Origin
Highlands, TX
Morning in Highlands on Tuesday
Local time
10:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Highlands, TX to San Antonio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 53m
Distance
215.6 mi
347 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$33
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 41m
★
6 AM
3h 54m
8 AM
4h 19m
10 AM
4h 3m
12 PM
4h 0m
3 PM
4h 4m
5 PM
4h 18m
8 PM
3h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Highlands, TX
Matthew Chirinos
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Highlands, TX to San Antonio, TX is 215.6 miles and takes about 3h 53m via I 10, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive primarily utilizes the Katy Freeway and East Freeway, both parts of I 10. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entirety of this trip, staying within Texas. With just one recommended stop and a 96% highway share, this route is designed for efficient travel. Consider this drive if you're looking for a straightforward journey between these two Texas cities.
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
107.8 miles from Highlands, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Katy Freeway | 175.2 mi | 3h 2m |
| East Freeway | 18.7 mi | 22m |
| I 10 | 12 mi | 12m |
| East Commerce Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| North Main Street | 1.9 mi | 3m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Interstate 10 East | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 175.2 mi, about 3h 2m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Highlands, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on East Wallisville Road
411 ft
·
18 sec
·
East Wallisville Road
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
1.9 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Toward I 10 West
4
Merge onto I 10
19 mi
·
22 min
·
East Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on I 10; US 90
175 mi
·
3 hr 2 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight lane.
6
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.
7
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.
8
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
11
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Houston Street
12
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Commerce Street
13
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
14
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
15
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of just under 4 hours, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Leaving in the morning will give you ample daylight to reach San Antonio comfortably. With only one stop recommended and a 96% highway share, you can plan your fuel and rest breaks strategically. Consider filling up your tank before you leave Highlands, TX, as the longest stretch on I 10 is quite extensive at 175.2 miles. This allows for maximum flexibility in choosing your single stop location, whether it's for a quick meal or a brief stretch.
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 107.8 miles from Highlands, TX, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 175.2 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 47 miles or 54m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.8 miles or 1h 57m 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 9m
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 Highlands, 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 Highlands, TX
This is one driving day of about 215.6 miles and 3h 53m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 miles from Highlands, 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 175.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
108 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 107.8 miles from Highlands, 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 175.2 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 2.1 and 215.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.1 mi into trip
|
~4m in
|
I 10 / East Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / East Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
196.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m 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
208.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 41m 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
210.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m 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
5
215.5 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.58 one way
$65.16 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $35.66 | $71.32 |
| premium | $4.54 | $38.49 | $76.99 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.60 | $95.20 |
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: 75.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.7 | 0 | $22.64 | $10.35 |
| Efficient EV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.87 | $8.62 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 86.2 | 1 | $30.18 | $13.80 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Morning in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
10:22 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 15 mph
1% chance
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
14 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 53m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 217.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with a 96% highway share, making it a predominantly interstate experience. Expect to spend most of your time on I 10, specifically the Katy Freeway and East Freeway. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is a significant 175.2 miles on the Katy Freeway, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While the route is primarily interstate, the transition from the East Freeway to the Katy Freeway marks a shift in the immediate surroundings, though the core driving experience remains on this major corridor.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 175.2 mi on Katy Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and East Freeway. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 2.1 miles in near I 10 / East Freeway.
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 215.6 miles you will encounter 9 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 2.1 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.1 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.1 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Highlands, TX
Full guide →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 53m. Total distance: 215.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 53m 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 175.2 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 2.1 miles (I 10 / East Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 196.1 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 208.1 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway): 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.9 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.8 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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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