Trip from San Antonio, TX to Vernon, TX

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Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 20, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

7h 26m

Distance

386.1 mi

621 km

Drive Score

10/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$53

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 31 min

4 AM

7h 16m ★

6 AM

7h 27m

8 AM

7h 47m

10 AM

7h 34m

12 PM

7h 32m

3 PM

7h 35m

5 PM

7h 46m

8 PM

7h 20m

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 county sear of Wilbarger County, Texas, United States

Vernon, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

San Antonio to Vernon is 386.1 miles and takes about 7h 26m via US 281, with a fuel budget near $56 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route primarily traverses the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a straightforward path north. Expect mostly highway driving with a brief transition to surface streets at the beginning and end of your trip. With two recommended stops and a substantial longest stretch of 100.6 miles, this is a manageable one-day drive for those looking to cover ground efficiently within the state.

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

193.1 miles from San Antonio, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 46m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
US 281	100.6 mi	1h 59m
North US Highway 281	95 mi	1h 47m
South Benson Street	67.3 mi	1h 17m
Morgan Mill Road	39.9 mi	44m
US Highway 287 East	39.6 mi	41m
McAllister Freeway	14.9 mi	17m
Northwest Freeway	5.3 mi	5m
Henry S Grace Freeway	3.6 mi	4m

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

Traffic on I-37

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 8 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 Vernon, 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

18 mi · 20 min · North US Highway 281

Continue on US 281

1.1 mi · 1 min · East Road

Continue on US 281

40 mi · 44 min · Morgan Mill Road

Use the straight / right lanes.

Continue on US 281

2.9 mi · 3 min · South Oak Avenue

Continue on US 281; FM 3027

15 mi · 17 min · North US Highway 281

Continue on US 281

67 mi · 1 hr 17 min · South Benson Street

Continue on US 281

3.6 mi · 4 min · Henry S Grace Freeway

Merge onto US 82; US 281; US 287

0.9 mi · 1 min · Central East Freeway

Continue on US 281; US 287

0.8 mi · 58 sec · Lloyd Ruby Overpass

Continue on US 277; US 281; US 287

2.4 mi · 3 min · Central Freeway

Use the straight lane.

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287

5.3 mi · 5 min · Northwest Freeway

Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Continue on US 287

40 mi · 41 min · US Highway 287 East

Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Take the exit onto US 287 Business

1.7 mi · 3 min · US 287 Business

Toward US 287 Business: Vernon Use the slight left / straight lanes.

Turn right onto Commerce Street

0.2 mi · 46 sec · Commerce Street

Turn left

0.1 mi · 55 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 7-hour drive, consider an early morning departure from San Antonio to maximize daylight. With two recommended stops, you can easily break up the 386.1 miles. The longest stretch is over 100 miles, so plan your fuel and restroom breaks accordingly before heading into those longer segments. Keeping your fuel budget around $56 should cover the distance, but it's always wise to check prices along US 281.

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 193.1 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 3h 46m 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 85 miles or 1h 41m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 193.1 miles or 3h 46m 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 18m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vernon, 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 386.1 miles and 7h 26m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 85 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 US 281 for about 100.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

human settlement in Texas, United States of America

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Springtown, TX

193 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

Marble Falls, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 85 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Stephenville, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 193.1 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.

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 14

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 384.1 — 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

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.

339.2 mi into trip | ~6h 34m in | US 287 / Northwest Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto US 287 / Northwest Freeway toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Exit 3A Toward US 287 North: Vernon, Amarillo

384.1 mi into trip | ~7h 21m in | US 287 Business

Take the exit onto US 287 Business toward US 287 Business: Vernon

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the slight left / straight lanes. Toward US 287 Business: Vernon

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$52.88 one way

$105.77 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 135 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$59.07	$118.14
premium	$4.23	$64.22	$128.45
diesel	$4.80	$72.90	$145.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$53

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$78–$103

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 135.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $41 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	115.8	1	$40.54	$18.53
Efficient EV	96.5	1	$33.78	$15.44
EV Truck/SUV	154.4	1	$54.05	$24.71

Gas CO2

135 kg

EV CO2

45 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 Jul 17, 2026

Origin

San Antonio, TX

Late night in San Antonio on Monday

Local time

3:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

75°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SE 5 to 10 mph 18% chance Live forecast

Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 11:58PM CDT until July 17 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Vernon, TX

Late night in Vernon on Monday

Local time

3:09 AM

CDT

Current temp

70°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

S 8 mph 29% chance Live forecast

Tornado Warning

Tornado Warning issued July 16 at 11:58PM CDT until July 17 at 12:45AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 11:42PM CDT until July 17 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio 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

5 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 26m 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...

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...

14 mi from route ~35 min detour Free near mile 66.6

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 69% of this 386.1-mile trip on highways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 100.6 miles on US 281, indicating considerable rural cruising. The route begins and ends with surface streets, specifically mentioning South Benson Street, before transitioning to the more open highway.

69% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

33 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?

8/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 281 and North US Highway 281. 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 14 significant decision points across 386.1 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 17 miles (US 281 HOV Lane): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Elevation Profile

Gently rolling terrain

1,428 ft 649 ft

Total Climb

1,873 ft

Total Descent

1,335 ft

Highest Point

1,428 ft

~55.2 mi in

Elevation Range

779 ft

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 Vernon, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Amarillo along the way.

Amarillo

339.2 mi in | ~6h 34m | via US 287

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 Vernon, TX

Full guide →

Vernon is a city in the North Central Plains region of Texas. Years ago, the Great Western Cattle Trail passed through here, a corollary of the more popular Chisholm Trail to the east. On a more contemporary note, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Roy Orbison. It is the closest town to the Waggoner Ranch, the biggest cattle ranch in the USA under one fence.

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 7h 26m. Total distance: 386.1 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

7h 26m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

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 8 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 Vernon, 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. There are 8 rest areas 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.

Not recommended in a single day. At 7.4 hours each way, a round trip means 14.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Vernon, 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.

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Trip from San Antonio, TX to Vernon, 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

Texas Travel Information Center at Wichita Falls

Rest Area Lilly Roadside Park

Wichita County Northbound Rest Area

Wichita County Southbound Rest Area

Flying J Travel Center

Service Plaza

Love's Travel Stop

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

Vernon, TX

Same local time

5 degrees cooler at arrival

7h 26m 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

Towns Mentioned on Route Signs

About the Cities

Starting in San Antonio, TX

Arriving in Vernon, 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

Continue From Vernon, TX

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