If you are planning a trip from Pinehurst to San Antonio, expect a straightforward journey covering 207.8 miles. You can comfortably complete this drive in about 3 hours and 12 minutes, making it an ideal day trip that doesn't require an overnight stay. Your route will primarily utilize the Tomball Parkway, TX 249, and the MCTRA 249 Tollway to navigate out of the Pinehurst area. Budget roughly $32 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the drive is relatively short, you have plenty of flexibility to plan your departure time around your personal schedule.
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
102.8 miles from Pinehurst, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 50m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Katy Freeway
149.1 mi
2h 30m
Grand Parkway
25.5 mi
28m
I 10
12 mi
12m
Tomball Tollway
4.7 mi
5m
East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
7m
MCTRA 249 Tollway
2.4 mi
2m
Jose Lopez Freeway
1.6 mi
1m
Tomball Parkway
1.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 149.1 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Pinehurst, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on FM 1774
0.5 mi·45 sec·Farm to Market Road 1774
2
Continue on FM 1774
1.1 mi·1 min·Tomball Parkway
3
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·25 sec
Toward TX 249 Toll South
4
Merge onto TX 249 Toll
2.4 mi·2 min·MCTRA 249 Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
Continue on TBT
4.7 mi·5 min·Tomball Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.2 mi·27 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway, Boudreaux RoadUse the slight right lane.
7
Turn straight onto TX 249
0.2 mi·19 sec·Tomball Parkway
8
Turn right onto North Grand Parkway West
0.3 mi·34 sec·North Grand Parkway West
9
Take the ramp
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward TX 99 Toll West
10
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
25 mi·28 min·Grand Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East, I 10 West: Houston, San AntonioUse the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight right at fork
0.7 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight right lane.
13
Merge onto I 10; US 90
149 mi·2 hr 30 min·Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
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.
15
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.
16
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi·1 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 579Toward Commerce Street, Houston StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi·38 sec·Interstate 10 East
19
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Houston Street
20
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi·7 min·East Commerce Street
21
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
22
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
23
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 12-minute commute, try to leave during off-peak hours to avoid potential congestion on the tollway segments. You should plan for at least one stop during the journey to stretch your legs and refresh, especially since the route requires more active maneuvering than a standard highway cruise. Keep your $32 fuel budget in mind when planning your refueling stops along the way. Because this is a manageable single-day trip, you don't need to worry about complex overnight logistics. A pro tip for this specific path is to have your toll payment method ready before hitting the MCTRA 249 Tollway to ensure a seamless transition between road types.
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 102.8 miles from Pinehurst, TX, or about 1h 50m 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 45 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 102.8 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 57m
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 Pinehurst, 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 Pinehurst, TX
This is one driving day of about 205.5 miles and 3h 39m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from Pinehurst, 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 8.8 and 200.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
8.8 mi into trip|~11m in
Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway, Boudreaux Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward TX 99 Toll: Grand Parkway, Boudreaux Roa...
7
35.6 mi into trip|~41m 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
36.2 mi into trip|~43m 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
6
186 mi into trip|~3h 14m 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.
8
200.4 mi into trip|~3h 30m 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
$31.05 one way
$62.10 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg72 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$33.99
$67.98
premium
$4.54
$36.69
$73.38
diesel
$5.61
$45.37
$90.74
Estimated Tolls: $0.50
Tomball Tollway
(4.7 mi)$0.33
MCTRA 249 Tollway
(2.4 mi)$0.17
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.9 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
61.7
0
$21.58
$9.86
Efficient EV
51.4
0
$17.98
$8.22
EV Truck/SUV
82.2
1
$28.77
$13.15
Gas CO2
72 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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Pinehurst, TX
Late night
in Pinehurst on Sunday
Local time
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
2:30 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Columbus, TX
103 mi in
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 cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 39m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 205.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Be prepared for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate slog, this path features a mix of local road navigation rather than a high percentage of highway travel. You will navigate through varied terrain as you move toward San Antonio, keeping the driving experience engaging rather than repetitive. While there is no single long, uninterrupted stretch to zone out on, the route remains efficient for the 207.8-mile distance. Expect a dynamic road surface that shifts as you transition from local corridors onto the designated parkway and tollway sections.
93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 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 Grand Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 8.8 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 205.5 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 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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 3h 39m. Total distance: 205.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 39m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (93%). 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.
Expect about $0.50 in tolls one way, starting with Tomball Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 8.8 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 35.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 36.2 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 3.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.3 hours — manageable with a long break at San Antonio, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
