Hill County Northbound Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Trophy Club, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
289.2 mi
465 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$40
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 39m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 19m
3 PM
5h 23m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trophy Club, TX
cottonbro studio
Trip Overview
This 289.2-mile drive from San Antonio, TX, to Trophy Club, TX, is manageable as a single-day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 11 minutes. You'll primarily travel on the Purple Heart Trail and I-35W, with a significant portion on the North Pan Am Expressway. The fuel cost is estimated at $44, making it an affordable journey. Both San Antonio and Trophy Club are situated within the Great Plains region, so expect a consistent landscape throughout. This route offers a straightforward path for a quick transition between these 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
144.6 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 188.3 mi | 3h 18m |
| I 35W | 51.5 mi | 54m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| I 35W TEXpress | 13.8 mi | 14m |
| Alliance Gateway Freeway | 7.3 mi | 8m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| William J Bordelon Freeway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 18m
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 108 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
3 PM
~3,524 veh/hr typical · worst 4,208
Quietest
2 AM
~595 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
5.9×
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 Trophy Club, 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
216 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Commerce Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 281 North, I 37 North
7
Merge onto I 37; US 281
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
William J Bordelon Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142A
Toward I 35 North: Austin
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 35
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W
52 mi
·
54 min
·
I 35W
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Use the slight left lane.
18
Take the exit onto I 35W TEXpress
14 mi
·
14 min
·
I 35W TEXpress
Toward I 35W Express North: I 35W TEXpress North
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit onto TX 170 Toll
0.6 mi
·
44 sec
·
Alliance Gateway Freeway
Toward TX 170 East: TX 170 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Merge onto TX 170
6.7 mi
·
7 min
·
Alliance Gateway Freeway
Use the slight right lane.
21
Merge onto TX 114
0.5 mi
·
34 sec
·
Northwest Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
22
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Toward Trophy Club Drive, Westlake Parkway
Use the slight right lane.
23
Turn straight onto East State Highway 114
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
·
East State Highway 114
24
Turn left onto Westlake Parkway
459 ft
·
18 sec
·
Westlake Parkway
25
Continue on Trophy Club Drive
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
Trophy Club Drive
26
Turn right onto Indian Creek Drive
388 ft
·
16 sec
·
Indian Creek Drive
27
Turn left onto Hogans Drive
0.2 mi
·
36 sec
·
Hogans Drive
28
Turn left onto Hamper Court
358 ft
·
15 sec
·
Hamper Court
29
Arrive at destination
Hamper Court
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour duration, starting your trip from San Antonio in the morning will allow you to reach Trophy Club by mid-afternoon, leaving plenty of time to settle in. With only one recommended stop, you have the flexibility to take breaks as needed, perhaps around the halfway point. Keep an eye on your fuel levels, especially during the longest stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be more spaced out. Planning your fuel stops proactively will ensure a smooth and uninterrupted journey.
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 144.6 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 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 64 miles or 1h 13m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144.6 miles or 2h 38m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 14m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Trophy Club, 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 289.2 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
145 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 144.6 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 Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.3 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.
Service Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Plaza
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
TA
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Northbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
0.2 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.2 mi from route
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
0.2 mi from route
Road Ranger
0.2 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.2 mi from route
Buc-ee's
0.2 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.3 mi from route
TA
0.3 mi from route
Service Plaza
0.3 mi from route
Marlstone Retail Center
0.4 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
2.3 mi from route
Petro Stopping Centers
2.4 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 0.9 and 288 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
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
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142A
Toward I 35 North: Austin
7
10.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
214.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
I 35W
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35W toward I 35W: Fort Worth
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35W: Fort Worth
7
288 mi into trip
|
~5h 8m in
Take the exit toward Trophy Club Drive, Westlake Parkway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Toward Trophy Club Drive, Westlake Parkway
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.61 one way
$79.22 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
101 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $44.25 | $88.49 |
| premium | $4.23 | $48.11 | $96.21 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $54.61 | $109.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.06
Northwest Parkway
(0.5 mi)
$0.06
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$40
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$65–$90
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 101.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.8 | 1 | $30.37 | $13.88 |
| Efficient EV | 72.3 | 0 | $25.31 | $11.57 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115.7 | 1 | $40.49 | $18.51 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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
Late night in San Antonio on Monday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
76°F
Mostly Cloudy
SE 10 to 15 mph
3% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:41PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
Trophy Club, TX
Late night in Trophy Club on Monday
Local time
4:56 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Partly Cloudy
S 10 to 15 mph
4% chance
Live forecast
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 17 at 6:44PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Severe Thunderstorm Warning
Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 17 at 6:41PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
96°F
Troy, TX
145 mi in
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 warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 11m 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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
5 mi from route
~12 min detour
Free
near mile 179.5
View on nps.gov
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?
The character of this drive is a mixed bag, with 34% of the journey on highways. You'll experience a substantial 188.3-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, which might offer a more varied driving experience compared to pure interstate. This is followed by segments on I-35W and the North Pan Am Expressway, likely providing faster travel. The profile suggests a mixed drive, meaning you'll likely encounter both open highway cruising and potentially some more localized road sections as you approach your destination.
34% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
29 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 188.3 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Driving Effort
10/10
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 17 significant decision points across 289.2 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
844 ft
507 ft
Total Climb
700 ft
Total Descent
740 ft
Highest Point
844 ft
~20.7 mi in
Elevation Range
338 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 Trophy Club, TX
Full guide →Founded 1973
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 5h 11m. Total distance: 289.2 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 188.3 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $0.06 in tolls one way, starting with Northwest Parkway. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 28 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 Trophy Club, 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 28 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 5.2 hours each way, a round trip means 10.4 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Trophy Club, 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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
More trips to Trophy Club, TX
Explore more options from San Antonio, TX or browse trips ending in Trophy Club, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.