Traveling from Panhandle to San Antonio covers 508 miles and takes approximately 8 hours and 4 minutes of pure driving time. Because this journey is quite lengthy for a single day, we strongly recommend planning for at least 2 days on the road to keep your transit manageable. You will traverse the heart of the Great Plains, keeping your total estimated fuel costs around $76. Navigating this path requires moving through local corridors like Main Street, West Broadway Street, and Highway 60. Before heading out, consider whether you prefer a direct push or a relaxed pace that allows for two planned stops along the way.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
267.5 miles from Panhandle, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 39m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
103.7 mi
1h 43m
US Highway 84
73.9 mi
1h 14m
I 10
71.7 mi
1h 14m
Grassmeyer Street
41.9 mi
44m
US 83
40 mi
38m
State Highway 153
29.5 mi
33m
Ellis Street
29.4 mi
31m
East Highway 84
26.9 mi
26m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 103.7 mi, about 1h 43m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Panhandle, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on East 5th Street
95 ft·9 sec·East 5th Street
2
Turn left onto Main Street
0.2 mi·33 sec·Main Street
3
Turn right onto TX 207; FM 293
0.1 mi·12 sec·West Broadway Street
4
Turn straight onto TX 207; FM 293
0.3 mi·29 sec·TX 207; FM 293
5
Turn right onto US 60
16 mi·16 min·West US Highway 60
6
Continue on I 40 Business; US Historic 66; US 60
6.0 mi·6 min·East Amarillo Boulevard
7
Turn left
194 ft·5 sec
8
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
9
Merge onto Loop 335
1.8 mi·2 min·North Lakeside Drive
10
Take the exit
246 ft·6 sec
11
Turn slight right onto US 287 Hist
0.5 mi·56 sec·East Interstate Drive
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·27 sec
13
Merge onto I 40; US 287
4.3 mi·5 min·I 40; US 287
14
Take the exit onto US 287
470 ft·8 sec·US 287
Exit 70Toward I 27 South, US 87, US 60, US 287 North: Canyon, Lubbock, Dumas, Pampa, Downtown
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Exit 70Toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Canyon, LubbockUse the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi·14 min·Canyon Expressway
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 27
104 mi·1 hr 43 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
18
Take the exit
0.2 mi·24 sec
Exit 536BToward Loop 289
19
Turn straight onto North Interstate 27
0.5 mi·1 min·North Interstate 27
20
Turn left onto North Loop 289
0.2 mi·24 sec·North Loop 289
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
22
Merge onto Loop 289
7.5 mi·8 min·Loop 289
23
Take the exit
421 ft·10 sec
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
24
Keep slight right at fork
233 ft·5 sec
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
25
Turn straight onto Southeast Loop 289
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southeast Loop 289
26
Turn right onto Spur 331
1.9 mi·2 min·Southeast Drive
27
Merge onto US 84
0.2 mi·13 sec·Slaton Road
28
Continue on US 84
6.9 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
29
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
30
Continue on US 84
20 mi·20 min·East Highway 84
31
Continue on US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
32
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·16 sec·East 15th Street
33
Turn right onto TX 207
0.4 mi·37 sec·Ralls Road
34
Turn straight onto TX 207
1.1 mi·2 min·North Avenue F
35
At end of road, turn left onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US Highway 84
36
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
6.5 mi·6 min·US 84
Toward I 20 East, US 84 East: Abilene
37
Take the exit
0.1 mi·18 sec
Exit 244Toward SH 70 South, SH 70 Business: Sweetwater, San Angelo
38
Turn slight left onto Southwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Southwest Georgia Avenue
39
Turn right onto TX 70
0.7 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
40
Continue on TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
41
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
42
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
43
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·TX 158
44
At end of road, turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
45
Turn left onto US 83
17 mi·18 min·South 7th Street
Use the left lane.
46
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Grassmeyer Street
47
Continue on US 83
29 mi·31 min·Ellis Street
48
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi·38 min·US 83
Toward I 10 East: San AntonioUse the left lane.
49
Continue on I 10
54 mi·54 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
50
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
51
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
52
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
53
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
54
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
55
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
56
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 508-mile trip, aim to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight hours for your two planned stops. Since you are navigating local roads rather than interstates, factor in extra time for traffic signals and slower speed zones that naturally occur when driving through town centers. Budgeting $76 for fuel is a solid baseline, but keep a little extra set aside for potential price fluctuations in smaller, more remote regions. If you choose to split the trip over 2 days, look for lodging options near the midpoint to ensure you aren't rushing the final leg. Above all, prioritize checking your fuel levels before leaving smaller towns, as relying on local roads can sometimes lead to longer distances between reliable service stations.
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 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 267.5 miles from Panhandle, TX, or about 4h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 103.7 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 118 miles or 2h 4m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 267.5 miles or 4h 39m 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 267.5 miles or 4h 39m
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 8h 18m
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 Panhandle, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Panhandle, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Antonio, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 4.7 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 118 miles from Panhandle, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 103.7 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 37
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.8 and 533.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
29.8 mi into trip|~33m in|US 287
Take the exit onto US 287 toward I 27 South, US 87, US 60, US 287 North: Canyon, Lubbock, Dumas, Pampa, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 70
Toward I 27 South, US 87, US 60, US 287 North:...
9
29.9 mi into trip|~33m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Canyon, Lubbock
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 70
Toward I 27 South, US 87 South, US 60 West: Can...
6
155.9 mi into trip|~2h 44m in
Keep slight right at fork toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Toward Spur 331: Southeast Drive
8
420 mi into trip|~7h 24m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
8
533.3 mi into trip|~9h 19m 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
$80.84 one way
$161.68 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg187 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$88.49
$176.97
premium
$4.54
$95.52
$191.04
diesel
$5.61
$118.12
$236.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 187.2 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
160.5
1
$56.18
$25.68
Efficient EV
133.8
1
$46.81
$21.40
EV Truck/SUV
214
2
$74.90
$34.24
Gas CO2
187 kg
EV CO2
63 kg (66% 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 Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Panhandle, TX
Night
in Panhandle on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Night
in San Antonio on Saturday
Local time
9:51 PM
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.
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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
24 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
9h 22m 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.
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...
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
27 mi from route
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 479.6
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a grounded, steady experience as you transition across the Texas landscape. Since the route relies on local roads rather than interstate highways, you will experience a 0% highway share, meaning the pace remains consistent with surface street travel. You should prepare for a drive that emphasizes steady, long-distance stamina rather than high-speed interstate cruising. The character of the road stays true to the Great Plains, offering an uninterrupted feel as you navigate through the various town centers and rural stretches. Staying alert is essential, as the lack of highway infrastructure means you will be managing road transitions and local traffic patterns for the entire duration.
59% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
56 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 103.7 mi on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
At 9h 22m, 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 around 29.8 miles in near US 287.
Driving Effort10/10
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 37 significant decision points across 535 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 29.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Panhandle, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Lubbock, Dumas, Pampa, Downtown, Loop 289 and Sh 70 South - among others.
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 103.7 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 268 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.8 miles (US 287): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 155.9 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 9.4 hours each way, a round trip means 18.8 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.
