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Trip from South Houston, 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

6h 17m

Distance

321.6 mi

518 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min
4 AM
6h 5m ★
6 AM
6h 18m
8 AM
6h 43m
10 AM
6h 26m
12 PM
6h 24m
3 PM
6h 28m
5 PM
6h 42m
8 PM
6h 10m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in Harris County, Texas, United States

South Houston, TX

Wikimedia Commons

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

Laredo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 321.6-mile drive from South Houston, TX, to Laredo, TX, is designed for a single day of travel, taking approximately 6 hours and 17 minutes. You'll primarily be on US 59, which accounts for 90% of your journey, making it a focused highway experience. With an estimated fuel cost of $49, this route is budget-friendly for a solo trip. Both your origin and destination are situated within the Great Plains region, so you can expect a consistent landscape throughout your travel. This straightforward highway trek is ideal for getting from point A to point B efficiently.

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

160.8 miles from South Houston, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 59 123.9 mi 2h 18m
US Highway 59 74.7 mi 1h 22m
US Highway 59 West 65.2 mi 1h 16m
Southwest Freeway 16.7 mi 18m
Main Street 11.4 mi 15m
South Loop East 5.8 mi 7m
US Highway 59 South 4.4 mi 4m
Clark Boulevard 3 mi 5m
Longest stretch: US 59 — 123.9 mi, about 2h 18m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between South Houston, TX and Laredo, TX.

1

Start on TX 3

0.6 mi · 1 min · Galveston Road
2

Turn left onto TX 3

1.1 mi · 1 min · Winkler Drive
Use the right lane.
3

Continue on TX 3

486 ft · 8 sec · Monroe Road
4

Turn right onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road

0.2 mi · 19 sec · Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec
Toward I 45 North Use the slight left lane.
6

Merge onto I 45

1.9 mi · 2 min · Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec
Exit 40C Toward I 610 West Use the slight left / straight lanes.
8

Merge onto I 610

5.8 mi · 7 min · South Loop East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Keep slight left at fork

0.7 mi · 42 sec
10

Merge onto I 610

1.2 mi · 1 min · South Loop West
Use the slight right lane.
11

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Exit 2 Toward US 90 Alternate: Buffalo Speedway, South Main Street Use the slight right lane.
12

Turn straight onto South Loop West Frontage Road

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Loop West Frontage Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
13

Turn left onto US 90 Alt

11 mi · 15 min · Main Street
Use the left lane.
14

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 52 sec
Toward US 59 Use the left lane.
15

Turn slight left onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left lane.
16

Take the ramp

0.6 mi · 1 min
Toward US 59 South, I 69 South Use the slight left lane.
17

Merge onto I 69; US 59

17 mi · 18 min · Southwest Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
18

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Exit 94 Toward Spur 10: Cottonwood, Church Road, Hartledge Road
19

Turn straight onto Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

1.0 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
20

Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

0.4 mi · 1 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
21

Continue on US 59 Southbound Frontage Road

0.9 mi · 2 min · US 59 Southbound Frontage Road
22

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec
23

Merge onto US 59

9.2 mi · 10 min · US 59
24

Keep slight left at fork onto US 59

6.6 mi · 7 min · US 59
25

Take the exit

1.5 mi · 2 min
26

Continue on US 59

75 mi · 1 hr 22 min · US Highway 59
27

Keep slight right at fork onto US 59

4.4 mi · 4 min · US Highway 59 South
28

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 25 sec
29

Continue on Northwest Zac Lenz Parkway Frontage Road East

0.3 mi · 39 sec · Northwest Zac Lenz Parkway Frontage Road East
30

Turn right onto US 59

49 mi · 57 min · US 59
31

Continue on US 59

1.3 mi · 2 min · West Corpus Christi Street
32

Continue on US 59

65 mi · 1 hr 16 min · US Highway 59 West
33

Continue on US 59; TX 44

59 mi · 1 hr 3 min · US 59; TX 44
34

Turn left onto Bob Bullock Loop

0.8 mi · 1 min · Bob Bullock Loop
35

Turn right onto Spur 400

3.0 mi · 5 min · Clark Boulevard
36

Continue on Park Street

0.4 mi · 49 sec · Park Street
37

Turn left onto Santa Ursula Avenue

0.7 mi · 1 min · Santa Ursula Avenue
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

