Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Hughes Springs, TX to San Antonio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
7h 10m
Distance
375.7 mi
605 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 59m
★
6 AM
7h 10m
8 AM
7h 32m
10 AM
7h 18m
12 PM
7h 16m
3 PM
7h 19m
5 PM
7h 31m
8 PM
7h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Hughes Springs, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Hughes Springs to San Antonio is 375.7 miles and takes about 7h 10m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35, with a fuel budget near $59 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive takes you from the Great Plains region of East Texas southwest to the heart of the Great Plains in South Texas. With a highway share of 57%, expect a mix of faster-paced interstate travel and more local cruising. Given the 1-day recommendation and manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip if you start early.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
187.8 miles from Hughes Springs, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 42m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| TX 155 | 41.6 mi | 47m |
| State Highway 31 East | 30.9 mi | 35m |
| West State Highway 31 | 18.8 mi | 21m |
| State Highway 31 | 17.2 mi | 17m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 17 mi | 20m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 11.8 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 80 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~3,916 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~672 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.8×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 51 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 Hughes Springs, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on Ward
104 ft
·
6 sec
·
Ward
2
Turn right onto TX 11; TX 49; FM 250
428 ft
·
12 sec
·
1st Street
3
Turn left onto FM 161; FM 250
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
FM 161; FM 250
4
Turn right onto FM 250
6.0 mi
·
10 min
·
FM 250
5
Turn left onto US 259
7.2 mi
·
10 min
·
South Main Street
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
40 sec
7
Keep slight right at fork
302 ft
·
8 sec
8
Merge onto TX 155
16 mi
·
17 min
·
TX 155
9
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Wood Street
10
Turn straight onto TX 155
13 mi
·
15 min
·
TX 155
11
Turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
West Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto TX 155
13 mi
·
14 min
·
TX 155
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto US 271; TX 155
4.8 mi
·
5 min
·
US Highway 271
14
Turn right onto Loop 323
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
East Northeast Loop 323
15
Continue on Loop 323
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
West Northwest Loop 323
16
Continue on Loop 323
0.6 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Southwest Loop 323
17
Turn right onto TX 31
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Chandler Highway
18
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 31 West
19
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
East Highway 31
20
Continue on TX 31
21 mi
·
23 min
·
State Highway 31 East
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
22
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jed Robinson Loop
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
21 sec
24
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft
·
14 sec
25
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 31 West
26
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi
·
6 min
·
East Royall Boulevard
27
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
State Highway 31 East
28
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
Northwest 2nd Street
29
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
30
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
West State Highway 31
31
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
32
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
33
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi
·
2 min
·
East US Highway 84
34
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
35
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
East Waco Drive
36
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft
·
12 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
37
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
38
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi
·
6 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
42
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Use the slight left lane.
47
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
48
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
49
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
50
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Navarro Street
51
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft
·
2 sec
·
Navarro Street
52
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
53
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Travis Street
54
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Flores Street
55
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
56
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
57
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7h 10m drive, aim for an early morning departure from Hughes Springs to maximize daylight. With only 2 recommended stops, you have flexibility in how you pace your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without a significant road change is nearly 100 miles. The $59 fuel cost is an estimate, so check local prices before you leave. Remember that most of the route uses surface roads, so be prepared for varying speed limits and potential local traffic.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 187.8 miles from Hughes Springs, TX, or about 3h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 83 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 187.8 miles or 3h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 1m
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 Hughes Springs, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Hughes Springs, TX
This is one driving day of about 375.7 miles and 7h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 83 miles from Hughes Springs, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
188 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 83 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 187.8 miles from Hughes Springs, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Ascent Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.4 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.3 mi from route
QuikTrip
2.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.4 mi from route
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
New Braunfels, Texas
Hours: 10 am–6 pm
+18304024603
Visit websiteSpanish Governor's Palace
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
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
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12102274746
Visit websiteSan Antonio | The Saga
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9–9:30 pm
+12102259800
Visit websiteHemisfair
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+12107094750
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
Visit websiteThe Amazing Mirror Maze
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+12102242288
Visit websiteSEA LIFE San Antonio
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12106101160
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 355 decision points cluster between mile 135.3 and 374.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
135.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 45m in
|
TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
294.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 37m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
7
367.5 mi into trip
|
~6h 58m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
374 mi into trip
|
~7h 6m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
374.5 mi into trip
|
~7h 7m in
Take the exit toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$51.46 one way
$102.92 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
132 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $57.48 | $114.96 |
| premium | $4.23 | $62.49 | $124.99 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $70.94 | $141.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 131.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $39 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 112.7 | 1 | $39.45 | $18.03 |
| Efficient EV | 93.9 | 1 | $32.87 | $15.03 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 150.3 | 1 | $52.60 | $24.04 |
Gas CO2
131 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Hughes Springs, TX
Morning in Hughes Springs on Tuesday
Local time
10:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Mostly Cloudy
0 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Morning in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
10:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 10 mph
8% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 1:00AM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
100°F
Italy, TX
188 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 10m 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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 194.3
View on nps.gov
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 375.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is primarily surface roads, with 57% on highways. You'll encounter your longest stretch without a major change in road type at 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. Expect to transition from highway cruising to more frequent exits and local traffic as you get closer to San Antonio.
Only 57% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 135.3 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
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 35 significant decision points across 375.7 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 135.3 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 294.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 367.5 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
745 ft
285 ft
Total Climb
822 ft
Total Descent
550 ft
Highest Point
745 ft
~268.3 mi in
Elevation Range
460 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Hughes Springs, 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 7h 10m. Total distance: 375.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 10m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 20 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 2 meaningful breaks. There are 20 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 135.3 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 294.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 367.5 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.2 hours each way, a round trip means 14.3 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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