Trip from Laredo, TX to Anthony, TX

Drive Time

9h 2m

Distance

501.8 mi

808 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$77

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Photo: Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE

Trip Overview

Spanning 501.8 miles across Texas, your journey from Laredo to Anthony is a serious long-distance haul that typically takes about 9 hours and 2 minutes of pure driving time. Because of the significant distance, I strongly recommend planning for two days on the road rather than pushing through in a single sitting. You will navigate via the Purple Heart Trail, I-35E, and the North Central Expressway as you traverse the Great Plains. Budgeting approximately $77 for fuel is a smart move to keep your finances on track. While the drive is straightforward, splitting the trip allows you to remain alert and enjoy the transition across the state.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

250.9 miles from Laredo, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 26m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a classic long-distance interstate experience where efficiency is the primary goal. With 29% of your journey occurring on highways, you will spend most of your time focused on the open road. The most significant portion of your travel happens on the Purple Heart Trail, which features a demanding 332.7-mile stretch that serves as the backbone of your route. You won't find many technical local roads here; instead, anticipate a steady, high-speed pace that requires consistent focus. Prepare for a monotonous grind as you cover the vast distances typical of this region.

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 332.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

At 9h 2m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 155.9 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 20 significant decision points across 501.8 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 155.9 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 166.4 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 426.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

155.9 mi into trip | ~2h 41m in | I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight lane. Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christ...

166.4 mi into trip | ~2h 54m in | North Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35: Austin

426.8 mi into trip | ~7h 29m in

Take the exit toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Bouleva...

428.5 mi into trip | ~7h 32m in

Take the exit toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney

429.4 mi into trip | ~7h 33m in

Keep slight right at fork toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the none lane. Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East

Towns Along This Route

Between Laredo, TX and Anthony, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi, Johnson City, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Mckinney - among others.

Corpus Christi

155.9 mi in | ~2h 41m | via I 35

Johnson City

155.9 mi in | ~2h 41m | via I 35

Fort Worth

427.2 mi in | ~7h 30m

Texarkana

427.2 mi in | ~7h 30m

Convention Center

427.2 mi in | ~7h 30m

Mckinney

428.5 mi in | ~7h 32m

Bryan Street East

429.4 mi in | ~7h 33m

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	332.7 mi	5h 45m
I 35E	56.2 mi	58m
North Central Expressway	35.1 mi	37m
South Pan Am Expressway	21.5 mi	26m
Sam Rayburn Highway	13.7 mi	15m
State Highway 160	8.4 mi	12m
US 69	7.8 mi	11m
North Pan Am Expressway	7.4 mi	8m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 332.7 mi, about 5h 45m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on Matamoros Street

0.3 mi · 46 sec · Matamoros Street

Turn left onto San Dario Avenue

0.1 mi · 11 sec · San Dario Avenue

Continue on I 35; I 27; US 83

144 mi · 2 hr 27 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 35

9.3 mi · 11 min · South Pan Am Expressway

Use the straight / slight left / none lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

1.7 mi · 2 min · South Pan Am Expressway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35

10 mi · 13 min · South Pan Am Expressway

Toward I 37, US 281: Upper Level, Corpus Christi, Johnson City Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway

7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Toward I 35: Austin Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

48 mi · 52 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290

96 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

6.6 mi · 7 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

33 mi · 33 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E

56 mi · 58 min · I 35E

Toward I 35E: Dallas Use the slight right lane.

Take the exit

0.4 mi · 41 sec

Exit 427A Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Riverfront Boulevard, Griffin Street Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

422 ft · 5 sec

Toward I 35E North, I 30 West: Denton, Fort Worth, Texarkana

Keep slight right at fork

0.4 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 30 East: Texarkana, Convention Center

Keep slight left at fork

385 ft · 6 sec

Toward I 30 East: Texarkana Use the none lane.

