, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 11 minutes. The route predominantly follows US 59 and US Highway 59 West, with a small portion on US 87, making it a 94% highway experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this trip offers a straightforward journey through the Great Plains region of Texas. It's a practical option for a day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop, and it's best suited for those who prefer highway travel.

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

107.4 miles from Port Lavaca, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 7m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 59 112.7 mi 2h 5m
US Highway 59 West 65.2 mi 1h 16m
US 87 18.3 mi 20m
East Main Street 6.1 mi 7m
US Highway 59 South 4.4 mi 4m
Clark Boulevard 3 mi 5m
West Corpus Christi Street 1.3 mi 2m
Bob Bullock Loop 0.8 mi 1m
Longest stretch: US 59 — 112.7 mi, about 2h 5m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Port Lavaca, TX and Laredo, TX.

1

Start on US 87

6.1 mi · 7 min · East Main Street
2

Turn straight onto US 87

18 mi · 20 min · US 87
3

Turn left onto US Highway 59 North

0.7 mi · 1 min · US Highway 59 North
4

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
5

Merge onto US 59

4.5 mi · 5 min · US 59
6

Keep slight right at fork onto US 59

4.4 mi · 4 min · US Highway 59 South
7

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
8

Continue on Northwest Zac Lenz Parkway Frontage Road East

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Northwest Zac Lenz Parkway Frontage Road East
9

Turn right onto US 59

49 mi · 57 min · US 59
10

Continue on US 59

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Corpus Christi Street
11

Continue on US 59

65 mi · 1 hr 16 min · US Highway 59 West
12

Continue on US 59; TX 44

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 59; TX 44
13

Turn left onto Bob Bullock Loop

0.8 mi · 1 min · Bob Bullock Loop
14

Turn right onto Spur 400

3.0 mi · 5 min · Clark Boulevard
15

Continue on Park Street

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Park Street
16

Turn left onto Santa Ursula Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Santa Ursula Avenue
17

Turn right onto Houston Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Houston Street
18

Turn left onto I 35 Bus

272 ft · 12 sec · Salinas Avenue
19

Turn left onto Matamoros Street

306 ft · 5 sec · Matamoros Street
20

Arrive at destination

Matamoros Street

Trip Plan

Given the 4-hour and 11-minute duration for this 214.7-mile trip, it's easily manageable as a single-day excursion. You'll want to depart with enough daylight to comfortably complete the drive, especially considering the longest stretch without a break is over 112 miles. Plan for one strategic stop to refuel and stretch your legs, as indicated by the route data. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, particularly during that extensive 112.7-mile segment on US 59, to ensure you have enough to reach Laredo. The estimated fuel cost of $32 makes budgeting straightforward for this Texas drive.

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 107.4 miles from Port Lavaca, TX, or about 2h 7m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 112.7 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 47 miles or 56m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 107.4 miles or 2h 7m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 3h 25m

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 Port Lavaca, 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 Port Lavaca, TX

This is one driving day of about 214.7 miles and 4h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Port Lavaca, 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 US 59 for about 112.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Beeville, TX

107 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Pacing Suggestions

Victoria, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

George West, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 107.4 miles from Port Lavaca, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 112.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Main Event Laredo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19567222695

Visit website

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Imaginarium of South Texas

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19567280404

Visit website

Slaughter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19567952350

Visit website

Independence Hills Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

Home stretch 3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Lake Casa Blanca International State Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

Home stretch 4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour

Laredo, Texas

+19567253826

Visit website

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 29.9 and 214.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

4
29.9 mi into trip | ~36m in | US 59 / US Highway 59 South

Keep slight right at fork onto US 59 / US Highway 59 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully

4
210.3 mi into trip | ~4h 2m in | Spur 400 / Clark Boulevard

Turn right onto Spur 400 / Clark Boulevard

Navigation decision point

4
213.6 mi into trip | ~4h 8m in | Santa Ursula Avenue

Turn left onto Santa Ursula Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
214.6 mi into trip | ~4h 10m in | I 35 Bus / Salinas Avenue

Turn left onto I 35 Bus / Salinas Avenue

Navigation decision point

5
214.7 mi into trip | ~4h 11m in | Matamoros Street

Turn left onto Matamoros Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$29.41 one way

$58.81 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 75 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $3.89 $32.85 $65.69
premium $4.23 $35.71 $71.43
diesel $4.80 $40.54 $81.08

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$29

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 75.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 64.4 0 $22.54 $10.31
Efficient EV 53.7 0 $18.79 $8.59
EV Truck/SUV 85.9 1 $30.06 $13.74

Gas CO2

75 kg

EV CO2

25 kg (67% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 18, 2026

Origin

Port Lavaca, TX

Evening in Port Lavaca on Monday

Local time

6:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

91°F

Mostly Sunny

S 13 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Destination

Laredo, TX

Evening in Laredo on Monday

Local time

6:31 PM

CDT

Current temp

103°F

Partly Sunny

SSE 16 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 5:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa 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 warmer at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

4h 11m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this 214.7-mile journey, with 94% of the route utilizing major highways like US 59 and US Highway 59 West. This means you'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, including one uninterrupted segment of 112.7 miles on US 59. The character of the drive is likely to be efficient and direct, prioritizing forward momentum over winding scenic byways. As you travel, the landscape of the Great Plains will unfold, offering a consistent backdrop for your 4-hour and 11-minute travel time.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 112.7 mi on US 59.

How Hard Is This Drive?

3/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and US Highway 59 West. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 29.9 miles in near US 59 / US Highway 59 South.

Driving Effort 3/10

Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a straightforward 4h 11m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 29.9 miles (US 59 / US Highway 59 South): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 210.3 miles (Spur 400 / Clark Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 213.6 miles (Santa Ursula Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

702 ft 18 ft

Total Climb

939 ft

Total Descent

544 ft

Highest Point

702 ft

~199.4 mi in

Elevation Range

684 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Port Lavaca, TX

Full guide →

Port Lavaca is a city on the South Barrier Coast of Texas and is the county seat of Calhoun County.

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?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 11m. Total distance: 214.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Straightforward navigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 112.7 miles on US 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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.

Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.

The main spots that need attention: at 29.9 miles (US 59 / US Highway 59 South): Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 210.3 miles (Spur 400 / Clark Boulevard): Navigation decision point; at 213.6 miles (Santa Ursula Avenue): Navigation decision point.

Possible but tiring. At 4.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.4 hours — manageable with a long break at Laredo, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

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 USGS 3DEP for elevation. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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