Spanning 1,353.9 miles from the Pacific Coast to the Great Plains, this journey from Los Angeles to San Antonio is a significant cross-country undertaking. You should plan for approximately 22 hours and 57 minutes of pure driving time, which makes splitting the trip over three days the most manageable approach. Expect to budget roughly $184 for fuel to cover the distance between California and Texas. Because you are crossing multiple state lines and shifting regions, this is best treated as a multi-day expedition rather than a quick getaway. By pacing yourself, you ensure the drive remains a productive travel experience rather than an exhausting marathon.
Trip Pace
Best split across 3 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
6 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
676.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 11h 51m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
555.7 mi
8h 57m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
427 mi
7h 23m
Benson-Steins Pass Highway
88.3 mi
1h 28m
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
54.6 mi
55m
San Bernardino Freeway
45.1 mi
51m
Tucson-Benson Highway
42.9 mi
44m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
37.8 mi
38m
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
33.5 mi
35m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 555.7 mi, about 8h 57m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on West 1st Street
69 ft·9 sec·West 1st Street
2
Turn left onto North Main Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·North Main Street
Use the left lane.
3
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
338 ft·13 sec·East Aliso Street
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·19 sec
Toward US 101 South, I 10 East, I 5 South
5
Merge onto US 101
0.6 mi·51 sec·Santa Ana Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.3 mi·32 sec
Exit 1DToward I 10 East: San Bernardino
7
Continue on San Bernardino Freeway
9.3 mi·10 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Toward I 10 EastUse the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.1 mi·4 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.2 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.5 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
1.4 mi·1 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.0 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
2.1 mi·2 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
4.0 mi·4 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR
9.0 mi·9 min·I-10 Metro ExpressLanes
Use the slight left lane.
19
Merge onto I 10
14 mi·16 min·San Bernardino Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on I 10
40 mi·44 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Toward Redlands, Palm SpringsUse the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
32 mi·34 min·Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.1 mi·1 min·Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway
23
Continue on I 10
222 mi·3 hr 50 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Continue on I 10
20 mi·22 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
Continue on I 10
0.5 mi·35 sec·Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel
26
Continue on I 10
3.2 mi·3 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10
1.2 mi·1 min·Papago Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Merge onto I 10; US 60
12 mi·14 min·Maricopa Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Continue on I 10
38 mi·38 min·Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Continue on I 10
55 mi·55 min·Casa Grande-Tucson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
31
Continue on I 10
6.1 mi·6 min·North Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 10
43 mi·44 min·Tucson-Benson Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Continue on I 10
88 mi·1 hr 28 min·Benson-Steins Pass Highway
34
Continue on I 10
164 mi·2 hr 47 min·Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway
35
Continue on I 10; US 85; US 180
12 mi·14 min·Camino Real de Tierra Adentro
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 10; US 180
175 mi·2 hr 53 min·I 10; US 180
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
363 mi·5 hr 44 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
40
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
41
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
42
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
43
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
44
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To handle this 1,353.9-mile route effectively, aim to break your journey into three distinct segments to avoid driver fatigue. With six planned stops along the way, use these intervals to refuel and stretch, keeping in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $184. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate through major metro traffic before settling into the long stretches of I-10. Since the route involves such extensive highway travel, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 555.7-mile stretch where services may be spaced further apart. Prioritizing consistent rest stops will make the transition from the Pacific region to the Great Plains much more comfortable.
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.
This drive is better paced as a 3-day trip.
Plan roughly 6 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 676.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 11h 51m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 555.7 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 220 miles or 3h 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 676.9 miles or 11h 51m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 451.3 miles or 8h 1m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 21h 55m
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 Los Angeles, CA 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.
+
Treat this as a 3-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA
Aim for roughly 451 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Keep the middle miles efficient
Aim for roughly 451 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 3
Finish the approach into San Antonio, TX
Aim for roughly 451 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Los Angeles, CA.
This route usually feels better as a 3-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 6 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 555.7 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 29
5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 1352.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0 mi into trip|~0m in|North Main Street
Turn left onto North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
0.3 mi into trip|~0m in|East Aliso Street
Turn right onto East Aliso Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
10.7 mi into trip|~13m in|I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
14.8 mi into trip|~18m in|I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
1352.2 mi into trip|~22h 54m in
Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
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 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$311.18 one way
$622.37 round trip
$5.84/gal25.4 MPG avg474 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$6.02
$320.67
$641.34
premium
$6.18
$329.25
$658.51
diesel
$5.61
$298.92
$597.85
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$311
Hotel (2n)
$160–$280
Meals
$75–$150
Total
$546–$741
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 473.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $142 in charging
· 5 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
406.2
5
$142.16
$64.99
Efficient EV
338.5
3
$118.47
$54.16
EV Truck/SUV
541.6
6
$189.55
$86.65
Gas CO2
474 kg
EV CO2
158 kg (67% less)
This is a long EV road trip requiring 5 charging stops. Plan your route around charger locations and allow extra time for charging.
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 18, 2026
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
Evening
in Los Angeles on Saturday
Local time
6:13 PM
PDT
Current temp
84°F
Sunny
S 5 to 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Evening
in San Antonio on Saturday
Local time
8:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
47°F
Douglas, AZ
677 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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
2 hours later
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
7 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
22h 57m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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.
Joshua Tree National Park
National Park
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds...
19 mi from route
~47 min detour
$30
near mile 140.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a high-speed interstate experience, as 51% of this route is comprised of primary highways. Your journey relies heavily on I-10, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, and the Benson-Steins Pass Highway to connect the West Coast to the heart of Texas. Be prepared for a long haul, as your longest uninterrupted stretch reaches 555.7 miles on I-10 alone. While the road is efficient for covering ground, the character of the drive shifts from coastal California landscapes to the expansive, open terrain of the Southwest. Staying focused is key, as the sheer volume of highway miles defines the steady, rhythmic pace of this long-distance drive.
51% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
44 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 555.7 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
At 22h 57m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 1353.9 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: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Frank Lloyd Wright is said to have quipped, "Tip the world over on its side and everything loose will land in Los Angeles," a quote that has since been repeated both by those who love and hate L.A. The "City of Angels" is home to people who hail from all parts of the globe and an important center of culture, business, media, and international trade. However, it's most famous for being a major center of the world's television, motion picture, and music industry, which forms the base of the city's status and lures visitors for its show business history and celebrity culture. Visitors are also drawn to Los Angeles for its Mediterranean climate and numerous beaches, which gave birth to California's famed surf culture.
Top landmarks
•Hollywood Walk of Fame — more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks...
•Hollywood Sign — sign reading "HOLLYWOOD" located in Los Angeles, California, United States
•Getty Center — campus of the Getty Museum and other programs of the Getty Trust in Los Angeles
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
Long-haul drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 555.7 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 3-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 451 miles on day one.
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 6 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Joshua Tree National Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 23.0 hours each way, a round trip means 45.9 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.
