How far is Buchanan Dam, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance from Buchanan Dam, TX to San Antonio, TX is about 104.5 miles (168.2 km), with a travel time of about 01h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91 miles (146.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 03h 56m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
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.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
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 58m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
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.
City in Blanco County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Buchanan Dam and San Antonio.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buchanan Dam and San Antonio.
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1
Start on Island Lodges Drive
43 m · 9 sec · Island Lodges Drive
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2
Turn right
2.1 mi · 3 min
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3
Turn left
5.5 mi · 10 min
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4
Turn right onto Ranch to Market Road 2900
5.3 mi · 9 min · Ranch to Market Road 2900
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5
At the end of the road, turn right
2.6 mi · 5 min
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6
At the end of the road, turn left onto West State Highway 71
3.4 mi · 5 min · West State Highway 71
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7
Turn right onto Ranch Road 962
10.5 mi · 14 min · Ranch Road 962
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8
At the end of the road, turn right onto North US Highway 281
23.8 mi · 27 min · North US Highway 281
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9
Continue on Main Street
1.2 mi · 2 min · Main Street
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10
Continue on South US Highway 281
26.6 mi · 32 min · South US Highway 281
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11
Turn straight
3.1 mi · 3 min
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12
Keep slight left to continue on US 281 HOV Lane
2.9 mi · 3 min · US 281 HOV Lane
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13
Merge slight right
14.8 mi · 18 min
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14
Continue on William J Bordelon Freeway
1.1 mi · 1 min · William J Bordelon Freeway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Commerce Street, Downtown
797 ft · 19 sec
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16
Keep slight right to continue on Downtown, The Alamo, Visitor Information Center
55 m · 4 sec
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17
Turn slight right onto East Commerce Street
1.3 km · 2 min · East Commerce Street
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18
Turn left onto Military Plaza
119 m · 16 sec · Military Plaza
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19
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
100 m · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street
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20
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dolorosa Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Buchanan Dam and San Antonio.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
South US Highway 281
Continue on South US Highway 281
26.6 mi · 00h 32m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely leaving Buchanan Dam and 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 Buchanan Dam to San Antonio?
The road trip is about 104.5 miles (168.2 km) and usually takes 01h 58m 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?
Blanco is a useful midpoint, sitting about 52.1 miles from Buchanan Dam and 52.4 miles from San Antonio.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 91 miles (146.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.5 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 2:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.94 one way or $27.89 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.8 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely around Buchanan Dam and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near San Antonio.
Stop Ideas Near Blanco
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Blanco.
San Marcos Station
Austin
San Antonio Station
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Buchanan Dam and San Antonio. Straight-line distance: 90.99 mi (146.43 km).
#1 Buchanan Dam
Place in Texas
| Population | 1,519 |
| Coordinates | 30.7399000, -98.4311400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Antonio
The seventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Antonio metropolitan area.
| Population | 1,567,118 |
| Coordinates | 29.4241200, -98.4936300 |
| Altitude | 198 |
| Country | United States |
End: Dolorosa Street (-98.493645, 29.424163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 168 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 29m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 36m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 05m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 18m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $13.94 | $27.89 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.69 | $31.38 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $16.94 | $33.88 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $14.73 | $29.47 |
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 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.