Trip from Holliday, 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 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

6h 44m

Distance

341.6 mi

550 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$47

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 35 min

4 AM

6h 33m ★

6 AM

6h 44m

8 AM

7h 8m

10 AM

6h 53m

12 PM

6h 50m

3 PM

6h 54m

5 PM

7h 7m

8 PM

6h 37m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

Google Maps Waze Apple Maps

Download GPX

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Holliday, TX to San Antonio, TX is 341.6 miles and takes about 6h 44m via US 281, with a fuel budget near $52 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily utilizes US Highway 281 for its entire duration, making it a straightforward drive. You'll be traveling within Texas for the whole trip, moving from the Great Plains region to a slightly different part of the Great Plains. Given its mostly highway profile and manageable distance, this trip is well-suited for a single day of driving, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.

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

170.8 miles from Holliday, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
South US Highway 281	153.7 mi	2h 57m
US 281	140.5 mi	2h 40m
North US Highway 281	19 mi	20m
FM 1954	8.7 mi	15m
North Water Street	3.6 mi	5m
US 281 HOV Lane	2.9 mi	3m
FM 440	2.3 mi	4m
North Rice Street	2.3 mi	2m

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 Holliday, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on North Main Street

0.2 mi · 31 sec · North Main Street

Turn left onto East Chestnut Street

0.3 mi · 38 sec · East Chestnut Street

Continue on FM 440

1.1 mi · 1 min · Ford Road

Continue on FM 440

2.3 mi · 4 min · FM 440

At end of road, turn left onto FM 1954

8.7 mi · 15 min · FM 1954

Turn right onto US 281

58 mi · 1 hr 6 min · US 281

Continue on US 281

65 mi · 1 hr 13 min · US 281

Use the straight lane.

Continue on US 281

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

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

For this 341.6-mile drive, leaving in the morning will give you ample time to arrive in San Antonio well before evening. Since it's a single-day trip, you can be flexible with your stops, but plan for at least one break during the approximately 6 hours and 44 minutes of travel. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch of 153.7 miles on South US Highway 281, as services might be less frequent in some sections. The estimated fuel cost is around $52, so budget accordingly.

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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 170.8 miles from Holliday, TX, or about 3h 22m 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 75 miles or 1h 34m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 170.8 miles or 3h 22m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 31m

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 Holliday, 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 Holliday, TX

This is one driving day of about 341.6 miles and 6h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 75 miles from Holliday, 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.

human settlement in Texas, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Springtown, TX

171 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

Jacksboro, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 75 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Springtown, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 170.8 miles from Holliday, 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 Lilly Roadside Park

0 mi from route

Service Plaza

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 0.2 and 340.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.2 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Chestnut Street

Turn left onto East Chestnut Street

Navigation decision point

3.8 mi into trip | ~7m in | FM 1954

At end of road, turn left onto FM 1954

Navigation decision point

154.7 mi into trip | ~3h 4m in | US 281 / North Walnut Street

Turn right onto US 281 / North Walnut Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

340.5 mi into trip | ~6h 42m 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

340.7 mi into trip | ~6h 42m 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...

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$46.79 one way

$93.58 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 120 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$52.26	$104.52
premium	$4.23	$56.82	$113.64
diesel	$4.80	$64.50	$129.00

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$47

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$72–$97

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 119.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $36 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	102.5	1	$35.87	$16.40
Efficient EV	85.4	0	$29.89	$13.66
EV Truck/SUV	136.6	1	$47.82	$21.86

Gas CO2

120 kg

EV CO2

40 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 17, 2026

Origin

Holliday, TX

Late night in Holliday on Monday

Local time

12:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

89°F

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

S 9 to 16 mph 67% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:12AM CDT until July 17 at 10:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:00AM CDT until July 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Late night in San Antonio on Monday

Local time

12:54 AM

CDT

Current temp

90°F

Partly Sunny

SSE 5 to 10 mph 4% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:12AM CDT until July 17 at 10:15AM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:00AM CDT until July 17 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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

1 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

6h 44m 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...

9 mi from route ~22 min detour Free near mile 341.6

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...

14 mi from route ~34 min detour Free near mile 282.7

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 on highways, with 96% of the route being on US 281. You'll experience a longest stretch of 153.7 miles on South US Highway 281, offering extended periods of consistent driving. The transition to surface roads, if any, will be minimal and occur towards the very end of your trip. Expect a mostly rural cruising experience for the majority of the 6 hours and 44 minutes behind the wheel.

96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

30 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 US 281. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near East Chestnut 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 341.6 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 0.2 miles (East Chestnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 3.8 miles (FM 1954): Navigation decision point; at 154.7 miles (US 281 / North Walnut Street): Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

1,352 ft 649 ft

Total Climb

941 ft

Total Descent

1,346 ft

Highest Point

1,352 ft

~292.8 mi in

Elevation Range

703 ft

About the Cities

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 6h 44m. Total distance: 341.6 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

6h 44m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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 3 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 3 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 6.7 hours each way, a round trip means 13.5 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.

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

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Trip from Holliday, 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 Lilly Roadside Park

Service Plaza

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

Holliday, TX

San Antonio, TX

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

6h 44m 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

About the Cities

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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