Traveling from Kirbyville to San Antonio spans 330.1 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 13 minutes behind the wheel. Because this route is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, you should plan on this being a full day of travel. Budget roughly $49 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the entire trip is achievable in a single day, you don't necessarily need an overnight stay unless you prefer a slower pace. It is a straightforward transit across Texas that requires your full attention due to the local road nature of the journey.
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
163.9 miles from Kirbyville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 2m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Katy Freeway
175.2 mi
3h 2m
Eastex Freeway
84.2 mi
1h 36m
US 96
48.6 mi
53m
I 10
12 mi
12m
East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
7m
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
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 84 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~2,943 veh/hr typical
· worst 3,773
Quietest
2 AM
~394 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7.5×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
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 Kirbyville, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on FM 1013
306 ft·10 sec·South Elizabeth Avenue
2
Turn right onto East Lavielle Street
352 ft·20 sec·East Lavielle Street
3
Turn left onto US 96
49 mi·53 min·US 96
4
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287
84 mi·1 hr 36 min·Eastex Freeway
Toward Houston, Port ArthurUse 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 579Toward Commerce Street, Houston StreetUse 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
To make the most of this 5-hour and 13-minute trek, aim for an early morning departure to avoid traffic buildup on local roads. Since there are zero official stops planned in the data, pack your own snacks and drinks to maintain your energy levels for the duration of the trip. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge throughout the journey, as the $49 estimate is a baseline; having a little extra padding in your budget is wise for local routes. Because this is a turn-heavy drive, double-check your GPS settings before you leave Kirbyville to ensure you stay on the intended path. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to take breaks whenever you feel fatigue setting in.
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 163.9 miles from Kirbyville, TX, or about 3h 2m 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 72 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 163.9 miles or 3h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 51m
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 Kirbyville, 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 Kirbyville, TX
This is one driving day of about 327.7 miles and 5h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 72 miles from Kirbyville, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 48.8 and 327.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
48.8 mi into trip|~54m in|US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway toward Houston, Port Arthur
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward Houston, Port Arthur
6
308.2 mi into trip|~5h 32m 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
320.3 mi into trip|~5h 45m 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
322.6 mi into trip|~5h 48m 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
327.7 mi into trip|~5h 56m in|Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.88 one way
$89.77 round trip
$3.48/gal25.4 MPG avg115 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$3.89
$50.14
$100.27
premium
$4.23
$54.51
$109.02
diesel
$4.80
$61.88
$123.75
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 114.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
98.3
1
$34.41
$15.73
Efficient EV
81.9
0
$28.67
$13.11
EV Truck/SUV
131.1
1
$45.88
$20.97
Gas CO2
115 kg
EV CO2
38 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
Kirbyville, TX
Late night
in Kirbyville on Monday
Local time
2:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
95°F
Mostly Sunny
SW 0 to 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:06AM CDT until July 17 at 1:15PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Monday
Local time
2:39 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 5 to 10 mph4% chanceLive forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:14AM CDT until July 17 at 11:15AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 10:06AM CDT until July 17 at 1:15PM 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
5 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
5h 57m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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 327.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a significantly different experience than a standard interstate cruise, as this route lacks high-speed highway stretches. You will be navigating a turn-heavy local drive that demands consistent focus rather than letting you settle into a monotonous highway rhythm. With a highway share of 0%, you should prepare for winding paths and constant navigation through local infrastructure. This drive requires you to stay alert through every turn, as you won't have the luxury of long, uninterrupted stretches to zone out. The personality of this trip is defined by its local character, making it a more engaged and hands-on driving experience.
98% 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?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and Eastex Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 48.8 miles in near US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 327.7 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 48.8 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 308.2 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 320.3 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
649 ft15 ft
Total Climb
653 ft
Total Descent
124 ft
Highest Point
649 ft
~327.7 mi in
Elevation Range
634 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Kirbyville, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Houston and Port Arthur.
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 5h 57m. Total distance: 327.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 57m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (98%). 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 48.8 miles (US 69; US 96; US 287 / Eastex Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 308.2 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 320.3 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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.0 hours each way, a round trip means 11.9 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.
