Trip from Azle, 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 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 11m

Distance

284 mi

457 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 58m ★

6 AM

5h 12m

8 AM

5h 39m

10 AM

5h 21m

12 PM

5h 19m

3 PM

5h 23m

5 PM

5h 37m

8 PM

5h 4m

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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Azle, TX

Sheng-lu Wu

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Heading south from Azle, Texas, to San Antonio, Texas, you're looking at a journey of 284 miles that will take approximately 5 hours and 11 minutes. This drive is easily manageable as a single-day trip, with a projected fuel cost of around $43. The route primarily follows major highways, including the Purple Heart Trail and I-35, making it a straightforward experience. You'll spend about 58% of your time on highways, and the drive offers a mixed terrain profile. Given that both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, expect a consistent landscape throughout your 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

142 miles from Azle, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 35m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	99.6 mi	1h 46m
South Freeway	83.9 mi	1h 27m
I 35	55.8 mi	58m
North Pan Am Expressway	17 mi	20m
Jacksboro Highway	12.8 mi	16m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
Lake Worth Boulevard	2 mi	3m
Interstate Highway 35	1.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m

Traffic on I-35

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 108 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~3,524 veh/hr typical · worst 4,208

Quietest

2 AM

~595 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

5.9×

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 Azle, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on Locust Street

141 ft · 11 sec · Locust Street

Turn left onto Loop 344

0.4 mi · 44 sec · Main Street

Turn left onto North Stewart Street

0.1 mi · 22 sec · North Stewart Street

Turn right onto Southeast Parkway Street

359 ft · 7 sec · Southeast Parkway Street

Take the ramp

406 ft · 9 sec

Toward TX 199 East

Merge onto TX 199

8.3 mi · 9 min · Jacksboro Highway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 199

0.7 mi · 1 min · Lake Worth Boulevard

Use the straight / left lanes.

Continue on TX 199

0.8 mi · 1 min · Lake Worth Boulevard

Continue on TX 199

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Lake Worth Boulevard

Continue on TX 199

4.5 mi · 7 min · Jacksboro Highway

Use the left lane.

Continue on TX 199

0.5 mi · 1 min · North Henderson Street

Enter roundabout onto TX 199

113 ft · 1 sec · North Henderson Street

Continue on TX 199

1.1 mi · 1 min · North Henderson Street

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto West Lancaster Avenue

0.8 mi · 1 min · West Lancaster Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto East Lancaster Avenue

0.3 mi · 26 sec · East Lancaster Avenue

Use the right lane.

Turn right onto South Freeway

91 ft · 1 sec · South Freeway

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Toward I 35W South

Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus

84 mi · 1 hr 26 min · South Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Continue on I 35

1.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate Highway 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

10.0 mi · 11 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Exit 157A Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto East Elmira Street

526 ft · 17 sec · East Elmira Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn left onto North Main Avenue

0.2 mi · 18 sec · North Main Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street

159 ft · 3 sec · Navarro Street

Continue on Navarro Street

111 ft · 2 sec · Navarro Street

Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue

0.4 mi · 51 sec · North Main Avenue

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto West Travis Street

222 ft · 10 sec · West Travis Street

Turn left onto North Flores Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · North Flores Street

Continue on 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 5-hour, 11-minute drive from Azle to San Antonio, starting early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and potentially avoid some traffic. With a total distance of 284 miles, you can comfortably complete this trip in one day, so no overnight stops are strictly necessary. Plan for one stop to stretch your legs and refuel, perhaps around the halfway point of your longest stretch on the Purple Heart Trail. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you approach San Antonio, and factor in the estimated $43 fuel cost for budgeting.

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 miles from Azle, TX, or about 2h 35m 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 62 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 142 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 12m

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 Azle, 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 Azle, TX

This is one driving day of about 284 miles and 5h 11m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Azle, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

142 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

Italy, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142 miles from Azle, 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 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 17.8 and 282.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

17.8 mi into trip | ~26m in | East Lancaster Avenue

Keep slight right at fork onto East Lancaster Avenue

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

202.4 mi into trip | ~3h 39m 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

275.8 mi into trip | ~5h in | I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 South

282.2 mi into trip | ~5h 8m 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

282.8 mi into trip | ~5h 9m 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

$38.90 one way

$77.80 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 99 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$43.45	$86.90
premium	$4.23	$47.24	$94.48
diesel	$4.80	$53.62	$107.25

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	85.2	1	$29.82	$13.63
Efficient EV	71	0	$24.85	$11.36
EV Truck/SUV	113.6	1	$39.76	$18.18

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 Jul 18, 2026

Origin

Azle, TX

Evening in Azle on Monday

Local time

7:58 PM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Partly Cloudy

S 10 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:32PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:22PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Evening in San Antonio on Monday

Local time

7:58 PM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Cloudy

SE 10 to 15 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:32PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:22PM CDT until July 19 at 6:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

96°F

Troy, TX

142 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

1 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 11m 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

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 97.9

View on nps.gov

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 284

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 presents a mixed driving profile, with 58% of the journey on highways. You'll encounter stretches on the Purple Heart Trail and I-35, offering opportunities for steady progress. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll experience is 99.6 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, providing a good segment for covering distance efficiently. While much of the route is highway-based, the 'mixed drive' profile suggests you might also encounter some variations in road type or traffic patterns as you transition between main arteries, keeping the experience from being entirely monotonous.

58% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.

38 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 17.8 miles in near East Lancaster Avenue.

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 24 significant decision points across 284 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 17.8 miles (East Lancaster Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 202.4 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 275.8 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

858 ft 454 ft

Total Climb

937 ft

Total Descent

995 ft

Highest Point

858 ft

~162.3 mi in

Elevation Range

404 ft

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Starbucks

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Visit website

El Puente

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Madhatter's Tea House and Cafe

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Antonio, TX

One Lucky Duck

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

San Antonio

Visit website

Joe Blues

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Subway

Fast_food

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.1 mi from route

Round Rock, TX

Cuisine: sandwich

Hours: 09:00-22:00

Visit website

Jersey Mike's Subs

Fast_food

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.2 mi from route

Round Rock, TX

Cuisine: sandwich

Visit website

District

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

La Antorcha de la Amistad

Memorial

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Beauregard House B&B

Guest_house

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fiesta Bed and Breakfast

Guest_house

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Ayers Inn

Guest_house

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 2 mi from route ~5 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Azle, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1846

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 11m. Total distance: 284 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.

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.

Yes — we found about 32 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 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 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, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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