Origin
Laredo, TX
Afternoon in Laredo on Thursday
Local time
12:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Laredo, TX to Cactus, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
12h 31m
Distance
718.3 mi
1,156 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$109
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
12h 20m
★
6 AM
12h 32m
8 AM
12h 54m
10 AM
12h 40m
12 PM
12h 37m
3 PM
12h 41m
5 PM
12h 53m
8 PM
12h 25m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Cactus, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Laredo, TX to Cactus, TX covers 718.3 miles and takes about 12h 31m behind the wheel. It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Purple Heart Trail, Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, I 10 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is long-distance drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 139.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. At current regular gas prices, budget about $108.54 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
3 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
359.2 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 6h 15m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
12h 31m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-distance drive route profile.
Drive Character
At 718.3 miles and 12h 31m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Purple Heart Trail and Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 49 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 139.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 12h 31m, 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 140 miles in.
Driving Effort
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 34 significant decision points across 718.3 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 140 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.4 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 34 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
140 mi into trip
|
~2h 23m in
Take the exit toward Loop 1604: Somerset
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 140
Toward Loop 1604: Somerset
6
148.4 mi into trip
|
~2h 34m in
|
Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
164.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 53m in
Take the exit toward Valero Way
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Valero Way
6
167.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 57m in
|
I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
7
656.6 mi into trip
|
~11h 24m in
|
US 87
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87 toward US 87 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 87 North
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Laredo, TX and Cactus, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1604: Somerset, Menard and Lubbock.
Loop 1604: Somerset
140 mi in
|
~2h 23m
Menard
266.2 mi in
|
~4h 34m
|
via US 83
Lubbock
419.7 mi in
|
~7h 21m
|
via US 84
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 139.6 mi | 2h 22m |
| Marshall Formby Memorial Highway | 109.9 mi | 1h 51m |
| I 10 | 99.8 mi | 1h 38m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| South Fillmore Street | 45.4 mi | 47m |
| Frisco Avenue | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| State Highway 153 | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| North Main Street | 29.3 mi | 30m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 139.6 mi, about 2h 22m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Cactus, 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 I 35; I 27; US 83
140 mi
·
2 hr 22 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 140
Toward Loop 1604: Somerset
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on Interstate 35 South
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
Interstate 35 South
6
Turn left onto Loop 1604
8.0 mi
·
10 min
·
Anderson Loop
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto Loop 1604
16 mi
·
18 min
·
Anderson Loop
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward Valero Way
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto North Loop 1604 West
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North Loop 1604 West
10
Turn left onto Interstate 10 West
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
Use the left lane.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
12
Merge onto I 10; US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
14
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 83
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
15
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi
·
30 min
·
North Main Street
Use the right lane.
16
Continue on US 83
42 mi
·
44 min
·
Frisco Avenue
17
Continue on US 83
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Roberts Avenue
18
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft
·
18 sec
·
Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
19
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
20
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi
·
13 min
·
FM 2111
21
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 153
22
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 153
23
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
24
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
25
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Georgia Avenue
26
Take the ramp
340 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
27
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 20; US 84
28
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
29
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
30
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
31
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
32
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
33
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
34
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
35
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
37
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
38
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Slaton Road
39
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
40
Turn slight right onto Interstate 27
321 ft
·
6 sec
·
Interstate 27
41
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
42
Merge onto I 27; US 87
110 mi
·
1 hr 51 min
·
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
43
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi
·
15 min
·
Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
0.9 mi
·
2 min
·
US 87
Toward US 87 North
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
45
Keep slight right at fork onto US 87; Original US Route 66
45 mi
·
47 min
·
South Fillmore Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
46
Continue on US 87; US 287
15 mi
·
16 min
·
South Dumas Avenue
47
Turn right onto North Drive
0.2 mi
·
32 sec
·
North Drive
48
Turn right onto Rector Avenue
150 ft
·
4 sec
·
Rector Avenue
49
Arrive at destination
Rector Avenue
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 3 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 359.2 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 6h 15m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.6 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 158 miles or 2h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 359.2 miles or 6h 15m 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 359.2 miles or 6h 15m
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 11h 28m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cactus, 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 359 miles and 6.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Cactus, TX
Aim for roughly 359 miles and 6.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 158 miles from Laredo, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 3 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 139.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 359.2 mi from Laredo, TX · 6h 15m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
237 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.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
474 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 Post, TXOvernight Options
Night 1
359 mi · about 6.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near Live Oak, TX after about 359 miles or 6.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsPacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 158 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 359.2 miles from Laredo, 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 139.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 359 miles or 6.3 hours on the road.
Arriving in Cactus, TX
The final approach into Cactus, 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 Cactus, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Cactus, 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
$108.54 one way
$217.07 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
251 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $118.80 | $237.60 |
| premium | $4.54 | $128.25 | $256.50 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $158.59 | $317.18 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$109
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$239–$349
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 251.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $75 in charging · 2 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 215.5 | 2 | $75.42 | $34.48 |
| Efficient EV | 179.6 | 2 | $62.85 | $28.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 287.3 | 3 | $100.56 | $45.97 |
Gas CO2
251 kg
EV CO2
84 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Cactus, TX
Afternoon in Cactus on Thursday
Local time
12:10 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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
35 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
12h 31m 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 Cactus, TX covers 718.3 miles and takes about 12h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, I 10. 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 359 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 359.2 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 $108.54 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 3 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 34 significant decision points across 718.3 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 140 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 148.4 miles (Loop 1604 / Anderson Loop): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 164.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Laredo, TX and Cactus, TX, road signs point toward Loop 1604: Somerset, Menard and Lubbock.
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