Trip from Franklin, 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 Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 43m

Distance

258.1 mi

415 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$35

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 30m ★

6 AM

4h 44m

8 AM

5h 11m

10 AM

4h 53m

12 PM

4h 51m

3 PM

4h 55m

5 PM

5h 9m

8 PM

4h 36m

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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Franklin, TX

Jeff Stapleton

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Franklin, TX to San Antonio, TX is 258.1 miles and takes about 4h 43m via Katy Freeway and US 59, with a fuel budget near $39 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent experience for most of the way. With 94% of the route on highways, you'll find this to be a straightforward trip, ideal for a single-day excursion. It's a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B efficiently without extensive detours.

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

129 miles from Franklin, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 29m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Katy Freeway	149.1 mi	2h 30m
North Grand Parkway East	51.7 mi	56m
US 59	14.3 mi	15m
TX 105	12.6 mi	18m
I 10	12 mi	12m
East Houston Street	6.3 mi	9m
East Commerce Street	4.3 mi	7m
Jose Lopez Freeway	1.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Katy Freeway — 149.1 mi, about 2h 30m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 22 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~1,619 veh/hr typical · worst 2,287

Quietest

2 AM

~259 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

6.3×

busier at peak than in the quiet hours

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Franklin, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on TX 105

13 mi · 18 min · TX 105

Use the left / right lanes.

At end of road, turn right onto TX 105; TX 321

6.2 mi · 9 min · East Houston Street

Use the right lane.

Turn left onto TX 105 Business; Loop 573

0.5 mi · 52 sec · Washington Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto TX 105 Business

0.4 mi · 45 sec · West Southline Street

Turn left

446 ft · 7 sec

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Toward US 59 South

Merge onto US 59

14 mi · 15 min · US 59

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 25 sec

Toward TX 99 Toll Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto Eastex Freeway Frontage Road

1.4 mi · 2 min · Eastex Freeway Frontage Road

Use the straight / uturn lanes.

Turn right onto North Grand Parkway East

0.9 mi · 1 min · North Grand Parkway East

Continue on this road

0.3 mi · 44 sec · this road

Toward TX 99 Toll West

Merge onto TX 99 Toll

51 mi · 55 min · North Grand Parkway East

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Antonio Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork

0.7 mi · 1 min

Toward I 10 West: San Antonio Use the slight right lane.

Merge onto I 10; US 90

149 mi · 2 hr 30 min · Katy Freeway

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

Given the 4h 43m estimated drive time, leaving Franklin, TX in the morning should allow you to reach San Antonio with plenty of daylight. The longest continuous stretch is 149.1 miles, so plan a break around the halfway point if needed, though with only 258.1 miles total, you might not need a formal stop. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $39, and it's always wise to top off before a longer highway segment. Since this is a single-day trip, you have flexibility in your departure time.

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 129 miles from Franklin, TX, or about 2h 29m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.1 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 57 miles or 1h 12m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 129 miles or 2h 29m 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 52m

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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, TX

This is one driving day of about 258.1 miles and 4h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Franklin, 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 Katy Freeway for about 149.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houston, TX

129 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

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 129 miles from Franklin, 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 20

5 decision points cluster between mile 12.6 and 252.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

12.6 mi into trip | ~18m in | TX 105; TX 321 / East Houston Street

At end of road, turn right onto TX 105; TX 321 / East Houston Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

34.4 mi into trip | ~46m in

Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward TX 99 Toll

88.2 mi into trip | ~1h 46m in

Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Antonio

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. Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Anton...

88.8 mi into trip | ~1h 47m in

Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight right lane. Toward I 10 West: San Antonio

252.9 mi into trip | ~4h 35m 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

$35.35 one way

$70.70 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 90 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$39.49	$78.97
premium	$4.23	$42.93	$85.86
diesel	$4.80	$48.73	$97.47

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$35

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$60–$85

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 90.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	77.4	0	$27.10	$12.39
Efficient EV	64.5	0	$22.58	$10.32
EV Truck/SUV	103.2	1	$36.13	$16.52

Gas CO2

90 kg

EV CO2

30 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

Franklin, TX

Late night in Franklin on Sunday

Local time

2:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Mostly Cloudy

0 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Late night in San Antonio on Sunday

Local time

2:00 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSE 10 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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

3 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

4h 43m 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 258.1

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 predominantly highway, with 94% of the 258.1 miles on major roads like the Katy Freeway and US 59. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 149.1 miles on the Katy Freeway, which means a lot of consistent cruising. Expect dense exits and merges as you navigate through populated areas, especially early in the trip. The transition to more local roads happens later in the drive.

94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 149.1 mi on Katy Freeway.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and North Grand Parkway East. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 12.6 miles in near TX 105; TX 321 / East Houston Street.

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 20 significant decision points across 258.1 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 12.6 miles (TX 105; TX 321 / East Houston Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 34.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 88.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

649 ft 60 ft

Total Climb

790 ft

Total Descent

201 ft

Highest Point

649 ft

~258.1 mi in

Elevation Range

589 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Franklin, TX

Full guide →

Top landmarks

• Franklin Carnegie Library — historic place in Franklin, Robertson County, Texas
• Robertson County Courthouse — courthouse at Deckerd St. at Alley St. Franklin, Texas

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 4h 43m. Total distance: 258.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (94%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 149.1 miles on Katy Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 28 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 1 meaningful breaks. There are 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 hours — manageable with a long break at San Antonio, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.

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 Franklin, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.

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Trip from Franklin, TX to San Antonio, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-10

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Road Ranger

Flying J Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area

Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area

Buc-ee's

Road Ranger

Roady's Truck Stops

Buc-ee's

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Petro Stopping Centers

Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area

Colorado County Westbound Rest Area

Love's Travel Stop

Jud's Travel Center

Amigos Country Corner

TA

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Super Travel Center

QuikTrip

Love's Travel Stop

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

Franklin, TX

San Antonio, TX

Same local time

3 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 43m 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?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Franklin, 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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