Origin
Richmond, TX
Morning in Richmond on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Richmond, TX to San Antonio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 15m
Distance
177.3 mi
285 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 4m
★
6 AM
3h 15m
8 AM
3h 39m
10 AM
3h 24m
12 PM
3h 21m
3 PM
3h 25m
5 PM
3h 38m
8 PM
3h 8m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Richmond, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Richmond, TX to San Antonio, TX is 177.3 miles and takes about 3h 15m via I 10, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will keep you primarily on the highway as you travel west across Texas. You'll be moving through the Great Plains region for the entirety of this trip, so expect a consistent landscape. With a recommended one-day duration and a straightforward route, this is a solid option for a quick, direct journey between these two Texas cities.
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
88.6 miles from Richmond, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 41m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 137.7 mi | 2h 18m |
| 36th Division Memorial | 14.9 mi | 22m |
| Commerce Street | 10.7 mi | 12m |
| East Commerce Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Avenue H | 3.1 mi | 4m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| TX 36 | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Jackson Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 137.7 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on US 90 Alt
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Jackson Street
2
Continue on US 90 Alt
3.1 mi
·
4 min
·
Avenue H
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
3
Continue on US 90 Alt; TX 36
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
US Highway 90A West
4
Turn slight right
239 ft
·
4 sec
5
Turn straight onto TX 36
15 mi
·
22 min
·
36th Division Memorial
6
Continue on TX 36
11 mi
·
12 min
·
Commerce Street
7
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 36
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
TX 36
8
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
49 sec
9
Continue on I-10 Frontage Road
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
I-10 Frontage Road
10
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
11
Merge onto I 10
126 mi
·
2 hr 5 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
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.
13
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.
14
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
17
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Houston Street
18
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Commerce Street
19
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
20
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
21
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 15m estimated drive time, leaving in the morning from Richmond, TX, will easily get you to San Antonio with plenty of daylight to spare. Since the longest stretch on I 10 is over 137 miles, plan your single stop strategically for fuel or a quick break before or after that segment. The fuel cost is estimated at $27, so ensure your tank is in good shape before departing. This is a manageable one-day trip, so you have flexibility in when you depart and how often you choose to pause.
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 88.6 miles from Richmond, TX, or about 1h 41m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.7 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 39 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 88.6 miles or 1h 41m 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 38m
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 Richmond, 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 Richmond, TX
This is one driving day of about 177.3 miles and 3h 15m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Richmond, 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 I 10 for about 137.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
89 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 39 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 88.6 miles from Richmond, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 137.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 95 decision points cluster between mile 32 and 177.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
32 mi into trip
|
~45m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
157.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 51m 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.
6
169.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 3m in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
172.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m 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
5
177.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m in
|
Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$26.79 one way
$53.58 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
62 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $29.32 | $58.65 |
| premium | $4.54 | $31.66 | $63.31 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.15 | $78.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.2 | 0 | $18.62 | $8.51 |
| Efficient EV | 44.3 | 0 | $15.51 | $7.09 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 70.9 | 0 | $24.82 | $11.35 |
Gas CO2
62 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (66% 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.
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Morning in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
68°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 5 to 15 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued April 17 at 10:45PM CDT until April 17 at 11:30PM CDT by NWS Norman OK
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 10:38PM CDT until April 18 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo 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
18 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 15m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 80% of your journey on major roadways. You'll spend a significant amount of time on I 10, including one stretch of 137.7 miles without needing to divert. Expect a straightforward driving experience, largely characterized by wide-open Texas terrain. While the primary roads are I 10, 36th Division Memorial, and Commerce Street, the majority of the mileage is on the interstate, making for a relatively consistent pace for most of the 177.3 miles.
80% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 137.7 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and 36th Division Memorial. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32 miles in near I 10.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 177.3 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 32 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.8 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
About the Cities
Starting in Richmond, TX
Full guide →Founded 1837
Top landmarks
- • John M. and Lottie D. Moore House — building in Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas
- • Lamar–Calder House — building in Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas
- • Fort Bend County Courthouse — historic place in Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas
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 15m. Total distance: 177.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 15m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (80%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137.7 miles on I 10. 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.
The main spots that need attention: at 32 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 157.7 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 169.8 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.3 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.5 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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