How far is Garland, TX from San Marcos, TX?
The driving distance from Garland, TX to San Marcos, TX is about 375.2 miles (603.8 km), with a travel time of about 06h 45m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 316.2 miles (508.9 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 13h 31m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM CDT.
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.
This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.
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 06h 45m.
Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
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 Bowie County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Garland and San Marcos.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Garland and San Marcos.
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1
Start on the route
2.1 mi · 5 min
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2
At the end of the road, turn right onto US Highway 259 South
16.3 mi · 24 min · US Highway 259 South
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3
Take the ramp right
2301 ft · 56 sec
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4
Merge slight left
131.8 mi · 2 hr 17 min
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5
Take the exit slight right toward I 35E: Denton, Waco
3065 ft · 1 min
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6
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
607 ft · 15 sec
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
67 m · 5 sec
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8
Keep slight left to continue on I 35E South: Waco
1915 ft · 30 sec
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9
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
2866 ft · 44 sec · South R L Thornton Freeway
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10
Continue on South R L Thornton Freeway
89.3 mi · 1 hr 32 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
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11
Continue on North Jack Kultgen Expressway
6.6 mi · 8 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
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12
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
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13
Keep slight left
55.8 mi · 59 min
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14
Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail
31 mi · 35 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Take the exit slight right toward TX 80 East, TX 142 East, TX 21 East: Bastrop, Luling
1079 ft · 26 sec
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16
Turn straight onto North Interstate 35
3250 ft · 1 min · North Interstate 35
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17
Turn slight right
144 m · 17 sec
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18
Turn slight right onto East Hopkins Street
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Hopkins Street
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19
Turn right onto North LBJ Drive
64 m · 9 sec · North LBJ Drive
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20
Turn left
128 m · 36 sec
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21
At the end of the road, turn left onto North Guadalupe Street
43 m · 3 sec · North Guadalupe Street
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22
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · North Guadalupe Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Garland and San Marcos.
Long-distance drive
This route is long enough that fuel, rest stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single maneuver.
US Highway 259 South
Merge slight left
132 mi · 02h 17m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
Better with a longer stop
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
Mostly Sunny leaving Garland and Partly Sunny near San Marcos.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Garland to San Marcos?
The road trip is about 375.2 miles (603.8 km) and usually takes 06h 45m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route is long enough that most travelers will be better off planning an overnight stay or a more deliberate stop window.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Nash is a useful midpoint, sitting about 187.7 miles from Garland and 187.5 miles from San Marcos.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 316.2 miles (508.9 km), while the road route adds roughly 59 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 7:30 AM CDT. Starting early still helps, but most travelers will want a longer stop or an overnight stay on a route this long.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $50.03 one way or $100.07 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 117.7 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around Garland and Partly Sunny near San Marcos.
Stop Ideas Near Nash
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 Nash.
Cleburne
Union Station
Dallas, TX
Mesquite, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Garland and San Marcos. Straight-line distance: 316.2 mi (508.88 km).
#1 Garland
The fourth most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 238,139 |
| Coordinates | 33.5165000, -94.6693800 |
| Altitude | 117 |
| Country | United States |
#2 San Marcos
The most populous city in Hays County, Texas.
| Population | 66,350 |
| Coordinates | 29.8832700, -97.9413900 |
| Altitude | 188 |
| Country | United States |
End: San Marcos (-97.94139, 29.88327)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 604 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 12h 30m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 09h 22m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 07h 30m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 06h 15m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 05h 21m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 04h 40m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $50.03 | $100.07 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $56.30 | $112.59 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $60.78 | $121.57 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $52.87 | $105.73 |
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.