Trip from Granbury, 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 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 35m

Distance

234.9 mi

378 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$32

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 22m ★

6 AM

4h 36m

8 AM

5h 3m

10 AM

4h 45m

12 PM

4h 43m

3 PM

4h 47m

5 PM

5h 1m

8 PM

4h 28m

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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city in and county seat of Hood County, Texas, United States

Granbury, TX

Wikimedia Commons

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Granbury to San Antonio covers 227.5 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 8 minutes of drive time. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best suited as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $34 for fuel to complete the journey between these two Great Plains locations. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major highways, your pace will be dictated by local traffic and navigation. It is a straightforward trek that serves as an efficient way to move between these Texas hubs without the monotony of high-speed transit.

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

117.5 miles from Granbury, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 15m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South US Highway 281	153.7 mi	2h 57m
West US Highway 377	27.1 mi	31m
North US Highway 281	19 mi	20m
US 281	17.8 mi	20m
North Water Street	3.6 mi	5m
US 281 HOV Lane	2.9 mi	3m
North Rice Street	2.3 mi	2m
North Key Avenue	1.6 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

~6,273 veh/hr typical

Quietest

3 AM

~358 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

17.5×

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 Granbury, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on TX 144; FM 51

86 ft · 10 sec · South Morgan Street

Turn left onto US 377 Bus

1.5 mi · 2 min · West Pearl Street

Merge onto US 377

27 mi · 31 min · West US Highway 377

Continue on US 377

0.7 mi · 1 min · East South Loop

Turn left onto US 281

0.3 mi · 24 sec · East Road

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 4-hour and 8-minute journey, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and break up the constant turning. Since your fuel costs will hover around $34, filling up your tank before you leave Granbury helps you avoid unnecessary pit stops on local roads. Consider departing early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion and ensure you reach San Antonio with plenty of daylight remaining. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, double-check your GPS settings before pulling out of your driveway to ensure you are comfortable with the specific local roads selected. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace to suit your personal comfort level.

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 117.5 miles from Granbury, TX, or about 2h 15m 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 52 miles or 1h in

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

Halfway reset

Around 117.5 miles or 2h 15m 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 45m

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 Granbury, 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 Granbury, TX

This is one driving day of about 234.9 miles and 4h 35m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 miles from Granbury, 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 South US Highway 281 for about 153.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Burnet County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marble Falls, TX

117 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

Hico, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Kempner, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 117.5 miles from Granbury, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before South US Highway 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 153.7 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Stops Along Your Drive

Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.

Rest Area

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 11

5 decision points cluster between mile 48 and 234.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

48 mi into trip | ~56m in | US 281 / North Walnut Street

Turn right onto US 281 / North Walnut Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

217.9 mi into trip | ~4h 14m in | US 281

Merge onto US 281

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

233.8 mi into trip | ~4h 33m 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

233.9 mi into trip | ~4h 33m 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...

234.8 mi into trip | ~4h 35m in | Dolorosa Street

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$32.17 one way

$64.35 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 82 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$35.94	$71.88
premium	$4.23	$39.07	$78.15
diesel	$4.80	$44.35	$88.71

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$32

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$57–$82

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	70.5	0	$24.66	$11.28
Efficient EV	58.7	0	$20.55	$9.40
EV Truck/SUV	94	1	$32.89	$15.03

Gas CO2

82 kg

EV CO2

27 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

Granbury, TX

Evening in Granbury on Monday

Local time

8:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

96°F

Sunny

SSW 10 to 15 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Evening in San Antonio on Monday

Local time

8:55 PM

CDT

Current temp

93°F

Partly Sunny

SSE 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:55AM CDT until July 19 at 11:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 18 at 9:53AM CDT until July 19 at 7:15PM 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

3 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

4h 35m 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 234.9

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...

13 mi from route ~32 min detour Free near mile 170.1

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a hands-on driving experience as this route features zero highway miles, focusing instead on turn-heavy local roads. You will navigate via West Pearl Street, Highway 377, and East South Loop, which creates a very different feel than a standard interstate cruise. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on West Pearl Street is 0 miles, you will need to stay alert and ready for frequent adjustments. The journey lacks the mindless repetition of long-haul travel, requiring you to remain engaged with the road layout throughout the entire 227.5-mile distance. It is a practical, localized path that prioritizes navigation over speed.

94% 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: 153.7 mi on South US Highway 281.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on South US Highway 281 and West US Highway 377. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 48 miles in near US 281 / North Walnut Street.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 234.9 miles you will encounter 11 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 48 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 217.9 miles (US 281): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 233.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,374 ft 649 ft

Total Climb

1,292 ft

Total Descent

1,380 ft

Highest Point

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Granbury, TX

Cuisine: coffee_shop

Hours: Mo-Fr 05:00-21:00

Visit website

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

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...

Visit website

Whataburger

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, TX

Cuisine: burger

Hours: 24/7

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Camp_site

Near the start, short detour

2.7 mi from route ~7 min detour

Visit website

Buckhorn Saloon and Museum

Museum

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Visit website

San Antonio Art League Museum

Museum

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Visit website

Dr. William and Eunice Walker House

Memorial

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

First Presbyterian Church of Granbury

Memorial

Near the start, right off the route

0.2 mi from route ~1 min detour

Villa Finale Visitor Center

Museum

The Wyatt

Hotel

Near the start, short detour

First break 3.3 mi from route ~8 min detour

Stephenville, TX

Visit website

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Granbury, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1860

Granbury is a city in Hood County, near the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas.

Top landmarks

• Hood County Courthouse Historic District — historic place in Granbury, Hood County, 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 35m. Total distance: 234.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 35m 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 153.7 miles on South US Highway 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 2 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 2 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 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 Granbury, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.

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Trip from Granbury, 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

Rest Area

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

Granbury, TX

San Antonio, TX

Same local time

3 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 35m 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

Detours Along the Way

Starbucks

Paradise Bistro & Coffee Co.

Tea2Go TeaN’ergy

Starbucks

El Puente

Madhatter's Tea House and Cafe

Hard Rock Cafe

Whataburger

Mama's Pizza

Schilo's Delicatessen

Viva Villa

Chipotle

River boat boarding

River boat boarding

River boat boarding

boat ride boarding

River boat boarding

Thorp spring rv park

Buckhorn Saloon and Museum

San Antonio Art League Museum

Dr. William and Eunice Walker House

First Presbyterian Church of Granbury

Villa Finale Visitor Center

E. A. Hannaford House

Beauregard House B&B

Fiesta Bed and Breakfast

Ayers Inn

Thorp spring rv park

The Wyatt

About the Cities

Starting in Granbury, 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

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