Spanning 499 miles across the Texas Great Plains, this journey from Fort Hancock to San Antonio typically takes about 7 hours and 17 minutes of drive time. While it is technically possible to complete this distance in one long day, be prepared for a significant amount of time behind the wheel. You will navigate via East Tomasini Street, Knox Avenue, and the McDermott Freeway as you transition toward the San Antonio area. Budgeting approximately $74 for fuel is a smart move before you head out. Since you are traveling entirely within the Great Plains region, the landscape remains consistent throughout the trip, making this a straightforward, if lengthy, endeavor for those comfortable with day-long drives.
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
249.5 miles from Fort Hancock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 56m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
495 mi
7h 51m
McDermott Freeway
1.7 mi
2m
North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.7 mi
1m
Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi
<1m
Knox Avenue
0.3 mi
<1m
East Tomasini Street
<0.1 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 495 mi, about 7h 51m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~460 veh/hr typical
· worst 792
Quietest
3 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
4.8×
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 Fort Hancock, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on Knox Avenue
32 ft·7 sec·Knox Avenue
2
Turn left onto East Tomasini Street
77 ft·5 sec·East Tomasini Street
3
Turn right onto Spur 148
0.3 mi·39 sec·Knox Avenue
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
5
Merge onto I 10
114 mi·1 hr 46 min·I 10
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
363 mi·5 hr 44 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
9
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
10
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
11
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
13
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 7-hour and 17-minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue during the final miles. You should plan for at least two stops along the way to break up the technical, turn-heavy sections of the drive and keep your energy levels steady. Since fuel costs for the trip hover around $74, verify your fuel levels before leaving Fort Hancock to ensure you don't get caught short on local roads. Because the route lacks traditional highway stretches, keep a close watch on your GPS navigation to handle the frequent turns efficiently. Taking these regular, intentional breaks will make the nearly 500-mile journey much more manageable.
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 249.5 miles from Fort Hancock, TX, or about 3h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 495 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 110 miles or 1h 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 249.5 miles or 3h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 55m
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 Fort Hancock, 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 Fort Hancock, TX
This is one driving day of about 499 miles and 7h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 110 miles from Fort Hancock, 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 I 10 for about 495 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 10
5 decision points cluster between mile 114.7 and 498.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
114.7 mi into trip|~1h 48m in|I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
478.2 mi into trip|~7h 33m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
497.3 mi into trip|~7h 54m in
Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
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 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
6
497.9 mi into trip|~7h 56m in|North Pecos-La Trinidad
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
498.5 mi into trip|~7h 57m in|Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$68.35 one way
$136.69 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg175 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$76.34
$152.69
premium
$4.23
$83.00
$166.01
diesel
$4.80
$94.22
$188.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$68
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$93–$118
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 174.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $52 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
149.7
1
$52.40
$23.95
Efficient EV
124.8
1
$43.66
$19.96
EV Truck/SUV
199.6
2
$69.86
$31.94
Gas CO2
175 kg
EV CO2
58 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 Jul 16, 2026
Origin
Fort Hancock, TX
Late night
in Fort Hancock on Sunday
Local time
5:02 AM
MDT
Current temp
94°F
Mostly Sunny
ESE 6 mph12% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:35PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:31PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Morning
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
6:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 10 mph39% chanceLive forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:35PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 5:31PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA
97°F
Big Lake, TX
250 mi in
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
1 hour later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
8 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
7h 58m 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...
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 447.3
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 rather than a monotonous interstate cruise, as this route features a highway share of 0%. You will spend the entirety of your time navigating local roads, meaning your focus needs to remain sharp as you transition between East Tomasini Street, Knox Avenue, and the McDermott Freeway. Because there are no long highway stretches—the longest uninterrupted segment on East Tomasini Street is 0 miles—you should anticipate a more technical driving experience. This profile requires constant attention to road changes and navigation, creating a distinct rhythm that differs significantly from a high-speed freeway trek.
100% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
13 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 495 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and McDermott Freeway. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 114.7 miles in near I 10.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 499 miles you will encounter 10 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 114.7 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 478.2 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 497.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
4,370 ft649 ft
Total Climb
1,527 ft
Total Descent
4,459 ft
Highest Point
4,370 ft
~41.6 mi in
Elevation Range
3,721 ft
Notable High Points
4,370 ft at ~41.6 miles+366 ft prominence
4,254 ft at ~104 miles+342 ft prominence
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
El Puente
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Madhatter's Tea House and Cafe
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Joe Blues
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Sweet Designs Bake Shop Deli
Cafe
Near the end, short detour
Home stretch
2 mi from route
~5 min detour
The Honey Bean
Cafe
Later in the drive, short detour
Final third
3.3 mi from route
~8 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 06:00-18:00; Sa 07:30-13:00
Hard Rock Cafe
Restaurant
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: american
Hours: Mo-Th, Su 08:00-23:00; Fr, Sa 08:00-00:0...
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 7h 58m. Total distance: 499 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 58m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 495 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 50 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 50 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 114.7 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 478.2 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 497.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 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.
