Trip from Anna, TX to Laredo, TX

Drive Time

8h 23m

Distance

472.5 mi

760 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$72

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Jeff Stapleton

Trip Overview

Traveling from Anna to Laredo covers 472.5 miles of Texas terrain, typically requiring about 8 hours and 23 minutes of drive time. Because of the length, you should plan for a two-day trip to avoid fatigue. Your journey will primarily utilize the Purple Heart Trail, the South R L Thornton Freeway, and the I-35 corridor. With a fuel budget of approximately $72, this route remains a cost-effective way to navigate the Great Plains. While the trip is technically doable in one long haul, splitting the distance makes for a much more manageable experience.

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

236.3 miles from Anna, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 13m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a mixed drive that transitions across 472.5 miles, featuring a highway share of 47%. You will spend a significant portion of your time on the Purple Heart Trail, which includes your longest uninterrupted stretch of 244.1 miles. The road’s personality shifts as you move through the Great Plains, alternating between heavy interstate traffic and more open stretches. Be prepared for the steady rhythm of the I-35 corridor, which demands consistent focus over the eight-plus hour duration. This route is defined by long, steady miles rather than technical, winding curves.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 244.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 472.5 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 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 24 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6.8 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South

42.6 mi into trip | ~49m in

Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway

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

Use the slight left lane. Exit 284C Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway

44.5 mi into trip | ~53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton

44.7 mi into trip | ~53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco

235.3 mi into trip | ~4h 12m in | I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street

Towns Along This Route

Between Anna, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco, Dallas Zoo and Spur 536: Houston.

Downtown

42.6 mi in | ~49m

Denton

44.5 mi in | ~53m

Waco

44.7 mi in | ~53m

Dallas Zoo

45.6 mi in | ~55m | via I 35E

Spur 536: Houston

317.2 mi in | ~5h 44m | via I 10; US 87

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	244.1 mi	4h 12m
South R L Thornton Freeway	89.9 mi	1h 32m
I 35	55.8 mi	58m
Central Expressway	35 mi	37m
North Pan Am Expressway	18.5 mi	22m
South Pan Am Expressway	10.4 mi	12m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
McKinney Street	3.3 mi	5m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 244.1 mi, about 4h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on South Sherley Road

35 ft · 8 sec · South Sherley Road

Turn left onto FM 2862

0.2 mi · 23 sec · West 4th Street

Turn left onto TX 5

2.4 mi · 3 min · South Powell Parkway

Continue on TX 5

3.3 mi · 5 min · McKinney Street

Turn right onto TX 121

1.0 mi · 1 min · Sam Rayburn Highway

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min

Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto US 75; TX 121

35 mi · 37 min · Central Expressway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

501 ft · 12 sec

Exit 284C Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway Use the slight left lane.

Continue on North Central Expressway

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Central Expressway

Use the left / straight / none lanes.

Turn right onto Elm Street

304 ft · 10 sec · Elm Street

Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Pearl Expressway

Use the straight / none lanes.

Turn right onto Young Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Young Street

Turn left onto South Harwood Street

315 ft · 8 sec · South Harwood Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto Canton Street

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Canton Street

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec

Toward I 30 West

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec

Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork

221 ft · 5 sec

Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 30 sec

Toward I 35E South: Waco Use the left / right lanes.

Continue on I 35E

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway

Continue on I 35E

89 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South R L Thornton Freeway

Exit 426 Toward Dallas Zoo Use the none lane.

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290

50 mi · 54 min · Purple Heart Trail

Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street Use the slight left lane.

Continue on I 35

1.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate Highway 35

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 35

10.0 mi · 11 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

6.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Toward I 35 South Use the none lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

2.1 mi · 2 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

10 mi · 12 min · South Pan Am Expressway

Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 35

144 mi · 2 hr 26 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto Houston Street

0.3 mi · 42 sec · Houston Street

Turn left onto I 35 Bus

272 ft · 12 sec · Salinas Avenue

Turn left onto Matamoros Street

306 ft · 5 sec · Matamoros Street

Arrive at destination

Matamoros Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 472.5-mile journey, plan for at least two dedicated stops to break up the drive. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate through the busier sections of the South R L Thornton Freeway before traffic peaks. Since the longest stretch covers 244.1 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, ensure your vehicle is fueled up before starting that specific segment to avoid unnecessary delays. If you choose to split the trip over two days, look for lodging options near the midpoint to keep your second day of driving relaxed. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $72 estimated cost can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and idling time in transit.

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 236.3 miles from Anna, TX, or about 4h 13m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.1 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 104 miles or 1h 55m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 236.3 miles or 4h 13m 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 236.3 miles or 4h 13m

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 7h 22m

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 Anna, 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 Anna, TX

Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Laredo, TX

Aim for roughly 236 miles and 4.2 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 104 miles from Anna, 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 244.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 236.3 mi from Anna, TX · 4h 13m into the drive

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Killeen, TX

236 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Killeen, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Killeen, TX

236 mi · about 4.2h in

A practical overnight split lands near Killeen, TX after about 236 miles or 4.2 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Arlington, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 104 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Austin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 236.3 miles from Anna, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 244.1 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 236 miles or 4.2 hours on the road.

Arriving in Laredo, TX

The final approach into Laredo, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Laredo, TX.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Laredo, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.

After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$72.18 one way

$144.35 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 165 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$79.10	$158.19
premium	$4.59	$85.40	$170.81
diesel	$5.64	$104.97	$209.95

Estimated Tolls: $2.86

Central Expressway (35.7 mi) $2.86

Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$72

Tolls

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$205–$315

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 165.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $50 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	141.8	1	$49.61	$22.68
Efficient EV	118.1	1	$41.34	$18.90
EV Truck/SUV	189	2	$66.15	$30.24

Gas CO2

165 kg

EV CO2

55 kg (67% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Anna, TX

Afternoon in Anna on Sunday

Local time

1:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Laredo, TX

Afternoon in Laredo on Sunday

Local time

1:35 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

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

13 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

8h 23m 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Anna, TX to Laredo, TX covers 472.5 miles and takes about 8h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, South R L Thornton Freeway, I 35. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 236 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 236.3 miles from Anna, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $72.18 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Between Anna, TX and Laredo, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco, Dallas Zoo and Spur 536: Houston.

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Return Trip

Laredo, TX to Anna, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

473.1 mi 8h 24m

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Trip from Anna, TX to Laredo, TX

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Laredo, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Anna, TX

Laredo, TX

Same local time

13 degrees warmer at arrival

8h 23m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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