Trip from San Elizario, TX to San Antonio, 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

8h 37m

Distance

534.4 mi

860 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

2-day trip

Fuel Cost

$73

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 23 min

4 AM

8h 30m ★

6 AM

8h 38m

8 AM

8h 53m

10 AM

8h 43m

12 PM

8h 42m

3 PM

8h 44m

5 PM

8h 52m

8 PM

8h 33m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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city in El Paso County, Texas, United States

San Elizario, TX

Wikimedia Commons

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from San Elizario to San Antonio covers a substantial 532.6-mile journey across the Great Plains of Texas. Expect to spend approximately 7 hours and 37 minutes behind the wheel to complete this trek. While the trip is feasible in a single day, it is a long-distance haul that requires stamina. You should budget about $79 for fuel to get you from point A to point B. Since both locations reside within the Great Plains, you will experience consistent regional terrain throughout the drive.

Trip Pace

Best split across 2 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

2 planned breaks

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

Midpoint

267.2 miles from San Elizario, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 18m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	524.6 mi	8h 20m
South San Elizario Road	3.4 mi	6m
McDermott Freeway	1.7 mi	2m
North Loop Drive	1.2 mi	2m
FM 1110	0.8 mi	1m
North Pecos-La Trinidad	0.7 mi	1m
Dolorosa Street	0.5 mi	<1m
Clint-San Elizario Road	0.3 mi	<1m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 524.6 mi, about 8h 20m

Traffic on I-10

Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 26 FHWA count stations on your route.

Peak

2 PM

~460 veh/hr typical · worst 792

Quietest

3 AM

~95 veh/hr

Peak-to-quiet ratio

4.8×

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 Elizario, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on San Elizario Rd.

438 ft · 24 sec · San Elizario Rd

At end of road, turn left onto FM 258

398 ft · 12 sec · Socorro Road

Turn right onto FM 1110

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Clint - San Elizario Road

Continue on FM 1110

3.4 mi · 6 min · South San Elizario Road

Turn right onto FM 76

1.2 mi · 2 min · North Loop Drive

Turn left onto FM 1110

0.3 mi · 26 sec · Clint-San Elizario Road

Continue on FM 1110

0.8 mi · 1 min · FM 1110

Turn right onto Gateway Boulevard East

0.2 mi · 26 sec · Gateway Boulevard East

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 23 sec

Merge onto I 10

144 mi · 2 hr 16 min · I 10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

363 mi · 5 hr 44 min · I 10

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

17 mi · 19 min · I 10; US 87

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

1.7 mi · 2 min · McDermott Freeway

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.2 mi · 16 sec · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Dolorosa Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Arrive at destination

Dolorosa Street

Trip Plan

To tackle this 532.6-mile route effectively, aim for an early morning departure to ensure you reach your destination before fatigue sets in. Plan for at least two intentional stops to stretch your legs and manage your fuel budget, which remains around $79 for the trip. Since you are staying off the major highways, keep a close eye on your navigation as you transition between local roads. Given the 7-hour and 37-minute duration, stay flexible with your schedule to account for potential traffic or road conditions on these non-highway stretches.

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.

This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.

Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 267.2 miles from San Elizario, TX, or about 4h 18m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 524.6 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 118 miles or 1h 57m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 267.2 miles or 4h 18m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 267.2 miles or 4h 18m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 7h 35m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Antonio, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

Open the route before leaving San Elizario, 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.

Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from San Elizario, TX

Aim for roughly 267 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Finish the approach into San Antonio, TX

Aim for roughly 267 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 118 miles from San Elizario, TX.

This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 524.6 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in and county seat of Reeves County, Texas, United States

First major stop

Coffee and fuel

Pecos, TX

176 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

city in and county seat of Kimble County, Texas, United States

Second major stop

Overnight candidate

Junction, TX

353 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Junction, TX

Overnight Options

Night 1

Big Lake, TX

267 mi · about 4.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Big Lake, TX after about 267 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Van Horn, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 118 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Big Lake, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 267.2 miles from San Elizario, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 524.6 miles.

