Spanning 538.6 miles across the Texas Great Plains, this journey from Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia to San Antonio requires approximately 7 hours and 57 minutes of pure driving time. While technically manageable in a single day, it is a significant haul that demands focus behind the wheel. You should budget around $80 for fuel to cover the distance, though it is wise to keep a little extra set aside for fluctuations. Since you will be navigating local roads like Zebu Road, Bovee Road, and Alameda Avenue, expect a slower pace than a typical interstate sprint. Consider whether you have the stamina for an eight-hour day or if you prefer to break the trip into two segments to keep your arrival in San Antonio fresh.
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
268.1 miles from Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 22m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
524.6 mi
8h 20m
Alameda Avenue
2.9 mi
4m
North Loop Drive
1.8 mi
3m
McDermott Freeway
1.7 mi
2m
FM 1110
0.8 mi
1m
Bovee Road
0.8 mi
1m
North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.7 mi
1m
Estate Drive
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 524.6 mi, about 8h 20m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on Barzon Street
0.1 mi·28 sec·Barzon Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto Zebu Road
0.3 mi·43 sec·Zebu Road
3
Turn right onto Bovee Road
0.8 mi·1 min·Bovee Road
4
Turn right onto TX 20
2.9 mi·4 min·Alameda Avenue
5
Turn left onto Burbridge Road
0.4 mi·1 min·Burbridge Road
6
Turn right onto Trent Road
0.1 mi·17 sec·Trent Road
7
Continue on Estate Drive
0.6 mi·1 min·Estate Drive
8
Turn right onto FM 76
1.8 mi·3 min·North Loop Drive
9
Turn left onto FM 1110
0.3 mi·26 sec·Clint-San Elizario Road
10
Continue on FM 1110
0.8 mi·1 min·FM 1110
11
Turn right onto Gateway Boulevard East
0.2 mi·26 sec·Gateway Boulevard East
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·23 sec
13
Merge onto I 10
144 mi·2 hr 16 min·I 10
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
363 mi·5 hr 44 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi·19 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi·2 min·McDermott Freeway
17
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Exit 569CToward Santa Rosa Street, DowntownUse the slight right lane.
18
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi·16 sec·North Pecos-La Trinidad
19
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi·1 min·North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
20
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi·55 sec·Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
21
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To tackle this 7-hour and 57-minute drive effectively, plan for at least two deliberate stops to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Since you are sticking to local roads, departures should happen as early as possible to avoid potential traffic delays on Alameda Avenue or other segments of the route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $80 estimate is a baseline; having a buffer will prevent unnecessary stress between your planned stops. Because this is a long-distance drive without the ease of high-speed interstates, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained, lower-speed travel. Prioritize your comfort and hydration to manage the nearly eight hours of road time, and you will reach San Antonio feeling much more prepared.
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 268.1 miles from Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, TX, or about 4h 22m 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 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 268.1 miles or 4h 22m 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 268.1 miles or 4h 22m
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 39m
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 Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, 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 Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Antonio, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 118 miles from Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, 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.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 15
5 decision points cluster between mile 152.1 and 535.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
152.1 mi into trip|~2h 32m 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.
6
515.5 mi into trip|~8h 16m 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.
8
534.6 mi into trip|~8h 38m 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
6
535.2 mi into trip|~8h 39m 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.
6
535.8 mi into trip|~8h 40m in|Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$81.04 one way
$162.07 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg188 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$88.70
$177.40
premium
$4.54
$95.75
$191.51
diesel
$5.61
$118.41
$236.82
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$81
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$211–$321
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 187.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
160.9
1
$56.31
$25.74
Efficient EV
134.1
1
$46.93
$21.45
EV Truck/SUV
214.5
2
$75.08
$34.32
Gas CO2
188 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 Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, TX
Night
in Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia on Saturday
Local time
10:58 PM
MDT
Current temp
56°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Night
in San Antonio on Saturday
Local time
11:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 10 mph0% chanceLive forecast
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
34 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
8h 41m 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 536.3
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...
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
~69 min detour
Free
near mile 480.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a grounded, local-road experience on this route, as it maintains a 0% highway share throughout the entire 538.6-mile trek. You will spend your time navigating through Zebu Road, Bovee Road, and Alameda Avenue, which offers a much more intimate look at the landscape than a high-speed interstate. Because the route relies entirely on secondary roads, the drive feels consistent rather than monotonous, requiring your full attention as you transition between these specific thoroughfares. The lack of major highway stretches means your speed will be lower, so factor in the reality that this is a steady, deliberate navigation across the Great Plains rather than a quick dash.
98% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
21 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 Alameda Avenue. You will hit about 15 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 152.1 miles in near I 10.
Driving Effort6/10
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 536.3 miles you will encounter 15 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 152.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 515.5 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 534.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
8h 41m 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 268 miles on day one.
We did not find dedicated rest areas on this route. For a drive this long, plan bathroom and stretch breaks around gas stations, fast-food stops, or small-town downtowns — check the Nearby Places section for options.
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. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: at 152.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 515.5 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 534.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
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 8.7 hours each way, a round trip means 17.4 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.
