Traveling from Annetta to San Antonio covers 266.2 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 40 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily complete it as a single-day trip without needing an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $40 on fuel for the trek, which relies on a combination of FM 5, Annetta Road, and Interstate 20. While the duration is manageable for a dedicated driver, the route's turn-heavy nature requires your full attention. It is a straightforward transit that connects two distinct Texas locales efficiently for those comfortable with a bit of local road navigation.
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
142.6 miles from Annetta, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 32m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Annetta, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on FM 5
0.6 mi·1 min·North O'Neal Avenue
2
Continue on FM 5
1.4 mi·2 min·West FM 5
3
Continue on FM 5
0.7 mi·1 min·Annetta Road
4
Turn right
0.1 mi·30 sec
5
At end of road, turn right onto East Interstate 20
241 ft·4 sec·East Interstate 20
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Toward I 20 East: Fort Worth
7
Merge onto I 20
5.4 mi·5 min·I 20
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20
16 mi·16 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, ShreveportUse the slight right lane.
9
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 437Toward I 35W: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 35W South: WacoUse the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 35W
78 mi·1 hr 20 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
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.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 157AToward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro AvenueUse the slight right lane.
22
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft·17 sec·East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
24
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft·3 sec·Navarro Street
25
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft·2 sec·Navarro Street
26
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
27
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft·10 sec·West Travis Street
28
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Flores Street
29
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
30
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
31
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a turn-heavy drive, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid fatigue while navigating the local roads. Plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the 4-hour and 40-minute duration. Because the route relies on local infrastructure rather than a main interstate corridor, keep your navigation tools handy to handle the frequent changes in direction. Budgeting $40 for gas is a solid starting point, but keep a little extra set aside for potential price fluctuations along the rural stretches. Given the lack of highway miles, maintain a steady, moderate pace to ensure a comfortable arrival in San Antonio.
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 142.6 miles from Annetta, 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 142.6 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 Annetta, 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 Annetta, TX
This is one driving day of about 285.1 miles and 5h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Annetta, 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 20
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.5 and 283.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.5 mi into trip|~11m in|I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 20 East: Dallas, Shreveport
8
24.2 mi into trip|~28m in
Take the exit toward I 35W: Denton, Waco
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 437
Toward I 35W: Denton, Waco
8
203.6 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
283.4 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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
283.9 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
$43.08 one way
$86.16 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg100 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$47.15
$94.31
premium
$4.54
$50.90
$101.81
diesel
$5.61
$62.95
$125.89
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$43
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$68–$93
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 99.8 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
85.5
1
$29.94
$13.68
Efficient EV
71.3
0
$24.95
$11.40
EV Truck/SUV
114
1
$39.91
$18.25
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
Annetta, TX
Late night
in Annetta on Tuesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
3:10 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Patchy Drizzle
SSE 10 to 15 mph17% chanceLive forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 14 at 2:58PM CDT until April 14 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 14 at 1:54PM CDT until April 14 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
84°F
Belton, 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
24 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 drive that feels more like a technical local excursion than a high-speed interstate haul. With a highway share of 0%, you won't be spending much time on major thoroughfares, and you should be prepared for a series of curves rather than long, straight stretches. The longest uninterrupted section on FM 5 is 0 miles, meaning you will be navigating frequent turns throughout the journey. This profile makes for a more active experience behind the wheel compared to a standard highway cruise. Stay alert as you transition from local roadways, as the character of the pavement changes frequently along this 266.2-mile path.
58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
31 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 8.5 miles in near I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway.
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 20 significant decision points across 285.1 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 8.5 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.6 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 Annetta, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Waco 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: 285.1 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.
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 8.5 miles (I 20 / Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 203.6 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.
