Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Trip from San Antonio, TX to San Benito, 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 34m
Distance
257.7 mi
415 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 21m
★
6 AM
4h 35m
8 AM
5h 1m
10 AM
4h 44m
12 PM
4h 41m
3 PM
4h 45m
5 PM
5h 0m
8 PM
4h 27m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Benito, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
San Antonio to San Benito is 257.7 miles and takes about 4h 34m via Lucian Adams Freeway and U.S. Highway 77, with a fuel budget near $40 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region for its entirety. Given that 99% of this route is highway driving, expect a fairly direct path with minimal deviations. It’s a straightforward trip that’s well-suited for a single day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stop.
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
128.9 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lucian Adams Freeway | 125.1 mi | 2h 6m |
| U.S. Highway 77 | 97.7 mi | 1h 48m |
| I 69E | 31.3 mi | 33m |
| William J Bordelon Freeway | 1.4 mi | 1m |
| South Sam Houston Boulevard | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Market Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| West Market Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Tower of the Americas Way | 0.2 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Lucian Adams Freeway
— 125.1 mi, about 2h 6m
Traffic on I-37
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 36 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~2,281 veh/hr typical · worst 2,827
Quietest
2 AM
~200 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.4×
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 San Benito, 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
·
40 sec
·
East Market Street
4
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
Tower of the Americas Way
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward I 37 South, US 281 South
6
Merge onto I 37; US 281
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
William J Bordelon Freeway
7
Continue on I 37; US 281
125 mi
·
2 hr 6 min
·
Lucian Adams Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77
31 mi
·
33 min
·
I 69E; US 77
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto US 77
61 mi
·
1 hr 9 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77
36 mi
·
38 min
·
U.S. Highway 77
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Exit 19B
Toward TX 345, FM 2520: Sam Houston Boulevard, McCulloch Street
Use the slight right lane.
12
Turn straight onto West Expressway 83
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
·
West Expressway 83
13
Turn left onto TX 345
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Sam Houston Boulevard
14
Turn right onto East Stenger Street
14 ft
·
0 sec
·
East Stenger Street
15
Arrive at destination
East Stenger Street
Trip Plan
For this 4-and-a-half-hour drive, leaving San Antonio in the morning will give you plenty of time to arrive in San Benito with daylight to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $40, this trip is easy to plan. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 125.1-mile stretch on Lucian Adams Freeway, as services might be less frequent. Since it’s a manageable distance, you have the flexibility to depart when you’re ready and still comfortably reach your destination the same day.
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 128.9 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 2h 11m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 125.1 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 57 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.9 miles or 2h 11m 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 43m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Benito, 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 257.7 miles and 4h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 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 Lucian Adams Freeway for about 125.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 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 57 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 128.9 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 Lucian Adams Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 125.1 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
0.1 mi from route
Kenedy County Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Texas Travel Information Center at Harlingen
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
San Patricio County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Parking Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 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 95 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 256.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
|
Tower of the Americas Way
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
5
1 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward I 37 South, US 281 South
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 37 South, US 281 South
7
127.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
I 69E; US 77
Take the exit onto I 69E; US 77 toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
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.
Toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
6
220.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77
Keep slight left at fork onto I 69E; US 77 / U.S. Highway 77
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
256.8 mi into trip
|
~4h 32m in
Take the exit toward TX 345, FM 2520: Sam Houston Boulevard, McCulloch Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 19B
Toward TX 345, FM 2520: Sam Houston Boulevard,...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$35.30 one way
$70.59 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $39.43 | $78.85 |
| premium | $4.23 | $42.87 | $85.73 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $48.66 | $97.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.3 | 0 | $27.06 | $12.37 |
| Efficient EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.55 | $10.31 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.1 | 1 | $36.08 | $16.49 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
4:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Mostly Cloudy
SSE 10 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
San Benito, TX
Late night in San Benito on Monday
Local time
4:53 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Mostly Clear
SE 9 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 22 at 7:46AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 3:19AM CDT until July 21 at 3:48AM 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
1 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 34m 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...
