Traveling from New Waverly to San Antonio covers 242.6 miles and takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes of driving time. Because this journey is relatively short, it is perfectly suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget about $36 for fuel to complete the trip. Both your starting point and destination are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent geographic feel throughout the transit. This route is designed for those who prefer navigating local paths over standard highway travel. Consider this a straightforward, practical link between two Texas locales that prioritizes direct access over high-speed interstate cruising.
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
120.1 miles from New Waverly, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 11m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Katy Freeway
149.1 mi
2h 30m
North Grand Parkway West
37.8 mi
41m
I 45
30 mi
34m
I 10
12 mi
12m
East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
7m
Jose Lopez Freeway
1.6 mi
1m
FM 1375 West
0.8 mi
1m
90th Infantry Division Highway
0.8 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 149.1 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between New Waverly, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on TX 150; FM 1375
87 ft·8 sec·Gibbs Street
2
Turn left onto TX 75; FM 1375
524 ft·10 sec·State Highway 75 South
3
Turn right onto FM 1375
0.5 mi·48 sec·FM 1375 West
Use the right lane.
4
Enter roundabout onto FM 1375
149 ft·2 sec·FM 1375 West
5
Continue on FM 1375
0.2 mi·20 sec·FM 1375 West
6
Enter roundabout onto Interstate 45 Frontage Road
269 ft·5 sec·Interstate 45 Frontage Road
7
Continue on Interstate 45 Frontage Road
0.1 mi·11 sec·Interstate 45 Frontage Road
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·22 sec
9
Merge onto I 45
30 mi·34 min·I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit
1.0 mi·1 min
Exit 71AToward 99 Toll West: Grand ParkwayUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·30 sec
12
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
38 mi·41 min·North Grand Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San AntonioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
15
Merge onto I 10; US 90
149 mi·2 hr 30 min·Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
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.
17
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.
18
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi·1 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 579Toward Commerce Street, Houston StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi·38 sec·Interstate 10 East
21
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Houston Street
22
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi·7 min·East Commerce Street
23
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
24
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
25
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Since this 3 hour and 45 minute drive is manageable in one go, you have the flexibility to depart whenever suits your schedule best. With no mandatory stops built into the route, you can easily pace the drive according to your own energy levels and needs. Keep in mind that the turn-heavy nature of the route may make the drive feel longer than the mileage suggests, so plan for extra time if you are not accustomed to secondary road navigation. Given the $36 fuel cost, it is wise to fill your tank before you leave New Waverly to ensure you are ready for the non-highway terrain ahead. Use the lack of designated stops as an opportunity to scout your own pull-offs if you need a break from the constant turning.
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 120.1 miles from New Waverly, TX, or about 2h 11m 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 53 miles or 1h 1m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 120.1 miles or 2h 11m 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 29m
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 New Waverly, 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 New Waverly, TX
This is one driving day of about 240.2 miles and 4h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 53 miles from New Waverly, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 18
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 235.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|FM 1375 / FM 1375 West
Turn right onto FM 1375 / FM 1375 West
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
7
31.2 mi into trip|~36m in
Take the exit toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 71A
Toward 99 Toll West: Grand Parkway
7
70.3 mi into trip|~1h 20m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Antonio
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 East, I 10 West: Houston, San Anton...
7
70.9 mi into trip|~1h 21m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
8
235.1 mi into trip|~4h 8m 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
$36.29 one way
$72.59 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg84 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$39.73
$79.46
premium
$4.54
$42.89
$85.77
diesel
$5.61
$53.03
$106.07
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$36
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$61–$86
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 84 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
72.1
0
$25.22
$11.53
Efficient EV
60.1
0
$21.02
$9.61
EV Truck/SUV
96.1
1
$33.63
$15.37
Gas CO2
84 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
New Waverly, TX
Morning
in New Waverly on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Morning
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
6:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°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
4 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
4h 17m 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 240.2
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate haul, as this route contains no significant highway segments. Because the highway share is 0%, your focus will remain on secondary roads that demand more active engagement behind the wheel. The journey maintains a consistent, localized rhythm that requires you to pay close attention to turns and transitions. Without long, uninterrupted stretches of freeway, the experience feels more like a regional connector than a high-speed transit corridor. Prepare for a driving experience that favors precision on local roads over the cruise-control ease of major thoroughfares.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 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?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and North Grand Parkway West. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near FM 1375 / FM 1375 West.
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 18 significant decision points across 240.2 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 0.1 miles (FM 1375 / FM 1375 West): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 4h 17m. Total distance: 240.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 17m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). 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.
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 0.1 miles (FM 1375 / FM 1375 West): Lane positioning matters here; at 31.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 70.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.6 hours — manageable with a long break at San Antonio, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
