Trip from San Antonio, TX to Stephenville, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 19, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

4h 2m

Distance

206.4 mi

332 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$28

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 39 min

4 AM

3h 50m ★

6 AM

4h 3m

8 AM

4h 29m

10 AM

4h 12m

12 PM

4h 9m

3 PM

4h 13m

5 PM

4h 28m

8 PM

3h 55m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time

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San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

city in and the county seat of Erath County, Texas, United States

Stephenville, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

San Antonio to Stephenville is 206.4 miles and takes about 4h 2m via US 281, with a fuel budget near $33 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route travels entirely within Texas, moving from the Great Plains region to another part of the Great Plains. Given its mostly highway profile and reasonable duration, this trip is well-suited for a single day of driving. You'll spend most of your time on US 281, making for a straightforward transit between these two Texas cities.

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

103.2 miles from San Antonio, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 3m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 281	100.6 mi	1h 59m
North US Highway 281	79.4 mi	1h 29m
McAllister Freeway	14.9 mi	17m
US 281 HOV Lane	2.9 mi	3m
South Rice Street	2.3 mi	2m
South Key Avenue	1.6 mi	3m
William J Bordelon Freeway	0.9 mi	1m
South State Highway 108	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: US 281 — 100.6 mi, about 1h 59m

Traffic on I-37

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 4 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

4 PM

~6,273 veh/hr typical

Quietest

3 AM

~358 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

17.5×

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 Stephenville, TX.

Start on Dolorosa Street

143 ft · 4 sec · Dolorosa Street

Continue on West Market Street

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West Market Street

Continue on East Market Street

0.4 mi · 45 sec · East Market Street

Turn left

363 ft · 13 sec

Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto East Commerce Street

216 ft · 12 sec · East Commerce Street

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec

Toward US 281 North, I 37 North

Merge onto I 37; US 281

0.9 mi · 1 min · William J Bordelon Freeway

Continue on US 281

15 mi · 17 min · McAllister Freeway

Toward US 281 North: International Airport, Johnson City Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281 HOV Lane

2.9 mi · 3 min · US 281 HOV Lane

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto US 281

101 mi · 1 hr 59 min · US 281

At end of road, turn left onto US 183; US 190; US 281

1.6 mi · 3 min · South Key Avenue

Continue on US 183; US 190; US 281

0.2 mi · 14 sec · North US Highway 281

Keep slight right at fork onto US 281

43 mi · 49 min · North US Highway 281

Continue on US 281

2.3 mi · 2 min · South Rice Street

Continue on US 281

19 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281

Continue on US 281

0.6 mi · 42 sec · South Walnut Street

At end of road, turn left onto US 281; TX 6

0.4 mi · 26 sec · North 2nd Street

Continue on US 281; TX 6

17 mi · 19 min · North US Highway 281

Turn left onto TX 108

0.8 mi · 1 min · South State Highway 108

Continue on TX 108

0.6 mi · 1 min · South Graham Avenue

Continue on TX 108

0.3 mi · 35 sec · South Graham Street

Arrive at destination

TX 108

Trip Plan

With a total driving time of just over 4 hours, this trip is easily completed in one day. Aim to depart San Antonio in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. The longest stretch without a significant break is over 100 miles on US 281, so plan for a fuel stop or stretch break before you reach that point. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as services may be more spread out in certain sections of US 281.

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 103.2 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 2h 3m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 100.6 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 45 miles or 54m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 103.2 miles or 2h 3m 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 20m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Stephenville, 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 206.4 miles and 4h 2m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 45 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 US 281 for about 100.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

city in Burnet County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Marble Falls, TX

103 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

Canyon Lake, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 45 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Marble Falls, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 103.2 miles from San Antonio, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before US 281 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 100.6 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

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+12102271373

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 10

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 120.4 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward US 281 North, I 37 North

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 281 North, I 37 North

2.1 mi into trip | ~3m in | US 281 / McAllister Freeway

Continue onto US 281 / McAllister Freeway toward US 281 North: International Airport, Johnson City

Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward US 281 North: International Airport, Joh...

