Spanning 293 miles, the journey from San Antonio to Lufkin takes approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes of active driving time. Because this route relies on local navigation through West Market, East Market, and East Commerce Streets rather than major interstates, it functions best as a dedicated day trip. You should budget roughly $44 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. While the drive is manageable in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention behind the wheel. Use this information to gauge your comfort level with navigating local roads for the duration of the trip.
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
146.5 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 40m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 21
84.7 mi
1h 38m
State Highway 21 East
65.2 mi
1h 11m
Pickle Parkway
34 mi
30m
TX 7
33 mi
36m
90th Infantry Division Highway
22.2 mi
23m
Camino Real
17.6 mi
20m
TX 103
11.6 mi
12m
I 10
10.9 mi
10m
Longest stretch:
TX 21
— 84.7 mi, about 1h 38m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Lufkin, 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 EastUse 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, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 614Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, WacoUse 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 463Toward TX 21: Old Lockhart Road, Laws RoadUse 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 21Use 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
79 mi·1 hr 31 min·TX 21
26
At end of road, turn right onto TX 7; TX 21
33 mi·36 min·TX 7; TX 21
27
Continue on TX 103
12 mi·12 min·TX 103
28
Continue on Spur 339
2.3 mi·3 min·North Raguet Street
29
Turn left onto TX 94
0.4 mi·55 sec·West Frank Avenue
30
Turn right onto Loop 266
0.1 mi·14 sec·North First Street
31
Arrive at destination
Loop 266
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 27-minute duration, plan to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight for your local navigation. You should anticipate making at least one stop to break up the monotony of the turn-heavy roads and ensure you stay alert. Keep your fuel budget of $44 in mind, and consider fueling up before you leave San Antonio to avoid searching for stations on unfamiliar local streets. Since the route lacks highway miles, factor in extra time for traffic signals and intersections that will inevitably slow your pace. Prioritize comfort and frequent adjustments to your seating position to mitigate fatigue caused by the high volume of turns along the way.
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 146.5 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 2h 40m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.7 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 64 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.5 miles or 2h 40m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lufkin, 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 293 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 TX 21 for about 84.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 17
5 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
$44.27 one way
$88.55 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$48.46
$96.92
premium
$4.54
$52.31
$104.63
diesel
$5.61
$64.69
$129.38
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
87.9
1
$30.76
$14.06
Efficient EV
73.3
0
$25.64
$11.72
EV Truck/SUV
117.2
1
$41.02
$18.75
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
San Antonio, TX
Morning
in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Lufkin, TX
Morning
in Lufkin on Tuesday
Local time
7:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
66°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
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
4 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
5h 27m 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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a technical, turn-heavy experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate primarily via West Market Street, East Market Street, and East Commerce Street, making for a hands-on driving experience that demands constant engagement. There is no long-distance highway cruising here, with the longest uninterrupted stretch on West Market Street measuring 0 miles. The personality of this drive is defined by frequent turns and local traffic patterns. You will find yourself constantly adjusting to the road's layout as you transition through the various segments of the journey.
83% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
31 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 84.7 mi on TX 21.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and State Highway 21 East. 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 Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 293 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.
Between San Antonio, TX and Lufkin, TX, road signs point toward Austin and Waco.
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
Lufkin is a city in Angelina County, in the Piney Woods region of north-east Texas. It has its origins in railroad lines, as it became a stop along the Houston, East and West Texas Railway in 1882 and a depot where cotton could be stored. Not long after, commerce gave way to the timber industry with several sawmills and the Angelina County Lumber Company operating, which in turn saw the addition of foundries and paper mills.
Even though much of this industry has subsided, Lufkin still holds on with chicken plants, retirement homes, churches, etc, plus a handful of tourist attractions.
One distinction about the area is that it witnessed the demise of the Space Ship Columbia during reentry in 2003, which can be appreciated at the Naranjo Museum.
Top landmarks
•Angelina River Bridge — structure in Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas
•Pines Theater — theater and movie theater in Lufkin, Texas, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 293 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 84.7 miles on TX 21. 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 Lufkin, 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.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.5 hours each way, a round trip means 10.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Lufkin, TX before the return drive.
