If you are planning to travel from Stowell to San Antonio, expect a straightforward journey covering 257.2 miles. This trip typically takes about 4 hours and 41 minutes, making it a manageable day trip for most drivers. You will primarily navigate via I-10, transitioning into local roads like East Commerce Street and Gulfway Drive as you reach your destination. With an estimated fuel cost of $39, it is an economical route that keeps you within the Great Plains region for the duration of the drive. Because of the manageable timeframe, you do not need an overnight split, allowing you to reach the city comfortably in a single day.
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
128.6 miles from Stowell, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 19m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
I 10
246.1 mi
4h 24m
East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
7m
Gulfway Drive
2.6 mi
4m
Jose Lopez Freeway
1.6 mi
1m
90th Infantry Division Highway
0.8 mi
<1m
TX 73
0.7 mi
<1m
Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
<1m
East Houston Street
0.2 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 246.1 mi, about 4h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Stowell, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on TX 124
2.6 mi·4 min·Gulfway Drive
2
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·32 sec
Use the left lane.
3
Merge onto TX 73
0.7 mi·47 sec·TX 73
4
Merge onto I 10
234 mi·4 hr 11 min·I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
5
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.
6
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.
7
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi·1 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 579Toward Commerce Street, Houston StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi·38 sec·Interstate 10 East
10
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Houston Street
11
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi·7 min·East Commerce Street
12
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
13
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
14
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 4-hour and 41-minute trek, aim to leave early in the morning to avoid peak traffic as you approach San Antonio. Given that you only have one planned stop along the way, use that break strategically to refuel and stretch your legs before tackling the final leg of the journey. Since the route is heavily reliant on I-10, stay alert for changing traffic patterns on the interstate, especially as you transition from rural stretches into the city. Flexibility is your best asset on this drive; because it is a relatively short trip, you can easily adjust your pace to accommodate road conditions or personal comfort. Always double-check your fuel levels before heading out to ensure you stay within your $39 budget.
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 128.6 miles from Stowell, TX, or about 2h 19m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.1 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 57 miles or 1h 2m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 128.6 miles or 2h 19m 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 48m
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 Stowell, 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 Stowell, TX
This is one driving day of about 257.2 miles and 4h 41m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 57 miles from Stowell, 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 246.1 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 9
5 decision points cluster between mile 2.6 and 252 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
2.6 mi into trip|~4m in
Take the ramp
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
3.6 mi into trip|~5m in|I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
237.6 mi into trip|~4h 16m 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.
6
249.7 mi into trip|~4h 29m in|I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
252 mi into trip|~4h 32m 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
$38.86 one way
$77.73 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg90 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$42.54
$85.08
premium
$4.54
$45.92
$91.84
diesel
$5.61
$56.79
$113.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
77.2
0
$27.01
$12.35
Efficient EV
64.3
0
$22.51
$10.29
EV Truck/SUV
102.9
1
$36.01
$16.46
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 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.
Forecast as of Apr 19, 2026
Origin
Stowell, TX
Late night
in Stowell on Tuesday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
69°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
4:19 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live 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.
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
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.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This trip is a quintessential highway-focused drive, with 97% of your time spent on high-speed roads. You will settle into a long, consistent rhythm, as the route features a significant 246.1-mile stretch on I-10. While the interstate provides an efficient path, the experience shifts slightly once you exit the highway and transition onto Gulfway Drive and East Commerce Street to complete your arrival. Expect a predictable, utilitarian drive that favors speed and directness over technical maneuvers. Keep in mind that the vast majority of your time will be spent maintaining highway pace as you cross the Texas landscape.
97% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
14 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 246.1 mi on I 10.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and East Commerce Street. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 2.6 miles in.
Driving Effort7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 257.2 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 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.6 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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
Doable as a same-day drive at 4h 41m. Total distance: 257.2 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 (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 246.1 miles on I 10. 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: at 2.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 3.6 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 237.6 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
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.
