This 402.5-mile journey from Queen City, TX to San Antonio, TX will take approximately 7 hours and 34 minutes of driving time. It's a manageable one-day trip, though you might consider an overnight stop if you prefer a more relaxed pace. The estimated fuel cost for this drive is around $61. You'll primarily be on roads like the Purple Heart Trail, TX 155, and I-35, with a significant portion of your travel on highways. This route offers a straightforward connection between the Great Plains regions of East Texas and Central Texas, making it a practical choice for reaching your destination without extensive detours.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
201.2 miles from Queen City, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 53m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Queen City, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on FM 74
0.1 mi·17 sec·Houston Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto Loop 236
0.5 mi·1 min·Loop 236
3
Turn left onto US 59
0.7 mi·44 sec·US 59
4
Turn straight onto US 59
2.1 mi·3 min·Loop 59
5
Take the exit onto US 59
0.2 mi·22 sec·US 59
Toward US 59 South, TX 77 West: Marshall, Naples
6
Merge onto US 59; TX77
2.8 mi·3 min·West Main Street
7
Continue on US 59; FM 2328
10 mi·11 min·US 59; FM 2328
8
Turn right onto TX 155
40 mi·45 min·TX 155
9
Turn left onto US 271; TX 155
1.5 mi·1 min·North Wood Street
10
Turn straight onto TX 155
13 mi·15 min·TX 155
11
Turn right onto US 80; TX 155
0.9 mi·1 min·West Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
12
Turn left onto TX 155
13 mi·14 min·TX 155
Use the left lane.
13
Turn right onto US 271; TX 155
4.8 mi·5 min·US Highway 271
14
Turn right onto Loop 323
1.6 mi·2 min·East Northeast Loop 323
15
Continue on Loop 323
4.3 mi·6 min·West Northwest Loop 323
16
Continue on Loop 323
0.6 mi·43 sec·South Southwest Loop 323
17
Turn right onto TX 31
1.6 mi·1 min·Chandler Highway
18
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi·6 min·State Highway 31 West
19
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·East Highway 31
20
Continue on TX 31
21 mi·23 min·State Highway 31 East
21
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
22
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
23
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
24
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft·14 sec
25
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
26
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi·6 min·East Royall Boulevard
27
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·State Highway 31 East
28
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·Northwest 2nd Street
29
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
30
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi·21 min·West State Highway 31
31
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
32
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
33
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi·2 min·East US Highway 84
34
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
35
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi·1 min·East Waco Drive
36
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft·12 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
37
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
38
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi·6 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
40
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
41
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
42
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
43
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
44
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
45
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
46
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.6 mi·41 sec·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
47
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 157AToward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro AvenueUse the slight right lane.
48
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft·17 sec·East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
49
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
50
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft·3 sec·Navarro Street
51
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft·2 sec·Navarro Street
52
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
53
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft·10 sec·West Travis Street
54
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Flores Street
55
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
56
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
57
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of this 7.5-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from Queen City to maximize daylight and allow for two planned stops. Given the 402.5 miles, a single day is feasible, but be mindful of the 99.6-mile stretch on Purple Heart Trail where services might be less frequent. Keep your fuel tank topped up, especially before heading into that longer segment. The $61 fuel estimate is a helpful guide for budgeting, and planning your two stops strategically will ensure you stay refreshed for the highway-focused portions, particularly on I-35 as you approach San Antonio.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 201.2 miles from Queen City, TX, or about 3h 53m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 89 miles or 1h 43m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 201.2 miles or 3h 53m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 25m
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 Queen City, 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.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Queen City, TX
This is one driving day of about 402.5 miles and 7h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 89 miles from Queen City, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 99.6 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 33
5 decision points cluster between mile 162.1 and 401.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
162.1 mi into trip|~3h 10m in|TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Turn left onto TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
320.9 mi into trip|~6h 2m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
7
394.3 mi into trip|~7h 23m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
400.7 mi into trip|~7h 31m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
401.3 mi into trip|~7h 31m in
Take the exit toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
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 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$60.82 one way
$121.64 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg141 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$66.57
$133.14
premium
$4.54
$71.86
$143.73
diesel
$5.61
$88.87
$177.73
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$61
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$86–$111
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
120.8
1
$42.26
$19.32
Efficient EV
100.6
1
$35.22
$16.10
EV Truck/SUV
161
2
$56.35
$25.76
Gas CO2
141 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (67% 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 18, 2026
Origin
Queen City, TX
Afternoon
in Queen City on Sunday
Local time
1:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
1:07 PM
CDT
Current temp
67°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 10 mph1% chanceLive 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.
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
11 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
7h 34m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 222.1
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 402.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for this trip, with 61% of the route utilizing major highways. While much of your time will be spent on faster roads, you'll encounter stretches on the Purple Heart Trail and TX 155. The longest continuous stretch without a major road change is 99.6 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, offering a sustained period of driving. The character of the drive transitions as you move from smaller highways to the broader expanse of I-35, providing a mix of driving experiences.
61% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
57 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and TX 155. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 162.1 miles in near TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass.
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 33 significant decision points across 402.5 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 162.1 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 320.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 394.3 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): 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 7h 34m. Total distance: 402.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 34m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 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 162.1 miles (TX 31 / Corsicana Bypass): Lane positioning matters here; at 320.9 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 394.3 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.6 hours each way, a round trip means 15.2 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.
