Origin
Stafford, TX
Afternoon in Stafford on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Stafford, TX to San Antonio, TX
Compiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 19, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 27m
Distance
192.8 mi
310 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$29
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 15m
★
6 AM
3h 27m
8 AM
3h 52m
10 AM
3h 36m
12 PM
3h 33m
3 PM
3h 37m
5 PM
3h 50m
8 PM
3h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Stafford, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
This 192.8-mile drive from Stafford, TX, to San Antonio, TX, is easily managed as a single-day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 27 minutes. Primarily utilizing the Katy Freeway, West Grand Parkway South, and I-10, you'll find this route to be highway-focused, with 95% of the journey on major roadways. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $29. Both Stafford and San Antonio are situated within the Great Plains region, so expect consistent terrain throughout. This straightforward trip is ideal for those looking for an efficient way to travel between these two Texas cities.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
96.4 miles from Stafford, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 45m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Katy Freeway | 149.1 mi | 2h 30m |
| West Grand Parkway South | 14.7 mi | 17m |
| I 10 | 12 mi | 12m |
| US Highway 90A | 5.9 mi | 9m |
| East Commerce Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| North Main Street | 2.2 mi | 3m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 149.1 mi, about 2h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stafford, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on this road
111 ft
·
10 sec
·
this road
2
Turn right onto US 90 Alt
2.2 mi
·
3 min
·
North Main Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
3
Continue on US 90 Alt
5.9 mi
·
9 min
·
US Highway 90A
Use the left lane.
4
Turn right onto TX 99
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the right lane.
5
Merge onto TX 99
14 mi
·
16 min
·
West Grand Parkway South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Take the exit
0.4 mi
·
56 sec
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houston
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left lane.
8
Merge onto I 10; US 90
149 mi
·
2 hr 30 min
·
Katy Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
0.8 mi
·
51 sec
·
90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
14
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Houston Street
15
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Commerce Street
16
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
17
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
18
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
With a duration of just over 3.5 hours, this trip is well-suited for a single day. Consider departing early in the morning to take advantage of lighter traffic on the Katy Freeway and I-10. With only one recommended stop, you have a lot of flexibility in pacing your journey. The estimated fuel cost of $29 is manageable, but it's always wise to check your fuel levels before heading out, especially given the 149.1-mile stretch on the Katy Freeway where refueling opportunities might be less frequent. Keep an eye on traffic reports as you approach San Antonio.
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 96.4 miles from Stafford, TX, or about 1h 45m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 149.1 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 42 miles or 50m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 96.4 miles or 1h 45m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
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 Stafford, 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 Stafford, TX
This is one driving day of about 192.8 miles and 3h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 42 miles from Stafford, 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 Katy Freeway for about 149.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
96 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 42 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 96.4 miles from Stafford, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Katy Freeway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 149.1 miles.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 125 decision points cluster between mile 0 and 187.6 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
US 90 Alt / North Main Street
Turn right onto US 90 Alt / North Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
7
22.9 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Take the exit toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houston
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.
Toward I 10 West, I 10 East: San Antonio, Houst...
7
23.3 mi into trip
|
~30m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
6
173.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 2m in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
187.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 18m in
Take the exit toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
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 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$29.13 one way
$58.27 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $31.89 | $63.78 |
| premium | $4.54 | $34.42 | $68.85 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $42.57 | $85.14 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$29
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$54–$79
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 57.8 | 0 | $20.24 | $9.25 |
| Efficient EV | 48.2 | 0 | $16.87 | $7.71 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.1 | 0 | $26.99 | $12.34 |
Gas CO2
67 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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.
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
3:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
77°F
Columbus, TX
96 mi in
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
1 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
3h 27m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
What kind of drive is this?
Expect a highway-focused drive for the majority of this 192.8-mile trip, with 95% of your journey on major roads like the Katy Freeway and I-10. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 149.1 miles on the Katy Freeway, meaning extended periods of consistent driving. This route is designed for efficiency, offering a straightforward experience for drivers. You'll be navigating primarily through expressways designed for longer-distance travel rather than winding local roads.
95% 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: 149.1 mi on Katy Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
8/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and West Grand Parkway South. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near US 90 Alt / North Main Street.
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 12 significant decision points across 192.8 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: near the start (US 90 Alt / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
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 Stafford, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Houston along the way.
Houston
22.9 mi in
|
~30m
About the Cities
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 3h 27m. Total distance: 192.8 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 149.1 miles on Katy Freeway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
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 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (US 90 Alt / North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 22.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 23.3 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Possible but tiring. At 3.5 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.9 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, and EIA for fuel prices. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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