Drive Time
7h 43m
Distance
487.6 mi
785 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$74
one way
Photo: Jeff Stapleton
The drive from Henderson, TX to Laredo, TX covers 487.6 miles and takes about 7h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Main Street, Jacksonville Drive, Highway 79 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $74.48 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
243.8 miles from Henderson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 51m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 43m drive with frequent turns across 487.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 43m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Henderson, TX to Laredo, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Main Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jacksonville Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 79 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Rusk Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 79 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Palestine Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Oak Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Porter Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Henderson, TX and Laredo, TX.
Start on East Main Street
Turn left onto South Main Street
Turn right onto Jacksonville Drive
At the end of the road, turn right onto Highway 79
Continue on East Rusk Street
Continue on US Highway 79 West
Continue on East Palestine Avenue
Continue on West Oak Street
Turn straight
Take the exit slight right
Continue straight
Turn left onto Porter Street
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
Continue straight
Turn left onto Chris Kelley Boulevard
Turn left onto TX 130 Frontage Road
Take the ramp slight left toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
Continue on Toll 130 South: Austin, Pflugerville
Merge slight left onto Pickle Parkway
Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: San Antonio
Merge slight left
Continue straight
Keep slight left
Keep slight left to continue on 90th Infantry Division Highway
Continue on Jose Lopez Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward I 35, I 10 West, US 87 North: Laredo, El Paso, Austin
Keep slight left to continue on I 35 South: Laredo
Merge slight left onto South Pan Am Expressway
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
Turn right onto Houston Street
Turn left onto Salinas Avenue
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
Arrive at your destination
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 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 107 miles or 1h 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 243.8 miles or 3h 51m 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 46m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laredo, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Henderson, 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 Henderson, TX
This is one driving day of about 487.6 miles and 7h 43m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 243.8 mi from Henderson, TX · 3h 51m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
244 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.
A short stop after about 107 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 243.8 miles from Henderson, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$74.48 one way
$148.97 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $81.63 | $163.25 |
| premium | $4.59 | $88.13 | $176.27 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $108.33 | $216.66 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$99–$124
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 170.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 146.3 | 1 | $51.20 | $23.40 |
| Efficient EV | 121.9 | 1 | $42.67 | $19.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 195 | 2 | $68.26 | $31.21 |
Gas CO2
171 kg
EV CO2
57 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Late night in Henderson on Sunday
Local time
1:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Late night in Laredo on Sunday
Local time
1:12 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
65°F
Austin, TX
244 mi in
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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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