Trip from Progreso, TX to San Antonio, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 44m

Distance

253.9 mi

409 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$38

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 41 min

4 AM

4h 31m ★

6 AM

4h 45m

8 AM

5h 12m

10 AM

4h 54m

12 PM

4h 51m

3 PM

4h 55m

5 PM

5h 10m

8 PM

4h 37m

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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Progreso, TX

Thomas balabaud

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 253.9-mile drive from Progreso, TX to San Antonio, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. You'll spend about 4 hours and 44 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing US 281 and I-69C, with a small portion on Nueces Street. With 93% of the route on highways, it’s designed for efficient travel, making it an ideal day trip. Expect your fuel costs to be around $38, and plan for at least one stop along the way. This route keeps you within the Great Plains region throughout your travels.

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

127 miles from Progreso, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 281	126.1 mi	2h 12m
I 69C	92 mi	1h 43m
Nueces Street	14.7 mi	18m
I 2	12.9 mi	14m
FM 1015	3.8 mi	5m
FM 1015 Spur	1.1 mi	2m
East Commerce Street	0.9 mi	1m
Expressway 83	0.7 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 281 — 126.1 mi, about 2h 12m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Progreso, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on East Palm Avenue

430 ft · 21 sec · East Palm Avenue

Turn right onto FM 1015 Spur

1.1 mi · 2 min · FM 1015 Spur

Turn right onto Gonzalez Road

0.2 mi · 56 sec · Gonzalez Road

Turn left onto FM 1015

3.8 mi · 5 min · FM 1015

Turn left onto Expressway 83

0.7 mi · 1 min · Expressway 83

Take the ramp

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Toward I 2 West, US 83 West

Merge onto I 2; US 83

13 mi · 14 min · I 2; US 83

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min

Exit 146A Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 69C

22 mi · 23 min · I 69C

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on US 281

57 mi · 1 hr · US 281

Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281

70 mi · 1 hr 19 min · I 69C; US 281

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281

15 mi · 18 min · Nueces Street

Continue on US 281

0.2 mi · 15 sec · US 281

Take the exit onto US 281

69 mi · 1 hr 11 min · US 281

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 33 sec

Exit 141 Toward Commerce Street, Downtown, The Alamo Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto Interstate 37 South

380 ft · 11 sec · Interstate 37 South

Turn left onto East Commerce Street

0.9 mi · 1 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

Given the 4 hour and 44 minute estimated drive time, starting your journey in Progreso, TX, in the morning is your best bet for a comfortable day trip to San Antonio. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost of approximately $38, you have flexibility in when and where you choose to break up the drive. Keep in mind the longest stretch is over 126 miles on US 281, so plan your fuel and rest stops accordingly, perhaps around the halfway point. This route is designed for efficiency, so you can focus on reaching your destination without significant delays.

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 127 miles from Progreso, TX, or about 2h 23m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 126.1 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 56 miles or 1h 6m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 127 miles or 2h 23m 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 55m

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 Progreso, 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 Progreso, TX

This is one driving day of about 253.9 miles and 4h 44m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 56 miles from Progreso, 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 US 281 for about 126.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Alice, TX

127 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.

Popular next leg

Alice, TX to San Antonio, TX

125.5 mi · 2h 22m

Pacing Suggestions

Doolittle, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Alice, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 127 miles from Progreso, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 126.1 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour mile 253.9

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+12102271373

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 6.1 and 253.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6.1 mi into trip | ~11m in | I 2; US 83

Merge onto I 2; US 83

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

18.9 mi into trip | ~25m in

Take the exit toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg

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 146A Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg

183.8 mi into trip | ~3h 30m in | US 281

Take the exit onto US 281

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

252.6 mi into trip | ~4h 41m in

Take the exit toward Commerce Street, Downtown, The Alamo

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 141 Toward Commerce Street, Downtown, The Alamo

253.9 mi into trip | ~4h 44m in | Dolorosa Street

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$38.36 one way

$76.73 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 89 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.20	$41.99	$83.99
premium	$4.54	$45.33	$90.66
diesel	$5.61	$56.06	$112.12

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$38

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$63–$88

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 88.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	76.2	0	$26.66	$12.19
Efficient EV	63.5	0	$22.22	$10.16
EV Truck/SUV	101.6	1	$35.55	$16.25

Gas CO2

89 kg

EV CO2

30 kg (66% less)

Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.

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

Progreso, TX

Late night in Progreso on Sunday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

89°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Late night in San Antonio on Sunday

Local time

2:33 AM

CDT

Current temp

90°F

Partly Sunny

SSE 10 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 4:16PM CDT until April 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX

Red Flag Warning

Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 4:16PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM 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

1 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

4h 44m 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.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive offers a predominantly highway experience, with 93% of the 253.9 miles on major roads. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 126.1 miles on US 281 without interruption, which forms the backbone of this journey. While largely efficient, the highway focus means it's less about winding scenic byways and more about covering ground. The character is consistent, offering a predictable driving experience as you make your way north through Texas.

93% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 126.1 mi on US 281.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 and I 69C. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 6.1 miles in near I 2; US 83.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 253.9 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 6.1 miles (I 2; US 83): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 18.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 183.8 miles (US 281): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

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 4h 44m. Total distance: 253.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 44m 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 126.1 miles on US 281. 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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.5 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.

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Explore More

Explore more options from Progreso, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.

Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.

Trip from Progreso, TX to San Antonio, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Nearby Places

Basilica Of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle - National Shrine

Spanish Governor's Palace

GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises

San Antonio | The Saga

Hemisfair

San Antonio Fire Museum

The Amazing Mirror Maze

SEA LIFE San Antonio

San Antonio River Lock & Dam

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Progreso, TX

San Antonio, TX

Same local time

1 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 44m on the road

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

About the Cities

Arriving in San Antonio, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

Continue From San Antonio, TX

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