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Trip from Anna, 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 Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 44m

Distance

316.9 mi

510 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$48

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min
4 AM
5h 32m ★
6 AM
5h 45m
8 AM
6h 11m
10 AM
5h 54m
12 PM
5h 52m
3 PM
5h 55m
5 PM
6h 10m
8 PM
5h 37m

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

Downtown Anna, TX, TX

Anna, TX

Thomas balabaud

Downtown San Antonio, TX, TX

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Anna to San Antonio covers 340.9 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 3 minutes of driving time. Because this route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience consistent terrain throughout your journey. With a recommended duration of just one day, it is perfectly feasible to complete this trip in a single session. Budgeting approximately $51 for fuel should cover your needs, provided you stick to the planned itinerary. Since you will be navigating via local roads like West 4th Street, South Powell Parkway, and McKinney Street, expect a more hands-on driving experience rather than a simple highway cruise. This route is ideal if you prefer local roads over high-speed interstates.

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

158.4 miles from Anna, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 99.6 mi 1h 46m
South R L Thornton Freeway 89.9 mi 1h 32m
I 35 55.8 mi 58m
Central Expressway 35 mi 37m
North Pan Am Expressway 17 mi 20m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
McKinney Street 3.3 mi 5m
South Powell Parkway 2.4 mi 3m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on South Sherley Road

35 ft · 8 sec · South Sherley Road
2

Turn left onto FM 2862

0.2 mi · 23 sec · West 4th Street
3

Turn left onto TX 5

2.4 mi · 3 min · South Powell Parkway
4

Continue on TX 5

3.3 mi · 5 min · McKinney Street
5

Turn right onto TX 121

1.0 mi · 1 min · Sam Rayburn Highway
6

Keep slight left at fork

0.8 mi · 1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Merge onto US 75; TX 121

35 mi · 37 min · Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8

Take the exit

501 ft · 12 sec
Exit 284C Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway Use the slight left lane.
9

Continue on North Central Expressway

0.7 mi · 1 min · North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
10

Turn right onto Elm Street

304 ft · 10 sec · Elm Street
11

Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway

0.2 mi · 28 sec · North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
12

Turn right onto Young Street

0.1 mi · 19 sec · Young Street
13

Turn left onto South Harwood Street

315 ft · 8 sec · South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
14

Turn right onto Canton Street

0.4 mi · 47 sec · Canton Street
15

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 38 sec
Toward I 30 West
16

Keep slight left at fork

0.1 mi · 14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
17

Keep slight left at fork

221 ft · 5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Keep slight left at fork

0.4 mi · 30 sec
Toward I 35E South: Waco Use the left / right lanes.
19

Continue on I 35E

0.5 mi · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
20

Continue on I 35E

89 mi · 1 hr 31 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426 Toward Dallas Zoo Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290

50 mi · 54 min · Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street Use the slight left lane.
25

Continue on I 35

1.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27

Continue on I 35

10.0 mi · 11 min · North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

6.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

0.6 mi · 41 sec · North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo Use the slight left lane.
30

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 157A Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue Use the slight right lane.
31

Turn straight onto East Elmira Street

526 ft · 17 sec · East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
32

Turn left onto North Main Avenue

0.2 mi · 18 sec · North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
33

Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street

159 ft · 3 sec · Navarro Street
34

Continue on Navarro Street

111 ft · 2 sec · Navarro Street
35

Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue

0.4 mi · 51 sec · North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
36

Turn right onto West Travis Street

222 ft · 10 sec · West Travis Street
37

Turn left onto North Flores Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · North Flores Street
38

Continue on Military Plaza

392 ft · 15 sec · Military Plaza
39

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

327 ft · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street
40

Arrive at destination

Dolorosa Street

Trip Plan

To keep your 5-hour and 3-minute drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the frequent turns. Departing early in the day is your best bet to avoid the buildup of local traffic on these specific surface streets. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major highways, keep a close eye on your navigation system to ensure you don't miss any of the frequent turns. With a fuel budget of $51, it is wise to fill up before you leave Anna to avoid hunting for gas stations during the more technical portions of the drive. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to adjust your pace as needed, so prioritize comfort and regular breaks to stay alert.

