Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Colorado City, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 58m
Distance
282.7 mi
455 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 45m
★
6 AM
4h 59m
8 AM
5h 26m
10 AM
5h 8m
12 PM
5h 6m
3 PM
5h 10m
5 PM
5h 24m
8 PM
4h 51m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Colorado City, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
San Antonio to Colorado City is 282.7 miles and takes about 4h 58m via I 10, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route spans the Great Plains, offering a straightforward journey across Texas. You'll primarily be on I 10 for a significant portion of the drive, making it a practical choice for a single-day trip. The relatively short duration and manageable distance mean you can complete this drive without needing an overnight stay, focusing instead on reaching your destination efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
141.3 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 26m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 98.7 mi | 1h 37m |
| Frisco Avenue | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| North Main Street | 29.3 mi | 30m |
| TX 208 | 25 mi | 25m |
| North Broadway Street | 24 mi | 25m |
| North State Highway 208 | 16.5 mi | 16m |
| Roberts Avenue | 16.5 mi | 18m |
| McDermott Freeway | 12.8 mi | 14m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 98.7 mi, about 1h 37m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 28 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~537 veh/hr typical · worst 948
Quietest
3 AM
~95 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.7×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Colorado City, TX.
1
Start on Dolorosa Street
143 ft
·
4 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
2
Continue on West Market Street
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
West Market Street
3
Turn left onto Navarro Street
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Navarro Street
4
Enter roundabout onto San Pedro Avenue
85 ft
·
1 sec
·
San Pedro Avenue
5
Continue on San Pedro Avenue
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
San Pedro Avenue
6
Turn left onto West Cypress Street
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
West Cypress Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn straight onto East Fredericksburg Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
East Fredericksburg Road
8
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
·
Interstate 10 West
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
13 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
10
Merge onto I 10; US 87
13 mi
·
14 min
·
McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi
·
1 hr 37 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi
·
44 sec
·
US 83
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
13
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi
·
30 min
·
North Main Street
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 83
42 mi
·
44 min
·
Frisco Avenue
15
Continue on US 83
17 mi
·
18 min
·
Roberts Avenue
16
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft
·
18 sec
·
Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto TX 158
24 mi
·
25 min
·
North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn left onto TX 158
12 mi
·
12 min
·
West Main Street
19
Turn slight right
258 ft
·
9 sec
20
Turn straight onto TX 208
0.5 mi
·
56 sec
·
East 10th Street
21
Continue on TX 208
0.5 mi
·
50 sec
·
Hillcrest Street
22
Continue on TX 208
17 mi
·
16 min
·
North State Highway 208
23
Turn straight onto TX 208
25 mi
·
25 min
·
TX 208
24
Turn left onto I 20 Bus; TX 208 Bus
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Westpoint Avenue
25
Continue on I 20 Bus; TX 208 Bus
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
East 2nd Street
26
Turn left onto TX 163
96 ft
·
1 sec
·
Chestnut Street
27
Arrive at destination
TX 163
Trip Plan
Given the approximately 5-hour drive, starting your journey in the morning will comfortably allow you to reach Colorado City before evening. With only one recommended stop, you have flexibility in how you pace yourself, but planning a fuel and stretch break around the halfway point is advisable. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 98.7-mile stretch on I 10, as services might be less frequent. Since this is a single-day drive, you can depart at your convenience, but an early start maximizes daylight and minimizes driving in the dark.
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 141.3 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 2h 26m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 98.7 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 62 miles or 1h 6m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 141.3 miles or 2h 26m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Colorado City, 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 282.7 miles and 4h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 62 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 98.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
141 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 62 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 141.3 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 I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 98.7 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Stops Along Your Drive
Picked by where they fit in your drive — first break, midpoint reset, final stretch.
Kerr County Westbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Scenic View
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.3 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.5 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.6 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.7 mi from 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 135 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 202.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.6 mi into trip
|
~3m in
|
West Cypress Street
Turn left onto West Cypress Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
16.1 mi into trip
|
~20m in
|
I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
114.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 58m in
|
US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
6
202.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
|
US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue
Turn right onto US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
202.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 32m in
|
TX 158 / North Broadway Street
Turn left onto TX 158 / North Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$38.72 one way
$77.44 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
99 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $43.25 | $86.50 |
| premium | $4.23 | $47.02 | $94.05 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $53.38 | $106.76 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 98.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 84.8 | 1 | $29.68 | $13.57 |
| Efficient EV | 70.7 | 0 | $24.74 | $11.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 113.1 | 1 | $39.58 | $18.09 |
Gas CO2
99 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
Late night in San Antonio on Monday
Local time
12:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 10 to 15 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:49PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:48PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Colorado City, TX
Late night in Colorado City on Monday
Local time
12:55 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
S 5 to 15 mph
12% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:49PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 17 at 8:48PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
6 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
4h 58m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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
Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
26 mi from route
~65 min detour
Free
near mile 48.7
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a mixed drive, with 54% of the journey on highways. Expect a substantial 98.7-mile stretch on I 10, which will likely feel like a consistent, high-speed segment. As you move from San Antonio towards Colorado City, the road conditions are generally good and predictable. While the majority is highway driving, the inclusion of Frisco Avenue and North Main Street suggests a transition through more local roads as you approach your destination, offering a slight change of pace before arriving.
54% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
27 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 98.7 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near West Cypress Street.
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 282.7 miles you will encounter 13 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 1.6 miles (West Cypress Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.7 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,107 ft
649 ft
Total Climb
1,990 ft
Total Descent
573 ft
Highest Point
2,107 ft
~141.3 mi in
Elevation Range
1,458 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.
On the drive from San Antonio, TX to Colorado City, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Menard along the way.
Menard
114.7 mi in
|
~1h 58m
|
via US 83
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 Colorado City, TX
Full guide →Colorado City is a city of 4,900 people (2018) straddling the Utah/Arizona border, although most of the city is on the Arizona side. The Utah portion is known as Hildale. Colorado City is the largest and best-known polygamist community in the United States, and there are few facilities for travelers.
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 4h 58m. Total distance: 282.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 58m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (54%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 98.7 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 1.6 miles (West Cypress Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.7 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 5.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 10.0 hours — manageable with a long break at Colorado City, 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, USGS 3DEP for elevation, NPS for national parks, and FHWA TMAS for hourly traffic volumes. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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