This 394.7-mile drive from Cisco to Laredo, Texas, is a substantial undertaking, estimated to take about 7 hours and 30 minutes. It's a journey that can be comfortably completed in a single day, but be prepared for a full day behind the wheel. The route is primarily a mixed drive, utilizing roads like the Purple Heart Trail and South US Highway 87. With an estimated fuel cost of around $60, it's an economical option for covering significant ground. You'll pass through the Great Plains region for both your origin and destination, suggesting a consistent landscape for much of the trip. Planning for two stops will help break up the drive.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
197.3 miles from Cisco, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 3m into the drive
.
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 30m. Total distance: 394.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 30m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
The road character on this 394.7-mile trip is a mixed bag, with 42% of the drive on highways. You'll experience stretches of faster-paced driving interspersed with more local road conditions. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 139.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, so be ready for a considerable period without a major break point. The route progresses through varying road types, including segments of South US Highway 87 and 8th Street, offering a dynamic driving experience rather than a monotonous interstate crawl.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 32 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 139.7 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 48.8 miles in near US 84; US 283; TX 206.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 394.7 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 48.8 miles (US 84; US 283; TX 206): Navigation decision point; at 49.5 miles (US 84; US 283): Lane positioning matters here; at 195.5 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 20 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
48.8 mi into trip|~1h 12m in|US 84; US 283; TX 206
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283; TX 206
Navigation decision point
5
49.5 mi into trip|~1h 13m in|US 84; US 283
Turn left onto US 84; US 283
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
195.5 mi into trip|~4h 2m in|US 87
Take the ramp onto US 87 toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
6
222.6 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
228 mi into trip|~4h 35m in
Take the exit toward Frontage Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 556B
Toward Frontage Road
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 Cisco, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 West along the way.
Step-by-step road directions between Cisco, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on TX 6
0.8 mi·1 min·East 8th Street
2
Continue on TX 206
0.2 mi·21 sec·Liggett Street
3
Continue on TX 206
23 mi·34 min·State Highway 206
4
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 206
25 mi·36 min·TX 206
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 84; US 283; TX 206
0.7 mi·50 sec·US 84; US 283; TX 206
6
Turn left onto US 84; US 283
9.5 mi·10 min·US 84; US 283
Use the straight lane.
7
Turn right onto US 283
41 mi·46 min·8th Street
8
Turn left onto US 87
3.4 mi·3 min·United States Highway 87
9
Continue on US 87
0.3 mi·23 sec·Commerce Street
10
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
15 mi·16 min·Bridge Street
11
Continue on US 87; US 377
13 mi·15 min·North US Highway 87
12
Continue on US 87; TX 29
0.8 mi·56 sec·Fort McKavitt Street
13
Take the exit onto US 87
166 ft·4 sec·US 87
14
Merge onto US 87
1.1 mi·1 min·San Antonio Street
15
Continue on US 87
40 mi·44 min·South US Highway 87
16
At end of road, turn left onto US 290; US 87
1.5 mi·4 min·West Main Street
17
Turn right onto US 87
1.1 mi·2 min·South Washington Street
18
Continue on US 87
20 mi·23 min·South US Highway 87
19
Take the ramp onto US 87
27 mi·27 min·US 87
Toward I 10 East: San AntonioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
5.4 mi·5 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 556BToward Frontage RoadUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 West
0.4 mi·41 sec·Interstate 10 West
23
Turn right onto North Loop 1604 West
0.6 mi·1 min·North Loop 1604 West
24
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward Loop 1604 West
25
Merge onto Loop 1604
24 mi·29 min·Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto Interstate 35 South
0.2 mi·20 sec·Interstate 35 South
27
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·28 sec
Toward I 35 South
28
Merge onto I 35
140 mi·2 hr 21 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
30
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
31
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
32
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7-hour and 30-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Cisco to maximize daylight. With 394.7 miles to cover and a fuel cost around $60, planning two stops is wise for stretching and refueling. The longest stretch, 139.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, means you'll want to ensure you have plenty of fuel before entering it. While this drive is feasible in one day, be mindful of the mixed road conditions and pace yourself accordingly. Staying aware of your fuel gauge, especially before that long stretch, is a key piece of advice for this particular route.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 197.3 miles from Cisco, TX, or about 4h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.7 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 87 miles or 1h 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 197.3 miles or 4h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 29m
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 Cisco, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cisco, TX
This is one driving day of about 394.7 miles and 7h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 miles from Cisco, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 139.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 197.3 mi from Cisco, TX
· 4h 3m into the drive
The midpoint is around 197.3 miles from Cisco, 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 139.7 miles.
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.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
16 mi from route
~39 min detour
Free
near mile 176.9
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
18 mi from route
~45 min detour
Free
near mile 245
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$59.64 one way
$119.28 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg138 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$65.28
$130.56
premium
$4.54
$70.47
$140.94
diesel
$5.61
$87.14
$174.29
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$60
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$85–$110
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $41 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
118.4
1
$41.44
$18.95
Efficient EV
98.7
1
$34.54
$15.79
EV Truck/SUV
157.9
1
$55.26
$25.26
Gas CO2
138 kg
EV CO2
46 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 as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cisco, TX
Evening
in Cisco on Friday
Local time
7:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Laredo, TX
Evening
in Laredo on Friday
Local time
7:36 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°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.
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
7h 30m 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Cisco, TX to Laredo, TX covers 394.7 miles and takes about 7h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, South US Highway 87, 8th Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 197.3 miles from Cisco, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $59.64 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 394.7 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 48.8 miles (US 84; US 283; TX 206): Navigation decision point; at 49.5 miles (US 84; US 283): Lane positioning matters here; at 195.5 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cisco, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 1604 West along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
