Traveling from Anson to San Antonio covers 270.1 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 25 minutes. Since this route remains entirely within the Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the journey. Plan on a budget of approximately $40 for fuel to complete the trip. Because the drive is under five hours, it is very manageable as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You will primarily navigate via 11th Street, West Court Plaza, and Commercial Avenue, making this a straightforward trek for those comfortable with local road travel.
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
141.4 miles from Anson, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 83
87.3 mi
1h 31m
I 10
71.7 mi
1h 14m
Grassmeyer Street
41.9 mi
44m
Commercial Avenue
32.5 mi
35m
Ellis Street
29.4 mi
31m
South 7th Street
16.5 mi
18m
McDermott Freeway
1.7 mi
2m
North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.7 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 83
— 87.3 mi, about 1h 31m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anson, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on this road
170 ft·13 sec·this road
2
Turn left onto 11th Street
136 ft·6 sec·11th Street
3
Turn left onto US 83; US 277
0.1 mi·10 sec·West Court Plaza
4
Turn slight right onto US 83; US 277
32 mi·35 min·Commercial Avenue
5
Continue on US 83; US 84
7.8 mi·8 min·US 83; US 84
6
Continue on US 83
39 mi·44 min·US 83
7
Turn left onto US 83
17 mi·18 min·South 7th Street
Use the left lane.
8
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Grassmeyer Street
9
Continue on US 83
29 mi·31 min·Ellis Street
10
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi·38 min·US 83
Toward I 10 East: San AntonioUse the left lane.
11
Continue on I 10
54 mi·54 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
14
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
15
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
16
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
18
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle before finishing the remaining mileage. Departing early in the day is your best strategy to avoid fatigue, especially given the turn-heavy nature of the route. Keep your navigation tools handy for the local streets, as the constant transitions between 11th Street, West Court Plaza, and Commercial Avenue require your full attention. Because the trip is only 270.1 miles, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace based on traffic or personal preference. Always double-check your route before leaving Anson, as staying on the designated path is essential for a smooth 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 141.4 miles from Anson, TX, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 87.3 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 62 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.4 miles or 2h 35m 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 5m
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 Anson, 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 Anson, TX
This is one driving day of about 282.7 miles and 5h 1m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Anson, 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 US 83 for about 87.3 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 79.9 and 281.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
79.9 mi into trip|~1h 29m in|US 83 / South 7th Street
Turn left onto US 83 / South 7th Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
8
167.7 mi into trip|~3h 3m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
6
261.9 mi into trip|~4h 36m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
281 mi into trip|~4h 57m in
Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
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 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
6
281.7 mi into trip|~4h 59m in|North Pecos-La Trinidad
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$42.72 one way
$85.43 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg99 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$46.76
$93.51
premium
$4.54
$50.47
$100.95
diesel
$5.61
$62.42
$124.83
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: 98.9 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
84.8
1
$29.68
$13.57
Efficient EV
70.7
0
$24.74
$11.31
EV Truck/SUV
113.1
1
$39.58
$18.09
Gas CO2
99 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 15, 2026
Origin
Anson, TX
Afternoon
in Anson on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
61°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
12:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
16 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 1m 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.
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 282.7
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 234
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will spend your time navigating through local roadways, meaning there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch of highway to zone out on. The longest stretch you will encounter is 0 miles on 11th Street, emphasizing the frequent turns and transitions required to reach San Antonio. This personality makes for an active driving experience where you remain engaged with the road rather than cruising at high speeds. Prepare for a more hands-on journey that prioritizes local connectivity over fast-paced transit.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
18 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 87.3 mi on US 83.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 79.9 miles in near US 83 / South 7th Street.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 282.7 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 79.9 miles (US 83 / South 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 167.7 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 261.9 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 1m. Total distance: 282.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 1m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 87.3 miles on US 83. 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 79.9 miles (US 83 / South 7th Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 167.7 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 261.9 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.0 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.
