Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Trip from Pasadena, TX to San Antonio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
208.8 mi
336 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 33m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 54m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Pasadena, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Pasadena to San Antonio is 208.8 miles and takes about 3h 45m via I 10, with a fuel budget near $32 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, passing through the Great Plains region for its entirety. With a high highway percentage, you'll find this route to be straightforward and efficient for getting from Point A to Point B. Consider this a practical option for a quick trip, especially if you prefer to cover ground on major roadways.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
104.4 miles from Pasadena, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Katy Freeway | 174.7 mi | 3h 1m |
| I 10 | 12 mi | 12m |
| Gulf Freeway | 7.8 mi | 9m |
| East Commerce Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| La Porte Freeway | 2.2 mi | 2m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| South Main Street | 1.4 mi | 2m |
| East Loop South | 1 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 174.7 mi, about 3h 1m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~2,432 veh/hr typical · worst 3,335
Quietest
2 AM
~346 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
7×
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 Pasadena, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on South Main Street
1.4 mi
·
2 min
·
South Main Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
2
Turn left onto Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
0.5 mi
·
49 sec
·
Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward TX 225 West
Use the left lane.
4
Merge onto TX 225
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
Pasadena Freeway
5
Continue on TX 225
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
La Porte Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 610 West
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
Merge onto I 610
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
East Loop South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 32B
Toward I 45 North, TX 35 South: Alvin, Downtown
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight right at fork
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 45 North: Downtown
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
10
Merge onto I 45
7.8 mi
·
9 min
·
Gulf Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
Exit 48B
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
12
Merge onto I 10; US 90
175 mi
·
3 hr 1 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
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.
14
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.
15
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
18
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Houston Street
19
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Commerce Street
20
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
21
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
22
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
This 208.8-mile drive is easily doable in a single day, so you have flexibility in your departure time. Leaving in the morning will allow you to arrive in San Antonio with plenty of daylight remaining. Since the drive is under four hours, you might only need one quick stop for fuel or a stretch break, with the estimated fuel cost around $32. Keep an eye out for the transition off the Katy Freeway as you approach the longer stretch on I 10.
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 104.4 miles from Pasadena, TX, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 174.7 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 46 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 104.4 miles or 1h 52m 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 2m
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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, TX
This is one driving day of about 208.8 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 miles from Pasadena, 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 174.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
104 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 104.4 miles from Pasadena, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Katy Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 174.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Roady's Truck Stops
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Jud's Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Amigos Country Corner
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Super Travel Center
0.4 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.8 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
1.2 mi from route
Service Plaza
1.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
2.1 mi from route
Spanish Governor's Palace
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12102077527
Visit websiteGO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12102274746
Visit websiteSan Antonio | The Saga
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0 mi from route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9–9:30 pm
+12102259800
Visit websiteHemisfair
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+12107094750
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
Visit websiteThe Amazing Mirror Maze
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+12102242288
Visit websiteSEA LIFE San Antonio
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12106101160
Visit websiteSan Antonio River Lock & Dam
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
+12102271373
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 165 decision points cluster between mile 1.4 and 203.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
1.4 mi into trip
|
~2m in
|
Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
Turn left onto Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
8
6.2 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Take the exit toward I 45 North, TX 35 South: Alvin, Downtown
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 32B
Toward I 45 North, TX 35 South: Alvin, Downtown
8
6.4 mi into trip
|
~9m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 45 North: Downtown
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 45 North: Downtown
7
14.5 mi into trip
|
~19m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / straight lanes.
Exit 48B
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
8
203.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 36m 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
$28.60 one way
$57.20 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
73 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $31.94 | $63.89 |
| premium | $4.23 | $34.73 | $69.46 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $39.43 | $78.85 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 73.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 62.6 | 0 | $21.92 | $10.02 |
| Efficient EV | 52.2 | 0 | $18.27 | $8.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 83.5 | 1 | $29.23 | $13.36 |
Gas CO2
73 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Origin
Pasadena, TX
Night in Pasadena on Monday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy
S 5 to 10 mph
17% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:40PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:36PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Night in San Antonio on Monday
Local time
9:03 PM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 5 to 10 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 7:40PM CDT until July 18 at 10:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 7:36PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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
3h 45m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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 208.8
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend 96% of this 208.8-mile trip on highways, with the longest continuous stretch being 174.7 miles on I 10. Expect a consistent highway cruise for the vast majority of the drive. The profile is mostly highway, so you can anticipate frequent exits and merging traffic typical of major interstates.
96% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 174.7 mi on Katy Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 1.4 miles in near Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 16 significant decision points across 208.8 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 1.4 miles (Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
649 ft
27 ft
Total Climb
745 ft
Total Descent
123 ft
Highest Point
649 ft
~208.8 mi in
Elevation Range
622 ft
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 3h 45m. Total distance: 208.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 174.7 miles on Katy Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 29 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 29 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.4 miles (Pasadena Freeway Frontage Road): Lane positioning matters here; at 6.2 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 6.4 miles: 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.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at San Antonio, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
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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