Trip from Aldine, TX to San Antonio, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

3h 37m

Distance

203.3 mi

327 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 38 min

4 AM

3h 25m ★

6 AM

3h 38m

8 AM

4h 3m

10 AM

3h 47m

12 PM

3h 44m

3 PM

3h 48m

5 PM

4h 2m

8 PM

3h 30m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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census designated place in Harris County, Texas, United States

Aldine, TX

Wikimedia Commons

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Aldine, TX to San Antonio, TX is 203.3 miles and takes about 3h 37m via I 10, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, taking you across Texas on a predominantly highway route. It’s a straightforward drive, ideal if you’re looking for an efficient way to get from one major Texas city to another. You'll spend most of your time on the interstate, making it a predictable and easy-to-navigate option for a single-day trip.

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

101.7 miles from Aldine, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 49m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Katy Freeway	161.7 mi	2h 45m
North Sam Houston Tollway West	17.3 mi	19m
I 10	12 mi	12m
East Commerce Street	4.3 mi	7m
North Sam Houston Parkway East	2.4 mi	2m
Jose Lopez Freeway	1.6 mi	1m
90th Infantry Division Highway	0.8 mi	<1m
West Hardy Road	0.5 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: Katy Freeway — 161.7 mi, about 2h 45m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,619 veh/hr typical · worst 2,287

Quietest

2 AM

~259 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Aldine, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on FM 525

140 ft · 6 sec · Aldine Bender Road

Turn right onto West Hardy Road

0.5 mi · 57 sec · West Hardy Road

Turn left onto North Sam Houston Parkway East

0.5 mi · 47 sec · North Sam Houston Parkway East

Use the left lane.

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 35 sec

Toward BW 8 West Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto BW 8

1.9 mi · 2 min · North Sam Houston Parkway East

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on SHT

2.3 mi · 2 min · North Sam Houston Tollway West

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto SHT

15 mi · 17 min · North Sam Houston Tollway West

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Downtown, San Antonio Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

1.0 mi · 2 min

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 10; US 90

162 mi · 2 hr 45 min · Katy Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

12 mi · 12 min · I 10; US 90; TX 130

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

0.8 mi · 51 sec · 90th Infantry Division Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10; US 90

1.6 mi · 1 min · Jose Lopez Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Exit 579 Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Interstate 10 East

Turn right onto East Houston Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · East Houston Street

Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street

4.3 mi · 7 min · East Commerce Street

Turn left onto Military Plaza

392 ft · 15 sec · Military Plaza

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

327 ft · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street

Arrive at destination

Dolorosa Street

Trip Plan

For this 3.5-hour drive, leaving Aldine in the morning is recommended to avoid potential midday traffic. Given the relatively short duration, you have flexibility with stops, but consider a brief break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on fuel as you approach San Antonio, and note that the longest stretch without significant exit activity is 161.7 miles on the Katy Freeway, so plan accordingly for any necessary stops. Your estimated fuel cost is around $31, so budget accordingly.

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 101.7 miles from Aldine, TX, or about 1h 49m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 161.7 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 45 miles or 51m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 101.7 miles or 1h 49m 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 55m

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 Aldine, 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 Aldine, TX

This is one driving day of about 203.3 miles and 3h 37m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Aldine, 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 Katy Freeway for about 161.7 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Colorado County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Eagle Lake, TX

102 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

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Eagle Lake, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 101.7 miles from Aldine, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+12102271373

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 5.4 and 198.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

5.4 mi into trip | ~7m in | SHT / North Sam Houston Tollway West

Keep slight left at fork onto SHT / North Sam Houston Tollway West

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

20.5 mi into trip | ~24m in

Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Downtown, San Antonio

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. Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Downtown, San Anto...

21 mi into trip | ~25m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 10 West: San Antonio

183.8 mi into trip | ~3h 13m in | I 10; US 90; TX 130

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

198.2 mi into trip | ~3h 28m in

Take the exit toward Commerce Street, Houston Street

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 579 Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$27.85 one way

$55.69 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 71 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$31.10	$62.21
premium	$4.23	$33.82	$67.63
diesel	$4.80	$38.39	$76.77

Estimated Tolls: $1.38

Sam Houston Tollway (17.3 mi) $1.38

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

$28

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$54–$79

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 71.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	61	0	$21.35	$9.76
Efficient EV	50.8	0	$17.79	$8.13
EV Truck/SUV	81.3	1	$28.46	$13.01

Gas CO2

71 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Aldine, TX

Late night in Aldine on Monday

Local time

4:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

95°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 5 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 12:27PM CDT until July 20 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Late night in San Antonio on Monday

Local time

4:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

93°F

Mostly Sunny

SSE 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 12:27PM CDT until July 20 at 3:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

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

2 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

3h 37m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

National Historical Park

Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 203.3

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is mostly highway, with 88% of the 203.3 miles on main roads like the Katy Freeway and I 10. You'll experience a continuous stretch of 161.7 miles on the Katy Freeway. Expect frequent exits and merges as you navigate through urban and suburban areas before transitioning to more open highway cruising.

88% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 161.7 mi on Katy Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and North Sam Houston Tollway West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.4 miles in near SHT / North Sam Houston Tollway West.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 203.3 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 5.4 miles (SHT / North Sam Houston Tollway West): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 20.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

649 ft 80 ft

Total Climb

644 ft

Total Descent

76 ft

Highest Point

649 ft

~203.3 mi in

Elevation Range

569 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Aldine, TX

Full guide →

Arriving in San Antonio, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1718

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 37m. Total distance: 203.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

3h 37m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (88%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 161.7 miles on Katy Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $1.38 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston 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.

Yes — we found about 29 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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. There are 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at San Antonio, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Aldine, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.

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Trip from Aldine, TX to San Antonio, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-10

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Road Ranger

Flying J Travel Center

Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area

Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area

Buc-ee's

Road Ranger

Roady's Truck Stops

Buc-ee's

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Petro Stopping Centers

Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area

Colorado County Westbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Jud's Travel Center

Amigos Country Corner

TA

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Super Travel Center

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Spanish Governor's Palace

GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises

San Antonio | The Saga

Hemisfair

San Antonio Fire Museum

The Amazing Mirror Maze

SEA LIFE San Antonio

San Antonio River Lock & Dam

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Aldine, TX

San Antonio, TX

Same local time

2 degrees cooler at arrival

3h 37m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Aldine, TX

Arriving in San Antonio, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

How do I pay the tolls on this route?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From San Antonio, TX

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