Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 22m
Distance
301.7 mi
486 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$46
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
Clute, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Embarking on this journey from Laredo, TX to Clute, TX covers 301.7 miles, estimating a total drive time of 6 hours and 22 minutes. This route is primarily highway-focused, with 65% of the drive on major roads like US 59 and Lloyd Bentsen Highway. Given the duration and distance, it's entirely manageable as a single-day trip. You can expect to spend around $46 on fuel for this excursion. The path takes you through the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward drive to your destination.
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
150.8 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 56m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 22m. Total distance: 301.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 22m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (65%). Straightforward navigation.
This road trip is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with you spending about 65% of your time on major routes including US 59 and Lloyd Bentsen Highway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 98.4 miles on US 59, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While this profile suggests a less varied experience, the focus on highways generally means efficient travel. Expect a steady pace throughout the majority of this 301.7-mile journey.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 59 and Lloyd Bentsen Highway. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.3 miles in near San Dario Avenue.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 22m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 19 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.3 miles (San Dario Avenue): Navigation decision point; at 1 miles (Park Street): Navigation decision point; at 4.4 miles (Bob Bullock Loop): Navigation decision point.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left onto San Dario Avenue
Navigation decision point
Turn right onto Park Street
Navigation decision point
Turn left onto Bob Bullock Loop
Navigation decision point
Take the exit onto Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
Turn left onto TX 332; FM 521
Lane positioning matters here
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Laredo, TX to Clute, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Loop 521 along the way.
Loop 521
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 59 | 98.4 mi | 1h 53m |
| Lloyd Bentsen Highway | 57.6 mi | 1h 1m |
| US Highway 59 East | 47.7 mi | 53m |
| TX 35 | 28 mi | 42m |
| North Wells Street | 27.3 mi | 40m |
| FM 2431 | 8.8 mi | 15m |
| South Columbia Drive | 8.2 mi | 12m |
| TX 332 | 7.4 mi | 11m |
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Clute, TX.
Start on Matamoros Street
Turn left onto San Dario Avenue
Continue on San Dario Avenue
Turn right onto Park Street
Continue on Clark Boulevard
Turn left onto Bob Bullock Loop
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 59
Continue on US 59
Turn left onto US 59
Continue on US 59
Continue on US 59
Take the exit onto Northwest Zac Lentz Parkway
Merge onto US 59; US 77
Take the exit
Continue on Loop 521
Turn right onto TX 111
Continue on FM 2431
Turn right onto FM 1468
At end of road, turn left onto TX 35
Turn right onto TX 35 Business
Turn right onto TX 36
Turn left onto TX 332; FM 521
Turn right onto State Highway 228
Take the ramp
Merge onto TX 288; TX 332
Take the exit
Turn straight onto State Highway 332 West
Turn left onto South Main Street
Arrive at destination
For this 6-hour and 22-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Laredo to maximize your daylight hours and arrive in Clute well before evening. With a single recommended stop, plan your break strategically, perhaps around the halfway point, to refuel and stretch. The estimated fuel cost is $46, so ensure your tank is full before you leave Laredo. Given that the longest stretch on US 59 is nearly 100 miles, it’s wise to have snacks and drinks readily available in your vehicle.
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 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 66 miles or 1h 15m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 150.8 miles or 2h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Clute, 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 301.7 miles and 6h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 150.8 mi from Laredo, TX · 2h 56m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
151 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 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 150.8 miles from Laredo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 59 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.4 miles.
The final approach into Clute, 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 Clute, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$45.59 one way
$91.18 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $49.90 | $99.80 |
| premium | $4.54 | $53.87 | $107.73 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.61 | $133.22 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 105.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 90.5 | 1 | $31.68 | $14.48 |
| Efficient EV | 75.4 | 0 | $26.40 | $12.07 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 120.7 | 1 | $42.24 | $19.31 |
Gas CO2
106 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Late night in Laredo on Friday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
Destination
Late night in Clute on Friday
Local time
4:20 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Compiled and maintained by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy (Helsinki). Each route is built from authoritative open government and mapping datasets rather than crowdsourced reviews. Distances and geometry come from OSRM over OpenStreetMap. Fuel cost uses EIA weekly regional averages. Pages are published only after passing our data-quality checks; our methodology page documents refresh cadence, editorial standards, and known limitations.
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