Connecting Buffalo to San Antonio, this 240.4-mile journey covers a significant stretch of the Texas Great Plains. You should budget approximately 3 hours and 58 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable one-day trip that doesn't necessarily require an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $36 on fuel for the trek. Since the route stays entirely within the Great Plains region, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout your travels. Because there are no scheduled stops in the current plan, you have the flexibility to power through or build in your own breaks as needed. It is a straightforward transit that serves as a practical link between these two Texas locations.
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
116.7 miles from Buffalo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Pickle Parkway
70.3 mi
1h 3m
US 79
56.4 mi
1h 10m
Main Street
51.1 mi
58m
I 10
32.5 mi
33m
East 2nd Street
6.9 mi
8m
East Commerce Street
6.1 mi
9m
Chris Kelley Boulevard
2.1 mi
2m
Jose Lopez Freeway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Pickle Parkway
— 70.3 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on US 79
1.7 mi·2 min·East Commerce Street
2
Continue on US 79
51 mi·58 min·Main Street
3
Continue on US 79; TX 6
1.5 mi·1 min·North Market Street
4
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
5
Continue on US 79; US 190
54 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 79; US 190
6
Turn left onto Porter Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·Porter Street
7
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
6.9 mi·8 min·East 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 79
2.6 mi·3 min·US 79
9
Turn left onto FM 685
2.1 mi·2 min·Chris Kelley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto FM 685
1.3 mi·1 min·TX 130 Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·10 sec
Exit 426Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, PflugervilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
11 mi·11 min·I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 10; US 90; TX 130
9.4 mi·9 min·I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
12 mi·12 min·I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
0.8 mi·51 sec·90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi·1 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 579Toward Commerce Street, Houston StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi·38 sec·Interstate 10 East
22
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Houston Street
23
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi·7 min·East Commerce Street
24
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
25
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
26
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-four-hour trip, departing in the morning gives you the best opportunity to reach San Antonio by the afternoon with plenty of daylight to spare. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, prioritize frequent checks of your navigation system to ensure you stay on the correct local path. While the fuel cost is estimated at $36, it is wise to keep an eye on your gauge during the first half of the trip, as local roads may offer fewer service station options than a major highway. Use the inherent flexibility of this shorter drive to pace yourself, stopping whenever you need a quick stretch to stay refreshed for the winding sections. Carrying a physical map or an offline digital backup is a smart move when sticking to local routes.
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 116.7 miles from Buffalo, TX, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.3 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.7 miles or 2h 20m 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 30m
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 Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, TX
This is one driving day of about 233.5 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Buffalo, 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 Pickle Parkway for about 70.3 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 16
5 decision points cluster between mile 109.3 and 228.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
109.3 mi into trip|~2h 10m in|East 2nd Street
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
122.1 mi into trip|~2h 27m in
Take the ramp toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 426
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
7
192.8 mi into trip|~3h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
6
214 mi into trip|~3h 53m in|I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
228.4 mi into trip|~4h 9m in
Take the exit toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
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 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.28 one way
$70.56 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg82 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$38.62
$77.24
premium
$4.54
$41.69
$83.38
diesel
$5.61
$51.55
$103.11
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
70.1
0
$24.52
$11.21
Efficient EV
58.4
0
$20.43
$9.34
EV Truck/SUV
93.4
1
$32.69
$14.94
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 kg (67% 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 20, 2026
Origin
Buffalo, TX
Late night
in Buffalo on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
4:25 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
14 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
4h 18m 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 233.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul. With zero highway share, your focus will be on navigating local roads that demand more active attention from the driver. The route lacks the typical monotonous grind of a major freeway, offering a more engaged experience behind the wheel. Because you are primarily on local roads, the pace remains measured as you work your way through the countryside. Expect a consistent driving environment where you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and potential changes in road conditions.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
26 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 70.3 mi on Pickle Parkway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pickle Parkway and US 79. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 109.3 miles in near East 2nd Street.
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 16 significant decision points across 233.5 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 109.3 miles (East 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 122.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buffalo, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Pflugerville and Toll 130 South: Austin.
The largest city in New York State's Niagara Frontier, Buffalo is a city full of surprises. Though Buffalo is sometimes the butt of jokes about chicken wings, its long-suffering sports teams, and the mountains of snow under which it is supposedly buried each winter, those in the know tell a different story: one of vibrant nightlife, world-class museums and cultural attractions, tight-knit neighborhoods with strong community spirit – and the sunniest summers in Northeastern United States.
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 18m. Total distance: 233.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 18m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (70%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 70.3 miles on Pickle Parkway. 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 109.3 miles (East 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 122.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at San Antonio, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
