Trip from San Antonio, TX to Vidor, 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

5h 12m

Distance

286.9 mi

462 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$39

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 59m ★

6 AM

5h 12m

8 AM

5h 39m

10 AM

5h 22m

12 PM

5h 19m

3 PM

5h 23m

5 PM

5h 38m

8 PM

5h 4m

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 Orange County, Texas, United States

Vidor, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

San Antonio to Vidor is 286.9 miles and takes about 5h 12m via I 10, with a fuel budget near $43 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive stays within Texas, crossing from the Great Plains region into another part of the Great Plains. You'll be on the highway for most of this trip, so expect a straightforward commute. Given the relatively short distance and duration, this route is perfectly manageable for a single day of 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

1 planned break

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

143.4 miles from San Antonio, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 30m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	151.1 mi	2h 34m
East Freeway	91.3 mi	1h 43m
90th Infantry Division Highway	22.2 mi	23m
Katy Freeway	10.9 mi	13m
East Commerce Street	3.5 mi	5m
Katy Tollway	3.2 mi	4m
Jose Lopez Freeway	1.8 mi	2m
West Freeway Boulevard South	0.5 mi	1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 151.1 mi, about 2h 34m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 52 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

3 PM

~2,943 veh/hr typical · worst 3,773

Quietest

2 AM

~394 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

7.5×

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 Vidor, 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

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Commerce Street

Keep slight left at fork onto East Commerce Street

2.7 mi · 4 min · East Commerce Street

Turn slight right onto East Houston Street

0.3 mi · 30 sec · East Houston Street

Turn left onto Interstate 10 East

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Interstate 10 East

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 10 East, US 90 East Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 10; US 90

1.8 mi · 2 min · Jose Lopez Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10; US 90

22 mi · 23 min · 90th Infantry Division Highway

Use the slight right lane.

Continue on I 10; TX 130

151 mi · 2 hr 34 min · I 10; TX 130

Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 22 sec

Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 10 Toll

3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 15 sec

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10; US 90

11 mi · 13 min · Katy Freeway

Use the slight left lane.

Continue on I 10; US 90

5.8 mi · 7 min · East Freeway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

13 mi · 16 min · East Freeway

Use the straight / right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

72 mi · 1 hr 20 min · East Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Exit 860 Toward FM 105: Vidor

Continue on West Freeway Boulevard South

0.5 mi · 1 min · West Freeway Boulevard South

Use the straight / left lanes.

Turn left onto FM 105

0.1 mi · 16 sec · North Main Street

Turn right

243 ft · 20 sec

Turn right

377 ft · 28 sec

At end of road, turn right onto East Freeway Boulevard North

148 ft · 3 sec · East Freeway Boulevard North

Turn straight

196 ft · 8 sec

Arrive at destination

Trip Plan

To make the most of this 5-hour drive, consider leaving San Antonio in the morning to arrive in Vidor by mid-afternoon. The route has only one recommended stop, so you can be flexible with your timing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch on I 10, as services can be spaced out. The estimated fuel cost of $43 should help you budget for gas. Since this is a single-day trip, you won't need to worry about overnight accommodations.

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 143.4 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 2h 30m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 151.1 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 63 miles or 1h 8m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 143.4 miles or 2h 30m 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 13m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Vidor, 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 286.9 miles and 5h 12m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 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 151.1 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houston, TX

143 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

Brownsboro, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 63 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 143.4 miles from San Antonio, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12102077527

Visit website

GO 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 website

San 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 website

Hemisfair

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 website

San 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 website

The 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 website

SEA 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 website

San 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 website

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

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 17

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 200.3 — 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.

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.

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

179.9 mi into trip | ~3h 7m in

Take the exit toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway

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

Use the slight left lane. Toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway

200.3 mi into trip | ~3h 33m in | I 10 / East Freeway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 / East Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / right lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$39.30 one way

$78.59 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$43.89	$87.79
premium	$4.23	$47.72	$95.45
diesel	$4.80	$54.17	$108.34

Estimated Tolls: $0.23

Katy Tollway (3.2 mi) $0.23

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

$39

Tolls

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 100.4 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	86.1	1	$30.12	$13.77
Efficient EV	71.7	0	$25.10	$11.48
EV Truck/SUV	114.8	1	$40.17	$18.36

Gas CO2

100 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.

Forecast as of Jul 18, 2026

Origin

San Antonio, TX

Late night in San Antonio on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

76°F

Mostly Cloudy

SE 10 to 15 mph 3% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 7:13AM CDT by NWS Austin/San Antonio TX

Destination

Vidor, TX

Late night in Vidor on Sunday

Local time

1:59 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Mostly Cloudy

SW 0 to 5 mph 2% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 17 at 7:21PM CDT until July 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Flood Warning

Flood Warning issued July 17 at 2:38PM CDT until July 18 at 7:13AM 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

2 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

5h 12m 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

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

What kind of drive is this?

This drive is primarily highway, with 89% of the route on major roads like I 10 and the East Freeway. You'll encounter a substantial stretch of 151.1 miles on I 10 without needing to exit. The bulk of the driving is on highways, but expect the highway portion to end as you approach Vidor. Be prepared for a high number of exits as you get closer to your destination.

89% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 151.1 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

9/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and East Freeway. 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 9/10

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 286.9 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 13 ft

Total Climb

47 ft

Total Descent

678 ft

Highest Point

649 ft

Elevation Range

636 ft

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 Vidor, 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 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 Vidor, TX

Full guide →

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 12m. Total distance: 286.9 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 12m drive, comfortable solo distance.

First-Time Driver

Mostly highway driving (89%). Some complex stretches to watch for.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 151.1 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Expect about $0.23 in tolls one way, starting with Katy Tollway. 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 42 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 Vidor, 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 42 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — 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 Vidor, 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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