Origin
River Oaks, TX
Late night in River Oaks on Sunday
Local time
2:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from River Oaks, 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
7h 29m
Distance
422.1 mi
679 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 19m
★
6 AM
7h 29m
8 AM
7h 49m
10 AM
7h 36m
12 PM
7h 34m
3 PM
7h 37m
5 PM
7h 48m
8 PM
7h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
River Oaks, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 439.3-mile journey from River Oaks, Texas, to Laredo, Texas, is best tackled in a single day, taking approximately 6 hours and 21 minutes to complete. While covering a significant distance, the route is characterized by its frequent turns, making it more of a local drive than a high-speed interstate cruise. Expect a fuel cost of around $67 for this trip. Since you'll be passing through the Great Plains region for both your origin and destination, the scenery will remain consistent throughout. This drive is manageable as a day trip, but be prepared for a more involved driving experience due to the numerous road changes.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
211 miles from River Oaks, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 244.1 mi | 4h 12m |
| I 35W | 57.6 mi | 58m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| North J Elmer Weaver Freeway | 23.5 mi | 26m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 18.5 mi | 22m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 244.1 mi, about 4h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between River Oaks, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on Ten Mile Lane
0.2 mi
·
40 sec
·
Ten Mile Lane
2
Continue on Meadow Crest Lane
526 ft
·
27 sec
·
Meadow Crest Lane
3
Turn left onto Riveroaks Drive
340 ft
·
17 sec
·
Riveroaks Drive
4
Turn right onto West Highway 67
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
West Highway 67
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward US 67 South
Use the slight left lane.
6
Merge onto US 67
23 mi
·
26 min
·
North J Elmer Weaver Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Turn left onto US 67 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Baugh Street
8
Turn straight onto US 67 Bus
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
East College Street
9
Turn left onto FM 1706
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sparks Street
10
At end of road, turn left onto I 35 Bus
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
South Parkway Drive
11
Continue on I 35 Bus
487 ft
·
22 sec
·
I 35 Bus
12
Turn left
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
13
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 35W South
14
Merge onto I 35W
58 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35W
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
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.
19
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
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.
23
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.
24
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.
25
Continue on I 35
144 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Houston Street
27
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft
·
12 sec
·
Salinas Avenue
28
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft
·
5 sec
·
Matamoros Street
29
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 6-hour and 21-minute drive, aim for an early morning departure from River Oaks to avoid potential traffic and maximize daylight hours. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically to break up the 439.3 miles. Given the 'turn-heavy' nature of this route, staying focused on navigation is key; a reliable GPS is highly recommended. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the $67 estimated cost suggests consistent refueling might be necessary across the various local roads you'll be using.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 211 miles from River Oaks, TX, or about 3h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.1 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 93 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 211 miles or 3h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 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 River Oaks, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from River Oaks, TX
This is one driving day of about 422.1 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from River Oaks, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
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
Meal stop
211 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 211 miles from River Oaks, 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.
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 185 decision points cluster between mile 129 and 266.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
129 mi into trip
|
~2h 19m in
|
I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
184.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 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
258.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
264.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
266.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 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
$63.78 one way
$127.56 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
148 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $69.81 | $139.63 |
| premium | $4.54 | $75.36 | $150.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $93.19 | $186.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 126.6 | 1 | $44.32 | $20.26 |
| Efficient EV | 105.5 | 1 | $36.93 | $16.88 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 168.8 | 2 | $59.09 | $27.01 |
Gas CO2
148 kg
EV CO2
49 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 Sunday
Local time
2:56 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.
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
7h 29m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 87.3
View on nps.gov
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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 262
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
The profile of this drive is best described as 'turn-heavy,' meaning you'll be navigating numerous local roads and intersections rather than sustained highway stretches. With 0% highway share, you're in for a continuous engagement with the road network. There isn't a 'longest stretch' of uninterrupted driving to note, as the route is designed to keep you actively steering and observing your surroundings. This type of drive requires constant attention, offering a more hands-on experience behind the wheel as you transition through various local road segments.
41% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 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 129 miles in near I 35.
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 18 significant decision points across 422.1 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 129 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.8 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 258.3 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 River Oaks, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.
Spur 536: Houston
266.8 mi in
|
~4h 49m
|
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?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 29m. Total distance: 422.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 29m 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.
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 129 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 184.8 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 258.3 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 7.5 hours each way, a round trip means 15.0 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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