Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Iowa Colony, 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 46m
Distance
204.2 mi
329 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 34m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Iowa Colony, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Iowa Colony, TX to San Antonio, TX is 204.2 miles and takes about 3h 46m via Katy Freeway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily stays within the Great Plains region, crossing Texas. With 94% of the trip on highways, expect a fairly direct path. This is a straightforward, single-day trip suitable for getting from point A to point B efficiently, making it a solid choice if you want to reach your destination without much fuss.
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
102.1 miles from Iowa Colony, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Katy Freeway | 149.1 mi | 2h 30m |
| West Grand Parkway South | 14.7 mi | 17m |
| I 10 | 12 mi | 12m |
| TX 6 | 11.8 mi | 19m |
| Alvin-Sugarland Road | 4.5 mi | 6m |
| East Commerce Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| US Highway 90A | 2.3 mi | 3m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 149.1 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Iowa Colony, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on CR 48
356 ft
·
7 sec
·
Old Airline Road
2
Continue on CR 48
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
North Airline Road
3
Turn left onto TX 6
4.5 mi
·
6 min
·
Alvin-Sugarland Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
Continue on TX 6
0.2 mi
·
17 sec
·
TX 6
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on TX 6
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 6
Use the left lane.
6
Continue on TX 6
9.1 mi
·
15 min
·
TX 6
Use the left lane.
7
Turn slight right
251 ft
·
4 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on State Highway 6 South Frontage Road
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 6 South Frontage Road
Use the right lane.
9
Turn left onto US 90 Alt
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
US Highway 90A
Toward US 90 Alt, TX 6: West Alternate US Highway 90, South State Highway 6
Use the left lane.
10
Turn right onto TX 99
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the right lane.
11
Merge onto TX 99
14 mi
·
16 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left lane.
14
Merge onto I 10; US 90
149 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
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.
16
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.
17
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
20
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Houston Street
21
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Commerce Street
22
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
23
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
24
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given this is a 1-day drive of just under 4 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with your departure time. Leaving in the morning will get you to San Antonio with plenty of daylight left. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $31, and plan your refueling stops accordingly, especially since the longest stretch is over 100 miles. There's only one recommended stop, so you can choose to make it brief or extend it slightly if needed.
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 102.1 miles from Iowa Colony, TX, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.1 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 45 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.1 miles or 1h 58m 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 4m
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 Iowa Colony, 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 Iowa Colony, TX
This is one driving day of about 204.2 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Iowa Colony, 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 149.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
102 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 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 102.1 miles from Iowa Colony, 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 149.1 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.
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
Super Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Spanish 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 websiteEscape Again Rooms
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
Sugar Land, Texas
Hours: 4–10 pm
+18329994572
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 145 decision points cluster between mile 17.3 and 199 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
17.3 mi into trip
|
~27m in
|
US 90 Alt / US Highway 90A
Turn left onto US 90 Alt / US Highway 90A toward US 90 Alt, TX 6: West Alternate US Highway 90, South State Highway 6
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 90 Alt, TX 6: West Alternate US Highw...
7
34.3 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houston
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.
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houst...
7
34.7 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
6
184.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 21m 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.
8
199 mi into trip
|
~3h 37m 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
$30.86 one way
$61.71 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $33.77 | $67.55 |
| premium | $4.54 | $36.46 | $72.92 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $45.08 | $90.17 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 61.3 | 0 | $21.44 | $9.80 |
| Efficient EV | 51.1 | 0 | $17.87 | $8.17 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.7 | 1 | $28.59 | $13.07 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% 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.
Origin
Iowa Colony, TX
Morning in Iowa Colony on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Morning in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
6:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
16 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 46m 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 204.2
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 predominantly highway driving, with 94% of the 204.2 miles on major roads like the Katy Freeway and I 10. You'll experience a long stretch of 149.1 miles on the Katy Freeway before transitioning to other highways. Expect a consistent, high-speed cruising experience for the majority of your time behind the wheel, with fewer surface street segments.
94% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 149.1 mi on Katy Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and West Grand Parkway South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 17.3 miles in near US 90 Alt / US Highway 90A.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 14 significant decision points across 204.2 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 17.3 miles (US 90 Alt / US Highway 90A): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Iowa Colony, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward State Highway 6 and Houston.
State Highway 6
17.3 mi in
|
~27m
|
via US 90 Alt
Houston
34.3 mi in
|
~49m
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 3h 46m. Total distance: 204.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 46m 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 149.1 miles on Katy Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 17.3 miles (US 90 Alt / US Highway 90A): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 34.7 miles: 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 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 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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