Trip from Nederland, TX to San Antonio, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 14m

Distance

284.5 mi

458 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 1m ★

6 AM

5h 14m

8 AM

5h 41m

10 AM

5h 24m

12 PM

5h 21m

3 PM

5h 25m

5 PM

5h 40m

8 PM

5h 6m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Download GPX

Nederland, TX

Job1505 De waal

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Nederland to San Antonio covers 289 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. Since the entire journey remains within the Texas Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the trip. Budgeting roughly $43 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the road ahead. Given the duration, this route works perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination by the afternoon if you depart early. While the trip is manageable in one go, you should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the drive. It is a straightforward trek that avoids the need for an overnight split, making it an efficient choice for travelers.

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

142.2 miles from Nederland, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	246.1 mi	4h 24m
H O Mills Highway	19.8 mi	20m
East Commerce Street	4.3 mi	7m
TX 73	3.3 mi	3m
FM 365	3.2 mi	4m
Jade Avenue	1.8 mi	4m
Nederland Avenue	1.6 mi	3m
Jose Lopez Freeway	1.6 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 246.1 mi, about 4h 24m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 76 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

12a 6a noon 6p 11p

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 Nederland, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on Boston Avenue

61 ft · 7 sec · Boston Avenue

Turn left onto North 14th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · North 14th Street

Turn right onto Nederland Avenue

1.6 mi · 3 min · Nederland Avenue

Turn left onto Memorial Boulevard

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Memorial Boulevard

Take the ramp

473 ft · 11 sec

Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur

Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287

0.4 mi · 25 sec · South Memorial Freeway

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec

Toward FM 365: Port Neches, Fannett

Turn straight onto Memorial Boulevard

297 ft · 5 sec · Memorial Boulevard

Turn slight right

342 ft · 13 sec

Turn straight onto FM 365

3.2 mi · 4 min · FM 365

Use the left lane.

Turn left onto Jade Avenue

1.8 mi · 4 min · Jade Avenue

Turn right onto TX 73

20 mi · 20 min · H O Mills Highway

Turn straight onto TX 73

3.3 mi · 3 min · TX 73

Merge onto I 10

234 mi · 4 hr 11 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

Continue on I 10; US 90

1.6 mi · 1 min · Jose Lopez Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Exit 579 Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Interstate 10 East

Turn right onto East Houston Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · East Houston Street

Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street

4.3 mi · 7 min · East Commerce Street

Turn left onto Military Plaza

392 ft · 15 sec · Military Plaza

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

327 ft · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street

Arrive at destination

Dolorosa Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4 hour and 20 minute journey, try to leave Nederland early in the morning to avoid any potential congestion on local streets. Since you are navigating local roads rather than interstates, factor in extra time for traffic signals and turns when planning your arrival in San Antonio. With only one recommended stop, use that break strategically to refuel and grab a snack, keeping your $43 fuel budget in mind for the total trip. The flexibility of a single-day trip is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace based on how you feel behind the wheel. Stay alert on North 14th Street, as the lack of long, straight stretches makes it essential to stay focused on your navigation from the very start.

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 142.2 miles from Nederland, TX, or about 2h 38m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.1 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 63 miles or 1h 13m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 142.2 miles or 2h 38m 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 16m

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 Nederland, 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 Nederland, TX

This is one driving day of about 284.5 miles and 5h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Nederland, 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 I 10 for about 246.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houston, TX

142 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

Houston, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.2 miles from Nederland, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+12102271373

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 16

5 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 279.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North 14th Street

Turn left onto North 14th Street

Navigation decision point

2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South:...

265 mi into trip | ~4h 50m 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.

277 mi into trip | ~5h 2m 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.

279.4 mi into trip | ~5h 5m 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

$38.97 one way

$77.94 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$43.53	$87.05
premium	$4.23	$47.32	$94.65
diesel	$4.80	$53.72	$107.44

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$39

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$64–$89

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	85.4	1	$29.87	$13.66
Efficient EV	71.1	0	$24.89	$11.38
EV Truck/SUV	113.8	1	$39.83	$18.21

Gas CO2

100 kg

EV CO2

33 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 20, 2026

Origin

Nederland, TX

Late night in Nederland on Tuesday

Local time

5:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

96°F

Sunny

W 5 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 20 at 8:37AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 20 at 8:34AM CDT until July 22 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Late night in San Antonio on Tuesday

Local time

5:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

96°F

Sunny

S 5 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 20 at 8:37AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 20 at 8:34AM CDT until July 22 at 4:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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

Very similar conditions

Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.

Road read

5h 14m 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 284.5

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

Expect a turn-heavy, local-focused experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate through local thoroughfares like North 14th Street, Nederland Avenue, and Memorial Boulevard to reach your destination. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on North 14th Street is zero miles, you should be prepared for frequent turns and constant engagement with the road. The personality of this drive is distinctly technical, requiring your full attention as you transition between local segments. This is not a monotonous highway haul; instead, it is a hands-on journey that demands patience and steady navigation.

90% 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: 246.1 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and H O Mills Highway. 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 14th Street.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 284.5 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 14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

663 ft -1 ft

Total Climb

702 ft

Total Descent

72 ft

Highest Point

663 ft

~272.6 mi in

Elevation Range

664 ft

About the Cities

Starting in Nederland, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1897

Nederland is a small city in Southeast Texas, USA. It is a part of an area called "The Golden Triangle".

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 5h 14m. Total distance: 284.5 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 14m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (90%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 246.1 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 40 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 40 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

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 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.5 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.

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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Explore More

Explore more options from Nederland, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Nederland, TX to San Antonio, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-10

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

Chambers County Westbound Rest Area

Chambers County Eastbound Rest Area

Road Ranger

TA

Love's Travel Stop

Flying J Travel Center

Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area

Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area

Buc-ee's

Road Ranger

Roady's Truck Stops

Buc-ee's

Buc-ee's

Flying J Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Pilot Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

Service Plaza

QuikTrip

QuikTrip

Petro Stopping Centers

Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area

Colorado County Westbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Jud's Travel Center

Amigos Country Corner

TA

Love's Travel Stop

TA

Service Plaza

Super Travel Center

Flying J Travel Center

Love's Travel Stop

Love's Travel Stop

Pilot Travel Center

Service Plaza

Spanish Governor's Palace

GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises

San Antonio | The Saga

Hemisfair

San Antonio Fire Museum

The Amazing Mirror Maze

SEA LIFE San Antonio

San Antonio River Lock & Dam

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Nederland, TX

San Antonio, TX

Same local time

Very similar conditions

5h 14m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in Nederland, TX

Arriving in San Antonio, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?