Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Bonham, 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
6h 12m
Distance
343.7 mi
553 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$47
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
22 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 0m
★
6 AM
6h 12m
8 AM
6h 38m
10 AM
6h 21m
12 PM
6h 19m
3 PM
6h 23m
5 PM
6h 37m
8 PM
6h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Bonham, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Bonham to San Antonio is 343.7 miles and takes about 6h 12m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35, with a fuel budget near $54 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward connection between North Texas and the heart of South Texas. You'll experience a predominantly highway route, making it a solid option for a single-day trip. Plan for about 65% of your travel on major roadways, with the remaining portion on surface streets as you enter and exit your destinations. It's a practical choice for getting from point A to point B efficiently.
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
171.8 miles from Bonham, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 5m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Central Expressway | 35 mi | 37m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 17 mi | 20m |
| South State Highway 121 | 16.9 mi | 18m |
| Sam Rayburn Highway | 15.2 mi | 17m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 48 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,090 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~671 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Bonham, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on this road
81 ft
·
7 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right
57 ft
·
6 sec
3
Turn right onto TX 78
192 ft
·
7 sec
·
North Center Street
4
Turn right onto TX 56
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
East Sam Rayburn Drive
5
Turn slight left onto TX 121
17 mi
·
18 min
·
South State Highway 121
6
Continue on TX 121
15 mi
·
17 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
35 mi
·
37 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
501 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Use the slight left lane.
10
Continue on North Central Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
11
Turn right onto Elm Street
304 ft
·
10 sec
·
Elm Street
12
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
13
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Young Street
14
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
315 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto Canton Street
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Canton Street
16
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 30 West
17
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
18
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Use the left / right lanes.
20
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
21
Continue on I 35E
89 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426
Toward Dallas Zoo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
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.
30
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.
31
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
32
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
33
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
34
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Navarro Street
35
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft
·
2 sec
·
Navarro Street
36
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
37
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Travis Street
38
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Flores Street
39
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
40
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
41
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
For this 6h 12m drive, leaving Bonham in the morning is advisable to make the most of daylight hours, especially since it's easily achievable in one day. With a fuel cost estimated at $54, you'll want to ensure you have enough gas before hitting the road, as there's a longest stretch of 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail where services might be less frequent. While the route is mostly highway, keep an eye out for the transition zones where you'll move from high-speed travel to city driving. A single stop is recommended, so plan it strategically for a meal or a stretch break to break up the 343.7 miles.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 171.8 miles from Bonham, TX, or about 3h 5m 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 76 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 171.8 miles or 3h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 3m
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 Bonham, 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 Bonham, TX
This is one driving day of about 343.7 miles and 6h 12m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 76 miles from Bonham, 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
172 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 76 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 171.8 miles from Bonham, 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
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 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
Buc-ee's
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.4 mi from route
Minuteman Press
0.5 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.9 mi from route
SoPac Trail Rest Area
1.9 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.4 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.5 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 websiteChildren's Park
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Marcos, Texas
Hours: 6 am–11 pm
+15123938400
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 websiteCultural Activities Center
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Halfway reset
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
Temple, Texas
Hours: 8:30 am–4 pm
+12547739926
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 285 decision points cluster between mile 33.6 and 341.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
33.6 mi into trip
|
~37m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
8
69.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 17m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
71.5 mi into trip
|
~1h 21m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
8
262.1 mi into trip
|
~4h 39m 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
341.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 8m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$47.08 one way
$94.15 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
120 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $52.58 | $105.17 |
| premium | $4.23 | $57.17 | $114.34 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $64.90 | $129.79 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.86
Central Expressway
(35.7 mi)
$2.86
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$47
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 120.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
EV Charging Along Route
22 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Melissa, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Melissa, TX
Tesla
20 DCFC
Plano, TX - West Parker Road - Tesla Supercharger
Plano, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Allen, TX - Tesla Supercharger
Allen, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Walmart EV Charging
Plano, TX
WALMART
12 DCFC
Bucees Melissa MB.HPC
Melissa, TX
MERCEDES_BENZ
10 DCFC
Plano, TX Rechargery Relay - N Central Expy
Plano, TX
IONNA
10 DCFC
Walmart EV Charging
Mckinney, TX
WALMART
8 DCFC
McKinney, TX - University Drive - Tesla Supercharger
McKinney, TX
Tesla
8 DCFC
ChargePoint Network: 6
Tesla: 6
eVgo Network: 3
WALMART: 2
MERCEDES_BENZ: 1
Non-Networked: 1
HYPERFUEL: 1
IONNA: 1
Blink Network: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 103.1 | 1 | $36.09 | $16.50 |
| Efficient EV | 85.9 | 0 | $30.07 | $13.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 137.5 | 1 | $48.12 | $22.00 |
Gas CO2
120 kg
EV CO2
40 kg (67% 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
Bonham, TX
Afternoon in Bonham on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
96°F
Mostly Sunny
SSW 5 to 10 mph
6% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 12:39PM CDT until July 19 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:33AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
2:47 PM
CDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 12:39PM CDT until July 19 at 3:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 19 at 8:33AM CDT until July 19 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
96°F
Troy, TX
172 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
2 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 12m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
6 mi from route
~14 min detour
Free
near mile 165.9
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 343.7
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 largely highway, with 65% of the driving occurring on major roads like I 35. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail, which could be either highway or a well-maintained state route depending on the specific segment. As you get closer to San Antonio, expect an increase in exit density and merging traffic typical of approaching a major metropolitan area. The transition from highway to more local roads will be noticeable as you near your destination.
65% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
41 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 33.6 miles in.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 343.7 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 33.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
813 ft
497 ft
Total Climb
720 ft
Total Descent
676 ft
Highest Point
813 ft
~220.9 mi in
Elevation Range
316 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Bonham, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
Downtown
69.4 mi in
|
~1h 17m
Denton
71.4 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Waco
71.5 mi in
|
~1h 21m
Dallas Zoo
72.4 mi in
|
~1h 22m
|
via I 35E
About the Cities
Starting in Bonham, TX
Full guide →Founded 1837
Bonham is a city in the northern Blackland Prairie or otherwise called Texoma region of Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Sam Rayburn House Museum — historic place in Bonham, Fannin County, Texas
- • Sam Rayburn Library and Museum — historic place in Bonham, Fannin 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 6h 12m. Total distance: 343.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 12m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
Expect about $2.86 in tolls one way, starting with Central Expressway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 36 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 36 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 33.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 69.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 71.5 miles: 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 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.4 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.
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, NREL for EV charging, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From San Antonio, TX
More trips to San Antonio, TX
Explore more options from Bonham, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.