How far is San Antonio, TX from Mercedes, TX?
The driving distance from San Antonio, TX to Mercedes, TX is about 252 miles (405.5 km), with a travel time of about 04h 31m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 229 miles (368.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 09h 03m 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 31m.
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 Texas
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Sunny
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Antonio and Mercedes.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio and Mercedes.
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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 · 41 sec · East Market Street
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4
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
957 ft · 21 sec · Tower of the Americas Way
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5
Take the ramp slight left toward I 37 South, US 281 South
1374 ft · 34 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto William J Bordelon Freeway
1.4 mi · 2 min · William J Bordelon Freeway
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7
Continue on Lucian Adams Freeway
66.8 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Lucian Adams Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 281 South
15.2 mi · 19 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on South Nueces Street
66.2 mi · 1 hr 10 min · South Nueces Street
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10
Keep slight left
9.5 mi · 10 min
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11
Keep slight left to continue on Falfurrias Expressway
55.8 mi · 59 min · Falfurrias Expressway
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12
Keep slight left
18.4 mi · 20 min
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13
Merge slight left
2577 ft · 34 sec
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14
Continue straight
15.9 mi · 18 min
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15
Take the exit slight right toward FM 491: Texas Avenue
1976 ft · 48 sec
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16
Turn straight onto Expressway 83
615 ft · 18 sec · Expressway 83
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17
Turn right onto North Texas Avenue
2225 ft · 47 sec · North Texas Avenue
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Texas Avenue
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Antonio and Mercedes.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
Lucian Adams Freeway
Continue on Lucian Adams Freeway
66.8 mi · 01h 08m
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 Sunny leaving San Antonio and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mercedes.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Antonio to Mercedes?
The road trip is about 252 miles (405.5 km) and usually takes 04h 31m 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?
Alice is a useful midpoint, sitting about 126.3 miles from San Antonio and 125.6 miles from Mercedes.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 229 miles (368.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 23 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 7:56 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $33.60 one way or $67.19 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 79 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Sunny around San Antonio and Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Mercedes.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Antonio and Mercedes. Straight-line distance: 228.99 mi (368.53 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 Mercedes
City in Texas, USA
| Population | 16,598 |
| Coordinates | 26.1498000, -97.9136100 |
| Altitude | 21 |
| Country | United States |
End: Mercedes (-97.91361, 26.1498)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 405 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 08h 23m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 06h 17m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 11m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 08m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $33.60 | $67.19 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $37.80 | $75.60 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $40.81 | $81.63 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $35.50 | $71.00 |
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 · Jun 02, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.