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

Fastest route

The distance between Austin, Texas, and San Antonio, Texas is approximately 79.1 miles (127.4 kilometers). The fastest route is via I-35 S, with an estimated travel time of 1 hour and 13 minutes. Here are the directions for the journey:

Directions

  1. Head south on Congress Ave. toward W 5th St.
  2. Pass by the lake on the right in 0.3 miles.
  3. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto E Riverside Dr.
  4. Slight right onto S I-35 Frontage Rd.
  5. Use the left lane to take the Interstate 35 ramp.
  6. Follow I-35 S to E Commerce St in San Antonio.
  7. Take exit 141A from I-37 S/US-281 S.

Tips & Suggestions

  • 🚗 Tip: Plan your journey during off-peak traffic hours to avoid delays.
  • 🛣️ Suggestion: Use GPS navigation to stay on track and receive real-time traffic updates.
  • ⛽ Suggestion: Refuel your vehicle before starting the trip to ensure you have enough gas for the journey.
  • 🍴 Suggestion: Consider stopping for a meal or snacks along the way to keep yourself energized.
  • 🚧 Tip: Stay updated on road closures or construction work that might affect your route.

FAQs

Q: How long is the distance between Austin and San Antonio? A: The distance between Austin, Texas, and San Antonio, Texas is approximately 79.1 miles (127.4 kilometers).

Q: What is the estimated travel time for this route? A: The fastest route via I-35 S has an estimated travel time of 1 hour and 13 minutes.

Q: Are there any suggestions for the journey? A: Yes, consider planning your journey during off-peak traffic hours, using GPS navigation, refueling your vehicle, stopping for meals, and staying updated on road closures.

Q: What landmarks should I look for while on the route? A: You'll pass by a lake on the right in 0.3 miles as you head south on Congress Ave. in Austin.

Q: How do I reach San Antonio from Austin using the I-35 S route? A: To reach San Antonio from Austin, take I-35 S, follow the directions provided, and take exit 141A from I-37 S/US-281 S in San Antonio.

Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
79.9 mi
01h 20m
Flight
73.6 mi
118.44 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Austin.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
73.6 mi
Kilometers
118.44 km
Flight Time
00h 08m

Driving Distance

Road route
79.9 mi
Kilometers
128.58 km
Drive Time
01h 20m

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 01h 20m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Antonio
Wed, Apr 22, 6:23 PM CDT
Return by in Austin
Wed, Apr 22, 7:44 PM CDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Austin
2026-04-22T17:03
Arrive San Antonio
Wed, Apr 22, 6:23 PM CDT
Route Timing
01h 20m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
9:20 AM to 11:20 AM CDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
3:50 PM CDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Austin
9:30 PM CDT
Morning start is best

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
Lake Dunlap
TX

Census-designated place in Texas

From Austin
39.6 mi
00h 40m
To San Antonio
40.3 mi
00h 40m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
81°F
Wednesday

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Starts
Wed, Apr 22 6:00 AM CDT
Wind
0 to 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 Austin and San Antonio.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

  1. 1

    Start on East 5th Street

    2551 ft · 1 min · East 5th Street

  2. 2

    At the end of the road, turn right onto North Interstate 35

    1893 ft · 40 sec · North Interstate 35

  3. 3

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 35 South

    899 ft · 22 sec

  4. 4

    Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

    46.4 mi · 50 min · Purple Heart Trail

  5. 5

    Continue on Interstate Highway 35

    1.7 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35

  6. 6

    Continue on Purple Heart Trail

    11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail

  7. 7

    Continue on North Pan Am Expressway

    10 mi · 12 min · North Pan Am Expressway

  8. 8

    Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway

    6.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway

    2907 ft · 41 sec · North Pan Am Expressway

  10. 10

    Take the exit slight right toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue

