Spanning 216.1 miles, the journey from Clifton to San Antonio takes approximately 3 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. Because this route avoids major highways entirely, it is best suited as a dedicated day trip rather than a quick transit. You should budget about $32 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the road requires significant attention to navigation through local streets, it is a manageable drive for a single day. Planning for one scheduled stop will help keep you refreshed as you transition from the rural landscape of Clifton into the heart of San Antonio.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
97.1 miles from Clifton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 57m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on FM 219
79 ft·8 sec·West 5th Street
2
Turn left onto TX 6
8.6 mi·10 min·South Avenue G
3
Continue on TX 6
2.9 mi·4 min·Avenue C
4
Turn right onto TX 317
0.4 mi·32 sec·South 7th Street
5
Continue on TX 317
8.2 mi·10 min·North Lone Star Parkway
6
Continue on TX 317
0.4 mi·49 sec·Avenue G
7
Continue on TX 317
6.5 mi·8 min·North Lone Star Parkway
8
Continue on TX 317
2.5 mi·3 min·South Main Street
9
Continue on TX 317
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 317
10
Continue on TX 317
2.8 mi·5 min·Avenue D
11
Continue on TX 317
1.4 mi·1 min·South Lone Star Parkway
12
Continue on TX 317
13 mi·16 min·State Highway 317
13
Continue on TX 317
2.8 mi·5 min·North Main Street
14
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.6 mi·1 min·East Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto South I-35 Frontage Road
347 ft·6 sec·South I-35 Frontage Road
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·19 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 190 West
17
Merge onto I 35; US 190
0.5 mi·33 sec·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
20
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.6 mi·41 sec·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 157AToward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro AvenueUse the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft·17 sec·East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft·3 sec·Navarro Street
29
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft·2 sec·Navarro Street
30
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft·10 sec·West Travis Street
32
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Flores Street
33
Continue on 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
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 216.1-mile drive, aim for an early morning departure to ensure you have plenty of daylight for navigating local roads. Since you have only one planned stop along the way, choose a location that allows you to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle effectively. Be mindful that because you are traveling exclusively on local streets, your actual travel time may fluctuate based on local traffic conditions. Keep your GPS handy at all times, as the lack of highway signage means you will rely heavily on your navigation system to manage the frequent turns on South Avenue G and other local streets. This flexibility is your biggest advantage, so don't be afraid to pull over if you need a breather during this multi-hour trek.
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 97.1 miles from Clifton, TX, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.2 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 43 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.1 miles or 1h 57m 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 5m
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 Clifton, 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 Clifton, TX
This is one driving day of about 194.2 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 43 miles from Clifton, 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 62.2 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 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 56.8 and 193 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
56.8 mi into trip|~1h 15m in|I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
112.6 mi into trip|~2h 14m 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
7
186 mi into trip|~3h 35m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
192.4 mi into trip|~3h 43m 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
8
193 mi into trip|~3h 44m in
Take the exit toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
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 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.34 one way
$58.69 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg68 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$32.12
$64.24
premium
$4.54
$34.67
$69.35
diesel
$5.61
$42.88
$85.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
58.3
0
$20.39
$9.32
Efficient EV
48.6
0
$16.99
$7.77
EV Truck/SUV
77.7
0
$27.19
$12.43
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Clifton, TX
Morning
in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
6:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Morning
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
6:46 AM
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
6 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
3h 46m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 194.2
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...
16 mi from route
~41 min detour
Free
near mile 20.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full focus, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via South Avenue G, Avenue C, and South 7th Street, which creates a very different experience than a typical interstate trek. Because the longest stretch on any single road like South Avenue G is 0 miles, you will be making frequent turns throughout the journey. This technical, local-road profile means you should prepare for a slower, more interactive driving experience compared to high-speed travel. The road's personality is defined by these constant transitions, making it a trip for those who prefer local backroads over the monotony of a major expressway.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
35 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 62.2 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
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 56.8 miles in near I 35.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 194.2 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 56.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.6 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Clifton is in the heart of Texas located approximately 90 miles southwest of Dallas/Ft Worth or 35 miles northwest of Waco or approximately 10 miles from President George W Bush's Crawford ranch, that is, as the crow flies. Clifton was designated by the state legislature as the Norwegian Capital of Texas and is extremely proud of its Norwegian heritage. Annually on the first weekend of December, the community hosts Norwegian Country Christmas, which is packed with many events and activities, the showcase of which is the open house of several of the historic and other community homes and historic churches. Lutefisk supper served at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in the Norse community is always a sold out event. Norwegian luncheon served at the Clifton Civic Center is also usually sold out. So, if possible, plan ahead to ensure exposure to the entire Nordic experience.
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 3h 46m. Total distance: 194.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 56.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.6 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 186 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Waco Mammoth National Monument. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at San Antonio, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
