Trip from Orange, 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 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

5h 33m

Distance

301.9 mi

486 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$41

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

5h 20m ★

6 AM

5h 33m

8 AM

6h 0m

10 AM

5h 43m

12 PM

5h 40m

3 PM

5h 44m

5 PM

5h 59m

8 PM

5h 25m

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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city in Orange County, Texas, United States

Orange, TX

Wikimedia Commons

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 301.9-mile drive from Orange, TX, to San Antonio, TX, is a manageable one-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 33 minutes. With 91% of the journey on highways, it's a straightforward route primarily utilizing I-10. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $46, making it a budget-friendly option for a single day. You'll be traversing through the Great Plains region for both your origin and destination, suggesting a consistent landscape for much of the drive. This trip is well-suited for those looking to cover ground efficiently.

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

150.9 miles from Orange, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 47m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	246.1 mi	4h 24m
TX 73	26 mi	27m
Edgar Brown Drive	20.6 mi	26m
East Commerce Street	4.3 mi	7m
Jose Lopez Freeway	1.6 mi	1m
Macarthur Drive	1 mi	1m
90th Infantry Division Highway	0.8 mi	<1m
Green Avenue	0.6 mi	1m

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

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 38 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 Orange, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on 7th Street

45 ft · 7 sec · 7th Street

Turn left onto US 90 Bus

0.6 mi · 1 min · Green Avenue

Continue on US 90 Bus; TX 87

1.0 mi · 1 min · Macarthur Drive

Continue on TX 87

21 mi · 26 min · Edgar Brown Drive

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 73

23 mi · 24 min · TX 73

Toward TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston Use the left lane.

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

For this 5-hour and 33-minute drive, leaving early in the morning is your best bet to maximize daylight and minimize potential traffic, especially as you approach San Antonio. With only one recommended stop, plan it strategically for fuel and a break. The longest stretch without a significant road change is over 246 miles on I-10, so be sure to have your fuel topped off before embarking on that segment. Consider bringing snacks and drinks to stay comfortable during the longer highway portions of this Texas journey.

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 150.9 miles from Orange, TX, or about 2h 47m 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 66 miles or 1h 16m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 150.9 miles or 2h 47m 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 31m

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 Orange, 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 Orange, TX

This is one driving day of about 301.9 miles and 5h 33m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 66 miles from Orange, 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

151 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 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 150.9 miles from Orange, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12106101160

Visit website

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 22.3 and 296.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

22.3 mi into trip | ~29m in | TX 73

Keep slight right at fork onto TX 73 toward TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the left lane. Toward TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston

48.3 mi into trip | ~57m in | I 10

Merge onto I 10

Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

282.3 mi into trip | ~5h 8m 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.

294.4 mi into trip | ~5h 21m 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.

296.7 mi into trip | ~5h 24m 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

$41.35 one way

$82.70 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 106 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$46.19	$92.38
premium	$4.23	$50.22	$100.44
diesel	$4.80	$57.00	$114.01

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$41

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$66–$91

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 105.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $32 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	90.6	1	$31.70	$14.49
Efficient EV	75.5	0	$26.42	$12.08
EV Truck/SUV	120.8	1	$42.27	$19.32

Gas CO2

106 kg

EV CO2

35 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 19, 2026

Origin

Orange, TX

Morning in Orange on Sunday

Local time

8:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

94°F

Patchy Fog then Sunny

W 0 to 5 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 6:53AM CDT until July 19 at 8:45AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 19 at 3:32AM CDT until July 20 at 3:04AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Morning in San Antonio on Sunday

Local time

8:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

94°F

Partly Sunny

SSE 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 6:53AM CDT until July 19 at 8:45AM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 19 at 3:32AM CDT until July 20 at 3:04AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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 33m 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 301.9

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 highway-focused drive for the majority of this trip, with 91% of the route on high-speed roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch is a significant 246.1 miles along I-10, meaning you'll have extended periods of consistent driving. You'll begin on TX 73 and Edgar Brown Drive before merging onto the interstate, providing a brief transition before settling into the main highway experience. This profile suggests a journey where maintaining speed is generally possible, with minimal interruptions.

91% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

17 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 TX 73. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 22.3 miles in near TX 73.

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 9 significant decision points across 301.9 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 22.3 miles (TX 73): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 48.3 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 282.3 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

649 ft 4 ft

Total Climb

656 ft

Total Descent

13 ft

Highest Point

649 ft

~301.9 mi in

Elevation Range

645 ft

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.

On the drive from Orange, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Houston along the way.

Houston

22.3 mi in | ~29m | via TX 73

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

El Puente

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Madhatter's Tea House and Cafe

Cafe

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.7 mi from route ~2 min detour

Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.2 mi from route ~3 min detour

San Antonio, TX

One Lucky Duck

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

San Antonio

Visit website

Joe Blues

Cafe

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1 mi from route ~3 min detour

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Cuisine: american

Hours: Mo-Th, Su 08:00-23:00; Fr, Sa 08:00-00:0...

Visit website

Schilo's Delicatessen

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, TX

Cuisine: german

Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-14:30

Visit website

Viva Villa

Fast_food

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio

Cuisine: mexican

Hours: Mo-Th 7:00-21:30; Fr 7:00-23:00; Sa 8:30...

Visit website

Little Italy Restaurant

Restaurant

Around the midpoint, right off the route

0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

Motel 6

Motel

Around the midpoint, right off the route

Halfway reset 0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

Motel 7

Motel

Early in the drive, right off the route

Early stretch 0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

Beauregard House B&B

Guest_house

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.6 mi from route ~2 min detour

Schulenburg RV Campground

Caravan_site

Later in the drive, right off the route

Final third 0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

Fiesta Bed and Breakfast

Guest_house

Near the end, short detour

Home stretch 1.5 mi from route ~4 min detour

Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.

About the Cities

Starting in Orange, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1830

Orange is in the Bayous region of East Texas. It is on the Sabine River, which is the border between Texas and Louisiana.

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 33m. Total distance: 301.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 33m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (91%). 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 5.6 hours each way, a round trip means 11.1 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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