Origin
Orange, TX
Late night in Orange on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
82°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Orange, TX to San Antonio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 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
$46
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
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.
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
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Orange, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on 7th Street
45 ft
·
7 sec
·
7th Street
2
Turn left onto US 90 Bus
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Green Avenue
3
Continue on US 90 Bus; TX 87
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Macarthur Drive
4
Continue on TX 87
21 mi
·
26 min
·
Edgar Brown Drive
5
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 73
23 mi
·
24 min
·
TX 73
Toward TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston
Use the left lane.
6
Turn straight onto TX 73
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 73
7
Merge onto I 10
234 mi
·
4 hr 11 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
13
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Houston Street
14
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Commerce Street
15
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
16
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
17
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
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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 66 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 246.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 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.
8
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
5
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.
6
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.
6
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.
8
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
$45.62 one way
$91.24 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
106 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $49.93 | $99.86 |
| premium | $4.54 | $53.90 | $107.80 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $66.66 | $133.31 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$46
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$71–$96
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, 2026-04-13.
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.
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
5:35 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°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
12 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 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.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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
About the Cities
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.
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 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.
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, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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