How far is San Antonio, TX from Ames, TX?
The driving distance from San Antonio, TX to Ames, TX is about 169.9 miles (273.4 km), with a travel time of about 03h 28m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 151 miles (243 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 56m 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 03h 28m.
An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.
This departure sits inside the recommended comfort window for the route.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
City in Burnet County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
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
66 m · 13 sec · East Commerce Street
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6
Take the ramp sharp left toward US 281 North, I 37 North
1159 ft · 28 sec
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7
Merge slight left onto William J Bordelon Freeway
1.5 km · 1 min · William J Bordelon Freeway
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8
Continue on McAllister Freeway
14.9 mi · 18 min · McAllister Freeway
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9
Keep slight left to continue on US 281 HOV Lane
2.9 mi · 3 min · US 281 HOV Lane
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10
Merge slight right
100.6 mi · 1 hr 59 min
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11
At the end of the road, turn left onto South Key Avenue
1.2 mi · 3 min · South Key Avenue
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12
Turn right onto East Avenue J
1.1 mi · 2 min · East Avenue J
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13
Continue on East FM 580
6.9 mi · 8 min · East FM 580
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14
Continue on East FM 580
9.4 mi · 12 min · East FM 580
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15
Continue on Farm-to-Market Road 580
7.2 mi · 9 min · Farm-to-Market Road 580
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16
At the end of the road, turn left onto FM 116
13.9 mi · 17 min · FM 116
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17
At the end of the road, turn right onto West Main Street
2.3 mi · 3 min · West Main Street
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18
Turn left onto North Lutterloh Avenue
1.5 mi · 3 min · North Lutterloh Avenue
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19
Continue on State School Road
2.1 mi · 4 min · State School Road
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20
Turn left
1245 ft · 46 sec
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21
Continue straight
855 ft · 31 sec
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22
Turn straight onto 36th Division Memorial Highway
3.4 mi · 3 min · 36th Division Memorial Highway
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23
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · 36th Division Memorial Highway
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.
US 281 HOV Lane
Merge slight right
101 mi · 01h 59m
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 leaving San Antonio and Mostly Cloudy 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 169.9 miles (273.4 km) and usually takes 03h 28m 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?
Marble Falls is a useful midpoint, sitting about 85.1 miles from San Antonio and 84.8 miles from Ames.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 151 miles (243 km), while the road route adds roughly 18.9 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 10:04 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $22.64 one way or $45.27 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 53.2 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around San Antonio and Mostly Cloudy near Ames.
Stop Ideas Near Marble Falls
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 Marble Falls.
Austin
Fort Hood, Texas
Killeen, Texas
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Antonio and Ames. Straight-line distance: 150.99 mi (243 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 | 1,275 |
| Coordinates | 31.5209900, -97.7794700 |
| Altitude | 281 |
| Country | United States |
End: Ames (-97.77947, 31.52099)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 273 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 39m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 14m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 23m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 25m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 07m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $22.64 | $45.27 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $25.47 | $50.94 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $27.50 | $55.00 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $23.92 | $47.84 |
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.