If you are planning to head from San Antonio to Sundown, prepare for a substantial 410.5-mile journey across the Great Plains. Clocking in at approximately 7 hours and 21 minutes, this trek is best suited for a single, focused day of driving. You will navigate through local streets like West Market, Navarro, and San Pedro Avenue as you transition out of the city. With a fuel budget of about $61, it is a straightforward trip that requires careful planning to ensure you manage your time effectively. Since both locations are situated within the Great Plains, you can expect a consistent regional landscape throughout your travel.
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
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
205.3 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 33m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
98.7 mi
1h 37m
US Highway 87 North
75.3 mi
1h 15m
West Broadway Street
39.2 mi
39m
North Main Street
29.3 mi
30m
Frisco Avenue
21.5 mi
23m
South US Highway 87
18.1 mi
18m
US Highway 385
17.2 mi
17m
US 87
15.8 mi
16m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 98.7 mi, about 1h 37m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Sundown, 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 456Toward 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
21 mi·23 min·Frisco Avenue
15
Turn left onto US 87
39 mi·39 min·West Broadway Street
16
Continue on US 87; Loop 306
4.1 mi·5 min·South Bryant Boulevard
17
Continue on US 87; US 277
1.4 mi·2 min·South Koenigheim Street
18
Continue on US 87; US 277; US 67 Bus
4.3 mi·6 min·North Bryant Boulevard
19
Continue on US 87
23 mi·23 min·US Highway 87 North
20
Continue on US 87
16 mi·16 min·US 87
21
Turn straight onto US 87; TX 158; TX 163
52 mi·52 min·US Highway 87 North
22
Continue on US 87
15 mi·15 min·North US Highway 87
23
Continue on US 87
4.3 mi·4 min·William Crooker Highway
24
Continue on US 87
18 mi·18 min·South US Highway 87
25
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.3 mi·1 min·South Dallas Avenue
26
Continue on US 87; US 180
1.2 mi·1 min·South Lynn Avenue
27
Turn left onto US 180
0.7 mi·54 sec·North 4th Street
28
Turn right onto TX 137
1.2 mi·1 min·North Bryan Avenue
29
Continue on TX 137
15 mi·22 min·North State Highway 137
30
Continue on TX 137
2.4 mi·2 min·Brownfield Highway
31
Continue on TX 137
15 mi·14 min·Lamesa Highway
32
Continue on TX 137
1.0 mi·1 min·State Highway 137
33
Continue on TX 137
0.9 mi·1 min·Lamesa Highway
34
Turn left onto US 62; US 385; TX 137
0.2 mi·22 sec·Seagraves Road
35
Turn sharp right onto TX 137
2.0 mi·3 min·South 14th Street
36
Continue on TX 137
2.3 mi·2 min·State Highway 137
37
At end of road, turn left onto US 385
17 mi·17 min·US Highway 385
38
Turn left onto FM 301
6.0 mi·10 min·FM 301
39
Continue on FM 301
0.5 mi·54 sec·East Richardson Street
40
Arrive at destination
FM 301
Trip Plan
Given the 7 hour and 21 minute duration, getting an early start is the best way to ensure you reach Sundown comfortably before dark. You should plan for at least two dedicated stops to break up the monotony of the turn-heavy local roads and stretch your legs. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $61 estimate can fluctuate based on your vehicle's efficiency and local price changes along the way. Since this is a long, non-highway route, stay alert during the middle portions of the drive when fatigue is most likely to set in. A practical tip for this specific trip is to preload your navigation for the local street transitions in San Antonio, as these turns are frequent and require precise maneuvering.
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 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 205.3 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 3h 33m 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 90 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 205.3 miles or 3h 33m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Sundown, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Antonio, TX
This is one driving day of about 410.5 miles and 7h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 90 miles from San Antonio, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 1.6 and 114.7 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
1.6 mi into trip|~3m in|West Cypress Street
Turn left onto West Cypress Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
3.1 mi into trip|~5m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 West, US 87 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
5
3.2 mi into trip|~6m in|I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Merge onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$62.03 one way
$124.06 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg144 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$67.89
$135.79
premium
$4.54
$73.29
$146.58
diesel
$5.61
$90.63
$181.27
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: 143.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Station data from NREL Alternative Fuel Stations database.
Driving Electric?
About $43 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
123.1
1
$43.10
$19.70
Efficient EV
102.6
1
$35.92
$16.42
EV Truck/SUV
164.2
2
$57.47
$26.27
Gas CO2
144 kg
EV CO2
48 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 21, 2026
Origin
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
60°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
E 5 mph76% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Sundown, TX
Late night
in Sundown on Tuesday
Local time
4:13 AM
CDT
Current temp
51°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
9 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
7h 21m 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...
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
~68 min detour
Free
near mile 42.5
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless highway cruise, as this route features 0% highway share. Because you will be navigating local roads, your focus will remain firmly on the pavement rather than coasting at high speeds. This creates a more involved, technical driving experience compared to a standard interstate run. The personality of this trip is defined by its constant shifts and turns, demanding your full attention from start to finish. You should prepare for a steady, hands-on experience behind the wheel that spans the entire 410.5-mile distance.
68% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
40 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?
4/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and US Highway 87 North. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 1.6 miles in near West Cypress Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 21m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 15 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (West Cypress Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
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 Sundown, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Menard along the way.
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
The longest stretch is about 98.7 miles on I 10. 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 is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Sundown, 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 2 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 1.6 miles (West Cypress Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.1 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 3.2 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. 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 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.7 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Sundown, TX before the return drive.
