Main Event Laredo
Near the start, short detour
Laredo, Texas
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+19567222695
Visit websiteCompiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 54m
Distance
200.6 mi
323 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Cameron Park Colonia, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Laredo, TX to Cameron Park Colonia, TX is 200.6 miles and takes about 3h 54m via United States Highway 83, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward drive. It's a relatively short journey, making it ideal for a single-day excursion without feeling rushed. You’ll encounter a mix of driving conditions, so be prepared for varied road types. Consider this route if you're looking for an uncomplicated way to travel between these two points in Texas.
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
100.3 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| United States Highway 83 | 62 mi | 1h 9m |
| La Joya Bypass | 53.9 mi | 59m |
| North Grant Street | 17.4 mi | 20m |
| East US Highway 83 | 15.1 mi | 17m |
| US Highway 83 South | 14.2 mi | 15m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 13.2 mi | 14m |
| South Zapata Highway | 5.4 mi | 7m |
| West Expressway 83 | 3.1 mi | 3m |
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Cameron Park Colonia, TX.
Start on Matamoros Street
Continue on US 83
Turn right onto North Meadow Avenue
Turn right onto US 83
Continue on US 83
Continue on US 83
Continue on US 83
Continue on US 83
Continue on US 83
Continue on US 83
Continue on US 83
Continue on US 83
Keep slight left at fork onto US 83
Keep slight right at fork onto US 83
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83
Continue on I 69E; US 77; US 83
Keep slight right at fork onto I 169; TX 550 Toll
Take the exit
Turn straight onto FM 511
Turn right onto FM 1847
Turn left onto Avenida Eduardo
At end of road, turn left onto Avenida Florencia
Turn right onto Eduardo Avenue
Arrive at destination
Given the drive duration of under 4 hours, you have the flexibility to leave whenever suits you best, though an early start can ensure a relaxed pace. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $30, this trip is budget-friendly and doesn't require extensive planning. Pay attention as you transition onto the La Joya Bypass and North Grant Street, as these sections might involve more local traffic. A key tip for this route is to monitor your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 62-mile stretch on US-83, as services might be less frequent there.
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.
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 44 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.3 miles or 1h 58m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 11m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cameron Park Colonia, TX than in the middle of the route.
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 200.6 miles and 3h 54m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 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 44 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 100.3 miles from Laredo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before United States Highway 83 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Top Coffee Stop
McAllen, Texas
Later in the drive, short detour
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+19568004410
Near the start, short detour
Laredo, Texas
Hours: 11 am–12 pm
+19567222695
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
McAllen, Texas
Hours: 10 am–9 pm
+19568004410
Visit websiteLater in the drive, right off the route
McAllen, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19566813333
Visit websiteNear the end, right off the route
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: Open 24 hours
Near the start, right off the route
Laredo, Texas
Hours: Closed
+19567280404
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
McAllen, Texas
Hours: 8 am–5 pm
+19566813370
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
McAllen, Texas
Hours: 4–9 pm
+19566853033
Visit websiteNear the start, short detour
Laredo, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+19567952350
Visit websiteNear the end, short detour
Brownsville, Texas
Hours: 7 am–10 pm
+19568380162
Visit websiteLater in the drive, short detour
McAllen, Texas
Hours: 8 am–11 pm
+19566813333
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
5 decision points cluster between mile 123.2 and 195.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Keep slight left at fork onto US 83 / La Joya Bypass
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto US 83 toward I 69E South, US 77, US 83: Brownsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 69E; US 77; US 83 / U.S. Highway 77
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 169; TX 550 Toll / Interstate 169 toward TX 550 Toll: Port of Brownsville
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward FM 1847: Paredes Line Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Regular Gas
$30.31 one way
$60.62 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $33.18 | $66.36 |
| premium | $4.54 | $35.82 | $71.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $44.29 | $88.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.06 | $9.63 |
| Efficient EV | 50.2 | 0 | $17.55 | $8.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.2 | 1 | $28.08 | $12.84 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Laredo on Saturday
Local time
12:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Cameron Park Colonia on Saturday
Local time
12:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
94°F
Roma, TX
100 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
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.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
This drive features a 57% highway share, meaning you'll spend a good portion of your time on faster roads, but expect some local road segments too. The longest stretch without a significant break is 62 miles along United States Highway 83, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly. The route is described as a "Mixed drive," suggesting you'll transition between more open highway travel and potentially slower, more populated areas. The La Joya Bypass and North Grant Street indicate some urban or town navigation as you approach your destination. It’s not a purely interstate experience, but it’s also not a winding country lane.
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 123.2 miles in near US 83 / La Joya Bypass.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 200.6 miles you will encounter 11 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 123.2 miles (US 83 / La Joya Bypass): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.2 miles (US 83): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 178.1 miles (I 69E; US 77; US 83 / U.S. Highway 77): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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).
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 54m. Total distance: 200.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 54m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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Return Trip
Cameron Park Colonia, TX to Laredo, TXPlan the drive back the other way.
Explore more options from Laredo, TX or browse trips ending in Cameron Park Colonia, TX.
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