How far is San Antonio, TX from Buchanan Dam, TX?
The driving distance from San Antonio, TX to Buchanan Dam, TX is about 104 miles (167.3 km), with a travel time of about 02h 14m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 91 miles (146.4 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 29m 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 02h 14m.
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Antonio and Buchanan Dam.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio and Buchanan Dam.
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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
54.7 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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11
Turn left onto West Ranch Road 962
10.5 mi · 14 min · West Ranch Road 962
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12
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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13
Turn right
2.6 mi · 5 min
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14
Turn left onto Ranch to Market Road 2900
5.3 mi · 9 min · Ranch to Market Road 2900
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15
At the end of the road, turn left
5.5 mi · 10 min
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16
Turn right
2.1 mi · 3 min
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17
Turn left onto Island Lodges Drive
43 m · 6 sec · Island Lodges Drive
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Island Lodges Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Antonio and Buchanan Dam.
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
54.7 mi · 01h 04m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving San Antonio and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buchanan Dam.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Antonio to Buchanan Dam?
The road trip is about 104 miles (167.3 km) and usually takes 02h 14m 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 San Antonio and 51.9 miles from Buchanan Dam.
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 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 2:00 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $13.87 one way or $27.74 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 32.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around San Antonio and Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Buchanan Dam.
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 San Antonio and Buchanan Dam. Straight-line distance: 90.99 mi (146.43 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 Buchanan Dam
Place in Texas
| Population | 1,519 |
| Coordinates | 30.7399000, -98.4311400 |
| Altitude | 318 |
| Country | United States |
End: Buchanan Dam (-98.43114, 30.7399)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 167 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 03h 27m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 02h 35m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 04m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 01h 43m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 29m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 17m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $13.87 | $27.74 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $15.60 | $31.21 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $16.85 | $33.70 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $14.65 | $29.31 |
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 19, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.