Road Ranger
0.1 mi from route
Trip from San Antonio, TX to The Woodlands, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 45m
Distance
210.1 mi
338 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 33m
★
6 AM
3h 46m
8 AM
4h 11m
10 AM
3h 55m
12 PM
3h 52m
3 PM
3h 56m
5 PM
4h 10m
8 PM
3h 38m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
The Woodlands, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
San Antonio to The Woodlands is 210 miles and takes about 3 hours 45 minutes via West Market Street, East Market Street, and East Commerce Street, with a fuel budget near $30 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region. Since it's entirely on surface roads with no highway travel, expect a consistent pace through towns and cities. It's a straightforward, same-day trip perfect for when you need to get from point A to point B without complex navigation or significant time commitment.
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
105.1 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 50m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 139.6 mi | 2h 20m |
| West Grand Parkway North | 33.8 mi | 36m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| Gosling Road | 4.8 mi | 8m |
| East Commerce Street | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
| Woodlands Parkway | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| 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 The Woodlands, 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
34 mi
·
36 min
·
West Grand Parkway North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
37 sec
Toward Gosling Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Turn left onto Gosling Road
4.8 mi
·
8 min
·
Gosling Road
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Turn right onto Flintridge Drive
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Flintridge Drive
20
Turn left onto South Panther Creek Drive
0.3 mi
·
42 sec
·
South Panther Creek Drive
Use the left lane.
21
Turn right onto Woodlands Parkway
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Woodlands Parkway
22
Turn left onto East Panther Creek Drive
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
East Panther Creek Drive
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto Pebble Cove Drive
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
Pebble Cove Drive
24
Arrive at destination
Pebble Cove Drive
Trip Plan
Given the 3 hour 45 minute duration and 210-mile distance, this trip is easily manageable in a single day. Consider an early morning departure from San Antonio to avoid any potential rush hour traffic within the city. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost estimated at $30, planning is minimal. The route's nature as entirely surface roads means you'll be passing through various communities, so pay attention to local speed limits. Leaving San Antonio via West Market Street will be your initial cue to begin the drive.
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 105.1 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 1h 50m 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 46 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 105.1 miles or 1h 50m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 59m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near The Woodlands, 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 210.1 miles and 3h 45m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 46 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
105 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 46 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 105.1 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 175 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 168.9 — 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.
6
4.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
Interstate 10 East
Turn left onto Interstate 10 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
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
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$32.17 one way
$64.34 round trip
$3.89/gal
25.4 MPG avg
74 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.29 | $35.50 | $71.00 |
| premium | $4.64 | $38.36 | $76.73 |
| diesel | $6.18 | $51.11 | $102.22 |
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: 73.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-10-12.
Driving Electric?
About $22 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 63 | 0 | $22.06 | $10.08 |
| Efficient EV | 52.5 | 0 | $18.38 | $8.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 84 | 1 | $29.41 | $13.45 |
Gas CO2
74 kg
EV CO2
25 kg (66% 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 Sunday
Local time
8:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Sunny
NNE 5 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville TX
Destination
The Woodlands, TX
Morning in The Woodlands on Sunday
Local time
8:32 AM
CDT
Current temp
72°F
Sunny
N 10 to 15 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Wind Advisory
Wind Advisory issued October 17 at 6:53AM CDT until October 17 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Rip Current Statement
Rip Current Statement issued October 17 at 3:25AM CDT until October 18 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Brownsville 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
2 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
3h 45m 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?
This route is entirely on surface roads, with a 0% highway share. You'll navigate through towns and cities for the entire 210.1 miles, so anticipate frequent traffic lights and intersections. The drive involves continuous transitions between different street names, beginning with West Market Street and moving through East Market Street and East Commerce Street. Be prepared for a consistent, urban-to-suburban cruising experience without any stretches of high-speed highway driving.
84% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
24 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?
8/10
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
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 17 significant decision points across 210.1 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 4.6 miles (Interstate 10 East): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
649 ft
137 ft
Total Climb
160 ft
Total Descent
669 ft
Highest Point
649 ft
Elevation Range
512 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 The Woodlands, 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 The Woodlands, TX
Full guide →Founded 1974
The Woodlands is a suburban city in the Deep East Texas region of Texas 28 miles north of downtown Houston along Interstate 45. Although it began as a suburban development and a bedroom community, it also has attracted corporations and unique shopping to the area. In addition to residential and corporate housing, The Woodlands features a shopping mall, seven golf courses, and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Regional Concert Venue, and a 4-star rated The Woodlands Resort.
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 45m. Total distance: 210.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 45m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (84%). 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 The Woodlands, 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 4.6 miles (Interstate 10 East): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: 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 7.5 hours — manageable with a long break at The Woodlands, 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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