How far is San Antonio, TX from Houston, TX?
The driving distance from San Antonio, TX to Houston, TX is about 197.3 miles (317.5 km), with a travel time of about 02h 58m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 189.5 miles (305 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 56m 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 58m.
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 Fayette County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Slight Chance Rain Showers
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Antonio and Houston.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio and Houston.
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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
165.5 mi · 2 hr 52 min
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13
Take the exit slight right toward Downtown, Theatre District
2064 ft · 52 sec
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14
Continue on Smith Street
704 ft · 29 sec · Smith Street
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15
Turn left onto Preston Street
101 m · 17 sec · Preston Street
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16
Turn left onto Louisiana Street
55 m · 5 sec · Louisiana Street
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17
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Louisiana Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Antonio and Houston.
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
166 mi · 02h 52m
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.
Slight Chance Rain Showers leaving San Antonio and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Houston.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Antonio to Houston?
The road trip is about 197.3 miles (317.5 km) and usually takes 02h 58m 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?
Schulenburg is a useful midpoint, sitting about 97.3 miles from San Antonio and 100 miles from Houston.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 189.5 miles (305 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.8 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 12:34 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.30 one way or $52.60 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 61.9 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Slight Chance Rain Showers around San Antonio and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy near Houston.
Stop Ideas Near Schulenburg
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 Schulenburg.
Prairie View, TX
San Marcos Station
Austin
Taylor
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Antonio and Houston. Straight-line distance: 189.52 mi (305 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 Houston
The fourth most populous city in the United States and the center of the Houston metropolitan area.
| Population | 2,316,120 |
| Coordinates | 29.7632800, -95.3632700 |
| Altitude | 12 |
| Country | United States |
End: Louisiana Street (-95.363596, 29.76347)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 318 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 34m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 55m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 56m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 17m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 49m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 27m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $26.30 | $52.60 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.59 | $59.19 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $31.95 | $63.91 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $27.79 | $55.58 |
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.