Canyon, TX to San Antonio, TX is 489.7 miles and takes about 8h 32m via Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and US Highway 84, with a fuel budget near $74 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip primarily traverses the Great Plains region, offering a straightforward journey south. With a recommended two-day drive, you'll have ample time to break up the nearly 490 miles, making it a manageable trip. The route is mostly composed of highway driving, so expect consistent speeds for much of the way. Consider this a solid option if you're looking for an efficient drive with minimal complexity between these two Texas points.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
244.8 miles from Canyon, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 13m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
99.4 mi
1h 39m
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
I 10
71.7 mi
1h 14m
Grassmeyer Street
41.9 mi
44m
US 83
40 mi
38m
State Highway 153
29.5 mi
33m
Ellis Street
29.4 mi
31m
East Highway 84
26.9 mi
26m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 99.4 mi, about 1h 39m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Canyon, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on US 87
180 ft·12 sec·23rd Street
2
Turn left onto TX 217
2.2 mi·2 min·4th Avenue
3
Turn right onto I-27 Frontage Road
0.2 mi·30 sec·I-27 Frontage Road
4
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
5
Merge onto I 27
99 mi·1 hr 39 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 536BToward Loop 289
7
Turn straight onto North Interstate 27
0.5 mi·1 min·North Interstate 27
8
Turn left onto North Loop 289
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Loop 289
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
10
Merge onto Loop 289
7.5 mi·8 min·Loop 289
11
Take the exit
421 ft·10 sec
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
12
Keep slight right at fork
233 ft·5 sec
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
13
Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southeast Loop 289
14
Turn right onto Spur 331
1.9 mi·2 min·Southeast Drive
15
Merge onto US 84
0.2 mi·13 sec·Slaton Road
16
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
17
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
18
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
19
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
20
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
21
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
22
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
23
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
24
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi·6 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 244Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
26
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southwest Georgia Avenue
27
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
28
Continue on TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
29
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
30
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
31
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·TX 158
32
At end of road, turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
33
Turn left onto US 83
17 mi·18 min·South 7th Street
Use the left lane.
34
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Grassmeyer Street
35
Continue on US 83
29 mi·31 min·Ellis Street
36
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi·38 min·US 83
Toward I 10 East: San AntonioUse the left lane.
37
Continue on I 10
54 mi·54 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
40
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
41
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
42
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
43
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
44
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 8.5-hour drive time, splitting this trip over two days is a smart move to avoid fatigue. Aim for an early morning departure from Canyon, TX, to maximize your daylight hours, especially if you choose to drive it in one go. With two recommended stops, you can plan for regular breaks. Keep an eye on fuel levels, particularly during the 99.4-mile stretch on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, as services might be less frequent. A fuel budget of approximately $74 should cover your needs for this 489.7-mile journey.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 244.8 miles from Canyon, TX, or about 4h 13m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.4 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 108 miles or 1h 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 244.8 miles or 4h 13m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 244.8 miles or 4h 13m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 27m
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 Canyon, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Canyon, TX
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Antonio, TX
Aim for roughly 245 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 108 miles from Canyon, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 99.4 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 110.6 and 488 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
110.6 mi into trip|~1h 54m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
6
220.9 mi into trip|~3h 47m in|US 84
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84 toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
6
227.3 mi into trip|~3h 54m in
Take the exit toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 244
Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater,...
8
374.7 mi into trip|~6h 34m 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
8
488 mi into trip|~8h 29m 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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.99 one way
$147.99 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg171 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$80.99
$161.99
premium
$4.54
$87.43
$174.87
diesel
$5.61
$108.12
$216.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$74
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$204–$314
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 171.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $51 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
146.9
1
$51.42
$23.51
Efficient EV
122.4
1
$42.85
$19.59
EV Truck/SUV
195.9
2
$68.56
$31.34
Gas CO2
171 kg
EV CO2
57 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
Canyon, TX
Night
in Canyon on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
87°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Night
in San Antonio on Saturday
Local time
11:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
59°F
Sweetwater, TX
245 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
10 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
8h 32m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 489.7
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...
26 mi from route
~66 min detour
Free
near mile 439
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive presents a mixed experience, with 57% of the journey on highways. You'll spend a significant portion on the Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, where the longest uninterrupted stretch measures 99.4 miles. Expect a consistent driving pace for much of this route, transitioning between major highways and local roads. While not a constant interstate grind, the character is largely defined by efficient travel through the Texas landscape. The drive progresses with a steady rhythm, making it predictable for planning your time on the road.
57% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.4 mi on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
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 110.6 miles in.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 489.7 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 110.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 220.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Canyon, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Loop 289, Sh 70 South, Sh 70 Business: Sweetwater and San Angelo.
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
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.4 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 245 miles on day one.
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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 110.6 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully; at 220.9 miles (US 84): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. 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 8.5 hours each way, a round trip means 17.1 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.
