Traveling from Benbrook to San Antonio covers 289 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 9 minutes of driving time. Since this route is well within the capacity of a single day, you can easily complete the trip in one session without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $43 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Because this path is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive, it offers a different experience than a standard interstate commute. It is a straightforward, manageable journey that works well for those looking to reach San Antonio efficiently while navigating local roads.
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
134.8 miles from Benbrook, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 23m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Benbrook, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on Wade Hampton Street
0.4 mi·1 min·Wade Hampton Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto Mercedes Street
0.2 mi·24 sec·Mercedes Street
3
Take the ramp
128 ft·4 sec
4
Turn right onto US 377
0.3 mi·34 sec·Benbrook Boulevard
5
Turn right onto Southwest Loop 820
0.2 mi·22 sec·Southwest Loop 820
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·34 sec
Toward I 20 East
7
Merge onto I 20
7.2 mi·7 min·Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.4 mi·53 sec
Exit 437Toward I 35W: Denton, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward I 35W South: WacoUse the slight right lane.
10
Merge onto I 35W
78 mi·1 hr 20 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
15
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.6 mi·41 sec·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 157AToward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro AvenueUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft·17 sec·East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft·3 sec·Navarro Street
24
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft·2 sec·Navarro Street
25
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft·10 sec·West Travis Street
27
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Flores Street
28
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
29
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
30
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 9-minute duration, plan to depart early to make the most of your day in San Antonio. You should schedule at least one stop to break up the drive, as the turn-heavy local roads can be more tiring than high-speed cruising. Keep your $43 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops along the way to ensure you don't run low on stretches without services. Because this route avoids major highways, be prepared for more frequent turns and varying speed limits compared to a typical interstate journey. A helpful tip is to map out your navigation carefully before leaving, as the local road navigation requires more frequent adjustments than a single highway path.
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 134.8 miles from Benbrook, TX, or about 2h 23m 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 59 miles or 1h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134.8 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 55m
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 Benbrook, 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 Benbrook, TX
This is one driving day of about 269.6 miles and 4h 52m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Benbrook, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 21
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.6 and 268.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
8.6 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward I 35W: Denton, Waco
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.
Exit 437
Toward I 35W: Denton, Waco
7
9 mi into trip|~12m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 35W South: Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35W South: Waco
8
188 mi into trip|~3h 19m 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
267.8 mi into trip|~4h 48m 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
268.4 mi into trip|~4h 49m 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
$40.74 one way
$81.47 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$44.59
$89.18
premium
$4.54
$48.14
$96.27
diesel
$5.61
$59.52
$119.05
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$41
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$66–$91
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 94.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.9
0
$28.31
$12.94
Efficient EV
67.4
0
$23.59
$10.78
EV Truck/SUV
107.8
1
$37.74
$17.25
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
32 kg (66% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Benbrook, TX
Late night
in Benbrook on Sunday
Local time
2:31 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
2:31 AM
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
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
4h 52m 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 83.7
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 269.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a hands-on driving experience as you depart Benbrook via Mercedes Street, Benbrook Boulevard, and Southwest Loop 820. With 0% of the journey allocated to highway driving, this route relies entirely on local roads, requiring your full attention at the wheel. The path is defined by its turn-heavy nature, making it a more technical drive than a monotonous interstate cruise. You will find that the character of the road remains consistent as you transition through the regional landscape. Stay alert, as the absence of highway stretches means your speed will be dictated by local traffic and road geometry throughout the entire 289-mile trip.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
30 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 8.6 miles in.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 21 significant decision points across 269.6 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 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4h 52m. Total distance: 269.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 52m 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.
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 8.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 188 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.7 hours — manageable with a long break at San Antonio, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
