Origin
Little Elm, TX
Evening in Little Elm on Sunday
Local time
5:14 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Little Elm, TX to Laredo, TX
Drive Time
5h 34m
Distance
371.7 mi
598 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$57
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 22m
★
6 AM
5h 35m
8 AM
6h 2m
10 AM
5h 44m
12 PM
5h 42m
3 PM
5h 46m
5 PM
6h 0m
8 PM
5h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Little Elm, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Laredo, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 371.7-mile journey from Little Elm to Laredo takes you across the Texas landscape in approximately 5 hours and 34 minutes. Since both locations are situated within the Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional feel throughout the drive. While technically manageable in a single day, the route is defined by its turn-heavy local roads, which may make the drive feel longer than a standard interstate trek. Plan for a fuel budget of roughly $55 to cover the distance. Because this is a demanding drive with minimal highway time, one well-planned stop will be essential to keep you refreshed behind the wheel.
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
185.8 miles from Little Elm, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .
Drive Character
Forget the monotony of high-speed interstates; this route relies entirely on local roads like Lcr 624, Lakeview Drive, and Highway 6. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for a drive that requires your full attention on every curve rather than cruising on autopilot. The road character remains technical throughout, as there is no single long-distance stretch to break up the turns. Navigating these local corridors means you will be constantly adjusting your speed and focus. Expect a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local connectivity over the efficiency of major thoroughfares.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lcr 624 is one of the defining roads on this drive.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Route Complexity
3/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 5h 34m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Little Elm, TX to Laredo, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lcr 624 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lakeview Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Highway 6 | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Craik Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Bridge Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| North General Bruce Drive | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 35 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Purple Heart Trail | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Longest stretch:
Lcr 624
— detailed segment metrics are refreshing.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Little Elm, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on Lcr 625
0.6 mi
·
2 min
·
Lcr 625
2
Continue on Lcr 624
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Lcr 624
3
Turn left
1.5 mi
·
2 min
4
Turn right
12 mi
·
21 min
5
Turn right onto Lakeview Drive
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lakeview Drive
6
Turn left onto North Business Highway 6
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
North Business Highway 6
7
Continue on Craik Street
0.3 mi
·
27 sec
·
Craik Street
8
Turn right onto Bridge Street
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Bridge Street
9
Keep slight left
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
10
Turn straight
18 mi
·
21 min
11
Continue straight
15 mi
·
18 min
12
Turn left onto North General Bruce Drive
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
North General Bruce Drive
13
Take the ramp straight toward I 35 South
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
I 35 South
14
Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail
7.1 mi
·
7 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
15
Keep slight left
56 mi
·
58 min
16
Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
17
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
18
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
19
Continue on North Pan Am Expressway
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
20
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
21
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
22
Keep slight right to continue on South Pan Am Expressway
10 mi
·
12 min
·
South Pan Am Expressway
23
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
144 mi
·
2 hr 26 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
24
Turn right onto Houston Street
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
Houston Street
25
Turn left onto Salinas Avenue
272 ft
·
12 sec
·
Salinas Avenue
26
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
305 ft
·
5 sec
·
Matamoros Street
27
Arrive at your destination
Trip Plan
When planning your departure, aim to leave Little Elm early in the morning to account for the technical nature of the local roads. Since the route does not utilize major highways, your average speed will be lower than typical cross-country travel, making your single planned stop vital for maintaining focus. Keep your $55 fuel budget in mind and top off before leaving, as local roads can sometimes have fewer service station options than major interstates. Because this route is heavy on turns, prioritize comfort and hydration to combat the fatigue that comes from constant steering adjustments. Staying flexible with your pace will help you handle the 371.7-mile distance without feeling rushed.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 185.8 miles from Little Elm, TX, or about 2h 47m into the drive.
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 82 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 185.8 miles or 2h 47m 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 40m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Laredo, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Little Elm, 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 Little Elm, TX
This is one driving day of about 371.7 miles and 5h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 82 miles from Little Elm, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 185.8 mi from Little Elm, TX · 2h 47m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
186 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 82 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 185.8 miles from Little Elm, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Laredo, TX
The final approach into Laredo, 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 Laredo, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$56.78 one way
$113.56 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
130 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $62.22 | $124.45 |
| premium | $4.59 | $67.18 | $134.37 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $82.58 | $165.16 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$57
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$82–$107
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 130.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 111.5 | 1 | $39.03 | $17.84 |
| Efficient EV | 92.9 | 1 | $32.52 | $14.87 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 148.7 | 1 | $52.04 | $23.79 |
Gas CO2
130 kg
EV CO2
43 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
Laredo, TX
Evening in Laredo on Sunday
Local time
5:14 PM
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
10 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 34m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Little Elm, TX to Laredo, TX covers 371.7 miles and takes about 5h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lcr 624, Lakeview Drive, Highway 6. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 185.8 miles from Little Elm, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $56.78 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 5h 34m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Little Elm, TX to Laredo, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
The route from Little Elm, TX to Laredo, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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