Medina County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Cienegas Terrace, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 9m
Distance
157.9 mi
254 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$24
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 58m
★
6 AM
3h 10m
8 AM
3h 33m
10 AM
3h 18m
12 PM
3h 15m
3 PM
3h 19m
5 PM
3h 32m
8 PM
3h 3m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Cienegas Terrace, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
San Antonio to Cienegas Terrace is 157.9 miles and takes about 3h 9m via West US Highway 90, with a fuel budget near $24 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Expect a straightforward trip with a high percentage of highway driving, making it efficient for a single-day excursion. It’s a practical option if you need to get from point A to point B without much fuss.
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
78.9 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 33m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West US Highway 90 | 62.8 mi | 1h 11m |
| US Highway 90 West | 37.7 mi | 43m |
| East Military Highway | 24.6 mi | 28m |
| Cleto Rodriguez Freeway | 12.5 mi | 14m |
| US Highway 90 East | 5.3 mi | 6m |
| East Main Street | 4.9 mi | 5m |
| 19th Street | 2.1 mi | 3m |
| Cienegas Road | 1.8 mi | 4m |
Longest stretch:
West US Highway 90
— 62.8 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Cienegas Terrace, TX.
1
Start on Dolorosa Street
143 ft
·
4 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
2
Continue on West Market Street
510 ft
·
13 sec
·
West Market Street
3
Turn right onto South Saint Mary's Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Saint Mary's Street
4
Turn right onto South Alamo Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Alamo Street
5
Turn left onto Spur 536
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Probandt Street
6
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 10 West
7
Merge onto I 10; US 87; US 90
0.6 mi
·
39 sec
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Continue on US 90
13 mi
·
14 min
·
Cleto Rodriguez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on US 90
25 mi
·
28 min
·
West US Highway 90
10
Continue on US 90
2.1 mi
·
3 min
·
19th Street
11
Continue on US 90
38 mi
·
43 min
·
US Highway 90 West
12
Continue on US 90
4.9 mi
·
5 min
·
East Main Street
13
Continue on US 90
37 mi
·
42 min
·
West US Highway 90
14
Continue on US 90
25 mi
·
28 min
·
East Military Highway
15
Continue on US 90
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
US Highway 90 East
16
Continue on US 90
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Gibbs Street
17
Turn left onto Avenue T
409 ft
·
18 sec
·
Avenue T
18
Continue on Lionel Martinez Boulevard
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Lionel Martinez Boulevard
19
Continue on Cienegas Road
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
Cienegas Road
20
At end of road, turn right onto Park Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Park Drive
21
Turn right onto Mesa Drive
0.3 mi
·
1 min
·
Mesa Drive
22
Arrive at destination
Mesa Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3h 9m estimated drive time, leaving San Antonio in the morning is ideal to maximize daylight and avoid any potential late-day traffic. With only one recommended stop and a relatively short distance, you have flexibility in pacing your trip. Keep an eye on fuel, especially during the 62.8-mile stretch on West US Highway 90, as services might be less frequent. The $24 fuel cost estimate is based on average prices, so adjust as needed for current conditions before you depart.
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 78.9 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 1h 33m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.8 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 35 miles or 42m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 78.9 miles or 1h 33m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cienegas Terrace, 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 157.9 miles and 3h 9m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 35 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 West US Highway 90 for about 62.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
79 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 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 78.9 miles from San Antonio, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before West US Highway 90 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 62.8 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Nearby Places
Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Spanish Governor's Palace
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.1 mi from route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12102077527
Visit websiteGO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
4.6
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12102274746
Visit websiteSan Antonio | The Saga
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0 mi from route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9–9:30 pm
+12102259800
Visit websiteHemisfair
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+12107094750
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
4.9
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
Visit websiteThe Amazing Mirror Maze
4.4
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+12102242288
Visit websiteSEA LIFE San Antonio
4.1
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12106101160
Visit websiteSan Antonio River Lock & Dam
4.7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–10 pm
+12102271373
Visit websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 85 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 157.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
South Saint Mary's Street
Turn right onto South Saint Mary's Street
Navigation decision point
3
0.7 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
South Alamo Street
Turn right onto South Alamo Street
Navigation decision point
5
2.6 mi into trip
|
~5m in
|
I 10; US 87; US 90 / Jose Lopez Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 87; US 90 / Jose Lopez Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
4
154.9 mi into trip
|
~3h in
|
Avenue T
Turn left onto Avenue T
Navigation decision point
4
157.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m in
|
Park Drive
At end of road, turn right onto Park Drive
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$23.86 one way
$47.72 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
55 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $26.12 | $52.23 |
| premium | $4.54 | $28.19 | $56.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $34.86 | $69.72 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$24
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$49–$74
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 55.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 47.4 | 0 | $16.58 | $7.58 |
| Efficient EV | 39.5 | 0 | $13.82 | $6.32 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 63.2 | 0 | $22.11 | $10.11 |
Gas CO2
55 kg
EV CO2
18 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.
Origin
San Antonio, TX
Morning in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
9:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 15 to 20 mph
90% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 10:58PM CDT until April 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 10:55PM CDT until April 19 at 9:00AM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Destination
Cienegas Terrace, TX
Morning in Cienegas Terrace on Sunday
Local time
9:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
56°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
NNE 5 mph
18% chance
Live forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 18 at 10:58PM CDT until April 19 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Amarillo TX
Freeze Warning
Freeze Warning issued April 18 at 10:55PM CDT until April 19 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
2 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 9m 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...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
View on nps.gov
Amistad National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-b...
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 157.9
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is mostly highway, with 75% of the 157.9 miles on paved roads. You'll experience a longest stretch of 62.8 miles on West US Highway 90, offering a good opportunity for steady cruising. As you get closer to Cienegas Terrace, expect the transition from highway to surface roads to become more apparent. The majority of the drive is on US Highway 90 West.
75% 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: 62.8 mi on West US Highway 90.
How Hard Is This Drive?
2/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on West US Highway 90 and US Highway 90 West. Navigation is very simple - set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near South Saint Mary's Street.
Driving Effort
2/10
Very easy - short and simple to drive
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The drive from San Antonio, TX to Cienegas Terrace, TX is easy. At 3h 9m with 75% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (South Saint Mary's Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (South Alamo Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 10; US 87; US 90 / Jose Lopez Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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
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 9m. Total distance: 157.9 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 9m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (75%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 62.8 miles on West US Highway 90. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 2 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
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 0.1 miles (South Saint Mary's Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.7 miles (South Alamo Street): Navigation decision point; at 2.6 miles (I 10; US 87; US 90 / Jose Lopez Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Amistad National Recreation Area. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.2 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Cienegas Terrace, 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, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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