Traveling from Burkburnett to San Antonio covers 352.9 miles of Texas landscape, taking approximately 5 hours and 59 minutes of drive time. Because the route stays entirely within the Great Plains region, you won't see dramatic topographical shifts, but you will experience a steady transition across the state. Budgeting about $53 for fuel is a solid baseline for your trip planning. Given the total duration, this journey is manageable as a single-day trip if you are comfortable with six hours behind the wheel. You should plan for at least one stop to break up the drive, as the road conditions require your full attention.
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
175.4 miles from Burkburnett, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 20m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
South US Highway 281
153.7 mi
2h 57m
US 281
83 mi
1h 34m
Henry S Grace Freeway
63.4 mi
1h 13m
North US Highway 281
19 mi
20m
Central Freeway
9.5 mi
10m
North Water Street
3.6 mi
5m
US 281 HOV Lane
2.9 mi
3m
South Red River Expressway
2.9 mi
3m
Longest stretch:
South US Highway 281
— 153.7 mi, about 2h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Burkburnett, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on TX 240
70 ft·9 sec·East 3rd Street
2
Turn left onto Loop 267
0.7 mi·1 min·North Avenue D
3
Continue on Loop 267
0.9 mi·1 min·Sheppard Road
4
Continue on TX 240
0.2 mi·19 sec·South Red River Expressway
5
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·17 sec
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South: Wichita Falls
6
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281
2.7 mi·2 min·South Red River Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on I 44; US 277; US 281
9.5 mi·10 min·Central Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Lloyd Ruby Overpass
Use the straight lane.
9
Continue on US 281; US 287
0.9 mi·1 min·Central East Freeway
10
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
2.3 mi·2 min·Henry S Grace Freeway
11
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
61 mi·1 hr 10 min·Henry S Grace Freeway
12
Continue on US 281
65 mi·1 hr 13 min·US 281
Use the straight lane.
13
Continue on US 281
1.1 mi·1 min·East Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
14
Continue on US 281
18 mi·20 min·South US Highway 281
15
Continue on US 281; TX 6
0.4 mi·28 sec·North 2nd Street
16
Turn right onto US 281
0.6 mi·38 sec·North Walnut Street
Use the right lane.
17
Turn straight onto US 281
19 mi·20 min·North US Highway 281
18
Continue on US 281
2.3 mi·2 min·North Rice Street
19
Continue on US 281
43 mi·49 min·South US Highway 281
20
Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281
1.6 mi·3 min·North Key Avenue
21
Turn right onto US 281 Bus
20 mi·21 min·South US Highway 281
22
Continue on US 281
3.6 mi·5 min·North Water Street
23
Continue on US 281
46 mi·54 min·South US Highway 281
24
Continue on US 281
1.2 mi·2 min·Main Street
25
Continue on US 281
27 mi·31 min·South US Highway 281
26
Turn straight onto US 281
3.1 mi·3 min·US 281
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281 HOV Lane
2.9 mi·3 min·US 281 HOV Lane
28
Merge onto US 281
15 mi·17 min·US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 37; US 281
1.1 mi·1 min·William J Bordelon Freeway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
30
Take the exit
0.2 mi·19 sec
Exit 141AToward Commerce Street, DowntownUse the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Keep slight right at fork
180 ft·4 sec
Toward Downtown, The Alamo, Visitor Information Center
32
Turn slight right onto East Commerce Street
0.8 mi·1 min·East Commerce Street
33
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
34
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
35
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 352.9-mile journey effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to avoid the fatigue that can settle in during a six-hour local drive. Since you only have one planned stop, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs, as the turn-heavy nature of these roads can be more taxing than standard highway miles. Keep your $53 fuel budget handy, but remember to monitor your gas levels closely since you aren't on major interstates with frequent, large-scale service plazas. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, allowing you to pace the drive to suit your comfort. A concrete tip for this specific route is to stay vigilant with your navigation apps, as the lack of highway segments means you will be making frequent turns that are easy to miss.
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 175.4 miles from Burkburnett, TX, or about 3h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 153.7 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 77 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.4 miles or 3h 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 5h 34m
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 Burkburnett, 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 Burkburnett, TX
This is one driving day of about 350.8 miles and 6h 47m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Burkburnett, 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 South US Highway 281 for about 153.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.8 and 349.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.8 mi into trip|~2m in
Take the ramp toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South: Wichita Falls
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South: W...
5
1.9 mi into trip|~3m in|I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway
Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
163.9 mi into trip|~3h 7m in|US 281 / North Walnut Street
Turn right onto US 281 / North Walnut Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
349.7 mi into trip|~6h 44m in
Take the exit toward Commerce Street, Downtown
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 141A
Toward Commerce Street, Downtown
7
349.9 mi into trip|~6h 45m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Downtown, The Alamo, Visitor Information Center
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward Downtown, The Alamo, Visitor Information...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.01 one way
$106.01 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$58.02
$116.04
premium
$4.54
$62.63
$125.27
diesel
$5.61
$77.45
$154.90
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 122.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.2
1
$36.83
$16.84
Efficient EV
87.7
1
$30.70
$14.03
EV Truck/SUV
140.3
1
$49.11
$22.45
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Burkburnett, TX
Night
in Burkburnett on Saturday
Local time
11:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Night
in San Antonio on Saturday
Local time
11:44 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
4 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
6h 47m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway driving. You will navigate through North Avenue D, Sheppard Road, and the South Red River Expressway, which keeps the experience grounded in local transit rather than high-speed motorway travel. With no long, uninterrupted stretches on North Avenue D, the road demands frequent focus and active steering. This isn't a route for zoning out; instead, it is a hands-on navigation through local corridors. Prepare yourself for a steady, technical pace that keeps you engaged from start to finish.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 153.7 mi on South US Highway 281.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 281 and US 281. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.8 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 13 significant decision points across 350.8 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 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.9 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here.
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 6h 47m. Total distance: 350.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 47m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 153.7 miles on South US Highway 281. 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 1.8 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281 / South Red River Expressway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 163.9 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.8 hours each way, a round trip means 13.6 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.
