How far is Zapata, TX from Laredo, TX?

The driving distance from Zapata, TX to Laredo, TX is about 52.7 miles (84.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 59m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 43.9 miles (70.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 58m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
52.7 mi
00h 59m
Flight
43.87 mi
70.6 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Zapata.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
43.87 mi
Kilometers
70.6 km
Flight Time
00h 05m

Driving Distance

Road route
52.7 mi
Kilometers
84.82 km
Drive Time
00h 59m

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 00h 59m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Laredo
Sun, May 31, 1:58 AM CDT
Return by in Zapata
Sun, May 31, 2:58 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Zapata
2026-05-31T00:59
Arrive Laredo
Sun, May 31, 1:58 AM CDT
Route Timing
00h 59m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
8:59 AM to 10:59 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
4:32 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Zapata
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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.

Mid-route stop
El Cenizo
TX

City in Webb County, Texas, United States

From Zapata
24.7 mi
00h 29m
To Laredo
28 mi
00h 29m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
91°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
8 mph SE
Destination
95°F
Sunday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Sun, May 31 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
10 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Zapata and Laredo.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Zapata and Laredo.

  1. 1

    Start on United States Highway 83

    25.7 mi · 29 min · United States Highway 83

  2. 2

    Continue on North US Highway 83

    14.2 mi · 16 min · North US Highway 83

  3. 3

    Continue on South Zapata Highway

    5.4 mi · 8 min · South Zapata Highway

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South Meadow Avenue

    2.1 mi · 5 min · South Meadow Avenue

  5. 5

    Turn left onto Guadalupe Street

    1 mi · 2 min · Guadalupe Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Houston Street

    1.1 km · 2 min · Houston Street

  7. 7

    Turn left onto Salinas Avenue

    83 m · 12 sec · Salinas Avenue

  8. 8

    Turn left onto Matamoros Street

    93 m · 5 sec · Matamoros Street

  9. 9

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Matamoros Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Zapata and Laredo.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
9 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
0
0 merges, 0 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
17.1 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
United States Highway 83
25.7 mi · 49%
North US Highway 83
14.2 mi · 27%
South Zapata Highway
5.37 mi · 10%
South Meadow Avenue
2.11 mi · 4%
Guadalupe Street
1.03 mi · 2%
Houston Street
0.7 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

United States Highway 83

Start on United States Highway 83

25.7 mi · 00h 29m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
00h 59m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
01h 58m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+8.8 mi
43.9 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
El Cenizo
00h 29m from Zapata
Leave By
4:32 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Zapata 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 Zapata to Laredo?

The road trip is about 52.7 miles (84.8 km) and usually takes 00h 59m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

El Cenizo is a useful midpoint, sitting about 24.7 miles from Zapata and 28 miles from Laredo.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 43.9 miles (70.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 8.8 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:32 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $7.03 one way or $14.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.5 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Zapata and Partly Sunny near Laredo.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Zapata and Laredo. Straight-line distance: 43.87 mi (70.6 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Zapata

Census designated place

Population5,089
Coordinates26.9072600, -99.2714300
Altitude121
CountryUnited States
Laredo

#2 Laredo

The third most populous city in Texas and the center of the Laredo metropolitan area.

Population263,640
Coordinates27.5064100, -99.5075400
Altitude126
CountryUnited States
Start: US 83 South (-99.271534, 26.907193)
End: Matamoros Street (-99.507507, 27.506385)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 85 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)01h 45m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 19m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 03m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)00h 52m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)00h 45m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 39m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
1.86 gal
7.04 L · about $7.03
Round trip
$14.06
3.72 gal · 14.08 L
Estimated CO2
16.5 kg one way
Round trip: 33.1 kg / 73 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $7.03 $14.06
Mid-grade $4.25 $7.91 $15.82
Premium $4.59 $8.54 $17.08
Diesel $3.99 $7.43 $14.85

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 · May 31, 2026

There is no time difference between Zapata and Laredo. The current time is 00:59:20.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.