Origin
Ferris, TX
Night in Ferris on Wednesday
Local time
9:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ferris, TX to Laredo, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
7h 29m
Distance
420.5 mi
677 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$64
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 19m
★
6 AM
7h 29m
8 AM
7h 50m
10 AM
7h 36m
12 PM
7h 34m
3 PM
7h 37m
5 PM
7h 49m
8 PM
7h 23m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ferris, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 420.5-mile drive from Ferris, TX to Laredo, TX is a solid day trip, estimated to take around 7 hours and 29 minutes. You'll primarily be on the Purple Heart Trail and I-35E/I-35, so expect a mix of highway speeds and potentially some urban traffic depending on your timing. With a fuel cost estimated at $64 and two recommended stops, this journey across the Great Plains region of Texas is manageable for a single day. Consider an early start to make the most of your driving time and arrive in Laredo with daylight to spare.
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
210.2 miles from Ferris, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed drive experience, with 40% of it being on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 244.1 miles, primarily on the Purple Heart Trail. While much of the drive will feel like a traditional interstate experience, be prepared for transitions as you move between different highway designations. The character of the road is largely about covering distance efficiently, with a consistent pace generally maintained throughout the journey.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 25 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 9.7 miles in near Plaza Drive.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 420.5 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 9.7 miles (Plaza Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 183.2 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.7 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 14 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
9.7 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
Plaza Drive
Turn right onto Plaza Drive
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
183.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m 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
7
256.7 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
263.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
265.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 49m in
|
I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Houston, South Alamo Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 East, US 87 South, Spur 536: Housto...
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 Ferris, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.
Spur 536: Houston
265.2 mi in
|
~4h 49m
|
via I 10; US 87
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 244.1 mi | 4h 12m |
| I 35E | 72.7 mi | 1h 13m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 18.5 mi | 22m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 10.4 mi | 12m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| East Ovilla Road | 5.4 mi | 9m |
| East Farm To Market 664 | 2.7 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 244.1 mi, about 4h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ferris, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on this road
48 ft
·
5 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto FM 983
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
·
West 6th Street
3
Continue on FM 664
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 664
4
Continue on FM 664
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East Farm To Market 664
5
Continue on FM 664
5.4 mi
·
9 min
·
East Ovilla Road
6
Continue on FM 664
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
Ovilla Road
Use the left lane.
7
Turn right onto Plaza Drive
0.1 mi
·
18 sec
·
Plaza Drive
Use the right lane.
8
At end of road, turn right onto North Interstate 35E
0.1 mi
·
12 sec
·
North Interstate 35E
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
17 sec
Toward I 35E South
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 35E
73 mi
·
1 hr 13 min
·
I 35E
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Continue on I 35
144 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Houston Street
23
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft
·
12 sec
·
Salinas Avenue
24
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft
·
5 sec
·
Matamoros Street
25
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
For this 7-hour, 29-minute drive, an early morning departure from Ferris is your best bet to avoid significant traffic and maximize your daylight hours. With two planned stops, you can break up the 420.5 miles into manageable segments. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the 244.1-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. The estimated $64 fuel cost is a good benchmark for your budget, and factoring in time for these two stops will make the drive more comfortable.
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 210.2 miles from Ferris, TX, or about 3h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 244.1 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 93 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 210.2 miles or 3h 47m 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 27m
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 Ferris, 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 Ferris, TX
This is one driving day of about 420.5 miles and 7h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 93 miles from Ferris, 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 244.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 210.2 mi from Ferris, TX · 3h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
210 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 93 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 210.2 miles from Ferris, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 244.1 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$63.54 one way
$127.08 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
147 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $69.55 | $139.10 |
| premium | $4.54 | $75.08 | $150.15 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $92.84 | $185.68 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$64
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$89–$114
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 147.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $44 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 126.1 | 1 | $44.15 | $20.18 |
| Efficient EV | 105.1 | 1 | $36.79 | $16.82 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 168.2 | 2 | $58.87 | $26.91 |
Gas CO2
147 kg
EV CO2
49 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.
Destination
Laredo, TX
Night in Laredo on Wednesday
Local time
9:44 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
11 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 29m 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 Ferris, TX to Laredo, TX covers 420.5 miles and takes about 7h 29m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35E, I 35. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 210.2 miles from Ferris, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $63.54 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 14 significant decision points across 420.5 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 9.7 miles (Plaza Drive): Lane positioning matters here; at 183.2 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 256.7 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Ferris, TX to Laredo, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Spur 536: Houston along the way.
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