How far is San Antonio, TX from Ames, TX?
The driving distance from San Antonio, TX to Ames, TX is about 239.6 miles (385.6 km), with a travel time of about 04h 19m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 229.2 miles (368.8 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 39m 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 19m.
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 Colorado County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Antonio and Ames.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio and Ames.
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1
Start on Dolorosa Street
44 m · 5 sec · Dolorosa Street
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2
Continue on West Market Street
1893 ft · 42 sec · West Market Street
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3
Continue on East Market Street
2143 ft · 46 sec · East Market Street
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4
Turn left
111 m · 13 sec
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5
Turn straight onto East Commerce Street
1.2 km · 1 min · East Commerce Street
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6
Keep slight left to continue on East Commerce Street
2.7 mi · 4 min · East Commerce Street
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7
Turn slight right onto East Houston Street
1349 ft · 31 sec · East Houston Street
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8
Turn left onto Interstate 10 East
583 ft · 12 sec · Interstate 10 East
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9
Take the ramp slight left toward I 10 East, US 90 East
874 ft · 21 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Jose Lopez Freeway
1.8 mi · 2 min · Jose Lopez Freeway
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11
Continue on 90th Infantry Division Highway
22.2 mi · 23 min · 90th Infantry Division Highway
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12
Continue on I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
151.1 mi · 2 hr 34 min
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13
Take the exit slight left toward I 10 Toll: Katy Tollway
1548 ft · 22 sec
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14
Merge slight left onto Katy Tollway
3.2 mi · 4 min · Katy Tollway
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15
Take the exit slight right
1092 ft · 15 sec
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16
Merge slight right onto Katy Freeway
10.9 mi · 14 min · Katy Freeway
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17
Continue on East Freeway
5.8 mi · 7 min · East Freeway
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18
Keep slight right to continue on Crosby Freeway
4.5 mi · 6 min · Crosby Freeway
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19
Turn straight onto Crosby Freeway
1.7 mi · 2 min · Crosby Freeway
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20
Take the exit straight toward US 90
1304 ft · 32 sec
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21
Continue on Crosby Freeway
9.2 mi · 11 min · Crosby Freeway
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22
Continue on Crosby Freeway
2.1 mi · 2 min · Crosby Freeway
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23
Continue on Beaumont Highway
5 mi · 6 min · Beaumont Highway
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24
Continue on US Highway 90
1.5 mi · 2 min · US Highway 90
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25
Continue on United States Highway 90 West
15 mi · 18 min · United States Highway 90 West
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26
Turn left onto Martin L King Street North
30 m · 3 sec · Martin L King Street North
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27
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Martin L King Street North
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Antonio and Ames.
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 on I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
151 mi · 02h 34m
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.
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving San Antonio and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ames.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Antonio to Ames?
The road trip is about 239.6 miles (385.6 km) and usually takes 04h 19m 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?
Columbus is a useful midpoint, sitting about 119.6 miles from San Antonio and 120 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 229.2 miles (368.8 km), while the road route adds roughly 10.4 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 8:20 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $31.97 one way or $63.94 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 75.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around San Antonio and Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Ames.
Stop Ideas Near Columbus
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 Columbus.
Prairie View, TX
Bryan, TX
Houston
Houston, TX
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Antonio and Ames. Straight-line distance: 229.14 mi (368.76 km).
#1 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 |
#2 Ames
City in Liberty County, Texas, United States
| Population | 1,064 |
| Coordinates | 30.0538300, -94.7435300 |
| Altitude | 22 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ames (-94.74353, 30.05383)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 386 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 07h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 04h 47m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 59m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $31.97 | $63.94 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $35.97 | $71.94 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $38.84 | $77.68 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $33.78 | $67.56 |
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 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.