Trip from Electra, TX to San Antonio, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 1m

Distance

363.4 mi

585 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$56

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 34 min

4 AM

6h 50m ★

6 AM

7h 1m

8 AM

7h 24m

10 AM

7h 9m

12 PM

7h 7m

3 PM

7h 10m

5 PM

7h 23m

8 PM

6h 55m

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

Best Time

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Electra, TX

Wikimedia Commons

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Electra, TX to San Antonio, TX is 363.4 miles and takes about 7h 1m via South US Highway 281, with a fuel budget near $55 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for both its start and end points. It's a straightforward, primarily highway drive that makes for a convenient one-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on US 281, so expect a consistent driving experience. Plan for about two stops to break up the 7-hour travel time.

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

2 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

181.7 miles from Electra, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m 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
US 287	17.1 mi	17m
East Front Avenue	6.1 mi	8m
North Water Street	3.6 mi	5m
US 281 HOV Lane	2.9 mi	3m

Longest stretch: South US Highway 281 — 153.7 mi, about 2h 57m

Traffic on I-37

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~6,264 veh/hr typical

Quietest

3 AM

~363 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

17.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

Averaged across 103 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

Start on North Main Street

9 ft · 5 sec · North Main Street

Turn left onto US 287 Business

6.1 mi · 8 min · East Front Avenue

Take the ramp

0.5 mi · 1 min

Toward US 287 South: Wichita Falls

Merge onto US 287

17 mi · 17 min · US 287

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287

0.6 mi · 42 sec · Northwest Freeway

Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls

Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287

2.5 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

0.9 mi · 1 min · Lloyd Ruby Overpass

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.9 mi · 1 min · Central East Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

2.3 mi · 2 min · Henry S Grace Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

61 mi · 1 hr 10 min · Henry S Grace Freeway

Continue on US 281

65 mi · 1 hr 13 min · US 281

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 281

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 281

18 mi · 20 min · South US Highway 281

Continue on US 281; TX 6

0.4 mi · 28 sec · North 2nd Street

Turn right onto US 281

0.6 mi · 38 sec · North Walnut Street

Use the right lane.

Turn straight onto US 281

19 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281

Continue on US 281

2.3 mi · 2 min · North Rice Street

Continue on US 281

43 mi · 49 min · South US Highway 281

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

1.6 mi · 3 min · North Key Avenue

Turn right onto US 281 Bus

20 mi · 21 min · South US Highway 281

Continue on US 281

3.6 mi · 5 min · North Water Street

Continue on US 281

46 mi · 54 min · South US Highway 281

Continue on US 281

1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street

Continue on US 281

27 mi · 31 min · South US Highway 281

Turn straight onto US 281

3.1 mi · 3 min · US 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281 HOV Lane

2.9 mi · 3 min · US 281 HOV Lane

Merge onto US 281

15 mi · 17 min · US 281

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 37; US 281

1.1 mi · 1 min · William J Bordelon Freeway

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Exit 141A Toward Commerce Street, Downtown Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

180 ft · 4 sec

Toward Downtown, The Alamo, Visitor Information Center

Turn slight right onto East Commerce Street

0.8 mi · 1 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 7-hour drive, aim for an early morning departure from Electra. This allows you to complete the 363.4 miles with ample daylight and take advantage of the single-day timeframe. With about two stops recommended, plan for brief breaks every few hours to stretch your legs and refuel. The fuel cost is estimated at $55, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Electra, as extended stretches on US 281 mean fewer services. Keep an eye out for the transition to surface roads as you near San Antonio, though it's a small part of the overall trip.

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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 181.7 miles from Electra, TX, or about 3h 27m 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 80 miles or 1h 32m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 181.7 miles or 3h 27m 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 48m

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 Electra, 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.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Electra, TX

This is one driving day of about 363.4 miles and 7h 1m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Electra, TX.

This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.

Plan about 2 real breaks 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.

human settlement in Texas, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Springtown, TX

182 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.

Pacing Suggestions

Jacksboro, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Springtown, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 181.7 miles from Electra, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

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 15

5 decision points cluster between mile 23.6 and 362.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

23.6 mi into trip | ~26m in | US 287 / Northwest Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, US 287 South: Wichita Falls

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward I 44 West, US 277 South, US 281 South, U...

24.2 mi into trip | ~27m in | I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway

Merge onto I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

176.5 mi into trip | ~3h 21m in | US 281 / North Walnut Street

Turn right onto US 281 / North Walnut Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

362.3 mi into trip | ~6h 58m 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

362.4 mi into trip | ~6h 59m 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

$55.64 one way

$111.28 round trip

$3.89/gal 25.4 MPG avg 127 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.29	$61.41	$122.81
premium	$4.64	$66.36	$132.71
diesel	$6.18	$88.40	$176.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$56

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$81–$106

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 127.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.

Driving Electric?

About $38 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	109	1	$38.16	$17.44
Efficient EV	90.9	1	$31.80	$14.54
EV Truck/SUV	145.4	1	$50.88	$23.26

Gas CO2

127 kg

EV CO2

43 kg (66% 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 Oct 17, 2026

Origin

Electra, TX

Afternoon in Electra on Saturday

Local time

2:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

39°F

Clear

N 7 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Afternoon in San Antonio on Saturday

Local time

2:52 PM

CDT

Current temp

53°F

Partly Cloudy

N 15 to 20 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued October 17 at 2:37AM CDT until October 20 at 4:00AM 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

14 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

7h 1m 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 363.4

View on nps.gov

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

National Historical Park

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...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 300.8

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is 95% highway, meaning you'll be on high-speed roads for the vast majority of the 363.4 miles. The longest continuous stretch you'll encounter is 153.7 miles on South US Highway 281. The transition from highway to surface roads will be minimal, occurring only in the final moments of your trip. Expect to see plenty of highway exits and rural cruising.

95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

34 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 23.6 miles in near US 287 / Northwest Freeway.

Driving Effort 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 363.4 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 23.6 miles (US 287 / Northwest Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 24.2 miles (I 44; US 277; US 281; US 287 / Central Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 176.5 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,471 ft 649 ft

Total Climb

1,286 ft

Total Descent

1,863 ft

Highest Point

1,471 ft

~259.6 mi in

Elevation Range

823 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Electra, TX

Full guide →

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 — 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, United States

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 7h 1m. Total distance: 363.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 1m 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.

Yes — we found about 8 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.

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. There are 8 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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

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Trip from Electra, TX to San Antonio, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-37

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Wichita County Southbound Rest Area

Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls

Rest Area Lilly Roadside Park

Wichita County Northbound Rest Area

Service Plaza

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

TXB Market

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

Electra, TX

San Antonio, TX

Same local time

14 degrees warmer at arrival

7h 1m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Electra, TX

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

Continue From San Antonio, TX

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