How far is Merkel, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance from Merkel, TX to San Antonio, TX is about 259.5 miles (417.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 228.9 miles (368.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 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.
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 04h 14m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
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 Menard County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Merkel and San Antonio.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Merkel and San Antonio.
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1
Start on North 1st Street
16 m · 6 sec · North 1st Street
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2
Turn left onto Kent Street
2347 ft · 48 sec · Kent Street
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3
Turn right onto North 7th Street
897 ft · 25 sec · North 7th Street
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4
Take the ramp slight left toward I 20 East: Abilene
68 m · 5 sec
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5
Merge slight left
7.9 mi · 8 min
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6
Take the exit slight right toward I 20 Business East, FM 707: Tye
90 m · 10 sec
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7
Turn straight onto West Interstate 20
1010 ft · 31 sec · West Interstate 20
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8
Turn right onto Scott Street
1.7 mi · 3 min · Scott Street
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9
Continue on South FM 707
4.7 mi · 5 min · South FM 707
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10
Turn right onto US Highway 277 South
26.9 mi · 29 min · US Highway 277 South
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11
Take the exit right
1602 ft · 51 sec
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12
Turn left onto State Highway 153
10.4 mi · 11 min · State Highway 153
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13
Turn right
12.3 mi · 13 min
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14
Turn left
6.3 mi · 7 min
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15
At the end of the road, turn right onto Hutchings Avenue
118 m · 18 sec · Hutchings Avenue
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16
Turn left onto South 7th Street
16.5 mi · 18 min · South 7th Street
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17
Continue on Grassmeyer Street
41.9 mi · 45 min · Grassmeyer Street
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18
Continue on Ellis Street
29.4 mi · 31 min · Ellis Street
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19
Take the exit left toward I 10 East: San Antonio
40 mi · 38 min
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20
Continue straight
54.3 mi · 55 min
-
21
Keep slight right
17.4 mi · 20 min
-
22
Keep slight right to continue on McDermott Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · McDermott Freeway
-
23
Take the exit slight right toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
2505 ft · 1 min
-
24
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
804 ft · 16 sec · North Pecos-La Trinidad
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25
Keep slight right to continue on North Pecos-La Trinidad
2963 ft · 1 min · North Pecos-La Trinidad
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26
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
2582 ft · 56 sec · Dolorosa Street
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dolorosa Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Merkel 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.
I 10 East
Continue straight
54.3 mi · 00h 55m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
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.
Partly Sunny leaving Merkel and Mostly Cloudy near San Antonio.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Merkel to San Antonio?
The road trip is about 259.5 miles (417.7 km) and usually takes 04h 14m 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?
Menard is a useful midpoint, sitting about 137.3 miles from Merkel and 122.3 miles from San Antonio.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 228.9 miles (368.4 km), while the road route adds roughly 30.6 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 8:32 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $34.62 one way or $69.23 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 81.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Merkel and Mostly Cloudy near San Antonio.
Stop Ideas Near Menard
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Menard City Hall
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Menard.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Merkel and San Antonio. Straight-line distance: 228.93 mi (368.43 km).
#1 Merkel
City in Texas
| Population | 2,629 |
| Coordinates | 32.4706800, -100.0128700 |
| Altitude | 570 |
| 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: 418 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 38m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 11m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 19m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 42m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $34.62 | $69.23 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $38.95 | $77.90 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $42.05 | $84.11 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $36.58 | $73.15 |
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
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.