Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Friendswood, 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
3h 56m
Distance
217.6 mi
350 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Excellent
13 DC fast
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 44m
★
6 AM
3h 57m
8 AM
4h 23m
10 AM
4h 6m
12 PM
4h 3m
3 PM
4h 7m
5 PM
4h 21m
8 PM
3h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Friendswood, TX
Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
The drive from Friendswood, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 217.6 miles and takes about 3h 56m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Katy Freeway, Gulf Freeway, I 10 for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly highway. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 174.7 miles on Katy Freeway. At current regular gas prices, budget about $32.88 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
108.8 miles from Friendswood, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 59m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Katy Freeway | 174.7 mi | 3h 1m |
| Gulf Freeway | 18.2 mi | 21m |
| I 10 | 12 mi | 12m |
| East Commerce Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Friendswood Road | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| East Edgewood Avenue | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| Gulf Freeway Frontage Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 174.7 mi, about 3h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Friendswood, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on FM 518
32 ft
·
6 sec
·
South Friendswood Drive
2
Continue on FM 518
0.4 mi
·
50 sec
·
South Friendswood Drive
3
Turn right onto FM 2351
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
East Edgewood Avenue
4
Continue on FM 2351
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Friendswood Road
5
Continue on FM 2351
310 ft
·
11 sec
·
Clear Lake City Boulevard
Use the left / straight lanes.
6
Turn left onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 45 North
8
Merge onto I 45
18 mi
·
21 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 48B
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
10
Merge onto I 10; US 90
175 mi
·
3 hr 1 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
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.
12
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.
13
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
16
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Houston Street
17
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Commerce Street
18
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
19
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
20
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
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 108.8 miles from Friendswood, TX, or about 1h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.7 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 48 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 108.8 miles or 1h 59m 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 12m
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 Friendswood, 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 Friendswood, TX
This is one driving day of about 217.6 miles and 3h 56m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 48 miles from Friendswood, 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 174.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
109 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 48 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 108.8 miles from Friendswood, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Katy Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Roady's Truck Stops
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Jud's Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Amigos Country Corner
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.4 mi from route
Super Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.5 mi from route
Spanish Governor's Palace
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
mile 217.6
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12102077527
Visit websiteGO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 217.6
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12102274746
Visit websiteSan Antonio | The Saga
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
0 mi from route
mile 217.6
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9–9:30 pm
+12102259800
Visit websiteHemisfair
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 217.6
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+12107094750
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 217.6
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
Visit websiteThe Amazing Mirror Maze
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 217.6
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+12102242288
Visit websiteSEA LIFE San Antonio
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
mile 217.6
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12106101160
Visit websiteSan Antonio River Lock & Dam
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
mile 217.6
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
+12102271373
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 3.8 and 212.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
3.8 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
Turn left onto Gulf Freeway Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
23.3 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 48B
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
6
198.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m 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.
6
210.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
212.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 48m 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
$32.88 one way
$65.76 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
76 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $35.99 | $71.98 |
| premium | $4.54 | $38.85 | $77.70 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $48.04 | $96.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$33
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$58–$83
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 76.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
EV Charging Along Route
13 DC fast chargers · Coverage: excellent
Gigahub, Monroe Rd, Houston, TX
Houston, TX
BP_PULSE
40 DCFC
Harbor Freight - Tesla Supercharger
Houston, TX
Tesla
16 DCFC
Glenbrook Square - Tesla Supercharger
Houston, TX
Tesla
15 DCFC
Rudy's Country Store & BBQ - Tesla Supercharger
Webster, TX
Tesla
12 DCFC
Hobby Express Exxon Truck Stop
Houston, TX
GRAVITI_ENERGY
4 DCFC
Chase Bank - 1102 E Southmore Ave
Pasadena, TX
eVgo Network
4 DCFC
Mac Haik Ford - Pasadena
Houston, TX
EV Connect
2 DCFC
Shell Gas Station-King Fuels
Houston, TX
EVBOLT
2 DCFC
Tesla: 3
ChargePoint Network: 3
EV Connect: 1
Non-Networked: 1
BP_PULSE: 1
GRAVITI_ENERGY: 1
eVgo Network: 1
NOODOE: 1
EVBOLT: 1
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 65.3 | 0 | $22.85 | $10.44 |
| Efficient EV | 54.4 | 0 | $19.04 | $8.70 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 87 | 1 | $30.46 | $13.93 |
Gas CO2
76 kg
EV CO2
25 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.
Origin
Friendswood, TX
Afternoon in Friendswood on Sunday
Local time
12:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
12:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 56m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 217.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
217.6 mi in 3h 56m, mostly highway — 174.7 mi of that is on Katy Freeway.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.7 mi on Katy Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and Gulf Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 3.8 miles in near Gulf Freeway Frontage Road.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 12 significant decision points across 217.6 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 3.8 miles (Gulf Freeway Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.1 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Friendswood, TX
Full guide →Founded 1960
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 3h 56m. Total distance: 217.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 56m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.7 miles on Katy Freeway. 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 3.8 miles (Gulf Freeway Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 23.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 198.1 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.9 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, NREL for EV charging, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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