Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Shenandoah, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 22, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 49m
Distance
214.6 mi
345 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$32
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 37m
★
6 AM
3h 49m
8 AM
4h 15m
10 AM
3h 58m
12 PM
3h 56m
3 PM
4h 0m
5 PM
4h 14m
8 PM
3h 42m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Shenandoah, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
San Antonio to Shenandoah is 214.6 miles and takes about 3h 49m via I 10 and West Grand Parkway North, with a fuel budget near $31 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This is a straightforward drive, primarily within Texas, that transitions from the Great Plains region. Most of the route is on major highways, making it an efficient option if you need to cover ground quickly. Plan for a relatively easy day of driving with minimal complexity.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
107.3 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 139.6 mi | 2h 20m |
| West Grand Parkway North | 37.8 mi | 41m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| I 45 | 3.8 mi | 4m |
| East Commerce Street | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Interstate 45 North Frontage Road | 1.2 mi | 2m |
| East Market Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 139.6 mi, about 2h 20m
Traffic on I-10
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 44 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~1,617 veh/hr typical · worst 2,334
Quietest
2 AM
~258 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.3×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a
6a
noon
6p
11p
Averaged across 102 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 Shenandoah, 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
140 mi
·
2 hr 20 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
Exit 743B
Toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
Use the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
Toward TX 99 Toll North
16
Merge onto TX 99 Toll
38 mi
·
41 min
·
West Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
1.4 mi
·
3 min
Toward I 45 North: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
18
Merge onto I 45
3.8 mi
·
4 min
·
I 45
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
Exit 77
Toward Lake Woodlands Drive, Research Forest Drive, Tamina Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate 45 North Frontage Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto Research Forest Drive
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
·
Research Forest Drive
Use the straight / right lanes.
22
Turn right onto Savannah Drive
350 ft
·
20 sec
·
Savannah Drive
23
Turn left onto Hickory Ridge Drive
0.1 mi
·
27 sec
·
Hickory Ridge Drive
24
Turn right onto Enchanted Drive
373 ft
·
15 sec
·
Enchanted Drive
25
Arrive at destination
Enchanted Drive
Trip Plan
Given the relatively short duration of under 4 hours, you have flexibility on when to depart. Leaving mid-morning should allow you to avoid the worst of rush hour traffic in San Antonio. With only one recommended stop, you can easily complete this drive in a single day without feeling rushed. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially on the longer highway segments, as service areas can be spaced out on I 10.
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 107.3 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 1h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 139.6 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 51m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 107.3 miles or 1h 52m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Shenandoah, 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 214.6 miles and 3h 49m.
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 I 10 for about 139.6 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 107.3 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 139.6 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.
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Guadalupe County Westbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Guadalupe County Eastbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Roady's Truck Stops
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
0.1 mi from route
Colorado County Eastbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Colorado County Westbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Jud's Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Amigos Country Corner
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.4 mi from route
Super Travel Center
0.4 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 185 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 212.8 — 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.
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
168.5 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Take the exit toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Parkway
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 743B
Toward TX 99 Toll North, TX 99 South: Grand Par...
7
168.9 mi into trip
|
~2h 54m in
Keep slight left at fork toward TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward TX 99 Toll North: Grand Parkway
8
212.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 45m in
Take the exit toward Lake Woodlands Drive, Research Forest Drive, Tamina 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 77
Toward Lake Woodlands Drive, Research Forest Dr...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.22 one way
$64.43 round trip
$3.81/gal
25.4 MPG avg
75 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.22 | $35.65 | $71.29 |
| premium | $4.57 | $38.57 | $77.14 |
| diesel | $6.28 | $53.02 | $106.05 |
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: 75.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-19.
Driving Electric?
About $23 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 64.4 | 0 | $22.53 | $10.30 |
| Efficient EV | 53.7 | 0 | $18.78 | $8.58 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 85.8 | 1 | $30.04 | $13.73 |
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.
Origin
San Antonio, TX
Morning in San Antonio on Thursday
Local time
6:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
79°F
Mostly Sunny
ENE 5 mph
1% chance
Live forecast
Destination
Shenandoah, TX
Morning in Shenandoah on Thursday
Local time
6:58 AM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Partly Sunny
E 5 mph
1% chance
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
1 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
3h 49m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
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
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 86% of your time on highways, covering a significant 139.6 miles on I 10 before transitioning. Expect the highway portion to feel like consistent cruising, with the bulk of your travel on major interstates. The shift to surface roads will occur after the long highway stretch, introducing more varied traffic patterns as you approach your destination.
86% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
25 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 139.6 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and West Grand Parkway North. 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
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 214.6 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 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.5 miles: 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
133 ft
Total Climb
206 ft
Total Descent
713 ft
Highest Point
649 ft
Elevation Range
516 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 Shenandoah, 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 — 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, United States
Arriving in Shenandoah, 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 3h 49m. Total distance: 214.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 49m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (86%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 139.6 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 25 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 Shenandoah, 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 25 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 168.5 miles: 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. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.8 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 7.6 hours — manageable with a long break at Shenandoah, 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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