How far is San Antonio, TX from South Padre Island, TX?
The driving distance from San Antonio, TX to South Padre Island, TX is about 296.3 miles (476.8 km), with a travel time of about 05h 22m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 243.4 miles (391.7 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 10h 45m 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 05h 22m.
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 Nueces County, Texas, United States
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Partly Sunny
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Antonio and South Padre Island.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio and South Padre Island.
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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
125.1 mi · 2 hr 7 min · Lucian Adams Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 69E, US 77: Kingsville, Brownsville
31.3 mi · 34 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Highway 77
61.3 mi · 1 hr 9 min · U.S. Highway 77
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10
Keep slight left to continue on U.S. Highway 77
43.7 mi · 47 min · U.S. Highway 77
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11
Continue on North Expressway
2.1 mi · 2 min · North Expressway
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12
Keep slight right to continue on Interstate 169
3.7 mi · 4 min · Interstate 169
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13
Continue on I-169, TX 550 Toll
1.3 km · 52 sec · I-169, TX 550 Toll
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14
Continue straight
2 mi · 2 min
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15
Continue on State Highway 550
3.7 mi · 4 min · State Highway 550
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16
Turn left
1123 ft · 27 sec
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17
Merge slight left onto Brownsville-Port Isabel Highway
14.1 mi · 16 min · Brownsville-Port Isabel Highway
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18
Turn right onto State Highway 100
1 mi · 3 min · State Highway 100
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19
Turn slight right onto West Queen Isabella Boulevard
2460 ft · 1 min · West Queen Isabella Boulevard
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20
Continue on Queen Isabella Causeway
2.7 mi · 5 min · Queen Isabella Causeway
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21
Turn left onto Padre Boulevard
1.1 km · 2 min · Padre Boulevard
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22
Turn right onto East Haas Street
155 m · 20 sec · East Haas Street
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23
Turn left onto Gulf Boulevard
3129 ft · 2 min · Gulf Boulevard
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24
Turn right
27 m · 12 sec
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25
Turn left
24 m · 6 sec
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26
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Antonio and South Padre Island.
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
125 mi · 02h 07m
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.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving San Antonio and Partly Sunny near South Padre Island.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Antonio to South Padre Island?
The road trip is about 296.3 miles (476.8 km) and usually takes 05h 22m 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?
Bishop is a useful midpoint, sitting about 148.4 miles from San Antonio and 147.8 miles from South Padre Island.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 243.4 miles (391.7 km), while the road route adds roughly 52.9 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 6:14 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $39.53 one way or $79.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 93 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around San Antonio and Partly Sunny near South Padre Island.
Stop Ideas Near Bishop
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Kingsville Water Department
City of Driscoll
Robstown Municipal Court
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Bishop.
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Antonio and South Padre Island. Straight-line distance: 243.37 mi (391.67 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 South Padre Island
Town in Texas, United States
| Population | 2,752 |
| Coordinates | 26.1036900, -97.1646900 |
| Altitude | 2 |
| Country | United States |
End: South Padre Island (-97.16469, 26.10369)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 477 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 09h 52m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 07h 24m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 05h 55m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 04h 56m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 04h 13m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 03h 41m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $39.53 | $79.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $44.48 | $88.95 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $48.02 | $96.04 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $41.77 | $83.53 |
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 · May 01, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.