Origin
San Antonio, TX
Late night in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Brenham, 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
2h 55m
Distance
147.4 mi
237 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$22
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 44m
★
6 AM
2h 55m
8 AM
3h 18m
10 AM
3h 3m
12 PM
3h 1m
3 PM
3h 4m
5 PM
3h 17m
8 PM
2h 49m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Brenham, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 147.4-mile drive from San Antonio, TX to Brenham, TX takes about 2 hours and 55 minutes and is easily manageable as a single-day trip. You'll spend most of your time on major highways, with nearly 80% of the journey on high-speed roads. The estimated fuel cost for this route is around $22, making it an economical option. Both San Antonio and Brenham are situated within the Great Plains region, so you can expect a consistent landscape throughout your travels. This route is ideal for those looking for a straightforward and efficient 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
73.7 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 18m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 58.3 mi | 58m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| FM 609 | 19.5 mi | 26m |
| TX 237 | 15.6 mi | 23m |
| US Highway 290 West | 13.7 mi | 14m |
| East State Highway 159 | 6.6 mi | 9m |
| East Commerce Street | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| West Travis Street | 2.6 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 58.3 mi, about 58m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Brenham, 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 East
Use 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
58 mi
·
58 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
21 sec
Exit 661
Toward TX 95, FM 609: Flatonia, Smithville
14
Continue on East Interstate 10 Frontage Road
0.4 mi
·
57 sec
·
East Interstate 10 Frontage Road
15
Turn left onto FM 609
20 mi
·
26 min
·
FM 609
16
At end of road, turn right onto TX 71 Bus
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
West Travis Street
17
Turn left onto TX 159
6.6 mi
·
9 min
·
East State Highway 159
18
Continue on TX 237
16 mi
·
23 min
·
TX 237
19
Turn left
488 ft
·
27 sec
20
Turn sharp right onto US 290
14 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 290 West
21
Continue on US 290 Bus
1.6 mi
·
2 min
·
West Main Street
22
Arrive at destination
US 290 Bus
Trip Plan
With a duration of under three hours, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, offering flexibility in your departure time. Consider leaving San Antonio in the morning to maximize your time in Brenham. You'll encounter one primary stop along the way, so plan your breaks accordingly. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without an exit is 58.3 miles on I-10. A good tip is to fill up before leaving San Antonio to ensure you have plenty of gas for the initial highway portion of your journey.
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.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 73.7 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 1h 18m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 58.3 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 32 miles or 36m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 73.7 miles or 1h 18m 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 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Brenham, 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 147.4 miles and 2h 55m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 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 58.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
74 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 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 73.7 miles from San Antonio, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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 125 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 87.2 — 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
5
4.9 mi into trip
|
~8m in
|
I 10; US 90 / Jose Lopez Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 90 / Jose Lopez Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
87.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 31m in
Take the exit toward TX 95, FM 609: Flatonia, Smithville
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 661
Toward TX 95, FM 609: Flatonia, Smithville
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$22.27 one way
$44.54 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
52 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $24.38 | $48.76 |
| premium | $4.54 | $26.32 | $52.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $32.54 | $65.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$22
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$47–$72
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 51.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 44.2 | 0 | $15.48 | $7.08 |
| Efficient EV | 36.9 | 0 | $12.90 | $5.90 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 59 | 0 | $20.64 | $9.43 |
Gas CO2
52 kg
EV CO2
17 kg (67% 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
Brenham, TX
Late night in Brenham on Tuesday
Local time
4:02 AM
CDT
Current temp
88°F
Mostly Sunny
S 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
High Wind Warning
High Wind Warning issued April 16 at 9:52AM MDT until April 17 at 7:00PM MDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Freeze Watch
Freeze Watch issued April 16 at 4:14AM CDT until April 18 at 9:00AM 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
18 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
2h 55m 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...
8 mi from route
~20 min detour
Free
near mile 5.1
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 is primarily highway-focused, with 79% of the route utilizing high-speed roads. You'll experience a significant stretch of 58.3 miles on I-10 without interruption, offering a chance to maintain a steady pace. While the majority of the drive is on major highways, you will also navigate segments of 90th Infantry Division Highway and FM 609, which may offer a slight change in scenery and speed. Overall, expect a driving experience that prioritizes efficiency and smooth progress.
79% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 58.3 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and 90th Infantry Division Highway. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 147.4 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 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.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
649 ft
290 ft
Total Climb
268 ft
Total Descent
578 ft
Highest Point
649 ft
Elevation Range
359 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Brenham, TX, road signs point toward Austin, Waco, Fm 609: Flatonia and Smithville.
Austin
28.8 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 10; TX 130
Waco
28.8 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 10; TX 130
Fm 609: Flatonia
87.2 mi in
|
~1h 31m
Smithville
87.2 mi in
|
~1h 31m
About the Cities
Starting 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
Arriving in Brenham, TX
Full guide →Founded 1844
Brenham is a city in the Post Oak Savannah region of Texas. It is the county seat of Washington, County and is about halfway between Houston and Austin on U.S. Highway 290. Brenham is largely known throughout Texas for its proximity to the Birthplace of Texas (Washington, Texas) and its largest employer, Blue Bell Creameries. Brenham has a humid subtropical climate so expect very hot, humid summers. Conversely, the winters are very mild, and the coldest temperatures of the year rarely get below freezing.
Top landmarks
- • F. W. Schuerenberg House — historic place in Brenham, Washington County, Texas
- • Washington County Courthouse — historic courthouse in Brenham, Washington County, Texas
- • Brenham Downtown Historic District — historic district in Brenham, Washington County, 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 2h 55m. Total distance: 147.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 55m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (79%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 58.3 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
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.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Brenham, 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, 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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