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
Free
near mile 8.9
View on nps.gov
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
13 mi from route
~32 min detour
Free
near mile 257.7
View on nps.gov
Padre Island National Seashore
National Seashore
Protecting sixty-six miles of wild coastline along the Gulf of America, the narrow barrier island is home to one of the last intact coastal prairie habitats in the United States. Along the hypersaline...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
$25
near mile 186.6
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend almost all of your time on highways, with 99% of the 257.7 miles on high-speed roads. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 125.1 miles on Lucian Adams Freeway. After that, you transition to U.S. Highway 77 and I 69E. Expect a consistent cruising experience with few opportunities to pull off for services until you reach the San Benito area.
99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 125.1 mi on Lucian Adams Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Lucian Adams Freeway and U.S. Highway 77. You will hit about 9 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in near Tower of the Americas Way.
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 257.7 miles you will encounter 9 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 0.8 miles (Tower of the Americas Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.7 miles (I 69E; US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
649 ft
24 ft
Total Climb
23 ft
Total Descent
635 ft
Highest Point
649 ft
Elevation Range
625 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 San Benito, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Brownsville along the way.
Brownsville
127.7 mi in
|
~2h 10m
|
via I 69E; US 77
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Starbucks
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.4 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, TX
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Visit websiteCommonwealth Coffeehouse
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Estate Coffee
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Antonio
Cuisine: coffee_shop
Hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-18:00; Sa 08:00-16:00; Su 09...
Visit websiteEl Puente
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
Madhatter's Tea House and Cafe
Cafe
Near the start, right off the route
0.7 mi from route
~2 min detour
Commonwealth Coffeehouse & Bakery
Cafe
Near the start, short detour
1.2 mi from route
~3 min detour
San Antonio, TX
Drink
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, TX
Hours: Mo-Su 14:00-02:00
Visit websiteThe County Line
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, TX
Cuisine: barbecue
Visit websiteBubba Gump Shrimp Co
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, TX
Cuisine: seafood
Hours: Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
Visit websiteBarriba Cantina
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, TX
Cuisine: mexican
Visit websiteHard Rock Cafe
Restaurant
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Cuisine: american
Hours: Mo-Th, Su 08:00-23:00; Fr, Sa 08:00-00:0...
Visit websiteWhataburger
Fast_food
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
San Antonio, TX
Cuisine: burger
Hours: 24/7
Visit websiteRiver boat boarding
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.2 mi from route
River boat boarding
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
River boat boarding
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
boat ride boarding
Attraction
Near the start, right off the route
0.8 mi from route
~2 min detour
River boat boarding
Attraction
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Buckhorn Saloon and Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Visit website
Emma Tenayuca
Monument
Near the start, right off the route
0.3 mi from route
~1 min detour
Visit website
San Antonio Art League Museum
Museum
Near the start, right off the route
0.5 mi from route
~1 min detour
TX
Visit websiteSan Benito
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Riviera Cemetery
Memorial
Later in the drive, right off the route
Final third
0.1 mi from route
First Methodist Church of San Benito
Memorial
Near the end, right off the route
Home stretch
0.1 mi from route
Beauregard House B&B
Guest_house
Near the start, right off the route
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Fiesta Bed and Breakfast
Guest_house
Near the start, short detour
1.5 mi from route
~4 min detour
Ayers Inn
Guest_house
Near the start, short detour
2 mi from route
~5 min 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 San Benito, TX
Full guide →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 34m. Total distance: 257.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (99%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 125.1 miles on Lucian Adams Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 18 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 0.8 miles (Tower of the Americas Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 127.7 miles (I 69E; US 77): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park and Padre Island National Seashore. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.6 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.2 hours — manageable with a long break at San Benito, 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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