    684 ft · 17 sec

  11. 11

    Turn straight onto East Elmira Street

    526 ft · 17 sec · East Elmira Street

  12. 12

    Turn left onto North Main Avenue

    830 ft · 19 sec · North Main Avenue

  13. 13

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Navarro Street

    49 m · 3 sec · Navarro Street

  14. 14

    Exit the roundabout onto Navarro Street

    34 m · 2 sec · Navarro Street

  15. 15

    Keep slight right to continue on North Main Avenue

    2181 ft · 52 sec · North Main Avenue

  16. 16

    Turn right onto West Travis Street

    68 m · 11 sec · West Travis Street

  17. 17

    Turn left onto North Flores Street

    807 ft · 20 sec · North Flores Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Military Plaza

    119 m · 16 sec · Military Plaza

  19. 19

    Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

    100 m · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street

  20. 20

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Dolorosa Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Austin 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
20 steps
8 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
25 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
Purple Heart Trail
58.3 mi · 73%
North Pan Am Expressway
17 mi · 21%
Interstate Highway 35
1.73 mi · 2%
North Main Avenue
0.57 mi · 1%
East 5th Street
0.48 mi · 1%
North Interstate 35
0.36 mi
Longest Stretch

Purple Heart Trail

Merge slight left onto Purple Heart Trail

46.4 mi · 00h 50m

Route Summary

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

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
01h 20m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
02h 40m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+6.3 mi
73.6 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Lake Dunlap
00h 40m from Austin
Leave By
3:50 PM CDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Austin 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 Austin to San Antonio?

The road trip is about 79.9 miles (128.6 km) and usually takes 01h 20m in normal driving conditions.

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

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Lake Dunlap is a useful midpoint, sitting about 39.6 miles from Austin and 40.3 miles from San Antonio.

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

The direct path is about 73.6 miles (118.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 6.3 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 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 3:50 PM CDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $10.66 one way or $21.31 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 25.1 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

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

Stop Ideas Near Lake Dunlap

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

Mid-route Guidance
These suggestions come from reviewed places and nearby services around Lake Dunlap and the surrounding midpoint area.
New Braunfels Parks and Recreation
Scenic stop 7.4 mi away

New Braunfels Parks and Recreation

New Braunfels , TX
110 Golf Course Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Rating 4.1/5 29 reviews City government office,Park,Skateboard park
New Braunfels City Hall
Meeting point 8.1 mi away

New Braunfels City Hall

New Braunfels , TX
550 Landa St, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Rating 3.7/5 3 reviews City government office
Comal County Courthouse(Gerichtsgebäude)
Nearby stop 7.3 mi away

Comal County Courthouse(Gerichtsgebäude)

New Braunfels , TX
100 N Seguin Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Rating 2.6/5 11 reviews Courthouse

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lake Dunlap.

RAIL

San Marcos Station

26 mi away
338 South Guadalupe St.
RAIL

San Antonio Station

49 mi away
350 Hoefgen Street
RAIL

Austin

73 mi away
250 North Lamar Blvd.
RAIL

Taylor

118 mi away
118 East First St.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Austin and San Antonio. Straight-line distance: 73.6 mi (118.44 km).

Austin

#1 Austin

The eleventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the Austin metropolitan area.

Population995,484
Coordinates30.2671500, -97.7430600
Altitude149
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: East 5th Street (-97.743073, 30.267115)
End: Dolorosa Street (-98.493645, 29.424163)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 129 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)02h 39m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)01h 59m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)01h 35m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)01h 19m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)01h 08m
80 mph (129 km/h)00h 59m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
2.82 gal
10.67 L · about $10.66
Round trip
$21.31
5.64 gal · 21.34 L
Estimated CO2
25.1 kg one way
Round trip: 50.1 kg / 110 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.78 $10.66 $21.31
Mid-grade $4.25 $11.99 $23.98
Premium $4.59 $12.95 $25.89
Diesel $3.99 $11.26 $22.52

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 22, 2026

There is no time difference between Austin and San Antonio. The current time is 17:03:52.

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.