The drive from Karnes City, TX to Laredo, TX covers 155.7 miles and takes about 3h 3m behind the wheel.
This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on US 59, West State Highway 72, North Harborth Avenue for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is highway-focused drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 101.6 miles on US 59.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $23.53 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
77.8 miles from Karnes City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 34m into the drive
.
This is a 3h 3m highway drive covering 155.7 miles, with most of the trip on US 59 and West State Highway 72. The longest continuous stretch is about 101.6 miles on US 59.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 59 is the longest continuous segment at about 101.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and West State Highway 72. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near FM 99 / South Panna Maria Avenue.
Driving Effort2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from Karnes City, TX to Laredo, TX is easy. At 3h 3m with 88% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 99 / South Panna Maria Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 37.6 miles (US 281; TX 72 / North Harborth Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 151.2 miles (Spur 400 / Clark Boulevard): Navigation decision point.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 11 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
4
0 mi into trip|~0m in|FM 99 / South Panna Maria Avenue
Turn left onto FM 99 / South Panna Maria Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
37.6 mi into trip|~47m in|US 281; TX 72 / North Harborth Avenue
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; TX 72 / North Harborth Avenue
Navigation decision point
4
151.2 mi into trip|~2h 55m in|Spur 400 / Clark Boulevard
Turn right onto Spur 400 / Clark Boulevard
Navigation decision point
5
155.5 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|I 35 Bus / Salinas Avenue
Turn left onto I 35 Bus / Salinas Avenue
Navigation decision point
5
155.6 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|Matamoros Street
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
Navigation decision point
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 59
101.6 mi
1h 51m
West State Highway 72
31.8 mi
39m
North Harborth Avenue
11 mi
14m
South US Highway 181
3.3 mi
3m
Clark Boulevard
3 mi
5m
North Sunset Strip Drive
1.6 mi
2m
South Panna Maria Avenue
1 mi
1m
Bob Bullock Loop
0.8 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 59
— 101.6 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Karnes City, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on US 181 Business
74 ft·6 sec·East Calvert Avenue
2
Turn left onto FM 99
1.0 mi·1 min·South Panna Maria Avenue
3
Turn slight left onto US 181
3.3 mi·3 min·South US Highway 181
4
Continue on US 181
1.6 mi·2 min·North Sunset Strip Drive
5
Turn right onto TX 72
32 mi·39 min·West State Highway 72
6
At end of road, turn left onto US 281; TX 72
11 mi·14 min·North Harborth Avenue
7
Take the exit
247 ft·6 sec
8
Merge onto US 59
43 mi·48 min·US 59
9
Continue on US 59; TX 44
59 mi·1 hr 3 min·US 59; TX 44
10
Turn left onto Bob Bullock Loop
0.8 mi·1 min·Bob Bullock Loop
11
Turn right onto Spur 400
3.0 mi·5 min·Clark Boulevard
12
Continue on Park Street
0.4 mi·49 sec·Park Street
13
Turn left onto Santa Ursula Avenue
0.7 mi·1 min·Santa Ursula Avenue
14
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi·42 sec·Houston Street
15
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft·12 sec·Salinas Avenue
16
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft·5 sec·Matamoros Street
17
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 77.8 miles from Karnes City, TX, or about 1h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 101.6 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 34 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 77.8 miles or 1h 34m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 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 Karnes City, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Karnes City, TX
This is one driving day of about 155.7 miles and 3h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 34 miles from Karnes City, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 59 for about 101.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 77.8 mi from Karnes City, TX
· 1h 34m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.53 one way
$47.05 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg55 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$25.75
$51.50
premium
$4.54
$27.80
$55.60
diesel
$5.61
$34.38
$68.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 54.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
8 DC fast chargers
· Coverage: excellent
Burger King - Tesla Supercharger
Kenedy, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Love's Travel Center - Tesla Supercharger
Three Rivers, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
Embassy Suites by Hilton - Tesla Supercharger
Laredo, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
Sames Ford Laredo
Laredo, TX
EV Connect
4 DCFC
LOVE'S 342 - TX #342 DC2
Three Rivers, TX
ChargePoint Network
2 DCFC
LOVE'S 342 - TX #342 DC1
Three Rivers, TX
ChargePoint Network
2 DCFC
MB OF LAREDO MB LEVEL 3
Laredo, TX
ChargePoint Network
1 DCFC
Cadillac Of Laredo
Laredo, TX
EV Connect
1 DCFC
Tesla: 3
ChargePoint Network: 3
EV Connect: 2
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $16 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
46.7
0
$16.35
$7.47
Efficient EV
38.9
0
$13.62
$6.23
EV Truck/SUV
62.3
0
$21.80
$9.96
Gas CO2
54 kg
EV CO2
18 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Karnes City, TX
Afternoon
in Karnes City on Friday
Local time
4:55 PM
CDT
Current temp
64°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Laredo, TX
Afternoon
in Laredo on Friday
Local time
4:55 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
20 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
3h 3m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Karnes City, TX to Laredo, TX covers 155.7 miles and takes about 3h 3m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 59, West State Highway 72, North Harborth Avenue. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 77.8 miles from Karnes City, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $23.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
The drive from Karnes City, TX to Laredo, TX is easy. At 3h 3m with 88% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (FM 99 / South Panna Maria Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 37.6 miles (US 281; TX 72 / North Harborth Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 151.2 miles (Spur 400 / Clark Boulevard): Navigation decision point.
The route from Karnes City, TX to Laredo, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