Overnight split

0.7 mi from route

Spanish Governor's Palace

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 0 mi from route

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9–9:30 pm

+12102259800

Visit website

Hemisfair

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 end, right off the route

Home stretch 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 12

5 decision points cluster between mile 150.2 and 533.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

150.2 mi into trip | ~2h 27m in | I 10

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

513.6 mi into trip | ~8h 12m 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 right lanes.

532.7 mi into trip | ~8h 34m in

Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Use the slight right lane. Exit 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown

533.4 mi into trip | ~8h 35m in | North Pecos-La Trinidad

Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane.

533.9 mi into trip | ~8h 36m in | Dolorosa Street

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / left lanes.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$73.20 one way

$146.39 round trip

$3.48/gal 25.4 MPG avg 187 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$3.89	$81.76	$163.52
premium	$4.23	$88.89	$177.78
diesel	$4.80	$100.90	$201.81

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$73

Hotel (1n)

$80–$140

Meals

$50–$100

Total

$203–$313

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 187 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.

Driving Electric?

About $56 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	160.3	1	$56.11	$25.65
Efficient EV	133.6	1	$46.76	$21.38
EV Truck/SUV	213.8	2	$74.82	$34.20

Gas CO2

187 kg

EV CO2

63 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 16, 2026

Origin

San Elizario, TX

Late night in San Elizario on Sunday

Local time

3:41 AM

MDT

Current temp

94°F

Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

ESE 8 mph 15% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:47PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:46PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Late night in San Antonio on Sunday

Local time

4:41 AM

CDT

Current temp

86°F

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

SSE 10 mph 39% chance Live forecast

Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued July 16 at 4:47PM CDT until July 16 at 7:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

Severe Thunderstorm Warning issued July 16 at 4:46PM CDT until July 16 at 5:30PM CDT by NWS Shreveport LA

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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

1 hour later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

8 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

8h 37m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

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 near mile 534.4

View on nps.gov

Chamizal National Memorial

National Memorial

Chamizal is more than just an urban park to recreate or enjoy a quiet afternoon. These grounds are a reminder of the harmonious settlement of a 100-year boundary dispute between the United States and...

16 mi from route ~41 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...

27 mi from route ~68 min detour Free near mile 479.1

View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

Navigating this route relies heavily on local roads, including Socorro Road, Clint - San Elizario Road, and South San Elizario Road, rather than high-speed interstates. Because the highway share is 0%, the character of the drive is defined by slower, more deliberate travel through local corridors. You won't find yourself locked into monotonous interstate cruising, but instead will be managing a more hands-on driving experience. Prepare for a steady pace that demands your full attention as you traverse the vast plains between these two Texas points.

99% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.

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

Longest single stretch: 524.6 mi on I 10.

How Hard Is This Drive?

6/10

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and South San Elizario Road. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 150.2 miles in near I 10.

Driving Effort 6/10

Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This drive requires moderate attention. Across 534.4 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 150.2 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 513.6 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 532.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Elevation Profile

Hilly terrain with moderate elevation changes

4,383 ft 649 ft

Total Climb

1,172 ft

Total Descent

4,165 ft

Highest Point

4,383 ft

~76.3 mi in

Elevation Range

3,735 ft

Notable High Points

4,383 ft at ~76.3 miles +510 ft prominence

Detours Along the Way

Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.

Cafe arte MI Amore

Cafe

Hours: Mo-Th, Su 08:00-23:00; Fr, Sa 08:00-00:0...

Visit website

Pistoleros Del Adobe Cantina and Grill

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

San Elizario, TX

Shooter's Smokin BBQ

Restaurant

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

San Elizario, TX

Texas de Brazil

Restaurant

Near the end, right off the route

Home stretch 0.3 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio

Cuisine: steak_house

Little Caesars

Fast_food

Near the start, right off the route

0.9 mi from route ~2 min detour

Museum

About the Cities

Starting in San Elizario, TX

Full guide →

Founded 2013

Top landmarks

• Presidio Chapel of San Elizario — New Spanish XVIII fort chapel in San Elizario, El Paso County, Texas

Arriving 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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

8h 37m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 524.6 miles on I 10. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

Yes — a 2-day pace is more comfortable than one long haul. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 267 miles on day one.

Yes — we found about 54 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 San Antonio, 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 54 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Chamizal National Memorial 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 8.6 hours each way, a round trip means 17.3 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at San Antonio, 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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