Origin
Round Rock, TX
Late night in Round Rock on Tuesday
Local time
4:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
63°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Round Rock, 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
1h 51m
Distance
97.3 mi
157 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 43m
★
6 AM
1h 51m
8 AM
2h 7m
10 AM
1h 57m
12 PM
1h 55m
3 PM
1h 58m
5 PM
2h 7m
8 PM
1h 46m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Round Rock, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Round Rock to San Antonio is 97.3 miles and takes about 1h 51m via Purple Heart Trail and Interstate Highway 35, with a fuel budget near $15 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, passing through the Great Plains region on both ends. Much of the route utilizes surface roads, offering a more local feel compared to interstate-only trips. With only 19% of the drive on highways, you'll likely experience more frequent stops and slower speeds, making it a relaxed, day-trip option.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.7 miles from Round Rock, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 54m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 76.5 mi | 1h 23m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 17 mi | 20m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| North Main Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| Round Rock Avenue | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| North Interstate 35 | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| North Flores Street | 0.2 mi | <1m |
| West Liberty Avenue | 0.1 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 76.5 mi, about 1h 23m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Round Rock, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on South Mays Street
467 ft
·
18 sec
·
South Mays Street
2
Turn left onto West Liberty Avenue
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
West Liberty Avenue
3
At end of road, turn right onto Round Rock Avenue
0.4 mi
·
52 sec
·
Round Rock Avenue
4
Turn sharp left onto North Interstate 35
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Interstate 35
5
Turn straight
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Toward I 35 South
6
Merge onto I 35
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
8
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Use the slight left lane.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
14
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
15
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
16
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Navarro Street
17
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft
·
2 sec
·
Navarro Street
18
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
19
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Travis Street
20
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Flores Street
21
Continue on 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
Given the relatively short 1h 51m drive time, you have flexibility in when you depart. Leaving Round Rock mid-morning should allow you to avoid rush hour traffic around Austin and arrive in San Antonio with plenty of daylight. Since the route is mostly surface roads, plan for potential delays at intersections, especially if you encounter local events. Your estimated fuel cost is around $15, so ensure your tank is full before leaving Round Rock. With minimal highway driving, you won't need to worry about long stretches without services, but keep an eye out for gas stations along the Purple Heart Trail.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.7 miles from Round Rock, TX, or about 54m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 76.5 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 21 miles or 24m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.7 miles or 54m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 28m
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 Round Rock, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Round Rock, TX
This is one driving day of about 97.3 miles and 1h 51m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Round Rock, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 76.5 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
49 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 21 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 48.7 miles from Round Rock, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 76.5 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 165 decision points cluster between mile 15.7 and 96.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
15.7 mi into trip
|
~18m 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
89.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 39m 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
95.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m 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
96.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m 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...
6
96.4 mi into trip
|
~1h 48m in
|
North Main Avenue
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$14.70 one way
$29.40 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
34 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $16.09 | $32.19 |
| premium | $4.54 | $17.37 | $34.74 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $21.48 | $42.97 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 29.2 | 0 | $10.22 | $4.67 |
| Efficient EV | 24.3 | 0 | $8.51 | $3.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 38.9 | 0 | $13.62 | $6.23 |
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% 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
Late night in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
4:40 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live 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
7 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
1h 51m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend most of your time on surface roads, with only about 19% of the 97.3 miles on highways. The longest continuous stretch on a single road is 76.5 miles along the Purple Heart Trail. Expect to encounter a denser pattern of exits and intersections as you transition between the Purple Heart Trail and North Pan Am Expressway before merging onto Interstate Highway 35. The shift from primarily surface roads to highway driving will be noticeable.
Only 19% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 76.5 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.7 miles in near I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 97.3 miles you will encounter 16 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 15.7 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 89.2 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.6 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
About the Cities
Starting in Round Rock, TX
Full guide →Round Rock is a city in the Central Hill Country region of Texas, 19 miles north of downtown Austin.
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 1h 51m. Total distance: 97.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
1h 51m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 76.5 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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.
Yes. At under 2 hours behind the wheel, this works well for families — plan one quick stop if you have younger kids.
The main spots that need attention: at 15.7 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 89.2 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 95.6 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at San Antonio, TX before heading back.
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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