How far is Alto, TX from San Antonio, TX?

The driving distance from Alto, TX to San Antonio, TX is about 286.2 miles (460.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 44m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 28m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
286.21 mi
04h 44m
Flight
255.13 mi
410.59 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Alto.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
255.13 mi
Kilometers
410.59 km
Flight Time
00h 30m

Driving Distance

Road route
286.21 mi
Kilometers
460.61 km
Drive Time
04h 44m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 04h 44m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Antonio
Thu, Apr 23, 1:08 AM CDT
Return by in Alto
Thu, Apr 23, 5:53 AM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Alto
2026-04-22T20:24
Arrive San Antonio
Thu, Apr 23, 1:08 AM CDT
Route Timing
04h 44m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:44 AM to 12:44 PM CDT

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
7:32 AM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in Alto
9:00 PM CDT
Early departure recommended

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Caldwell
TX

City in Burleson County, Texas, United States

From Alto
140.5 mi
02h 22m
To San Antonio
145.7 mi
02h 22m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SE
Destination
82°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
5 mph SE

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Alto and San Antonio.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Alto and San Antonio.

  1. 1

    Start on South Marcus Street

    24 m · 6 sec · South Marcus Street

  2. 2

    Turn left onto West San Antonio Street

    1.2 mi · 2 min · West San Antonio Street

  3. 3

    Continue on West State Highway 21

    32.3 mi · 48 min · West State Highway 21

  4. 4

    Turn left onto South 4th Street

    88 m · 9 sec · South 4th Street

  5. 5

    Turn right onto East Goliad Avenue

    1.6 mi · 3 min · East Goliad Avenue

  6. 6

    Turn left

    145.2 mi · 2 hr 45 min

  7. 7

    Turn left onto State Highway 95

    1748 ft · 30 sec · State Highway 95

  8. 8

    Turn right onto State Highway 71 East

    125 m · 11 sec · State Highway 71 East

  9. 9

    Take the ramp slight left toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West

    2021 ft · 49 sec

  10. 10

    Merge slight left onto State Highway 71 East

    2.2 mi · 3 min · State Highway 71 East

  11. 11

    Continue straight

    1.2 km · 50 sec

  12. 12

    Continue straight

    2.8 mi · 3 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward TX 21 West: San Marcos

    1681 ft · 52 sec

  14. 14

    Turn left onto West State Highway 21

    17.8 mi · 21 min · West State Highway 21

  15. 15

    Turn left onto US 183, Toll 130 South

    1833 ft · 1 min

  16. 16

    Turn straight

    2815 ft · 37 sec

  17. 17

    Take the ramp slight left toward TX 130 Toll South

    1635 ft · 40 sec

  18. 18

    Merge slight left onto Pickle Parkway

    34 mi · 30 min · Pickle Parkway

  19. 19

    Keep slight right to continue on I 10 West: San Antonio

    3262 ft · 1 min

  20. 20

    Merge slight left

    11.1 mi · 11 min

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    9.4 mi · 9 min

  22. 22

    Keep slight left

    12 mi · 13 min

  23. 23

    Keep slight left to continue on 90th Infantry Division Highway

    1.2 km · 52 sec · 90th Infantry Division Highway

  24. 24

    Continue on Jose Lopez Freeway

    1.6 mi · 2 min · Jose Lopez Freeway

  25. 25

    Take the exit slight right toward Commerce Street, Houston Street

    790 ft · 19 sec

  26. 26

    Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

    1830 ft · 39 sec · Interstate 10 East

  27. 27

    Turn right onto East Houston Street

    963 ft · 20 sec · East Houston Street

  28. 28

    Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street

    4.3 mi · 7 min · East Commerce Street

  29. 29

    Turn left onto Military Plaza

    119 m · 16 sec · Military Plaza

  30. 30

    Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

    100 m · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street

  31. 31

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Dolorosa Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Alto and San Antonio.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Interchange-aware route

The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.

Directions
31 steps
14 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
7
3 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
10.8 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
West State Highway 21
50.2 mi · 18%
Pickle Parkway
34 mi · 12%
I 10 West
33.2 mi · 12%
State Highway 71 East
5.86 mi · 2%
East Commerce Street
4.32 mi · 2%
East Goliad Avenue
1.64 mi · 1%
Longest Stretch

Longest stretch

Turn left

145 mi · 02h 45m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A longer out-and-back drive

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

Drive Time
04h 44m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
09h 28m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+31.1 mi
255.1 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Caldwell
02h 22m from Alto
Leave By
7:32 AM CDT
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Alto and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near San Antonio.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Alto to San Antonio?

The road trip is about 286.2 miles (460.6 km) and usually takes 04h 44m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This is still possible in one day, but it becomes a long driving day. Leaving early and planning your stop window matters more here.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Caldwell is a useful midpoint, sitting about 140.5 miles from Alto and 145.7 miles from San Antonio.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 255.1 miles (410.6 km), while the road route adds roughly 31.1 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 7:32 AM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $38.17 one way or $76.34 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 89.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Alto and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near San Antonio.

Stop Ideas Near Caldwell

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Caldwell, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Caldwell.

BUS

Bryan, TX

35 mi away
301 East 26th Street
RAIL

Taylor

69 mi away
118 East First St.
BUS

Prairie View, TX

84 mi away
44814 US Highway 290 Business \r\n
RAIL

Temple

88 mi away
315 West Ave B

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Alto and San Antonio. Straight-line distance: 255.13 mi (410.59 km).

Photo coming soon

#1 Alto

Town in Texas, USA

Population1,239
Coordinates31.6504500, -95.0727200
Altitude133
CountryUnited States
San Antonio

#2 San Antonio

The seventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Antonio metropolitan area.

Population1,567,118
Coordinates29.4241200, -98.4936300
Altitude198
CountryUnited States
Start: US 69 North (-95.072612, 31.650489)
End: Dolorosa Street (-98.493645, 29.424163)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 461 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)09h 32m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)07h 09m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)05h 43m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)04h 46m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)04h 05m
80 mph (129 km/h)03h 34m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
10.1 gal
38.23 L · about $38.17
Round trip
$76.34
20.2 gal · 76.46 L
Estimated CO2
89.8 kg one way
Round trip: 179.5 kg / 396 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $38.17 $76.34
Mid-grade $4.25 $42.95 $85.89
Premium $4.59 $46.37 $92.74
Diesel $3.99 $40.33 $80.66

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in Texas · Apr 23, 2026

There is no time difference between Alto and San Antonio. The current time is 20:24:39.

Distance to Other Cities

Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.