Traveling from Carthage to San Antonio covers 354.5 miles and requires approximately 5 hours and 55 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major interstates, you should plan for a full day of driving. Budget about $53 for fuel to complete the journey in one sitting. Since both locations are situated within the Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the trip. This route is best suited for a single-day push if you are comfortable with a turn-heavy itinerary that avoids highway travel entirely.
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
175.2 miles from Carthage, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 25m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 21
148.3 mi
2h 48m
West State Highway 7
51.7 mi
1h 4m
Pickle Parkway
34 mi
29m
I 10
32.5 mi
33m
TX 315
24.7 mi
25m
West State Highway 21
17.8 mi
20m
US Highway 259
11.2 mi
12m
Northwest Stallings Drive
6 mi
6m
Longest stretch:
TX 21
— 148.3 mi, about 2h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Carthage, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on Panola Street
216 ft·6 sec·Panola Street
2
Turn left onto US 59 Business; US 79 Business
364 ft·11 sec·North Saint Mary Street
3
Turn right onto West Sabine Street
1.9 mi·3 min·West Sabine Street
4
Continue on TX 315
25 mi·25 min·TX 315
5
At end of road, turn left onto US 259
2.6 mi·3 min·North Railroad Avenue
6
Continue on US 259
3.0 mi·3 min·US Route 259
7
Continue on US 259
11 mi·12 min·US Highway 259
8
Take the exit
224 ft·6 sec
Toward US 59 South: Lufkin
9
Continue on this road
420 ft·11 sec·this road
10
Continue on this road
0.1 mi·16 sec·this road
11
Turn left
104 ft·4 sec
12
Turn right onto US 59
0.7 mi·47 sec·North US Highway 59
13
Continue on US 59
6.0 mi·6 min·Northwest Stallings Drive
14
Take the exit
0.2 mi·32 sec
15
Turn right onto TX 7
0.4 mi·36 sec·South Fredonia Street
16
Continue on TX 7
52 mi·1 hr 4 min·West State Highway 7
17
Turn right onto US 287; TX 7
129 ft·2 sec·5th Street
18
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
196 ft·6 sec·East Houston Avenue
19
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
289 ft·8 sec·South 4th Street
20
Turn right onto TX 7; TX 21
1.6 mi·2 min·East Goliad Avenue
21
Turn left onto TX 21
145 mi·2 hr 44 min·TX 21
Use the left lane.
22
Turn left onto TX 95
0.3 mi·29 sec·State Highway 95
Use the left / straight lanes.
23
Turn right onto TX 21
409 ft·10 sec·State Highway 71 East
Use the right lane.
24
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West
25
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·State Highway 71 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi·49 sec·TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
2.8 mi·3 min·TX 21; TX 71
28
Take the exit onto TX 21
0.3 mi·51 sec·TX 21
Toward TX 21 West: San Marcos
29
Turn left onto TX 21
18 mi·20 min·West State Highway 21
30
Turn left
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward US 183, Toll 130 SouthUse the left lane.
31
Turn straight onto US 183
0.5 mi·36 sec·US 183
32
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll South
33
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
34 mi·29 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
35
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
11 mi·11 min·I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
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.
37
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.
38
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.
39
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi·1 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 579Toward Commerce Street, Houston StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi·38 sec·Interstate 10 East
42
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Houston Street
43
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi·7 min·East Commerce Street
44
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
45
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
46
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Since this 354.5-mile journey is quite demanding due to the lack of highway segments, try to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours. You should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the repetitive nature of the local roads. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $53 estimate assumes consistent movement; local driving through multiple towns may impact your actual efficiency. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, confirm your navigation before heading out to ensure you stay on the correct path through each transition. Staying alert is key, as the local road profile demands more focus than a typical highway commute.
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 175.2 miles from Carthage, TX, or about 3h 25m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.3 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 77 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 175.2 miles or 3h 25m 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 35m
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 Carthage, 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 Carthage, TX
This is one driving day of about 350.4 miles and 6h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 77 miles from Carthage, 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 TX 21 for about 148.3 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 30
5 decision points cluster between mile 249.8 and 345.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
249.8 mi into trip|~4h 50m in|TX 95 / State Highway 95
Turn left onto TX 95 / State Highway 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
274.6 mi into trip|~5h 20m in
Turn left toward US 183, Toll 130 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 183, Toll 130 South
7
309.7 mi into trip|~5h 52m 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
330.8 mi into trip|~6h 14m 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
345.2 mi into trip|~6h 30m 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
$52.95 one way
$105.89 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$57.95
$115.91
premium
$4.54
$62.56
$125.12
diesel
$5.61
$77.36
$154.73
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: 122.6 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
105.1
1
$36.79
$16.82
Efficient EV
87.6
1
$30.66
$14.02
EV Truck/SUV
140.2
1
$49.06
$22.43
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 20, 2026
Origin
Carthage, TX
Late night
in Carthage 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
6h 39m 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.
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 350.4
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a unique experience on this trip, as the route consists of 0% highway travel. You will navigate primarily via North Saint Mary Street, West Sabine Street, and North Railroad Avenue. This is a turn-heavy, local drive that requires your full attention compared to a standard interstate cruise. Because there is no significant highway mileage, the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on North Saint Mary Street. Prepare for a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local navigation over high-speed travel.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
46 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 148.3 mi on TX 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and West State Highway 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 249.8 miles in near TX 95 / State Highway 95.
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 30 significant decision points across 350.4 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 249.8 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 274.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.7 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.
On the drive from Carthage, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Toll 130 South along the way.
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 39m. Total distance: 350.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 39m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 148.3 miles on TX 21. 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 249.8 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 274.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 309.7 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 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.
