Origin
Barton Creek, TX
Late night in Barton Creek on Tuesday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Barton Creek, TX to San Antonio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
1h 43m
Distance
86.4 mi
139 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$13
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 35m
★
6 AM
1h 43m
8 AM
1h 58m
10 AM
1h 48m
12 PM
1h 47m
3 PM
1h 49m
5 PM
1h 58m
8 PM
1h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Barton Creek, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 86.4-mile drive from Barton Creek, TX to San Antonio, TX is a straightforward 1 hour and 43-minute journey that's perfect for a single day trip. You'll primarily navigate along the Purple Heart Trail, North Pan Am Expressway, and South Capital of Texas Highway. With a fuel cost estimated at $13, this route offers an economical option for exploring within the Great Plains region of Texas. The overall feel is that of a turn-heavy local drive, so plan for a more engaged driving experience rather than a simple cruise.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
43.2 miles from Barton Creek, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 54.6 mi | 58m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 17 mi | 20m |
| South Capital of Texas Highway | 4.7 mi | 6m |
| US 290 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
| Barton Creek Boulevard | 2.3 mi | 4m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| Bee Caves Road | 1 mi | 1m |
| North Main Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 54.6 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Barton Creek, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on Mendocino Drive
183 ft
·
14 sec
·
Mendocino Drive
2
Turn left onto Navidad Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Navidad Drive
3
Turn right onto Barton Creek Boulevard
2.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Barton Creek Boulevard
4
At end of road, turn right onto RM 2244
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Bee Caves Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Toward Loop 360 South
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on this road
0.2 mi
·
22 sec
·
this road
Toward South Loop 360
7
Merge onto Loop 360
4.7 mi
·
6 min
·
South Capital of Texas Highway
Use the straight lane.
8
Merge onto US 290; TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
US 290; TX 71
9
Take the exit onto US 290
0.5 mi
·
59 sec
·
US 290
Toward I 35 North, US 290 East, I 35 South: Waco, San Antonio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 35 South: San Antonio
Use the slight right lane.
11
Merge onto I 35
43 mi
·
45 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
19
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
20
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Navarro Street
21
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft
·
2 sec
·
Navarro Street
22
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
23
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Travis Street
24
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Flores Street
25
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
26
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
27
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of 1 hour and 43 minutes, this drive is easily accomplished in a single day, offering flexibility in your departure time. You won't need to split this trip, and with no designated stops, you can be spontaneous. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially before embarking on the 54.6-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail, as this is your longest continuous segment. The estimated fuel cost is just $13, making it an affordable excursion.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 43.2 miles from Barton Creek, TX, or about 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 54.6 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 19 miles or 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 43.2 miles or 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 1h 25m
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 Barton Creek, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Barton Creek, TX
This is one driving day of about 86.4 miles and 1h 43m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 19 miles from Barton Creek, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 54.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
43 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 19 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 43.2 miles from Barton Creek, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 195 decision points cluster between mile 10.8 and 85.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
10.8 mi into trip
|
~17m in
|
US 290
Take the exit onto US 290 toward I 35 North, US 290 East, I 35 South: Waco, San Antonio
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.
Toward I 35 North, US 290 East, I 35 South: Wac...
7
11.3 mi into trip
|
~18m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35 South: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35 South: San Antonio
7
78.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m 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
8
84.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
85.3 mi into trip
|
~1h 40m 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
$13.06 one way
$26.11 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
30 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $14.29 | $28.58 |
| premium | $4.54 | $15.43 | $30.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $19.08 | $38.15 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$13
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$38–$63
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 30.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $9 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 25.9 | 0 | $9.07 | $4.15 |
| Efficient EV | 21.6 | 0 | $7.56 | $3.46 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 34.6 | 0 | $12.10 | $5.53 |
Gas CO2
30 kg
EV CO2
10 kg (67% 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.
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 16 at 5:12PM CDT until April 16 at 5:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 4:16PM CDT until April 16 at 8:00PM 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
23 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
1h 43m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a 'turn-heavy local drive' profile for this 86.4-mile trip. While 25% of your journey will be on highways, the majority involves navigating local roads, requiring more frequent adjustments. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 54.6 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a period of more consistent travel before you transition back to more varied road conditions. This route isn't a monotonous interstate cruise; instead, it's a dynamic drive that keeps you engaged with its frequent turns and changes in road type.
Only 25% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 54.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 10.8 miles in near US 290.
Driving Effort
9/10
Demanding - stay alert through the decision-heavy sections
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 86.4 miles you will encounter 19 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 10.8 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.3 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Barton Creek, TX
Full guide →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 1h 43m. Total distance: 86.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 54.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 10.8 miles (US 290): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 11.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 78.3 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Antonio, TX before heading back.
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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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