Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Progreso, TX to San Antonio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 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
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
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.
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.
1
Start on East Palm Avenue
430 ft
·
21 sec
·
East Palm Avenue
2
Turn right onto FM 1015 Spur
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
FM 1015 Spur
3
Turn right onto Gonzalez Road
0.2 mi
·
56 sec
·
Gonzalez Road
4
Turn left onto FM 1015
3.8 mi
·
5 min
·
FM 1015
5
Turn left onto Expressway 83
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Expressway 83
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
32 sec
Toward I 2 West, US 83 West
7
Merge onto I 2; US 83
13 mi
·
14 min
·
I 2; US 83
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
Exit 146A
Toward I 69C North, US 281: Edinburg
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 69C
22 mi
·
23 min
·
I 69C
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on US 281
57 mi
·
1 hr
·
US 281
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 69C; US 281
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Nueces Street
13
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 281
14
Take the exit onto US 281
69 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 141
Toward Commerce Street, Downtown, The Alamo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Interstate 37 South
380 ft
·
11 sec
·
Interstate 37 South
17
Turn left onto East Commerce Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Commerce Street
18
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
19
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
20
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
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.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 56 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
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 checkTop 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.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Basilica Of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle - National Shrine
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
First break
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Juan, Texas
+19567870033
Visit websiteSpanish 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 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.
5
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.
8
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
5
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.
8
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
5
253.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
|
Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$34.78 one way
$69.55 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
89 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $38.84 | $77.69 |
| premium | $4.23 | $42.23 | $84.47 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $47.94 | $95.88 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
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, 2026-07-13.
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.
Origin
Progreso, TX
Late night in Progreso on Sunday
Local time
1:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Cloudy
SE 9 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38AM CDT until July 19 at 6:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM CDT until July 20 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
1:41 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:38AM CDT until July 19 at 6:46PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 4:37AM CDT until July 20 at 12:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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 cooler 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.
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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 245.2
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
649 ft
70 ft
Total Climb
726 ft
Total Descent
147 ft
Highest Point
649 ft
~253.9 mi in
Elevation Range
579 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Progreso, TX
Full guide →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.
Yes — we found about 16 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 16 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
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.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
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, EIA for fuel prices, USGS 3DEP for elevation, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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