Slaton, TX to Laredo, TX is 521 miles and takes about 9h 5m via Purple Heart Trail, US Highway 84, and I 10, with a fuel budget near $76 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a long-haul drive that begins in the Great Plains region of Texas and ends in the same region. Since you're staying within Texas for the entire trip, you won't need to worry about crossing state lines. Plan for this to be a full day behind the wheel, or consider breaking it up over two days to make the most of the drive.
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
260.5 miles from Slaton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 37m into the drive
.
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 16 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~1,126 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,410
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
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 Slaton, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on this road
231 ft·19 sec·this road
2
Turn right onto South 8th Street
207 ft·7 sec·South 8th Street
3
Turn right onto West Lubbock Street
384 ft·16 sec·West Lubbock Street
4
Turn left onto US 84 Bus; FM 400
0.2 mi·22 sec·South 9th Street
5
Turn right onto FM 41
1.2 mi·2 min·West Division Street
6
Turn sharp left onto South Highway 84
0.2 mi·27 sec·South Highway 84
7
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·18 sec
8
Merge onto US 84
2.4 mi·2 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
9
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
10
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
11
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
12
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
13
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
14
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi·6 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 244Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
17
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southwest Georgia Avenue
18
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
19
Continue on TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
20
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
21
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
22
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·TX 158
23
At end of road, turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
24
Turn left onto US 83
17 mi·18 min·South 7th Street
Use the left lane.
25
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Grassmeyer Street
26
Continue on US 83
29 mi·31 min·Ellis Street
27
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi·38 min·US 83
Toward I 10 East: San AntonioUse the left lane.
28
Continue on I 10
54 mi·54 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 556BToward Frontage RoadUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 West
0.4 mi·41 sec·Interstate 10 West
32
Turn right onto North Loop 1604 West
0.6 mi·1 min·North Loop 1604 West
33
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West
34
Merge onto Loop 1604
24 mi·29 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Turn right onto Interstate 35 South
0.2 mi·20 sec·Interstate 35 South
36
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 35 South
37
Merge onto I 35
140 mi·2 hr 21 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
39
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
40
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
41
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
Given the 9-hour estimated drive time, it's best to get an early start to maximize daylight. This trip is recommended for 2 days, so aim to split the 521 miles into two manageable segments. Consider stopping around the halfway point to rest and refuel. Watch for changing speed limits as you move between highway and surface road sections. Your estimated fuel cost is $76, so budget accordingly and keep an eye on your tank, especially during the 139.7-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail.
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 260.5 miles from Slaton, TX, or about 4h 37m 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 115 miles or 2h in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 260.5 miles or 4h 37m 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 260.5 miles or 4h 37m
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 4m
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 Slaton, 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 Slaton, TX
Aim for roughly 261 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Laredo, TX
Aim for roughly 261 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 115 miles from Slaton, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 100.9 and 354.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
100.9 mi into trip|~1h 45m 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
107.4 mi into trip|~1h 51m 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,...
6
166.9 mi into trip|~2h 58m in|US 83 / South 7th Street
Turn left onto US 83 / South 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
254.7 mi into trip|~4h 32m 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
354.3 mi into trip|~6h 10m 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
$71.36 one way
$142.72 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg182 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$79.71
$159.42
premium
$4.23
$86.66
$173.32
diesel
$4.80
$98.37
$196.75
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: 182.3 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
156.3
1
$54.71
$25.01
Efficient EV
130.3
1
$45.59
$20.84
EV Truck/SUV
208.4
2
$72.94
$33.34
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
Slaton, TX
Morning
in Slaton on Sunday
Local time
10:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph33% 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
Morning
in Laredo on Sunday
Local time
10:01 AM
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
94°F
Eden, TX
172 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
18 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 5m 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
~38 min detour
Free
near mile 377.2
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 323.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route involves a 50% highway share, meaning you'll spend half the time on interstates and half on surface roads. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 139.7 miles on Purple Heart Trail. Expect to transition from rural cruising on surface roads to higher-speed interstate travel as you progress. The mix of road types means you'll notice changes in speed limits and traffic density.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
41 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?
8/10
At 9h 5m, 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 100.9 miles in near US 84.
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 29 significant decision points across 521 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 100.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.9 miles (US 83 / South 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,085 ft413 ft
Total Climb
334 ft
Total Descent
3,006 ft
Highest Point
3,085 ft
Elevation Range
2,672 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Slaton, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward 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 261 miles on day one.
Yes — we found about 48 rest areas or service plazas 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.
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. There are 48 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 100.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 107.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.9 miles (US 83 / South 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here.
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 9.1 hours each way, a round trip means 18.2 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.
