Trip from San Antonio, TX to Fort Davis, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 40m
Distance
401.3 mi
646 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$55
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Fort Davis, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
San Antonio, TX to Fort Davis, TX is 401.3 miles and takes about 6h 40m via I 10 and TX 17, with a fuel budget near $61 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive will take you across the Great Plains, starting in South Texas and heading west into the Big Bend region. It's a straightforward, highway-focused trip that's best tackled in a single day. Plan for a steady pace as you cover considerable ground with minimal detours.
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
200.7 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 16m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 345.4 mi | 5h 28m |
| TX 17 | 31.2 mi | 38m |
| McDermott Freeway | 12.8 mi | 14m |
| I 10 Business | 7.3 mi | 10m |
| State Street | 1.3 mi | 1m |
| East Fredericksburg Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| Navarro Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| San Pedro Avenue | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 18 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
2 PM
~494 veh/hr typical · worst 880
Quietest
3 AM
~89 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
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 Fort Davis, TX.
Start on Dolorosa Street
Continue on West Market Street
Turn left onto Navarro Street
Enter roundabout onto San Pedro Avenue
Continue on San Pedro Avenue
Turn left onto West Cypress Street
Turn straight onto East Fredericksburg Road
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Take the exit onto TX 17
Turn left onto I 10 Business; TX 17
Turn right onto I 10 Business; TX 17
Turn left onto TX 17
At end of road, turn left onto TX 17; TX 118
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 40m drive time, departing San Antonio in the morning is your best bet to arrive in Fort Davis with daylight to spare. While there's only one recommended stop, you can choose to break up the 345.4-mile stretch on I 10 at any point to stretch your legs or refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially as you get further west, as services can become more spread out. The $61 fuel cost is an estimate, so confirm prices as you go.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
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 88 miles or 1h 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 200.7 miles or 3h 16m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Fort Davis, 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 401.3 miles and 6h 40m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
201 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
A short stop after about 88 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 200.7 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 345.4 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.
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
East Pecos County Sheffield Eastbound Rest Area
East Pecos County Sheffield Westbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Kerr County Eastbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
Sutton County Westbound Rest Area
Sutton County Eastbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Parking Area
Scenic View
Parking Area
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Flying J Travel Center
Pecos County Eastbound Rest Area
Pecos County Westbound Rest Area
Picnic Area
Parking Area
Parking Area
Pilot Travel Center
Love's Travel Stop
Road Ranger
Picnic Area
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Service Plaza
Spanish Governor's Palace
Near the start, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12102077527
Visit websiteGO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
Near the start, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12102274746
Visit websiteSan Antonio | The Saga
Near the start, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9–9:30 pm
+12102259800
Visit websiteHemisfair
Near the start, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+12107094750
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
Near the start, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
Visit websiteThe Amazing Mirror Maze
Near the start, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+12102242288
Visit websiteSEA LIFE San Antonio
Near the start, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12106101160
Visit websiteSan Antonio River Lock & Dam
Near the start, right off the route
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 115 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 361.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Turn left onto West Cypress Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 10 West, US 87 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto TX 17 toward I 10 Business Loop, SH 17: Balmorhea, Fort Davis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$54.97 one way
$109.93 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $61.40 | $122.79 |
| premium | $4.23 | $66.75 | $133.50 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $75.77 | $151.55 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$55
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$80–$105
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 140.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 120.4 | 1 | $42.14 | $19.26 |
| Efficient EV | 100.3 | 1 | $35.11 | $16.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 160.5 | 2 | $56.18 | $25.68 |
Gas CO2
140 kg
EV CO2
47 kg (66% 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 Sunday
Local time
2:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Destination
Fort Davis, TX
Late night in Fort Davis on Sunday
Local time
2:15 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Partly Cloudy
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 18 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 16 at 9:36PM CDT until July 19 at 1:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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
15 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
6h 40m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is overwhelmingly a highway drive, with 99% of the journey on interstates and major state roads. You'll spend the vast majority of your time on I 10, experiencing a longest stretch of 345.4 miles on this interstate alone. Expect a consistent, fast-paced experience for much of the trip. The latter part of the drive, as you transition to TX 17, will offer a slight change in scenery but maintains its highway-focused character.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 17. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near West Cypress Street.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 6h 40m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (West Cypress Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
Total Climb
4,779 ft
Total Descent
531 ft
Highest Point
4,897 ft
~401.3 mi in
Elevation Range
4,248 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 Fort Davis, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Sh 17: Balmorhea along the way.
Sh 17: Balmorhea
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Mountain View Cafe
Cafe
Near the end, right off the route
El Puente
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Madhatter's Tea House and Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
Joe Blues
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Sweet Designs Bake Shop Deli
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
Hard Rock Cafe
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Cuisine: american
Hours: Mo-Th, Su 08:00-23:00; Fr, Sa 08:00-00:0...
Visit websiteTexas de Brazil
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
San Antonio
Cuisine: steak_house
Fig Tree
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Little Rhein Steak House
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Cuisine: steak_house
Rosario's Cantina
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Copper Kitchen
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
Overland Trail Campground
Camp_site
Near the end, right off the route
Fort Davis, TX
River boat boarding
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
River boat boarding
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
Hard surfaced turn-out
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, right off the route
River boat boarding
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
boat ride boarding
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
Buckhorn Saloon and Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
Confederate President Jefferson Davis
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
San Antonio Art League Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
TX
Visit websiteJeff Davis County Courthouse
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Old Fort Davis C.S.A.
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Jeff Davis County
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Overland Trail Campground
Camp_site
Near the end, right off the route
Fort Davis, TX
Davis Mountains Inn Bed and Breakfast
Hotel
Near the end, right off the route
Fort Davis, TX
Hours: 24/7
Visit websiteHard surfaced turn-out
Camp_site
Around the midpoint, right off the route
Beauregard House B&B
Guest_house
Near the start, right off the route
Fiesta Bed and Breakfast
Guest_house
Near the start, short detour
Ayers Inn
Guest_house
Near the start, short detour
Points of interest from OpenStreetMap contributors. Listings may not reflect current hours or availability.
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 Fort Davis, TX
Full guide →Fort Davis is a town in the Big Bend Country region of Texas.
Top landmarks
- • Fort Davis National Historic Site — historic site in Fort Davis, Jeff Davis 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 6h 40m. Total distance: 401.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 40m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Straightforward navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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