Continue on I 30; US 67

0.8 mi · 1 min · East R L Thornton Freeway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 45 sec

Exit 46 Toward I 45, US 75: Houston, McKinney Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight left at fork

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward US 75 North: McKinney Use the slight left lane.

Keep slight right at fork

0.3 mi · 26 sec

Toward US 75 North: McKinney, Bryan Street East Use the none lane.

Merge onto US 75

0.7 mi · 49 sec · Julius Schepps Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on US 75

35 mi · 37 min · North Central Expressway

Use the none / straight / right lanes.

Take the exit

0.7 mi · 1 min

Exit 44 Toward TX 121 North: Bonham Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 121

14 mi · 15 min · Sam Rayburn Highway

Toward TX 121 North: Bonham Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 45 sec

Toward TX 160: Whitewright, Blue Ridge

Turn left onto TX 160

8.4 mi · 12 min · State Highway 160

Use the left lane.

Continue on US 69

7.8 mi · 11 min · US 69

Turn right onto FM 1897

4.4 mi · 6 min · Ole Ambrose Road

Turn right onto FM 1753

1.0 mi · 1 min · FM 1753

Arrive at destination

FM 1753

Trip Plan

To manage this 501.8-mile trek effectively, plan for at least two well-timed stops to break up the fatigue. Leaving early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid the brunt of midday traffic and maximize your daylight hours on the road. Since the longest stretch is over 330 miles, prioritize refueling during your scheduled breaks to avoid running low in more isolated areas. If you decide to split the trip, look for accommodations near the midpoint to ensure you aren't rushing the second half of the drive. Keep your eyes on the road and pace yourself to ensure a safe arrival in Anthony.

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 drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 250.9 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 4h 26m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 332.7 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 110 miles or 1h 52m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 250.9 miles or 4h 26m in

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

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 250.9 miles or 4h 26m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 47m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Anthony, 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Laredo, TX

Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into Anthony, TX

Aim for roughly 251 miles and 4.5 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 110 miles from Laredo, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 332.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 250.9 mi from Laredo, TX · 4h 26m into the drive

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

San Antonio, TX

166 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Popular next leg

San Antonio, TX to Arlington, TX

276.9 mi · 5h 2m

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Arlington, TX

331 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Arlington, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Killeen, TX

251 mi · about 4.5h in

A practical overnight split lands near Killeen, TX after about 251 miles or 4.5 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

San Antonio, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 110 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Austin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 250.9 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 Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 332.7 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 251 miles or 4.5 hours on the road.

Arriving in Anthony, TX

The final approach into Anthony, 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 Anthony, TX.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Anthony, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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

$76.65 one way

$153.31 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 176 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$84.00	$168.00
premium	$4.59	$90.70	$181.40
diesel	$5.64	$111.48	$222.97

Estimated Tolls: $2.81

Central Expressway (35.1 mi) $2.81

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

$77

Tolls

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$209–$319

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 175.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $53 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	150.5	1	$52.69	$24.09
Efficient EV	125.5	1	$43.91	$20.07
EV Truck/SUV	200.7	2	$70.25	$32.12

Gas CO2

176 kg

EV CO2

59 kg (66% 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 data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Laredo, TX

Afternoon in Laredo on Sunday

Local time

1:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

71°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Anthony, TX

Afternoon in Anthony on Sunday

Local time

1:08 PM

CDT

Current temp

58°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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

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 cooler at arrival

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

Road read

9h 2m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Laredo, TX to Anthony, TX covers 501.8 miles and takes about 9h 2m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35E, North Central Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 251 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 250.9 miles from Laredo, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $76.65 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.

Between Laredo, TX and Anthony, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi, Johnson City, Fort Worth, Texarkana, Convention Center and Mckinney - among others.

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Trip from Laredo, TX to Anthony, TX

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Towns Along This Route

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in Anthony, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Laredo, TX

Anthony, TX

Same local time

13 degrees cooler at arrival

9h 2m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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