Traveling from Kilgore to San Antonio covers 351.6 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 49 minutes of driving time. Because this route involves navigating local roads rather than major interstates, it functions best as a dedicated, full-day commitment. You should budget approximately $52 for fuel to complete the journey between these two Great Plains locations. Since the highway share is 0%, you will spend the entire trip on local infrastructure, which requires your full attention. While technically possible to complete in one day, the turn-heavy nature of the drive makes it a demanding trek that may leave you ready for an overnight stay upon arrival.
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
166.9 miles from Kilgore, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 12m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Kilgore, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on East Main Street
0.2 mi·32 sec·East Main Street
2
Turn left onto Gladewater Street
0.5 mi·1 min·Gladewater Street
3
Turn right onto TX 135
0.4 mi·26 sec·State Highway 135 North
4
Take the exit
0.2 mi·33 sec
Toward TX 31
5
Turn left onto TX 31
26 mi·30 min·State Highway 31 West
6
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi·2 min·Chandler Highway
7
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 West
8
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·East Highway 31
9
Continue on TX 31
21 mi·23 min·State Highway 31 East
10
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
11
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
13
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft·14 sec
14
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
15
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi·6 min·East Royall Boulevard
16
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·State Highway 31 East
17
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·Northwest 2nd Street
18
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
19
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi·21 min·West State Highway 31
20
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
21
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
22
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi·2 min·East US Highway 84
23
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
24
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi·1 min·East Waco Drive
25
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft·12 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
27
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi·6 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
31
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.6 mi·41 sec·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
36
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 157AToward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro AvenueUse the slight right lane.
37
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft·17 sec·East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
38
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
39
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft·3 sec·Navarro Street
40
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft·2 sec·Navarro Street
41
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
42
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft·10 sec·West Travis Street
43
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Flores Street
44
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
45
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
46
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To manage this 351.6-mile trek effectively, aim to depart early in the morning to account for the slower pace of local roads. You should plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh, as the turn-heavy nature of the route can be mentally fatiguing. Since you are avoiding major highways, monitor your fuel levels closely and refill when you have the chance, keeping the $52 budget in mind. Given that the route is entirely local, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersection signage throughout the drive. This flexibility allows you to adjust your pace based on traffic conditions, ensuring you arrive in San Antonio safely.
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 166.9 miles from Kilgore, TX, or about 3h 12m 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 73 miles or 1h 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.9 miles or 3h 12m 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 5m
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 Kilgore, 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 Kilgore, TX
This is one driving day of about 333.9 miles and 6h 14m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Kilgore, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 26
5 decision points cluster between mile 93.5 and 332.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
93.5 mi into trip|~1h 50m in|TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
252.3 mi into trip|~4h 41m 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
325.8 mi into trip|~6h 2m 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
332.2 mi into trip|~6h 10m 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
332.7 mi into trip|~6h 11m 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
$50.45 one way
$100.91 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg117 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$55.22
$110.45
premium
$4.54
$59.62
$119.23
diesel
$5.61
$73.72
$147.44
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$50
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$75–$100
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
100.2
1
$35.06
$16.03
Efficient EV
83.5
0
$29.22
$13.36
EV Truck/SUV
133.6
1
$46.75
$21.37
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Kilgore, TX
Late night
in Kilgore on Sunday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
5:01 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Troy, TX
167 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
20 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 14m 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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that lacks the predictable rhythm of an interstate. Your path primarily utilizes Gladewater Street, Highway 135 North, and TX 31, keeping you off major freeways for the duration of the 351.6-mile trip. Because the highway share is 0%, there is no single long-distance stretch to settle into, as the longest uninterrupted segment on Gladewater Street is 0 miles. This journey demands constant engagement with the road, as you will be navigating local connections rather than high-speed lanes. Prepare for a technical experience that changes frequently as you transition through the regional landscape.
56% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
46 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
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 93.5 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
Driving Effort9/10
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 26 significant decision points across 333.9 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 93.5 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 252.3 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 325.8 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Kilgore is in the Central Piney Woods region of East Texas. Home to slightly less than 14,000 residents (2025), Kilgore is often identified as the "Oil Capital of East Texas", due to its proximity near the center of the vast East Texas Oilfield. Residents are proud of their heritage, and evidence of the city's prominence in petroleum production is widespread and accentuated throughout Kilgore.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 14m. Total distance: 333.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 14m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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.
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 93.5 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 252.3 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 325.8 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.2 hours each way, a round trip means 12.5 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.