17 mi into trip | ~21m in | US 281 HOV Lane

Keep slight left at fork onto US 281 HOV Lane

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight left lanes.

120.4 mi into trip | ~2h 23m in | US 183; US 190; US 281 / South Key Avenue

At end of road, turn left onto US 183; US 190; US 281 / South Key Avenue

Navigation decision point

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$28.27 one way

$56.54 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 72 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$31.58	$63.16
premium	$4.23	$34.33	$68.66
diesel	$4.80	$38.97	$77.94

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$28

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$53–$78

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 72.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	61.9	0	$21.67	$9.91
Efficient EV	51.6	0	$18.06	$8.26
EV Truck/SUV	82.6	1	$28.90	$13.21

Gas CO2

72 kg

EV CO2

24 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.

Forecast as of Jul 19, 2026

Origin

San Antonio, TX

Morning in San Antonio on Sunday

Local time

6:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Partly Cloudy

SE 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:11PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:05PM CDT until July 18 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX

Destination

Stephenville, TX

Morning in Stephenville on Sunday

Local time

6:07 AM

CDT

Current temp

72°F

Mostly Clear

S 5 to 10 mph 1% chance Live forecast

Special Weather Statement

Special Weather Statement issued July 18 at 8:11PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 18 at 8:05PM CDT until July 18 at 8:15PM CDT by NWS Lubbock 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

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

4h 2m 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...

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...

12 mi from route ~31 min detour Free near mile 64

View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is predominantly on highways, with 97% of the 206.4 miles on paved roads like US 281. You'll encounter a continuous stretch of 100.6 miles on US 281, offering a consistent cruising experience. The transition to surface roads will occur near the end of your trip, marking the shift from high-speed transit to more local travel.

97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

22 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.

Longest single stretch: 100.6 mi on US 281.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 and North US Highway 281. You will hit about 10 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 6/10

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 206.4 miles you will encounter 10 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: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.1 miles (US 281 / McAllister Freeway): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,479 ft 649 ft

Total Climb

1,600 ft

Total Descent

977 ft

Highest Point

1,479 ft

~103.2 mi in

Elevation Range

830 ft

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 Stephenville, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1856

Stephenville is a city in the Cross Timbers region of Texas. Acclaimed "Cowboy Capital of the World" (okay, maybe there's more than one), it's the home to Tarleton State University, part of the Texas A&M system, and even has an equine therapy program.

Top landmarks

• Erath County Courthouse — historic place in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas
• Erath Memorial Arch — historic place in Stephenville, Erath County, Texas
• First National Bank Building — historic place in Stephenville, Erath County, 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 2m. Total distance: 206.4 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

4h 2m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 100.6 miles on US 281. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — we found about 1 rest area or service plaza 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 Stephenville, 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 1 rest area along the route for bathroom stops.

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.

Possible but tiring. At 4.0 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 8.1 hours — manageable with a long break at Stephenville, 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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Trip from San Antonio, TX to Stephenville, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Main Roads

Traffic on I-37

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Stops Along Your Drive

TXB Market

Spanish Governor's Palace

GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises

San Antonio | The Saga

Hemisfair

San Antonio Fire Museum

The Amazing Mirror Maze

SEA LIFE San Antonio

San Antonio River Lock & Dam

Heads-up: tricky spots

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

San Antonio, TX

Stephenville, TX

Same local time

4 degrees cooler at arrival

4h 2m on the road

National Parks Near This Route

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park

What kind of drive is this?

How Hard Is This Drive?

Elevation Profile

About the Cities

Starting in San Antonio, TX

Arriving in Stephenville, TX

Who Is This Route For?

Frequently Asked Questions

Which road carries most of the drive?

Are there rest areas on this route?

Should I avoid arriving after dark?

Is this a good trip with kids?

Where does this route get tricky?

Are there national parks near this route?

Can I do this as a round trip in one go?

How this page is built

Explore More

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