How far is San Antonio, TX from San Carlos, TX?

The driving distance from San Antonio, TX to San Carlos, TX is about 231.6 miles (372.7 km), with a travel time of about 04h 10m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 217.7 miles (350.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 08h 21m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST.
Trip Tools

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.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
231.59 mi
04h 10m
Flight
217.68 mi
350.33 km direct

This drive is better planned with a longer stop or an overnight stay.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from San Antonio.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
217.68 mi
Kilometers
350.33 km
Flight Time
00h 26m

Driving Distance

Road route
231.59 mi
Kilometers
372.71 km
Drive Time
04h 10m

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 10m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in San Carlos
Fri, Nov 6, 7:41 PM CST
Return by in San Antonio
Fri, Nov 6, 11:52 PM CST
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave San Antonio
2026-11-06T15:31
Arrive San Carlos
Fri, Nov 6, 7:41 PM CST
Route Timing
04h 10m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
6:00 AM to 8:00 AM CST
Leave early for more breathing room
Arrive between
10:11 AM to 12:11 PM CST

An early departure helps you fit a real stop into the day without turning the return into a late-night drive.

Leave by
8:38 AM CST
Keeps a same-day return open with about 04h 00m at the destination.
Back in San Antonio
9:00 PM CST
Early departure recommended

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.

Mid-route stop
Alice
TX

City in Texas

From San Antonio
116.1 mi
02h 05m
To San Carlos
115.5 mi
02h 05m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
77°F
Friday

Sunny

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 6:00 AM CST
Wind
5 to 15 mph N
Destination
81°F
Today

Showers And Thunderstorms Likely

Starts
Fri, Nov 6 8:00 AM CST
Wind
6 to 12 mph N

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between San Antonio and San Carlos.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio and San Carlos.

  1. 1

    Start on Dolorosa Street

    44 m · 5 sec · Dolorosa Street

  2. 2

    Continue on West Market Street

    1893 ft · 42 sec · West Market Street

  3. 3

    Continue on East Market Street

    2143 ft · 41 sec · East Market Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way

    957 ft · 21 sec · Tower of the Americas Way

  5. 5

    Take the ramp slight left toward I 37 South, US 281 South

    1374 ft · 34 sec

  6. 6

    Merge slight left onto William J Bordelon Freeway

    1.4 mi · 2 min · William J Bordelon Freeway

  7. 7

    Continue on Lucian Adams Freeway

    66.8 mi · 1 hr 8 min · Lucian Adams Freeway

  8. 8

    Take the exit slight right toward US 281 South

    15.2 mi · 19 min

  9. 9

    Keep slight left to continue on South Nueces Street

    66.2 mi · 1 hr 10 min · South Nueces Street

  10. 10

    Keep slight left

    9.5 mi · 10 min

  11. 11

    Keep slight left to continue on Falfurrias Expressway

    55.8 mi · 59 min · Falfurrias Expressway

  12. 12

    Keep slight left

    9.6 mi · 10 min

  13. 13

    Take the exit slight right toward FM 2128: Chapin Road, Schunior Road, Richardson Road

    1502 ft · 28 sec

  14. 14

    Turn straight onto North Expressway 281

    1.1 km · 1 min · North Expressway 281

  15. 15

    Turn left onto East Schunior Street

    116 m · 9 sec · East Schunior Street

  16. 16

    Continue on East Richardson Road

    1.2 mi · 2 min · East Richardson Road

  17. 17

    Continue on East Richardson Street

    1.4 km · 1 min · East Richardson Street

  18. 18

    Continue on East Schunior Street

    2604 ft · 42 sec · East Schunior Street

  19. 19

    Continue on Richardson Road

    1.5 km · 1 min · Richardson Road

  20. 20

    At the end of the road, turn left

    1.3 mi · 2 min

  21. 21

    Continue straight

    142 m · 15 sec

  22. 22

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between San Antonio and San Carlos.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
22 steps
4 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
4
1 merges, 3 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
9.5 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
South Nueces Street
75.7 mi · 33%
Lucian Adams Freeway
66.8 mi · 29%
Falfurrias Expressway
65.4 mi · 28%
US 281 South
15.2 mi · 7%
William J Bordelon Freeway
1.42 mi · 1%
East Richardson Road
1.15 mi
Longest Stretch

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.

Trip Read

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.

Drive Time
04h 10m
Long day trip
Same-Day Return
08h 22m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+13.9 mi
217.7 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Alice
02h 05m from San Antonio
Leave By
8:38 AM CST
Early departure recommended
Weather Watch

Sunny leaving San Antonio and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near San Carlos.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from San Antonio to San Carlos?

The road trip is about 231.6 miles (372.7 km) and usually takes 04h 10m 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 116.1 miles from San Antonio and 115.5 miles from San Carlos.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 217.7 miles (350.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 13.9 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 CST. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 8:38 AM CST.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $29.26 one way or $58.51 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 72.6 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Sunny around San Antonio and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near San Carlos.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between San Antonio and San Carlos. Straight-line distance: 217.68 mi (350.33 km).

San Antonio

#1 San Antonio

The seventh most populous city in the United States and the center of the San Antonio metropolitan area.

Population1,567,118
Coordinates29.4241200, -98.4936300
Altitude198
CountryUnited States
Photo coming soon

#2 San Carlos

San Carlos is a place in Texas, United States.

Population0
Coordinates26.2956300, -98.0719500
Altitude23
CountryUnited States
Start: San Antonio (-98.49363, 29.42412)
End: San Carlos (-98.07195, 26.29563)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 373 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)07h 42m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)05h 47m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)04h 37m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)03h 51m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)03h 18m
80 mph (129 km/h)02h 53m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
8.17 gal
30.93 L · about $29.26
Round trip
$58.51
16.34 gal · 61.86 L
Estimated CO2
72.6 kg one way
Round trip: 145.2 kg / 320 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $3.58 $29.26 $58.51
Mid-grade $4.09 $33.45 $66.90
Premium $4.47 $36.54 $73.07
Diesel $5.68 $46.42 $92.84

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 · Nov 06, 2026

There is no time difference between San Antonio and San Carlos. The current time is 15:31:09.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.