Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Bedford, TX to San Antonio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 2m
Distance
279.9 mi
450 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$38
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 49m
★
6 AM
5h 3m
8 AM
5h 30m
10 AM
5h 12m
12 PM
5h 9m
3 PM
5h 14m
5 PM
5h 28m
8 PM
4h 55m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bedford, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bedford, TX to San Antonio, TX is 279.9 miles and takes about 5h 2m via Purple Heart Trail, North South Freeway, and I-35, with a fuel budget near $42 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you from the rolling terrain of the Great Plains in North Texas down into the same region as you approach San Antonio. It's a classic Texas highway-focused drive, ideal for a single-day journey when you want to get there efficiently. Consider this route if you're looking for a straightforward trip with minimal fuss, primarily on well-maintained interstates.
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
139.9 miles from Bedford, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 28m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| North South Freeway | 85 mi | 1h 28m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 17 mi | 20m |
| Airport Freeway | 11.6 mi | 13m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| North Main Avenue | 0.6 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 Bedford, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on Forest Ridge Drive
95 ft
·
10 sec
·
Forest Ridge Drive
2
Turn left onto Bedford Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Bedford Road
3
Turn right onto Airport Freeway
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
Toward TX 183 Express Toll West, TX 121 Express Toll South
Use the slight left lane.
5
Merge onto TX 121; TX 183
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Airport Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Use the slight right lane.
7
Continue on TX 121
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
Airport Freeway
Exit 24B
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Ft Worth
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi
·
41 sec
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Use the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto I 35W; US 287; US 377
85 mi
·
1 hr 28 min
·
North South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
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.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
20
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
21
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Navarro Street
23
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft
·
2 sec
·
Navarro Street
24
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
25
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Travis Street
26
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Flores Street
27
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
28
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
29
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, departing in the morning allows ample time to reach San Antonio before evening. With only one recommended stop and a manageable distance, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed. Keep an eye on your fuel, especially during the 99.6-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent. Planning to fill up before this longer segment is a smart move to ensure a smooth journey without unexpected delays.
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 139.9 miles from Bedford, TX, or about 2h 28m 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 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 139.9 miles or 2h 28m 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 4m
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 Bedford, 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 Bedford, TX
This is one driving day of about 279.9 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 miles from Bedford, 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
140 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 139.9 miles from Bedford, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.4 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 205 decision points cluster between mile 5.3 and 278.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
9
5.3 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
TX 121 / Airport Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 121 / Airport Freeway toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 25A
Toward TX 121 South: Downtown, Fort Worth
8
12.5 mi into trip
|
~15m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W South, US 287 South, US 377 South:...
8
198.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m 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
278.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 59m 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
278.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 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
$38.34 one way
$76.67 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
98 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $42.82 | $85.64 |
| premium | $4.23 | $46.56 | $93.12 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $52.85 | $105.70 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$38
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$63–$88
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 97.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $29 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84 | 1 | $29.39 | $13.44 |
| Efficient EV | 70 | 0 | $24.49 | $11.20 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 112 | 1 | $39.19 | $17.91 |
Gas CO2
98 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Bedford, TX
Late night in Bedford on Monday
Local time
5:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:34PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:10PM CDT until July 19 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night in San Antonio on Monday
Local time
5:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 10 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:34PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:10PM CDT until July 19 at 12:24PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Troy, TX
140 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
5h 2m 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...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 96.5
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 279.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway-focused drive, with 64% of the journey utilizing major freeways like I-35. You'll experience stretches that are conducive to maintaining consistent speeds, including one significant segment of 99.6 miles on the Purple Heart Trail. While much of the drive is on high-speed roads, the transition between these major arteries and any connecting local routes will define the rhythm of your travel. Expect a practical driving experience where the emphasis is on covering ground efficiently.
64% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
29 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 is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and North South Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.3 miles in near TX 121 / Airport Freeway.
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 20 significant decision points across 279.9 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 5.3 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.3 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
876 ft
401 ft
Total Climb
1,009 ft
Total Descent
953 ft
Highest Point
876 ft
~159.9 mi in
Elevation Range
475 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Bedford, TX
Full guide →Bedford is a city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
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 2m. Total distance: 279.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m 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.
Yes — we found about 27 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 27 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 5.3 miles (TX 121 / Airport Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 12.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 198.3 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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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