Traveling from Big Spring to San Antonio covers 298.5 miles across the Great Plains, typically taking about 4 hours and 44 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best approached as a full-day commitment. You should budget approximately $44 for fuel to complete the journey. While it is certainly possible to do this in a single day, be prepared for a steady pace rather than high-speed highway cruising. The route relies on South Gregg Street, Highway 87, and US 87 South to navigate you through the region. It is a straightforward trip that moves you between two distinct points in Texas, perfect for those who prefer navigating local roads over the monotony of major 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
148.3 miles from Big Spring, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 87
72.2 mi
1h 17m
I 10
71.7 mi
1h 14m
US 83
40 mi
38m
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
38 mi
38m
Ellis Street
29.4 mi
31m
South Main Street
21.5 mi
23m
US Highway 87 South
14.6 mi
14m
South US Highway 87
2.7 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 72.2 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Spring, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on I 20 Bus
81 ft·5 sec·West 4th Street
2
Turn right onto US 87 Bus
1.8 mi·3 min·South Gregg Street
3
Continue on US 87 Bus
2.7 mi·3 min·South US Highway 87
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·19 sec
Toward US 87 South: San Angelo
5
Merge onto US 87
38 mi·38 min·William B Crooker Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi·2 min·4th Street
7
Continue on US 87
15 mi·14 min·US Highway 87 South
8
Continue on US 87
72 mi·1 hr 17 min·US 87
9
Turn right onto US 83
21 mi·23 min·South Main Street
10
Continue on US 83
29 mi·31 min·Ellis Street
11
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi·38 min·US 83
Toward I 10 East: San AntonioUse the left lane.
12
Continue on I 10
54 mi·54 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
17
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Since this 4-hour and 44-minute drive relies on local roads rather than major interstates, plan your departure for early in the day to avoid navigation fatigue. You only have one planned stop on this 298.5-mile route, so make it count by refueling and stretching your legs thoroughly when you pull over. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can lead to unpredictable consumption compared to steady highway driving. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, using a reliable GPS is essential to stay on track along US 87 South. Because the entire trip is manageable within a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace to suit your comfort level without needing an overnight stay.
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 148.3 miles from Big Spring, TX, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.2 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 65 miles or 1h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.3 miles or 2h 39m 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 15m
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 Big Spring, 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 Big Spring, TX
This is one driving day of about 296.6 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Big Spring, 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 US 87 for about 72.2 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 181.6 and 296.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
181.6 mi into trip|~3h 15m 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
275.9 mi into trip|~4h 47m 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
295 mi into trip|~5h 9m 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
295.6 mi into trip|~5h 10m 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
296.1 mi into trip|~5h 12m in|Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.82 one way
$89.63 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg104 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$49.06
$98.11
premium
$4.54
$52.96
$105.91
diesel
$5.61
$65.49
$130.97
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
89
1
$31.14
$14.24
Efficient EV
74.2
0
$25.95
$11.86
EV Truck/SUV
118.6
1
$41.52
$18.98
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Big Spring, TX
Night
in Big Spring on Saturday
Local time
11:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Night
in San Antonio on Saturday
Local time
11:20 PM
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
20 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 13m 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.
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 296.6
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...
27 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 245.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a very different experience than a typical highway sprint, as this route features zero percent highway driving. Instead, you will navigate a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on South Gregg Street, meaning you will be making frequent adjustments and turns throughout the journey. The road's personality is defined by these local transitions rather than long, open stretches of asphalt. You should anticipate a more engaging, hands-on driving experience that keeps you focused on the road ahead as you transition between the Great Plains landscapes.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 72.2 mi on US 87.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 181.6 miles in near US 83.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 296.6 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 181.6 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.9 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 295 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 5h 13m. Total distance: 296.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 13m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 72.2 miles on US 87. 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 181.6 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.9 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 295 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.
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.
