Origin
San Antonio, TX
Late night in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Hilltop Lakes, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
4h 8m
Distance
213.3 mi
343 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 55m
★
6 AM
4h 8m
8 AM
4h 34m
10 AM
4h 17m
12 PM
4h 15m
3 PM
4h 18m
5 PM
4h 33m
8 PM
4h 0m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Hilltop Lakes, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
This 213.3-mile drive from San Antonio, TX to Hilltop Lakes, TX is designed for a single day, taking approximately 4 hours and 8 minutes of travel time. The journey primarily follows State Highway 21 East, also known as Pickle Parkway for a portion, with a significant 77% of the route on highways. With an estimated fuel cost of $32, this trip is budget-friendly for a day excursion. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entirety of your trip, making for a consistent landscape. This route is straightforward and efficient, perfect for getting directly to your destination.
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
106.7 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 56m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| State Highway 21 East | 65.2 mi | 1h 11m |
| TX 21 | 34.7 mi | 41m |
| Pickle Parkway | 34 mi | 30m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| Camino Real | 17.6 mi | 20m |
| I 10 | 10.9 mi | 10m |
| FM 39 South | 7.9 mi | 11m |
| FM 3 South | 7.8 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
State Highway 21 East
— 65.2 mi, about 1h 11m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Hilltop Lakes, 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
11 mi
·
10 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 614
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 130 Toll
34 mi
·
30 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 463
Toward TX 21: Old Lockhart Road, Laws Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 183
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 183
17
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 21
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto TX 21
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Camino Real
19
Take the ramp onto TX 21
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
21
Turn straight onto College Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
College Street
22
Turn left onto TX 21; TX 95
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
State Highway 95
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto TX 21; Loop 150
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Chestnut Street
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on TX 21
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
State Highway 21 East
25
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 21
29 mi
·
34 min
·
TX 21
26
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
27
Turn left onto FM 39
7.9 mi
·
11 min
·
FM 39 South
28
Turn left onto FM 3
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Main Street
29
Continue on FM 3
7.8 mi
·
13 min
·
FM 3 South
30
Turn right onto Hilltop Boulevard
1.0 mi
·
3 min
·
Hilltop Boulevard
31
Turn left onto Deerfield Drive
226 ft
·
10 sec
·
Deerfield Drive
32
Arrive at destination
Deerfield Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 8-minute duration, this route is easily manageable as a single-day trip from San Antonio. Aim to depart in the morning to maximize daylight and take advantage of the flexibility a shorter drive offers. You'll encounter one major named road, State Highway 21 East, for the majority of your journey. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the longest stretch without significant services could be the 65.2 miles on TX 21 East, so topping off before this segment is advisable.
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 106.7 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 1h 56m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 65.2 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 47 miles or 52m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 106.7 miles or 1h 56m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Hilltop Lakes, 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 213.3 miles and 4h 8m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 47 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 State Highway 21 East for about 65.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
107 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 47 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 106.7 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 State Highway 21 East if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 65.2 miles.
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 195 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 74.7 — 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
8
39.7 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 614
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
8
74.7 mi into trip
|
~1h 16m in
Take the exit toward TX 21: Old Lockhart Road, Laws Road
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 463
Toward TX 21: Old Lockhart Road, Laws Road
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.23 one way
$64.46 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $35.28 | $70.56 |
| premium | $4.54 | $38.08 | $76.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $47.09 | $94.19 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$32
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$57–$82
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 74.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64 | 0 | $22.40 | $10.24 |
| Efficient EV | 53.3 | 0 | $18.66 | $8.53 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.3 | 1 | $29.86 | $13.65 |
Gas CO2
75 kg
EV CO2
25 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
Hilltop Lakes, TX
Late night in Hilltop Lakes on Sunday
Local time
5:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
84°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
75°F
Smithville, TX
107 mi in
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
7 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
4h 8m 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.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for most of this trip, with 77% of the miles on primary roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 65.2 miles along State Highway 21 East, offering a good period of consistent travel. While largely highway, the route is not necessarily a monotonous interstate experience, offering a blend of efficient travel. The roads are generally well-maintained and designed for steady progress towards Hilltop Lakes.
77% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
32 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 65.2 mi on State Highway 21 East.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on State Highway 21 East and TX 21. 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 Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 213.3 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.
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 Hilltop Lakes, TX, road signs point toward Austin and Waco.
Austin
28.8 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 10; TX 130
Waco
28.8 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 10; TX 130
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 4h 8m. Total distance: 213.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 8m 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 65.2 miles on State Highway 21 East. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 Hilltop Lakes, 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.
Possible but tiring. At 4.1 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.3 hours — manageable with a long break at Hilltop Lakes, 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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