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 158.4 miles from Anna, TX, or about 2h 52m 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 70 miles or 1h 20m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 158.4 miles or 2h 52m 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 39m

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 Anna, 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 Anna, TX

This is one driving day of about 316.9 miles and 5h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 70 miles from Anna, 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.

city in McLennan County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

West, TX

158 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

Waxahachie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 70 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 158.4 miles from Anna, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Bell County Northbound Rest Area

0 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

Hill County Northbound Rest Area

0.1 mi from route

Buc-ee's

0.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.1 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

0.1 mi from route

Walburg Travel Center & Food Court

0.1 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.1 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

0.1 mi from route

Buc-ee's

0.1 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.1 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.1 mi from route

TA

0.2 mi from route

Flying J Travel Plaza

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.2 mi from route

Hill County Southbound Rest Area

0.2 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.2 mi from route

Road Ranger

0.2 mi from route

Marlstone Retail Center

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.2 mi from route

Buc-ee's

0.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

0.3 mi from route

TA

0.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

0.3 mi from route

Bell County Southbound Rest Area

0.4 mi from route

Buc-ee's

0.4 mi from route

QuikTrip

0.4 mi from route

Minuteman Press

0.5 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

0.9 mi from route

Love's Travel Stop

1.9 mi from route

SoPac Trail Rest Area

1.9 mi from route

Flying J Travel Center

2.2 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2.3 mi from route

Service Plaza

2.4 mi from route

Petro Stopping Centers

2.4 mi from route

Pilot Travel Center

2.5 mi from route

Spanish Governor's Palace

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.1 mi from route

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12102077527

Visit website

GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12102274746

Visit website

San Antonio | The Saga

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0 mi from route

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9–9:30 pm

+12102259800

Visit website

Hemisfair

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+12107094750

Visit website

San Antonio Fire Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+12103907236

Visit website

The Amazing Mirror Maze

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+12102242288

Visit website

SEA LIFE San Antonio

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12106101160

Visit website

San Antonio River Lock & Dam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

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 28

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.8 and 315.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

8
6.8 mi into trip | ~10m in

Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
8
42.6 mi into trip | ~49m in

Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left lane. Exit 284C Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
44.7 mi into trip | ~53m in

Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
8
235.3 mi into trip | ~4h 12m 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
315.1 mi into trip | ~5h 41m 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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$47.88 one way

$95.77 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 111 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $52.41 $104.83
premium $4.54 $56.58 $113.16
diesel $5.61 $69.97 $139.94

Estimated Tolls: $2.86

Central Expressway (35.7 mi) $2.86

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

$48

Tolls

$3

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$76–$101

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 110.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 95.1 1 $33.27 $15.21
Efficient EV 79.2 0 $27.73 $12.68
EV Truck/SUV 126.8 1 $44.37 $20.28

Gas CO2

111 kg

EV CO2

37 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 19, 2026

Origin

Anna, TX

Late night in Anna on Tuesday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

41°F

Clear

NE 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 19 at 1:36AM CDT until April 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 10:58PM CDT until April 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Late night in San Antonio on Tuesday

Local time

3:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

54°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

NE 15 mph 44% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 19 at 1:36AM CDT until April 20 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 10:58PM CDT until April 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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

13 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 44m 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Waco Mammoth National Monument

National Monument

Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...

5 mi from route ~13 min detour Free near mile 131.1
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

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 316.9
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a standard interstate trek, this journey features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend the entire 340.9 miles navigating surface streets and local thoroughfares. There is no "longest stretch" of uninterrupted highway here, as the route is defined by consistent turns on roads like West 4th Street. You will feel the technical nature of the drive as you transition through various local intersections rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. Be prepared for a more engaged, manual driving experience that keeps you focused on the road ahead for the duration of the 5-hour trip.

66% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 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?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.

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 28 significant decision points across 316.9 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 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

800 ft 401 ft

Total Climb

805 ft

Total Descent

867 ft

Highest Point

800 ft

~203.7 mi in

Elevation Range

399 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

Between Anna, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.

Downtown

42.6 mi in | ~49m

Denton

44.5 mi in | ~53m

Waco

44.7 mi in | ~53m

Dallas Zoo

45.6 mi in | ~55m | via I 35E

About the Cities

Starting in Anna, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1867

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 5h 44m. Total distance: 316.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 44m 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 $2.86 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. 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 37 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 37 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

The main spots that need attention: at 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

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

Not recommended in a single day. At 5.7 hours each way, a round trip means 11.5 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.

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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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