Origin
Laredo, TX
Late night in Laredo on Friday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Laredo, TX to Rhode Island, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 23m
Distance
412.9 mi
664 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
7h 13m
★
6 AM
7h 23m
8 AM
7h 44m
10 AM
7h 31m
12 PM
7h 28m
3 PM
7h 32m
5 PM
7h 43m
8 PM
7h 17m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Rhode Island, TX
Beth Fitzpatrick
Trip Overview
This 412.9-mile drive from Laredo, TX to Rhode Island, TX will take approximately 7 hours and 23 minutes to complete. Designed as a single-day journey, it covers ground primarily on the Purple Heart Trail, State Highway 31, and the South Pan Am Expressway. With a fuel cost estimated at $62 and just two recommended stops, this route offers a straightforward trip. The Great Plains region frames both your departure and arrival, suggesting a consistent landscape. This is a practical option if you're looking to cover distance efficiently within Texas.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
206.4 miles from Laredo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 38m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 23m. Total distance: 412.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 23m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Turn-heavy local drive route profile.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive on this route, with only 24% of the journey on highways. The majority of your time will be spent on local roads, including a significant 299.7-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail. This means you'll be navigating more intersections and potentially encountering varied speed limits. The character of the drive shifts from highway to more localized routes, requiring your attention to be on the immediate surroundings rather than distant vistas.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 31 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 299.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 154.2 miles in near I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway.
Driving Effort
7/10
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 412.9 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 154.2 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 15 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
154.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 39m in
|
I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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...
7
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 straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
8
336.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 57m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
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.
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
7
410.3 mi into trip
|
~7h 18m in
Take the exit toward FM 833
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 206
Toward FM 833
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 Rhode Island, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
Corpus Christi
155.9 mi in
|
~2h 41m
|
via I 35
Johnson City
155.9 mi in
|
~2h 41m
|
via I 35
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 299.7 mi | 5h 12m |
| State Highway 31 | 35.8 mi | 38m |
| South Pan Am Expressway | 21.5 mi | 26m |
| I 45 | 19.8 mi | 19m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 7.4 mi | 8m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6 mi | 6m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 5.5 mi | 6m |
| Hubbard Bypass | 5.3 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 299.7 mi, about 5h 12m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Laredo, TX and Rhode Island, 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
144 mi
·
2 hr 27 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on I 35
9.3 mi
·
11 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
5
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
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.
7
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 straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
15
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
East Waco Drive
16
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
17
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East US Highway 84
18
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
19
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
20
Continue on TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 31
21
Turn right onto TX 31
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
22
Turn right onto South Interstate 45
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Interstate 45
23
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
24
Merge onto I 45
20 mi
·
19 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
41 sec
Exit 206
Toward FM 833
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Turn left onto North Interstate 45
307 ft
·
10 sec
·
North Interstate 45
27
Turn left onto FM 833
1.3 mi
·
3 min
·
FM 833
28
At end of road, turn right onto TX 75; FM 833
52 ft
·
1 sec
·
North State Highway 75
29
Turn left onto FM 833
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East FM 833
30
Turn right onto County Road 161
10 ft
·
0 sec
·
County Road 161
31
Arrive at destination
County Road 161
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour 23-minute duration, starting early is advised to comfortably complete this drive in one day. Plan for your two stops to be strategically placed, perhaps around the halfway point or for a meal break. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 299.7 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. The $62 fuel cost is a good estimate, but always have a little extra buffer. This route's 'turn-heavy' nature means staying alert and confirming your navigation frequently is key.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 206.4 miles from Laredo, TX, or about 3h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 299.7 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 91 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 206.4 miles or 3h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 16m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Rhode Island, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Laredo, TX
This is one driving day of about 412.9 miles and 7h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 91 miles from Laredo, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 299.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 206.4 mi from Laredo, TX · 3h 38m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
206 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 91 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 206.4 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 299.7 miles.
Arriving in Rhode Island, TX
The final approach into Rhode Island, 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 Rhode Island, TX.
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
$62.39 one way
$124.78 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
145 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $68.29 | $136.58 |
| premium | $4.54 | $73.72 | $147.44 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $91.16 | $182.33 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 144.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 123.9 | 1 | $43.35 | $19.82 |
| Efficient EV | 103.2 | 1 | $36.13 | $16.52 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 165.2 | 2 | $57.81 | $26.43 |
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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.
Destination
Rhode Island, TX
Late night in Rhode Island on Friday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°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
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
7h 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Laredo, TX to Rhode Island, TX covers 412.9 miles and takes about 7h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, State Highway 31, South Pan Am Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 206.4 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 $62.39 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 412.9 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 154.2 miles (I 35 / South Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; 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.
Between Laredo, TX and Rhode Island, TX, road signs point toward Corpus Christi and Johnson City.
How this page is built
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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