Trip from Cross Roads, TX to San Antonio, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 30m

Distance

293.4 mi

472 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$44

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 17m ★

6 AM

5h 30m

8 AM

5h 57m

10 AM

5h 40m

12 PM

5h 37m

3 PM

5h 41m

5 PM

5h 56m

8 PM

5h 22m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Cross Roads, TX

Haydn Dalton

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Embark on a straightforward 293.4-mile journey from Cross Roads, TX, to San Antonio, TX, a drive that typically takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes. This route is predominantly highway, with 95% of the trip on main roads like TX 21, TX 7, and Pickle Parkway, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You'll encounter a fuel cost of approximately $44 for this drive. The entire trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape. Given its manageable length and highway focus, this route is perfect for those looking to cover ground efficiently.

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

146.7 miles from Cross Roads, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 48m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
TX 21	148.3 mi	2h 48m
TX 7	37.5 mi	43m
Pickle Parkway	34 mi	29m
I 10	32.5 mi	33m
West State Highway 21	17.8 mi	20m
Rusk Street	6.3 mi	7m
East Commerce Street	4.3 mi	7m
State Highway 71 East	2.3 mi	2m

Longest stretch: TX 21 — 148.3 mi, about 2h 48m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cross Roads, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on FM 1911

281 ft · 10 sec · FM 1911

Turn left onto US 69

1.9 mi · 2 min · US Highway 69 South

Continue on US 69

6.3 mi · 7 min · Rusk Street

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 48 sec

Turn straight onto TX 7

37 mi · 43 min · TX 7

Turn right onto US 287; TX 7

129 ft · 2 sec · 5th Street

Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21

196 ft · 6 sec · East Houston Avenue

Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21

289 ft · 8 sec · South 4th Street

Turn right onto TX 7; TX 21

1.6 mi · 2 min · East Goliad Avenue

Turn left onto TX 21

145 mi · 2 hr 44 min · TX 21

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto TX 95

0.3 mi · 29 sec · State Highway 95

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto TX 21

409 ft · 10 sec · State Highway 71 East

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.4 mi · 49 sec

Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West

Merge onto TX 21; TX 71

2.2 mi · 2 min · State Highway 71 East

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 71; TX 21

0.7 mi · 49 sec · TX 71; TX 21

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 21; TX 71

2.8 mi · 3 min · TX 21; TX 71

Take the exit onto TX 21

0.3 mi · 51 sec · TX 21

Toward TX 21 West: San Marcos

Turn left onto TX 21

18 mi · 20 min · West State Highway 21

Turn left

0.3 mi · 1 min

Toward US 183, Toll 130 South Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto US 183

0.5 mi · 36 sec · US 183

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 39 sec

Toward TX 130 Toll South

Merge onto TX 130 Toll

34 mi · 29 min · Pickle Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10; TX 130

11 mi · 11 min · I 10; TX 130

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

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.

Continue on I 10; US 90

1.6 mi · 1 min · Jose Lopez Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Exit 579 Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Interstate 10 East

Turn right onto East Houston Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · East Houston Street

Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street

4.3 mi · 7 min · East Commerce Street

Turn left onto Military Plaza

392 ft · 15 sec · Military Plaza

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

327 ft · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street

Arrive at destination

Dolorosa Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour and 30-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Cross Roads to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach San Antonio. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $44, planning your refueling before you leave or at the longest stretch point on TX 21 can ensure smooth sailing. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing you flexibility in when and where you take your breaks. Keep an eye on road conditions, particularly on TX 21, as it forms the longest segment of your trip.

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 146.7 miles from Cross Roads, TX, or about 2h 48m 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 65 miles or 1h 16m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 146.7 miles or 2h 48m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 4h 33m

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 Cross Roads, 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 Cross Roads, TX

This is one driving day of about 293.4 miles and 5h 30m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Cross Roads, 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.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Giddings, TX

147 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Giddings, TX to San Antonio, TX

126 mi · 2h 19m

Pacing Suggestions

College Station, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Lexington, TX

Meal break

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 293.4

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+12102271373

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 24

5 decision points cluster between mile 192.9 and 288.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

192.9 mi into trip | ~3h 41m in | TX 95 / State Highway 95

Turn left onto TX 95 / State Highway 95

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left / straight lanes.

217.6 mi into trip | ~4h 11m 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

252.8 mi into trip | ~4h 43m 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

273.9 mi into trip | ~5h 5m 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.

288.3 mi into trip | ~5h 21m 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

$44.33 one way

$88.67 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 103 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$48.53	$97.05
premium	$4.54	$52.38	$104.77
diesel	$5.61	$64.78	$129.56

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$44

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$69–$94

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 102.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	88	1	$30.81	$14.08
Efficient EV	73.4	0	$25.67	$11.74
EV Truck/SUV	117.4	1	$41.08	$18.78

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

34 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 17, 2026

Origin

Cross Roads, TX

Night in Cross Roads on Saturday

Local time

11:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Night in San Antonio on Saturday

Local time

11:47 PM

CDT

Current temp

89°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSE 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 17 at 5:31PM CDT until April 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 2:03PM CDT until April 18 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK

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

15 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

5h 30m 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 296.8

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This highway-focused drive offers a nearly seamless experience on main roads. With 95% of the route utilizing highways, expect a steady pace for most of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 148.3 miles on TX 21, so plan your stops accordingly. While primarily highway, the inclusion of TX 7 and Pickle Parkway may offer slight variations in scenery and road conditions, but the overall character remains that of a direct and efficient path. Prepare for a drive where the focus is on covering distance rather than winding through intricate local roads.

95% 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: 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 TX 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 192.9 miles in near TX 95 / State Highway 95.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 24 significant decision points across 293.4 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 192.9 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 217.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.8 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.

On the drive from Cross Roads, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Toll 130 South along the way.

Toll 130 South

217.6 mi in | ~4h 11m

About the Cities

Arriving in San Antonio, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1718

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 293.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

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.

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 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 11.0 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.

How this page is built

Compiled by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore more options from Cross Roads, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.

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Trip from Cross Roads, TX to San Antonio, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Spanish Governor's Palace

GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises

San Antonio | The Saga

Hemisfair

San Antonio Fire Museum

The Amazing Mirror Maze

SEA LIFE San Antonio

San Antonio River Lock & Dam

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cross Roads, TX

San Antonio, TX

Same local time

15 degrees warmer at arrival

5h 30m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Arriving in San Antonio, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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