To make the most of this single-day trip, aim for an early morning departure from South Houston to maximize daylight hours. With a duration of over 6 hours, plan for one significant stop to refuel and stretch, breaking up the longest stretch of 123.9 miles. The fuel cost is estimated at $49, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Houston. Since this is a primarily highway-focused drive on US 59, staying alert to changing speed limits and potential traffic near urban areas will be key to a smooth journey.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 160.8 miles from South Houston, TX, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 123.9 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 71 miles or 1h 29m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 160.8 miles or 3h 10m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 10m

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 South Houston, 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 South Houston, TX

This is one driving day of about 321.6 miles and 6h 17m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 71 miles from South Houston, 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 123.9 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city and county seat of Nueces County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Corpus Christi, TX

161 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.

Popular next leg

Corpus Christi, TX to Laredo, TX

142.9 mi · 2h 43m

Pacing Suggestions

Sugar Land, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Refugio, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 160.8 miles from South Houston, 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 123.9 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Main Event Laredo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30 mile 321.6

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19567222695

Visit website

Imaginarium of South Texas

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 321.6

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19567280404

Visit website

Slaughter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 321.6

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19567952350

Visit website

Cowboy Up Hang Gliding

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Early in the drive, short detour

1.4 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 68.9

Wharton, Texas

Hours: 8 am–8 pm

+18327402004

Visit website

Escape Again Rooms

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 23

Sugar Land, Texas

Hours: 4–10 pm

+18329994572

Visit website

Independence Hills Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 321.6

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Fort Bend Children's Discovery Center

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 23

Sugar Land, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+18327422800

Visit website

Dinosaur Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Early in the drive, ~9 min detour

3.6 mi from route ~9 min detour mile 68.9

Wharton, Texas

+19795322491

Visit website

Lake Casa Blanca International State Park

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, ~10 min detour

4.1 mi from route ~10 min detour mile 321.6

Laredo, Texas

+19567253826

Visit website

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 2 and 24.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
2 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the ramp toward I 45 North

Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 45 North
7
4.1 mi into trip | ~5m in

Take the exit toward I 610 West

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 40C Toward I 610 West
8
12.1 mi into trip | ~15m in

Take the exit toward US 90 Alternate: Buffalo Speedway, South Main Street

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 2 Toward US 90 Alternate: Buffalo Speedway, South...
6
24.3 mi into trip | ~33m in

Take the exit toward US 59

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane. Toward US 59
6
24.8 mi into trip | ~34m in

Take the ramp toward US 59 South, I 69 South

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward US 59 South, I 69 South

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$48.59 one way

$97.19 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 113 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $53.19 $106.38
premium $4.54 $57.42 $114.84
diesel $5.61 $71.01 $142.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$49

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$74–$99

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 112.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 96.5 1 $33.77 $15.44
Efficient EV 80.4 0 $28.14 $12.86
EV Truck/SUV 128.6 1 $45.02 $20.58

Gas CO2

113 kg

EV CO2

38 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 Apr 16, 2026

Origin

South Houston, TX

Morning in South Houston on Sunday

Local time

9:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laredo, TX

Morning in Laredo on Sunday

Local time

9:17 AM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Sunny

SE 10 to 14 mph 0% chance Live forecast

High Wind Warning

High Wind Warning issued April 16 at 9:52AM MDT until April 17 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Freeze Watch

Freeze Watch issued April 16 at 4:14AM CDT until April 18 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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

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

6h 17m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

Prepare for a highway-focused drive with a substantial 90% of the route being on US 59. This means you'll experience long stretches of consistent speed, with the longest uninterrupted segment measuring 123.9 miles on US 59. The road's personality is largely defined by its efficiency, designed for steady progress rather than varied scenery. You'll be on a well-established highway for the vast majority of the trip, making it a predictable and direct journey.

90% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 123.9 mi on US 59.

How Hard Is This Drive?

10/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and US Highway 59. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2 miles in.

Driving Effort 10/10

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 27 significant decision points across 321.6 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 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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 South Houston, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 10: Cottonwood along the way.

Spur 10: Cottonwood

42.1 mi in | ~53m

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 6h 17m. Total distance: 321.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 17m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 123.9 miles on US 59. 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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 2 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.3 hours each way, a round trip means 12.6 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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