Waller, TX to San Antonio, TX is 179.5 miles and takes about 3h 21m via Katy Freeway and I 10, with a fuel budget near $27 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This drive primarily takes place within the Great Plains region, staying within Texas. Given its highway-focused profile and manageable duration, this route is well-suited for a single-day trip. Expect mostly highway driving, making it a straightforward journey for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
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
89.7 miles from Waller, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 47m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Katy Freeway
137.7 mi
2h 18m
FM 362
20.1 mi
35m
I 10
12 mi
12m
East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
7m
Jose Lopez Freeway
1.6 mi
1m
90th Infantry Division Highway
0.8 mi
<1m
Front Street
0.6 mi
1m
Koomey Road
0.5 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
Katy Freeway
— 137.7 mi, about 2h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waller, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on US 290 Bus
0.4 mi·48 sec·Hempstead Highway
2
Turn sharp left onto FM 362
5.0 mi·8 min·FM 362
Use the left lane.
3
Keep slight right at fork onto FM 362
15 mi·26 min·FM 362
4
At end of road, turn left onto FM 359
0.2 mi·20 sec·Bains Street
5
Turn right onto US 90
0.6 mi·1 min·Front Street
6
Turn left onto FM 1489
0.5 mi·54 sec·Koomey Road
7
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·46 sec
8
Merge onto I 10
138 mi·2 hr 18 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 579Toward Commerce Street, Houston StreetUse 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
Since this is a 1-day trip of just over 3 hours, you have a lot of flexibility with departure time. Leaving Waller in the morning allows you to arrive in San Antonio with plenty of daylight remaining. There's only one recommended stop, so consider filling up your fuel tank before you leave Waller to ensure you have ample gas for the 179.5-mile journey. Keep an eye on I 10 for potential traffic, especially 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 89.7 miles from Waller, TX, or about 1h 47m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 137.7 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 39 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.7 miles or 1h 47m 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 44m
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 Waller, 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 Waller, TX
This is one driving day of about 179.5 miles and 3h 21m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 39 miles from Waller, 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 137.7 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 13
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.4 and 174.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
7
0.4 mi into trip|~0m in|FM 362
Turn sharp left onto FM 362
Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
5
22.2 mi into trip|~39m in|I 10 / Katy Freeway
Merge onto I 10 / Katy Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
159.9 mi into trip|~2h 57m 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
172 mi into trip|~3h 10m 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
174.3 mi into trip|~3h 12m 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
$27.12 one way
$54.25 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg63 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$29.69
$59.38
premium
$4.54
$32.05
$64.10
diesel
$5.61
$39.63
$79.26
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
53.9
0
$18.85
$8.62
Efficient EV
44.9
0
$15.71
$7.18
EV Truck/SUV
71.8
0
$25.13
$11.49
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 20, 2026
Origin
Waller, TX
Morning
in Waller on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 AM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Morning
in San Antonio on Tuesday
Local time
8:27 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
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
3h 21m 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.
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
~21 min detour
Free
near mile 173.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This is a highway-focused drive, with 96% of the route utilizing major roadways like the Katy Freeway and I 10. You'll experience a long, uninterrupted stretch of 137.7 miles on the Katy Freeway. The character of the drive is predominantly fast-paced highway travel, designed for efficient transit rather than leisurely sightseeing. Expect consistent speed limits and minimal deviations from the main thoroughfares.
96% 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: 137.7 mi on Katy Freeway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
7/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Katy Freeway and FM 362. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.4 miles in near FM 362.
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 13 significant decision points across 179.5 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 0.4 miles (FM 362): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (I 10 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.9 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 3h 21m. Total distance: 179.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 21m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (96%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 137.7 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: at 0.4 miles (FM 362): Sharp turn - reduce speed on approach. Lane positioning matters here; at 22.2 miles (I 10 / Katy Freeway): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 159.9 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Possible but tiring. At 3.4 hours each way, an in-and-out day trip would put you behind the wheel for 6.7 hours — manageable with a long break at San Antonio, TX, but most travelers stay overnight.
