Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Ballinger, TX to San Antonio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
202.8 mi
326 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$28
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 20m
★
6 AM
3h 32m
8 AM
3h 57m
10 AM
3h 41m
12 PM
3h 38m
3 PM
3h 42m
5 PM
3h 55m
8 PM
3h 24m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Ballinger, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ballinger to San Antonio covers 203.3 miles, making for a manageable 3-hour and 13-minute journey across the Texas Great Plains. Because the total drive time is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $30 for fuel to complete the transit between these two locations. Since this route does not rely on major interstates, you will experience a more local feel throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trek that avoids the complexities of multi-day planning, providing you with a reliable way to navigate between these two regional hubs.
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
101.4 miles from Ballinger, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 71.7 mi | 1h 14m |
| Grassmeyer Street | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| US 83 | 40 mi | 38m |
| 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 |
| Dolorosa Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 71.7 mi, about 1h 14m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 14 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~537 veh/hr typical · worst 948
Quietest
3 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
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 Ballinger, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on US 83
17 mi
·
18 min
·
South 7th Street
2
Continue on US 83
42 mi
·
44 min
·
Grassmeyer Street
3
Continue on US 83
29 mi
·
31 min
·
Ellis Street
4
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi
·
38 min
·
US 83
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on I 10
54 mi
·
54 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi
·
19 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
McDermott Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Pecos-La Trinidad
10
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 13-minute trip, plan your departure for the early morning to avoid midday traffic and ensure you arrive in San Antonio with plenty of daylight. Since there are no scheduled stops in this itinerary, pack your own refreshments and ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Ballinger to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert and pace yourself by taking short breaks if you feel the need to stretch your legs. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; use the lack of required stops to your advantage by adjusting your speed to match the local road conditions. Most importantly, keep an eye on your fuel gauge early in the drive so that the $30 estimate remains accurate for your specific vehicle.
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 101.4 miles from Ballinger, TX, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.7 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 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.4 miles or 1h 46m 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 50m
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 Ballinger, 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 Ballinger, TX
This is one driving day of about 202.8 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Ballinger, 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 I 10 for about 71.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 101.4 miles from Ballinger, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.7 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.
Scenic View
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Kerr County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 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 websiteGO 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 websiteSan 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 websiteHemisfair
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 websiteSan 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 websiteThe 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 websiteSEA 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 websiteSan 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 65 decision points cluster between mile 87.8 and 202.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
87.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m 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
182 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m 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
201.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m 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
201.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m 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.
6
202.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
|
Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$27.78 one way
$55.55 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $31.03 | $62.05 |
| premium | $4.23 | $33.73 | $67.47 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $38.29 | $76.58 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$28
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71 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 | 60.8 | 0 | $21.29 | $9.73 |
| Efficient EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.75 | $8.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.39 | $12.98 |
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.
Origin
Ballinger, TX
Afternoon in Ballinger on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Mostly Clear
SSE 0 to 5 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:33PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:30PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
2:49 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:33PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:30PM CDT until July 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
6 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
3h 31m 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 202.8
View on nps.gov
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
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 153.8
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 rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features a 0% highway share. Navigating this path requires your full attention, as the road personality is defined by winding local stretches rather than straight, high-speed lanes. Because you aren't spending time on major thoroughfares, the pace remains steady and demands engagement behind the wheel. You will find that the character of the road stays consistent throughout the 203.3-mile trip, keeping you focused on the changing local landscape. This is an ideal drive if you prefer winding, back-road travel over the repetitive rhythm of a cruise-controlled highway experience.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
12 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 71.7 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 87.8 miles in near US 83.
Driving Effort
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 202.8 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 87.8 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 182 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,223 ft
649 ft
Total Climb
879 ft
Total Descent
1,900 ft
Highest Point
2,223 ft
~115.9 mi in
Elevation Range
1,574 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Ballinger, TX
Full guide →Top landmarks
- • Ballinger Carnegie Library — building in Ballinger, Runnels County, Texas
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 31m. Total distance: 202.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 31m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 71.7 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 24 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 24 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 87.8 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 182 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.1 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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