Origin
San Carlos, TX
Night in San Carlos on Thursday
Local time
10:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Carlos, TX to Laredo, TX
Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
159.9 mi
257 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 16m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Carlos, TX
Fer Strange
Laredo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from San Carlos, TX to Laredo, TX covers 159.9 miles and takes about 3h 9m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on United States Highway 83, I 2, North US Highway 83 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is highway-focused drive. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 62 miles on United States Highway 83. At current regular gas prices, budget about $24.16 one way before food or hotel costs.
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
79.9 miles from San Carlos, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 9m. Total distance: 159.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Straightforward navigation.
Drive Character
This is a 3h 9m highway drive covering 159.9 miles, with most of the trip on United States Highway 83 and I 2. The longest continuous stretch is about 62 miles on United States Highway 83.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
United States Highway 83 is the longest continuous segment at about 62 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on United States Highway 83 and I 2. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 4.7 miles in near North Expressway 281.
Driving Effort
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a straightforward 3h 9m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles (North Expressway 281): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.1 miles (I 69C; US 281): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
North Expressway 281
Turn left onto North Expressway 281
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
5
4.8 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 69C South, US 281 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69C South, US 281 South
5
5.1 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
I 69C; US 281
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
11.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
Take the exit toward US 281 South, TX 495: Pharr
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 281 South, TX 495: Pharr
5
12.5 mi into trip
|
~16m in
|
I 2; US 83
Merge onto I 2; US 83
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| United States Highway 83 | 62 mi | 1h 10m |
| I 2 | 42.1 mi | 48m |
| North US Highway 83 | 14.2 mi | 15m |
| Garcia Street | 12.6 mi | 14m |
| I 69C | 6.7 mi | 7m |
| South Zapata Highway | 5.4 mi | 8m |
| East Grant Street | 4.7 mi | 5m |
| South Meadow Avenue | 2.1 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
United States Highway 83
— 62 mi, about 1h 10m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Carlos, TX and Laredo, TX.
1
Start on TX 107
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 107
2
Turn right onto FM 2128
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Richardson Road
3
Continue on FM 2128
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Schunior Street
4
Continue on FM 2128
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Richardson Street
5
Continue on FM 2128
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Richardson Road
6
Continue on FM 2128
382 ft
·
15 sec
·
East Schunior Street
7
Turn left onto North Expressway 281
456 ft
·
9 sec
·
North Expressway 281
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
Toward I 69C South, US 281 South
9
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 281 South, TX 495: Pharr
11
Merge onto I 2; US 83
42 mi
·
48 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on US 83; FM 755
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Main Street
13
Continue on US 83
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
·
East 2nd Street
14
Continue on US 83
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
West 2nd Street
15
Continue on US 83
7.7 mi
·
8 min
·
United States Highway 83
16
Continue on US 83
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
East Grant Street
17
Turn slight right onto US 83
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Garcia Street
18
Continue on US 83
54 mi
·
1 hr 1 min
·
United States Highway 83
19
Continue on US 83
14 mi
·
15 min
·
North US Highway 83
20
Continue on US 83
5.4 mi
·
8 min
·
South Zapata Highway
21
Turn left onto South Meadow Avenue
2.1 mi
·
4 min
·
South Meadow Avenue
22
Turn left onto US 83
1.0 mi
·
2 min
·
Guadalupe Street
23
Continue on US 83
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Houston Street
24
Turn left onto I 35 Bus
272 ft
·
12 sec
·
Salinas Avenue
25
Turn left onto Matamoros Street
306 ft
·
5 sec
·
Matamoros Street
26
Arrive at destination
Matamoros Street
Trip Plan
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 79.9 miles from San Carlos, TX, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 79.9 miles or 1h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 31m
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 San Carlos, 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 San Carlos, TX
This is one driving day of about 159.9 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 miles from San Carlos, 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.
The longest stretch is on United States Highway 83 for about 62 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 79.9 mi from San Carlos, TX · 1h 33m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 79.9 miles from San Carlos, 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.
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
$24.16 one way
$48.32 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
56 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $26.45 | $52.89 |
| premium | $4.54 | $28.55 | $57.10 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.30 | $70.61 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48 | 0 | $16.79 | $7.68 |
| Efficient EV | 40 | 0 | $13.99 | $6.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64 | 0 | $22.39 | $10.23 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% 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.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Laredo, TX
Night in Laredo on Thursday
Local time
10:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Sunny
SE 10 to 14 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
83°F
Roma, TX
80 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
25 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
3h 9m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from San Carlos, TX to Laredo, TX covers 159.9 miles and takes about 3h 9m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are United States Highway 83, I 2, North US Highway 83. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 79.9 miles from San Carlos, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $24.16 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a straightforward 3h 9m drive. You will face about 10 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 4.7 miles (North Expressway 281): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 5.1 miles (I 69C; US 281): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from San Carlos, TX to Laredo, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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