How far is Houston, TX from Laredo, TX?
The driving distance from Houston, TX to Laredo, TX is about 318.3 miles (512.2 km), with a travel time of about 05h 08m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 295.7 miles (475.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 17m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 05h 08m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Texas, USA
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Houston and Laredo.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Houston and Laredo.
-
1
Start on Louisiana Street
761 ft · 25 sec · Louisiana Street
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2
Take the ramp straight toward I 10 West: San Antonio
2149 ft · 52 sec
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3
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
174.9 mi · 3 hr 2 min · Katy Freeway
-
4
Keep slight left
12 mi · 13 min
-
5
Keep slight left to continue on 90th Infantry Division Highway
1.2 km · 52 sec · 90th Infantry Division Highway
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6
Continue on Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi · 9 min · Jose Lopez Freeway
-
7
Take the exit slight right toward I 35, I 10 West, US 87 North: Laredo, El Paso, Austin
923 ft · 23 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 35 South: Laredo
2518 ft · 1 min
-
9
Merge slight left onto South Pan Am Expressway
8.3 mi · 10 min · South Pan Am Expressway
-
10
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
144.5 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Purple Heart Trail
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11
Turn right onto Houston Street
1607 ft · 42 sec · Houston Street
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12
Turn left onto Salinas Avenue
83 m · 12 sec · Salinas Avenue
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13
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
93 m · 5 sec · Matamoros Street
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14
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Matamoros Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Houston and Laredo.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
Katy Freeway
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
175 mi · 03h 02m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A longer out-and-back drive
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Houston and Partly Sunny near Laredo.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Houston to Laredo?
The road trip is about 318.3 miles (512.2 km) and usually takes 05h 08m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Santa Clara is a useful midpoint, sitting about 175.1 miles from Houston and 143.2 miles from Laredo.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 295.7 miles (475.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 22.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 6:42 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $42.44 one way or $84.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 99.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms around Houston and Partly Sunny near Laredo.
Stop Ideas Near Santa Clara
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
New Braunfels Parks and Recreation
Schertz EMS
Converse City Hall
New Braunfels Municipal Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Santa Clara.
San Antonio Station
San Marcos Station
Austin
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Houston and Laredo. Straight-line distance: 295.73 mi (475.93 km).
#1 Houston
The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,316,120 |
| Coordinates | 29.7632800, -95.3632700 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Laredo
The third most populous city in Texas and the center of the Laredo metropolitan area.
| Population | 263,640 |
| Coordinates | 27.5064100, -99.5075400 |
| Altitude | 126 |
| Country | United States |
End: Matamoros Street (-99.507507, 27.506385)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 512 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 10h 36m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 57m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 06h 21m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 05h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 32m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 58m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $42.44 | $84.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $47.75 | $95.50 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $51.56 | $103.11 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $44.84 | $89.68 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Texas · Apr 22, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.