This 203.1-mile drive from San Antonio, TX to Aldine, TX is a straightforward, highway-focused journey that can easily be completed in a single day. Expect to spend about 3 hours and 36 minutes on the road, primarily utilizing I 10 and West Sam Houston Tollway North. With a fuel cost estimated at $31, this route is budget-friendly for a day trip. The drive stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent feel throughout. It's a practical choice if you're looking for an efficient way to get from point A to point B without significant detours.
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
101.6 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
152.5 mi
2h 36m
90th Infantry Division Highway
22.2 mi
23m
West Sam Houston Tollway North
14.5 mi
16m
East Commerce Street
3.5 mi
5m
North Sam Houston Tollway West
2.6 mi
3m
North Sam Houston Parkway West
2.4 mi
2m
Jose Lopez Freeway
1.8 mi
2m
North Sam Houston Parkway East
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 152.5 mi, about 2h 36m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Aldine, TX.
1
Start on Dolorosa Street
143 ft·4 sec·Dolorosa Street
2
Continue on West Market Street
0.4 mi·42 sec·West Market Street
3
Continue on East Market Street
0.4 mi·45 sec·East Market Street
4
Turn left
363 ft·13 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Turn straight onto East Commerce Street
0.7 mi·1 min·East Commerce Street
6
Keep slight left at fork onto East Commerce Street
2.7 mi·4 min·East Commerce Street
7
Turn slight right onto East Houston Street
0.3 mi·30 sec·East Houston Street
8
Turn left onto Interstate 10 East
0.1 mi·11 sec·Interstate 10 East
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·21 sec
Toward I 10 East, US 90 EastUse the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 10; US 90
1.8 mi·2 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10; US 90
22 mi·23 min·90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 10; TX 130
152 mi·2 hr 36 min·I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi·51 sec
Exit 756Toward Sam Houston TollwayUse the slight right lane.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward SHT NorthUse the slight left lane.
15
Merge onto SHT
4.4 mi·5 min·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit onto SHT
0.4 mi·27 sec·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the slight right lane.
17
Merge onto SHT
9.8 mi·11 min·West Sam Houston Tollway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight right at fork onto SHT
2.6 mi·3 min·North Sam Houston Tollway West
Use the slight right lane.
19
Continue on BW 8
2.4 mi·2 min·North Sam Houston Parkway West
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.3 mi·35 sec
Toward HTR SouthUse the slight right lane.
21
Turn straight onto North Sam Houston Parkway East
0.1 mi·11 sec·North Sam Houston Parkway East
22
Continue on North Sam Houston Parkway East
0.4 mi·46 sec·North Sam Houston Parkway East
23
Turn right onto West Hardy Road
0.4 mi·53 sec·West Hardy Road
Use the right lane.
24
Turn left onto FM 525
140 ft·2 sec·Aldine Bender Road
Use the left lane.
25
Arrive at destination
FM 525
Trip Plan
Given the manageable 3-hour and 36-minute duration, this trip works well as a single-day excursion. Aim to depart San Antonio in the morning to make the most of daylight hours. You'll have one primary stretch of 152.5 miles on I 10, so plan your first stop for fuel or a break around that point. The estimated fuel cost of $31 means you can confidently budget for the journey. Keep an eye on traffic conditions, especially as you get closer to the Houston area and Aldine.
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 101.6 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 152.5 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 45 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.6 miles or 1h 47m 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 54m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aldine, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Antonio, 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 San Antonio, TX
This is one driving day of about 203.1 miles and 3h 36m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 miles from San Antonio, 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 152.5 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 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 181.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip|~7m in|Interstate 10 East
Turn left onto Interstate 10 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
4.7 mi into trip|~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East, US 90 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East
7
181.3 mi into trip|~3h 9m in
Take the exit toward Sam Houston Tollway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 756
Toward Sam Houston Tollway
7
181.7 mi into trip|~3h 10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward SHT North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward SHT North
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.69 one way
$61.38 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg71 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$33.59
$67.18
premium
$4.54
$36.26
$72.52
diesel
$5.61
$44.84
$89.68
Estimated Tolls: $1.37
Sam Houston Tollway
(17.1 mi)$1.37
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging
· 0 stops
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
60.9
0
$21.33
$9.75
Efficient EV
50.8
0
$17.77
$8.12
EV Truck/SUV
81.2
1
$28.43
$13.00
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 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.
Forecast as of Apr 17, 2026
Origin
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Aldine, TX
Late night
in Aldine on Sunday
Local time
4:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
86°F
Partly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph5% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 17 at 7:31AM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 7:25AM CDT until April 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo 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
9 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
3h 36m 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.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This route is predominantly a highway experience, with 77% of the journey on major roadways. You'll encounter a significant stretch of 152.5 miles on I 10, which forms the backbone of this trip. While the majority is highway driving, the inclusion of 90th Infantry Division Highway and West Sam Houston Tollway North suggests some variation as you approach your destination. Expect a consistent pace for most of the drive, making it predictable for those who prefer straightforward travel.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 152.5 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and 90th Infantry Division Highway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
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 15 significant decision points across 203.1 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (Interstate 10 East): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Antonio, TX and Aldine, TX, road signs point toward Austin, Waco, Sam Houston Tollway and Sht North.
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 3h 36m. Total distance: 203.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 36m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (77%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 152.5 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $1.37 in tolls one way, starting with Sam Houston Tollway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
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 Aldine, 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (Interstate 10 East): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.2 hours — manageable with a long break at Aldine, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
