Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Shallowater, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed May 27, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
6h 59m
Distance
396.4 mi
638 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$62
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
6h 49m
★
6 AM
7h 0m
8 AM
7h 23m
10 AM
7h 8m
12 PM
7h 6m
3 PM
7h 9m
5 PM
7h 21m
8 PM
6h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Shallowater, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
San Antonio to Shallowater is 396.4 miles and takes about 6h 59m via I 10 and US 84, with a fuel budget near $62 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. It's a straightforward drive that keeps you on major roads for most of the way. Expect a full day of driving, but it's definitely manageable without an overnight stop. If you're looking for a simple, direct route across the state, this one fits the bill.
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
198.2 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 27m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 98.7 mi | 1h 37m |
| US 84 | 74.5 mi | 1h 14m |
| Frisco Avenue | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| State Highway 153 | 29.5 mi | 33m |
| North Main Street | 29.3 mi | 30m |
| Highway 84 | 23.8 mi | 23m |
| 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 14 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 Shallowater, 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
6.3 mi
·
7 min
·
North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi
·
13 min
·
FM 2111
19
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi
·
33 min
·
State Highway 153
20
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft
·
0 sec
·
State Highway 153
21
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi
·
10 min
·
State Highway 70
22
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Lamar Street
23
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
·
Northwest Georgia Avenue
24
Take the ramp
340 ft
·
8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
25
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi
·
5 min
·
I 20; US 84
26
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
·
US 84
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi
·
1 hr 14 min
·
US 84
28
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Avenue F
29
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi
·
10 sec
·
North Avenue F
30
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi
·
38 sec
·
Ralls Road
31
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi
·
17 sec
·
East 15th Street
32
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
North US Highway 84
33
Continue on US 84
20 mi
·
19 min
·
Highway 84
34
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
35
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi
·
6 min
·
East Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
4.9 mi
·
6 min
·
Slaton Road
37
Continue on US 84
4.0 mi
·
5 min
·
Avenue Q South Drive
Use the left lane.
38
Turn left onto US 84
6.0 mi
·
7 min
·
Clovis Road
39
Continue on US 84
3.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Highway 84
40
Turn right onto County Road 1500
0.3 mi
·
45 sec
·
County Road 1500
41
Turn left onto Loop 388
0.4 mi
·
1 min
·
Clovis Road
42
Turn slight left onto 7th Street
216 ft
·
11 sec
·
7th Street
43
Turn right
139 ft
·
6 sec
44
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
To make the most of this single-day drive, aim for an early morning departure from San Antonio to maximize daylight. With a total drive time under 7 hours, you'll only need one planned stop for fuel and a break. The longest stretch without services is about 98.7 miles on I 10, so make sure your tank is sufficiently full before you hit that segment. The route is primarily highway, so keep an eye on your speed to stay within legal limits. Given the straightforward nature, you have flexibility in when and where you take your brief pause.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 198.2 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 3h 27m 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 87 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 198.2 miles or 3h 27m 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 53m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shallowater, 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 396.4 miles and 6h 59m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 87 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
198 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 87 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 198.2 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
Llano Estacado Picnic Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 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
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Scenic View
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Eagles Landing Travel Plaza
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
Flying J Travel Center
0.8 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 websiteSchreiner Park
4.5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Early in the drive, right off the route
Early stretch
0.6 mi from route
~2 min detour
Junction, Texas
+13254463880
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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 265 decision points cluster between mile 16.1 and 268.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
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.
6
268.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 44m in
|
US 84
Take the exit onto US 84 toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 238A
Toward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.30 one way
$124.60 round trip
$3.99/gal
25.4 MPG avg
139 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.39 | $68.46 | $136.93 |
| premium | $4.72 | $73.65 | $147.29 |
| diesel | $5.60 | $87.33 | $174.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$62
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$87–$112
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 138.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-05-18.
Driving Electric?
About $42 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 118.9 | 1 | $41.62 | $19.03 |
| Efficient EV | 99.1 | 1 | $34.69 | $15.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 158.6 | 1 | $55.50 | $25.37 |
Gas CO2
139 kg
EV CO2
46 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
Afternoon in San Antonio on Wednesday
Local time
12:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
71°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
ESE 5 mph
42% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 27 at 2:30AM CDT until May 27 at 2:45AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 27 at 2:26AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
Shallowater, TX
Afternoon in Shallowater on Wednesday
Local time
12:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Patchy Fog
0 mph
17% chance
Live forecast
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued May 27 at 2:30AM CDT until May 27 at 2:45AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued May 27 at 2:26AM 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
17 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 59m 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...
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...
27 mi from route
~67 min detour
Free
near mile 41
View on nps.gov
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This route is 70% highway, meaning you'll spend a good chunk of time on interstates and major US highways. You'll have a longest stretch of 98.7 miles on I 10, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent speed. The transition to surface streets like Frisco Avenue will occur as you near your destination. You'll likely notice the rural cruising feel for much of the drive, interspersed with the occasional urban merging as you pass through towns.
70% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
44 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?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US 84. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.1 miles in near I 10; US 87.
Driving Effort
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 396.4 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 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; at 202.8 miles (US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes
3,295 ft
649 ft
Total Climb
3,717 ft
Total Descent
1,071 ft
Highest Point
3,295 ft
~396.4 mi in
Elevation Range
2,646 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.
Between San Antonio, TX and Shallowater, TX, road signs point toward Menard and Lubbock.
Menard
114.7 mi in
|
~1h 58m
|
via US 83
Lubbock
268.3 mi in
|
~4h 44m
|
via US 84
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 6h 59m. Total distance: 396.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 59m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
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 32 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.
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 Shallowater, 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. There are 32 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: 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; at 202.8 miles (US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
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.
Not recommended in a single day. At 7.0 hours each way, a round trip means 14.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Shallowater, TX before the return drive.
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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