Elkhart to San Antonio is 268.1 miles and takes about 5h 2m via US 79 and I 10, with a fuel budget near $41 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a single-day trip that keeps you within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region towards another part of the Great Plains. The drive is mostly highway, making it a straightforward option if you want to cover ground efficiently. Plan for a 5-hour driving time, plus any stops you might make along the way.
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
134 miles from Elkhart, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 42m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US 79
133.1 mi
2h 38m
Pickle Parkway
70.3 mi
1h 3m
I 10
32.5 mi
33m
East Parker Street
12.2 mi
18m
East 2nd Street
6.9 mi
8m
East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
7m
Chris Kelley Boulevard
2.1 mi
2m
Jose Lopez Freeway
1.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
US 79
— 133.1 mi, about 2h 38m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,799 veh/hr typical
· worst 2,453
Quietest
2 AM
~275 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 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 Elkhart, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on FM 861
113 ft·9 sec·South Main
2
Turn left onto TX 294
12 mi·18 min·East Parker Street
3
At end of road, turn left onto US 79; US 84
1.9 mi·2 min·US 79; US 84
4
Turn straight onto US 79
75 mi·1 hr 25 min·US 79
5
Take the exit
0.9 mi·1 min
6
Continue on US 79; US 190
54 mi·1 hr 7 min·US 79; US 190
7
Turn left onto Porter Street
0.1 mi·22 sec·Porter Street
8
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
6.9 mi·8 min·East 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
9
Continue on US 79
2.6 mi·3 min·US 79
10
Turn left onto FM 685
2.1 mi·2 min·Chris Kelley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto FM 685
1.3 mi·1 min·TX 130 Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·10 sec
Exit 426Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, PflugervilleUse the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
16
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
11 mi·11 min·I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
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.
18
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.
19
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.
20
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi·1 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 579Toward Commerce Street, Houston StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi·38 sec·Interstate 10 East
23
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Houston Street
24
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi·7 min·East Commerce Street
25
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
26
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
27
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Elkhart to maximize daylight and avoid potential traffic closer to San Antonio. With only one recommended stop and 89% highway driving, you have flexibility in pacing. The longest stretch without a significant change in road type is over 133 miles on US 79, so ensure you have adequate fuel before starting that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $41, so budget accordingly.
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 134 miles from Elkhart, TX, or about 2h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 133.1 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 59 miles or 1h 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 134 miles or 2h 42m 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 8m
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 Elkhart, 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 Elkhart, TX
This is one driving day of about 268.1 miles and 5h 2m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 59 miles from Elkhart, 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 US 79 for about 133.1 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 143.9 and 262.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
143.9 mi into trip|~2h 54m in|East 2nd Street
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
156.7 mi into trip|~3h 11m in
Take the ramp toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 426
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
7
227.4 mi into trip|~4h 15m 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
248.6 mi into trip|~4h 37m 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
262.9 mi into trip|~4h 53m 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
$36.72 one way
$73.44 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg94 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$41.02
$82.03
premium
$4.23
$44.60
$89.19
diesel
$4.80
$50.62
$101.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 93.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $28 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
80.4
0
$28.15
$12.87
Efficient EV
67
0
$23.46
$10.72
EV Truck/SUV
107.2
1
$37.53
$17.16
Gas CO2
94 kg
EV CO2
31 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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 Jul 18, 2026
Origin
Elkhart, TX
Late night
in Elkhart on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Mostly Cloudy
S 5 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
4:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 10 mph1% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 9:59PM CDT until July 19 at 6:17PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
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
2 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 2m 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 268.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 89% of this drive on highways, with a substantial 133.1-mile stretch on US 79 before transitioning to Pickle Parkway and I 10. Expect a mostly highway experience, with the potential for dense exits as you approach San Antonio. The landscape is consistently rural for large portions of the drive, offering a straightforward cruising experience.
89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 133.1 mi on US 79.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 79 and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 143.9 miles in near East 2nd Street.
Driving Effort8/10
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 268.1 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 143.9 miles (East 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 156.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
563 ft272 ft
Total Climb
395 ft
Total Descent
104 ft
Highest Point
563 ft
~229.8 mi in
Elevation Range
291 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Elkhart, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Pflugerville and Toll 130 South: Austin.
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 5h 2m. Total distance: 268.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 133.1 miles on US 79. 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 143.9 miles (East 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 156.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 227.4 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 5.0 hours each way, a round trip means 10.1 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.
