How far is Laredo, TX from Universal City, TX?
The driving distance from Laredo, TX to Universal City, TX is about 174.5 miles (280.8 km), with a travel time of about 03h 06m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 12m 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 03h 06m.
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 Frio County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Laredo and Universal City.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo and Universal City.
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1
Start on Matamoros Street
1544 ft · 46 sec · Matamoros Street
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2
Turn left onto San Dario Avenue
553 ft · 11 sec · San Dario Avenue
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3
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
144.4 mi · 2 hr 27 min · Purple Heart Trail
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4
Continue on South Pan Am Expressway
8.4 mi · 10 min · South Pan Am Expressway
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 10 East, US 90 West, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Del Rio
616 ft · 15 sec
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6
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston
2146 ft · 52 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto Jose Lopez Freeway
8 mi · 9 min · Jose Lopez Freeway
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8
Continue on 90th Infantry Division Highway
5 mi · 5 min · 90th Infantry Division Highway
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9
Take the exit slight right toward Loop 1604: JBSA-Randolph
2002 ft · 49 sec
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10
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
1.4 km · 2 min · Interstate 10 East
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11
Turn left onto Anderson Loop
4.7 mi · 6 min · Anderson Loop
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12
Take the exit slight right toward FM 78: JBSA-Randolph, Universal City, Converse
2016 ft · 47 sec
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13
At the end of the road, turn right onto Gordon A Blake Highway
1.1 mi · 2 min · Gordon A Blake Highway
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14
Turn left onto Pat Booker Road
1864 ft · 1 min · Pat Booker Road
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15
Turn left
12 m · 3 sec
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16
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Laredo and Universal City.
Straightforward drive
The saved road route has a manageable number of maneuvers and should be easy to follow with normal attention to signs.
Purple Heart Trail
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
144 mi · 02h 27m
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Laredo and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Universal City.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Laredo to Universal City?
The road trip is about 174.5 miles (280.8 km) and usually takes 03h 06m 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?
Dilley is a useful midpoint, sitting about 87.4 miles from Laredo and 87.1 miles from Universal City.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 159.2 miles (256.2 km), while the road route adds roughly 15.3 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 10:48 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.28 one way or $46.56 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 54.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Laredo and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Universal City.
Stop Ideas Near Dilley
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Dilley.
San Antonio Station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Laredo and Universal City. Straight-line distance: 159.21 mi (256.23 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Universal City
Community in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles County, California
| Population | 20,890 |
| Coordinates | 29.5480100, -98.2911200 |
| Altitude | 233 |
| Country | United States |
End: Universal City (-98.29112, 29.54801)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 281 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 48m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 21m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 54m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 10m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $23.28 | $46.56 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.19 | $52.38 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $28.28 | $56.56 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $24.60 | $49.19 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.