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Trip from Laredo, TX to Friendswood, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 23m

Distance

325.9 mi

524 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$49

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 37 min
4 AM
6h 11m ★
6 AM
6h 23m
8 AM
6h 48m
10 AM
6h 32m
12 PM
6h 29m
3 PM
6h 33m
5 PM
6h 47m
8 PM
6h 16m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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city in and county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States

Laredo, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Friendswood, TX, TX

Friendswood, TX

Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE

Trip Overview

The drive from Laredo, TX to Friendswood, TX covers 325.9 miles and takes about 6h 23m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on US 59, Lloyd Bentsen Highway, US Highway 59 East for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 159.7 miles on US 59. At current regular gas prices, budget about $49.24 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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

162.9 miles from Laredo, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 10m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
US 59 159.7 mi 3h 2m
Lloyd Bentsen Highway 57.6 mi 1h 1m
US Highway 59 East 47.7 mi 53m
Southwest Freeway 20.1 mi 22m
South Sam Houston Tollway West 15.4 mi 17m
East Broadway Street 4.3 mi 6m
Clark Boulevard 3 mi 5m
North Main Street 2.3 mi 3m
Longest stretch: US 59 — 159.7 mi, about 3h 2m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Matamoros Street

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Matamoros Street
2

Turn left onto San Dario Avenue

0.1 mi · 11 sec · San Dario Avenue
3

Continue on San Dario Avenue

0.6 mi · 1 min · San Dario Avenue
4

Turn right onto Park Street

0.3 mi · 34 sec · Park Street
5

Continue on Clark Boulevard

3.0 mi · 5 min · Clark Boulevard
6

Turn left onto Bob Bullock Loop

0.8 mi · 1 min · Bob Bullock Loop
7

Take the ramp

231 ft · 6 sec
8

Merge onto US 59

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Saunders Street
9

Continue on US 59

58 mi · 1 hr 1 min · Lloyd Bentsen Highway
10

Turn left onto US 59

67 mi · 1 hr 18 min · US 59
11

Continue on US 59

1.6 mi · 3 min · West Houston Street
12

Continue on US 59

48 mi · 53 min · US Highway 59 East
13

Take the exit onto Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway

0.5 mi · 1 min · Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
14

Merge onto US 59; US 77

93 mi · 1 hr 43 min · US 59; US 77
15

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 37 sec
16

Continue on 59 Northbound Frontage Road

1.6 mi · 2 min · 59 Northbound Frontage Road
17

Continue on this road

0.4 mi · 58 sec · this road
18

Continue on US 59 Northbound Frontage Road

2.0 mi · 4 min · US 59 Northbound Frontage Road
19

Continue on Southwest Freeway Frontage Road

1.3 mi · 2 min · Southwest Freeway Frontage Road
20

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 31 sec
Toward I 69 North, US 59 North
21

Merge onto I 69; US 59

20 mi · 22 min · Southwest Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 17 sec
Exit 115 Toward Sam Houston Tollway Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 52 sec
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
24

Merge onto BW 8

0.1 mi · 10 sec · South Sam Houston Parkway West
25

Continue on SHT

15 mi · 17 min · South Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward TX 35: Mykawa Road, Telephone Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Turn straight onto BW 8

1.5 mi · 2 min · South Sam Houston Parkway East
28

Turn right onto TX 35

0.1 mi · 17 sec · Telephone Road
29

Continue on TX 35

2.3 mi · 3 min · North Main Street
30

Turn left onto FM 518

4.3 mi · 6 min · East Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
31

Continue on FM 518

1.0 mi · 1 min · North Friendswood Drive
32

Continue on FM 518

0.4 mi · 41 sec · South Friendswood Drive
33

Arrive at destination

FM 518

Trip Plan

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 162.9 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 3h 10m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 159.7 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 72 miles or 1h 22m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 162.9 miles or 3h 10m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 6m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Friendswood, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Laredo, 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 Laredo, TX

This is one driving day of about 325.9 miles and 6h 23m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Laredo, 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 159.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Fort Bend County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Sugar Land, TX

163 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

San Diego, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 72 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Refugio, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 162.9 miles from Laredo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 159.7 miles.

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

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Main Event Laredo

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

3.2 mi from route ~8 min detour $20 to $30

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 11 am–12 pm

+19567222695

Visit website

Imaginarium of South Texas

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Closed

+19567280404

Visit website

Frankie Carter Randolph Park

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 325.9

Friendswood, Texas

Hours: 6 am–10 pm

+12814826055

Slaughter Park

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Laredo, Texas

Hours: 6 am–11 pm

+19567952350

Visit website

Dinosaur Park

4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.3 mi from route ~3 min detour mile 256

Wharton, Texas

+19795322491

Visit website

Riverfront Park

4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour mile 256

Wharton, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

+19795322491

Visit website

The Black Cowboy Museum

4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, short detour

2.9 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 279.3

Rosenberg, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+18324516202

Visit website

20th Century Technology Museum

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Later in the drive, short detour

2.6 mi from route ~7 min detour mile 256

Wharton, Texas

Hours: 11 am–3 pm

+19794887773

Visit website

Independence Hills Park

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, ~9 min detour

3.8 mi from route ~9 min detour

Laredo, Texas

Hours: Open 24 hours

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.3 and 320.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5
0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | San Dario Avenue

Turn left onto San Dario Avenue

Navigation decision point

7
299.5 mi into trip | ~5h 48m in

Take the exit toward Sam Houston Tollway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 115 Toward Sam Houston Tollway
6
299.7 mi into trip | ~5h 48m in

Keep slight right at fork

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
7
315.9 mi into trip | ~6h 7m in

Take the exit toward TX 35: Mykawa Road, Telephone Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward TX 35: Mykawa Road, Telephone Road
6
320.1 mi into trip | ~6h 14m in | FM 518 / East Broadway Street

Turn left onto FM 518 / East Broadway Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$49.24 one way

$98.49 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 114 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $53.90 $107.80
premium $4.54 $58.19 $116.37
diesel $5.61 $71.95 $143.91

Estimated Tolls: $1.23

Sam Houston Tollway (15.4 mi) $1.23

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

$49

Tolls

$1

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$75–$100

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 114 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 97.8 1 $34.22 $15.64
Efficient EV 81.5 0 $28.52 $13.04
EV Truck/SUV 130.4 1 $45.63 $20.86

Gas CO2

114 kg

EV CO2

38 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

Laredo, TX

Afternoon in Laredo on Saturday

Local time

2:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

84°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Friendswood, TX

Afternoon in Friendswood on Saturday

Local time

2:36 PM

CDT

Current temp

79°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

5 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

6h 23m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

325.9 mi in 6h 23m, mostly highway — 159.7 mi of that is on US 59.

72% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
33 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 159.7 mi on US 59.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and Lloyd Bentsen Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near San Dario Avenue.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 325.9 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 0.3 miles (San Dario Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 299.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

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 Laredo, TX to Friendswood, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sam Houston Tollway along the way.

Sam Houston Tollway

299.5 mi in | ~5h 48m

About the Cities

Starting in Laredo, TX

Full guide →

Laredo is a city with 262,000 (2019) inhabitants on the South Texas Plains. Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, is just across the Rio Grande.

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 23m. Total distance: 325.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 159.7 miles on US 59. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.23 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.

We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Friendswood, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (San Dario Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 299.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 299.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.4 hours each way, a round trip means 12.8 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Friendswood, TX before the return drive.

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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Return Trip

Friendswood, TX to Laredo, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

326.2 mi 6h 22m

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