Trip from Van Alstyne, TX to San Antonio, TX
Pin this tripCompiled and reviewed by the US Trip Planner planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Jul 21, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
5h 47m
Distance
321.6 mi
518 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Van Alstyne, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Van Alstyne, TX to San Antonio, TX is 321.6 miles and takes about 5h 47m via I 35, with a fuel budget near $49 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This highway-focused drive primarily utilizes the Purple Heart Trail and I 35, taking you south through the Great Plains region of Texas. With a recommended single day for travel, this route is best suited for those prioritizing efficient transit over extensive sightseeing. You can expect a straightforward journey connecting two points within the same state, making it a convenient option for a quick trip.
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
160.8 miles from Van Alstyne, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| North Central Expressway | 45.7 mi | 49m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 17 mi | 20m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.7 mi | 1m |
| South Henry Hynds Expressway | 1.1 mi | 1m |
Traffic on I-35
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 96 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
5 PM
~4,090 veh/hr typical
Quietest
2 AM
~671 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
6.1×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
Averaged across 51 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 Van Alstyne, TX and San Antonio, TX.
Start on TX 5
Turn left onto FM 121
Turn left onto South Henry Hynds Expressway Frontage Road
Take the ramp
Merge onto US 75
Continue on US 75
Take the exit
Continue on North Central Expressway
Turn right onto Elm Street
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
Turn right onto Young Street
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
Turn right onto Canton Street
Take the ramp
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Keep slight left at fork
Continue on I 35E
Continue on I 35E
Continue on I 35; US 77
Continue on I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35
Continue on I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
Take the exit
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
Continue on Navarro Street
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
Turn right onto West Travis Street
Turn left onto North Flores Street
Continue on Military Plaza
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 5h 47m estimated duration, starting early from Van Alstyne, TX, will allow you to reach San Antonio, TX, with ample time to spare. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $49, you have flexibility in planning your breaks. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longest stretch of 99.6 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, to ensure you don't need to deviate for gas. This is a manageable one-day trip, so consider departing in the morning to avoid late-night driving.
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.
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 71 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 160.8 miles or 2h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 41m
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 Van Alstyne, 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 Van Alstyne, TX
This is one driving day of about 321.6 miles and 5h 47m.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Mid-route town
Meal stop
161 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
A short stop after about 71 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 160.8 miles from Van Alstyne, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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.
Service Plaza
Hill County Northbound Rest Area
Buc-ee's
QuikTrip
Buc-ee's
Flying J Travel Center
Walburg Travel Center & Food Court
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Petro Stopping Centers
Buc-ee's
Service Plaza
QuikTrip
TA
Flying J Travel Plaza
Pilot Travel Center
Hill County Southbound Rest Area
QuikTrip
Road Ranger
Flying J Travel Center
Marlstone Retail Center
Love's Travel Stop
Love's Travel Stop
Buc-ee's
Pilot Travel Center
TA
Service Plaza
Bell County Southbound Rest Area
QuikTrip
Minuteman Press
Love's Travel Stop
SoPac Trail Rest Area
Pilot Travel Center
Service Plaza
Petro Stopping Centers
Pilot Travel Center
Spanish Governor's Palace
Near the end, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9 am–5 pm
+12102077527
Visit websiteGO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
Near the end, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–10 pm
+12102274746
Visit websiteSan Antonio | The Saga
Near the end, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 9–9:30 pm
+12102259800
Visit websiteHemisfair
Near the end, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 5 am–12 pm
+12107094750
Visit websiteSan Antonio Fire Museum
Near the end, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm
+12103907236
Visit websiteThe Amazing Mirror Maze
Near the end, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm
+12102242288
Visit websiteSEA LIFE San Antonio
Near the end, right off the route
San Antonio, Texas
Hours: 10 am–5 pm
+12106101160
Visit websiteSan Antonio River Lock & Dam
Near the end, right off the route
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 265 decision points cluster between mile 47.3 and 320.5 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Take the exit toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.05 one way
$88.10 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.89 | $49.20 | $98.40 |
| premium | $4.23 | $53.49 | $106.99 |
| diesel | $4.80 | $60.72 | $121.45 |
Estimated Tolls: $3.65
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Tolls
$4
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$73–$98
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 112.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $34 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 96.5 | 1 | $33.77 | $15.44 |
| Efficient EV | 80.4 | 0 | $28.14 | $12.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 128.6 | 1 | $45.02 | $20.58 |
Gas CO2
113 kg
EV CO2
38 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.
Origin
Van Alstyne, TX
Evening in Van Alstyne on Monday
Local time
8:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Evening in San Antonio on Monday
Local time
8:34 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Partly Cloudy
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued July 19 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS San Angelo TX
Flash Flood Warning
Flash Flood Warning issued July 19 at 6:49PM CDT until July 19 at 9:45PM CDT by NWS Midland/Odessa TX
96°F
Troy, TX
161 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
3 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
5h 47m 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.
Waco Mammoth National Monument
National Monument
Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is predominantly a highway-focused experience, with 68% of the journey on major roads like I 35. You'll encounter the longest uninterrupted stretch, a significant 99.6 miles, along the Purple Heart Trail. While the profile suggests a consistent highway feel, be prepared for periods of solid interstate travel that prioritize speed and directness. The route offers a practical, no-frills approach to covering distance, allowing you to maintain momentum for most of the 321.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 47.3 miles in.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 321.6 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 47.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 49.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 240.1 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
Total Climb
852 ft
Total Descent
854 ft
Highest Point
872 ft
~206.8 mi in
Elevation Range
407 ft
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.
Between Van Alstyne, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
Downtown
Denton
Waco
Dallas Zoo
About the Cities
Starting in Van Alstyne, 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 5h 47m. Total distance: 321.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 47m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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