If you are planning to travel from Winnsboro to San Antonio, prepare for a 368.1-mile journey that typically takes about 6 hours and 7 minutes. Because this route relies on turn-heavy local roads rather than high-speed interstates, it functions best as a single-day trip. You should budget approximately $55 for fuel to cover the distance across the Great Plains. While the drive is manageable in one go, the lack of highway travel means you will spend the entire time navigating local thoroughfares. It is a straightforward trip for those who prefer backroads over the monotony of major freeways, though it demands more active attention behind the wheel.
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
176.1 miles from Winnsboro, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 27m into the drive
.
Step-by-step road directions between Winnsboro, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on TX 11
49 ft·8 sec·East Broadway Street
2
Turn left onto TX 37
1.2 mi·1 min·North Main Street
3
Continue on TX 37
13 mi·19 min·State Highway 37
4
Continue on TX 37
1.0 mi·1 min·North Winnsboro Street
5
Turn right onto TX 37; TX 154
0.4 mi·38 sec·East Goode Street
6
At end of road, turn left onto TX 37; TX 154; Loop 173
13 mi·16 min·Main Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
Continue on US 69
5.8 mi·6 min·US 69
8
Turn right onto Toll 49
16 mi·17 min·Toll 49
9
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
Toward TX 31: Chandler, Tyler
10
Keep slight right at fork
194 ft·5 sec
11
Merge onto TX 31
2.4 mi·2 min·State Highway 31 West
12
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi·2 min·East Highway 31
13
Continue on TX 31
21 mi·23 min·State Highway 31 East
14
Take the exit
0.3 mi·45 sec
15
Merge onto US 175; TX 19; TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi·7 min·Jed Robinson Loop
16
Take the exit
0.1 mi·21 sec
17
Keep slight left at fork
445 ft·14 sec
18
Turn right onto TX 31
4.0 mi·4 min·State Highway 31 West
19
Continue on TX 31
5.4 mi·6 min·East Royall Boulevard
20
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi·11 min·State Highway 31 East
21
Continue on TX 31
9.3 mi·10 min·Northwest 2nd Street
22
Turn left onto TX 31
12 mi·13 min·Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
23
At end of road, turn left onto TX 31
19 mi·21 min·West State Highway 31
24
Continue on TX 31
5.5 mi·5 min·Hubbard Bypass
25
Continue on TX 31
17 mi·17 min·State Highway 31
26
Continue on US 84
2.5 mi·2 min·East US Highway 84
27
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi·4 min·Bellmead Drive
28
Turn straight onto US 84
0.4 mi·1 min·East Waco Drive
29
Turn left onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
519 ft·12 sec·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
30
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·37 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 77 South
31
Merge onto I 35; US 77
6.1 mi·6 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
32
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
33
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
34
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
35
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
36
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
37
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
38
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
39
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.6 mi·41 sec·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
40
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 157AToward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro AvenueUse the slight right lane.
41
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft·17 sec·East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
42
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
43
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft·3 sec·Navarro Street
44
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft·2 sec·Navarro Street
45
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
46
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft·10 sec·West Travis Street
47
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Flores Street
48
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
49
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
50
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid fatigue on these winding local roads. Plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and reset, as the frequent turns can be more taxing than standard highway driving. Since you aren't utilizing major interstates, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge and plan your $55 fill-up strategically before heading into more remote sections. Because the route is entirely local, use the flexibility of this path to adjust your pace if you encounter unexpected traffic. Always double-check your navigation before setting out, as the reliance on local streets requires more frequent course corrections than a simple highway route.
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 176.1 miles from Winnsboro, TX, or about 3h 27m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 78 miles or 1h 35m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 176.1 miles or 3h 27m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 30m
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 Winnsboro, 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 Winnsboro, TX
This is one driving day of about 352.3 miles and 6h 38m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 78 miles from Winnsboro, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 99.6 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 28
5 decision points cluster between mile 15.8 and 351.1 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
6
15.8 mi into trip|~23m in|TX 37; TX 154; Loop 173 / Main Street
At end of road, turn left onto TX 37; TX 154; Loop 173 / Main Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
270.7 mi into trip|~5h 6m in|I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
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
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
7
344.1 mi into trip|~6h 27m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35 South
8
350.5 mi into trip|~6h 35m in|I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
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
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
8
351.1 mi into trip|~6h 36m in
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
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$53.23 one way
$106.47 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg123 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$58.27
$116.54
premium
$4.54
$62.90
$125.80
diesel
$5.61
$77.78
$155.57
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$53
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$78–$103
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 123.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $37 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
105.7
1
$36.99
$16.91
Efficient EV
88.1
1
$30.83
$14.09
EV Truck/SUV
140.9
1
$49.32
$22.55
Gas CO2
123 kg
EV CO2
41 kg (67% 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
Winnsboro, TX
Late night
in Winnsboro on Sunday
Local time
5:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Late night
in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
5:07 AM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Mostly Sunny
SE 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.
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
32 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
6h 38m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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...
4 mi from route
~11 min detour
Free
near mile 170.1
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 352.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
Expect an engaging, turn-heavy experience as you navigate away from the interstate system entirely. With a 0% highway share, this route relies on local paths like North Main Street, Highway 37, and North Winnsboro Street to get you to your destination. You won't find long, uninterrupted stretches of open road here; in fact, the longest stretch on North Main Street is 0 miles, confirming the constant need for focus on local turns. The road’s personality is defined by these transitions rather than high-speed cruising. You will feel the rhythm of the drive shift frequently as you move through the local road network.
50% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
50 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 99.6 mi on Purple Heart Trail.
How Hard Is This Drive?
9/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 15.8 miles in near TX 37; TX 154; Loop 173 / Main Street.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 352.3 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 15.8 miles (TX 37; TX 154; Loop 173 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 270.7 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 344.1 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
788 ft350 ft
Total Climb
800 ft
Total Descent
674 ft
Highest Point
788 ft
~251.6 mi in
Elevation Range
438 ft
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 Winnsboro, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Tyler along the way.
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 6h 38m. Total distance: 352.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 38m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 99.6 miles on Purple Heart Trail. 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 15.8 miles (TX 37; TX 154; Loop 173 / Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 270.7 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 344.1 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.6 hours each way, a round trip means 13.3 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.
