Rest Area
0 mi from route
Trip from Santa Rosa, TX to San Antonio, 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
4h 41m
Distance
248 mi
399 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$34
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 28m
★
6 AM
4h 41m
8 AM
5h 8m
10 AM
4h 51m
12 PM
4h 48m
3 PM
4h 52m
5 PM
5h 7m
8 PM
4h 33m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Santa Rosa, TX
Mark Direen
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Santa Rosa, TX to San Antonio, TX is 248 miles and takes about 4h 41m via I 69C and US 281, with a fuel budget near $37 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip takes you across the vast Great Plains region of Texas, staying within the state for the entire duration. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. You'll find the route efficient for covering ground between these two points. Consider this an easy transit between two points in the same region.
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
124 miles from Santa Rosa, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 23m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 69C | 141.7 mi | 2h 35m |
| US 281 | 69 mi | 1h 11m |
| Nueces Street | 14.7 mi | 18m |
| East Santa Rosa Avenue | 9.1 mi | 13m |
| Santa Cruz Avenue | 8.4 mi | 12m |
| East Richardson Road | 1.2 mi | 1m |
| Richardson Road | 0.9 mi | 1m |
| East Commerce Street | 0.9 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
I 69C
— 141.7 mi, about 2h 35m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Santa Rosa, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on FM 506
44 ft
·
6 sec
·
Santa Rosa Boulevard
2
Turn right onto TX 107
8.4 mi
·
12 min
·
Santa Cruz Avenue
3
Continue on TX 107
9.1 mi
·
13 min
·
East Santa Rosa Avenue
4
Turn right onto FM 2128
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
Richardson Road
5
Continue on FM 2128
0.5 mi
·
40 sec
·
East Schunior Street
6
Continue on FM 2128
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
East Richardson Street
7
Continue on FM 2128
1.2 mi
·
1 min
·
East Richardson Road
8
Turn right onto North Expressway 281
181 ft
·
3 sec
·
North Expressway 281
9
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
35 sec
Toward I 69C North, US 281 North
10
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
71 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
I 69C; US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 69C; US 281
70 mi
·
1 hr 19 min
·
I 69C; US 281
12
Keep slight left at fork onto US 281
15 mi
·
18 min
·
Nueces Street
13
Continue on US 281
0.2 mi
·
15 sec
·
US 281
14
Take the exit onto US 281
69 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
US 281
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
33 sec
Exit 141
Toward Commerce Street, Downtown, The Alamo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto Interstate 37 South
380 ft
·
11 sec
·
Interstate 37 South
17
Turn left onto East Commerce Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
East Commerce Street
18
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
19
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
20
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 4h 41m duration, departing Santa Rosa in the morning allows ample time to reach San Antonio well before evening. With only one recommended stop and a short driving time, you have flexibility in pacing. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as the estimated cost is $37, and services can be spread out on longer highway stretches like the 141.7 miles on I 69C. Plan your fuel stops accordingly to avoid any inconvenience. This is a manageable one-day drive, so you can decide on your stop timing as you go.
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 124 miles from Santa Rosa, TX, or about 2h 23m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 141.7 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 55 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 124 miles or 2h 23m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 53m
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 Santa Rosa, 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 Santa Rosa, TX
This is one driving day of about 248 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 55 miles from Santa Rosa, 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 69C for about 141.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
124 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 55 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 124 miles from Santa Rosa, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 69C if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 141.7 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.
Brooks County Rest Area
0 mi from route
Picnic Area
0 mi from route
TA
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Love's Travel Stop
0.1 mi from route
Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Live Oak County Southbound Rest Area
0.1 mi from route
Picnic Area
0.1 mi from route
Flying J Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.1 mi from route
QuikTrip
0.1 mi from route
Pilot Travel Center
0.2 mi from route
Live Oak County Northbound Rest Area
0.3 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 websiteGO 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 websiteSan 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 websiteHemisfair
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 websiteSan 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 websiteThe 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 websiteSEA 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 websiteSan 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 websitePlace data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 115 decision points cluster between mile 21 and 247.9 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
21 mi into trip
|
~31m in
Take the ramp toward I 69C North, US 281 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 69C North, US 281 North
5
21.2 mi into trip
|
~32m in
|
I 69C; US 281
Merge onto I 69C; US 281
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
177.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 26m in
|
US 281
Take the exit onto US 281
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
246.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 38m in
Take the exit toward Commerce Street, Downtown, The Alamo
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 141
Toward Commerce Street, Downtown, The Alamo
5
247.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 41m in
|
Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Navigation decision point
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$33.97 one way
$67.94 round trip
$3.48/gal
25.4 MPG avg
87 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $37.94 | $75.88 |
| premium | $4.23 | $41.25 | $82.50 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $46.83 | $93.65 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$34
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$59–$84
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 86.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 74.4 | 0 | $26.04 | $11.90 |
| Efficient EV | 62 | 0 | $21.70 | $9.92 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 99.2 | 1 | $34.72 | $15.87 |
Gas CO2
87 kg
EV CO2
29 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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
Santa Rosa, TX
Late night in Santa Rosa on Monday
Local time
1:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
98°F
Mostly Sunny
SSE 9 to 18 mph
0% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:54AM CDT until July 21 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:53AM CDT until July 20 at 4:50AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night in San Antonio on Monday
Local time
1:23 AM
CDT
Current temp
93°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 10 mph
2% chance
Live forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:54AM CDT until July 21 at 4:06AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi TX
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued July 18 at 6:53AM CDT until July 20 at 4:50AM CDT by NWS Corpus Christi 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
4h 41m 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...
2 mi from route
~4 min detour
Free
near mile 239.4
View on nps.gov
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
National Historical Park
On May 8, 1846, U.S. and Mexican troops clashed on the prairie of Palo Alto. The battle was the first in a two-year long war that changed the map of North America. Although the two countries have deve...
28 mi from route
~69 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 predominantly highway, with 85% of the 248 miles on major roadways. You'll experience a longest stretch of 141.7 miles on I 69C, offering a sustained period of highway cruising. The transition to surface streets like Nueces Street will occur later in the trip, closer to San Antonio. Expect a consistent flow of traffic and numerous exits during the highway portions.
85% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 141.7 mi on I 69C.
How Hard Is This Drive?
5/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 69C and US 281. You will hit about 11 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 21 miles in.
Driving Effort
5/10
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 248 miles you will encounter 11 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 21 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.2 miles (I 69C; US 281): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.8 miles (US 281): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
649 ft
51 ft
Total Climb
809 ft
Total Descent
211 ft
Highest Point
649 ft
~248 mi in
Elevation Range
598 ft
About the Cities
Starting in Santa Rosa, TX
Full guide →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?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 248 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
4h 41m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 141.7 miles on I 69C. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Yes — we found about 14 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.
Yes, with realistic expectations. Build in a stop roughly every 2 hours, have snacks and activities ready, and check the Nearby Places tabs for kid-friendly stops along the way.
The main spots that need attention: at 21 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 21.2 miles (I 69C; US 281): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 177.8 miles (US 281): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 4.7 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 9.4 hours — manageable with a long break at San Antonio, 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, and NPS for national parks. 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
Continue From San Antonio, TX
More from Santa Rosa, TX
More trips to San Antonio, TX
Explore more options from Santa Rosa, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.