Traveling from Addison to San Antonio covers 306.8 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 46 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight highway sprint, you should plan for a single, focused day of travel. You can expect to spend approximately $46 in fuel for the trip. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout the journey. It is a straightforward trip that is easily manageable in one go, provided you are prepared for the frequent turns required by the local road network.
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
143.1 miles from Addison, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Addison, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on this road
84 ft·11 sec·this road
2
Turn left
66 ft·6 sec
3
Turn right onto Addison Circle
200 ft·11 sec·Addison Circle
4
Turn left onto Addison Road
0.5 mi·1 min·Addison Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Turn left onto Belt Line Road
0.4 mi·54 sec·Belt Line Road
6
Turn straight
283 ft·10 sec
7
Turn straight onto Dallas Parkway
163 ft·3 sec·Dallas Parkway
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward DNT South
9
Merge onto DNT
11 mi·12 min·Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the right lane.
11
Keep slight right at fork
329 ft·8 sec
Toward I 35E SouthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto North Stemmons Freeway
0.1 mi·12 sec·North Stemmons Freeway
13
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 35E South
14
Merge onto I 35E
1.8 mi·2 min·North Stemmons Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi·44 sec·South R L Thornton Freeway
16
Continue on I 35E
89 mi·1 hr 31 min·South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426Toward Dallas ZooUse the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
21
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.6 mi·41 sec·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
26
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 157AToward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro AvenueUse the slight right lane.
27
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft·17 sec·East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
29
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft·3 sec·Navarro Street
30
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft·2 sec·Navarro Street
31
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
32
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft·10 sec·West Travis Street
33
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Flores Street
34
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
35
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
36
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 306.8-mile journey, try to depart early in the day to avoid peak traffic on local roads. You should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and reset, as the constant turning can be more mentally taxing than a standard highway drive. With a fuel budget of $46, keep an eye on your gauge early on since local driving patterns can impact your efficiency differently than highway speeds. Stay flexible with your pacing, as the lack of highway miles means you cannot rely on high-speed cruising to make up for lost time.
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 143.1 miles from Addison, TX, or about 2h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 63 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.1 miles or 2h 32m 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 9m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Antonio, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Addison, 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 Addison, TX
This is one driving day of about 286.2 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Addison, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 22
5 decision points cluster between mile 11.8 and 285 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
11.8 mi into trip|~15m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
Toward I 35E South
7
12.2 mi into trip|~16m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35E South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E South
8
204.6 mi into trip|~3h 36m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
284.4 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
285 mi into trip|~5h 6m in
Take the exit toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.25 one way
$86.49 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$47.34
$94.67
premium
$4.54
$51.10
$102.20
diesel
$5.61
$63.19
$126.38
Estimated Tolls: $0.84
Dallas North Tollway
(10.5 mi)$0.84
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
85.9
1
$30.05
$13.74
Efficient EV
71.6
0
$25.04
$11.45
EV Truck/SUV
114.5
1
$40.07
$18.32
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Forecast as of Apr 14, 2026
Origin
Addison, TX
Late night
in Addison on Sunday
Local time
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph17% chanceLive forecast
60°F
Troy, TX
143 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
14 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 9m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route relies entirely on local roads like Addison Circle, Addison Road, and Belt Line Road. With a 0% highway share, you will be navigating a turn-heavy path that demands your full attention behind the wheel. There are no long, monotonous interstate stretches to zone out on; in fact, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on Addison Circle. This technical, local-focused drive keeps you engaged with the road from start to finish.
60% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
36 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 11.8 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 22 significant decision points across 286.2 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 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.6 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
On the drive from Addison, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Dallas Zoo along the way.
San Antonio is the second largest city in the state of Texas and the 7th largest in the United States. It's the 24th largest metropolitan area in the country. Visited by more than 31 million annual visitors, San Antonio is a beautiful city at the axis of three different geological terrains: Hill Country, South Texas Plains and Prairie and Lakes. There's a lot to do in this city: fine art museums, historical missions and plenty of amusement parks in addition to great dining and lots of drinking. The culture and people are vibrant and interesting. San Antonio's downtown is one of the most lively in the nation.
Top landmarks
•Alamo Mission in San Antonio — historic place in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
•San Antonio Missions National Historical Park — historic district in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
•Fort Sam Houston — military base in San Antonio, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 9m. Total distance: 286.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.84 in tolls one way, starting with Dallas North Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at San Antonio, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 11.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 12.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 204.6 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at San Antonio, TX before the return drive.
