How far is San Antonio, TX from Waco, TX?
The driving distance from San Antonio, TX to Waco, TX is about 179.6 miles (289.1 km), with a travel time of about 03h 18m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 167.3 miles (269.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 06h 37m 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 03h 18m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Mostly Cloudy
Mostly Cloudy
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between San Antonio and Waco.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio and Waco.
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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
1.3 km · 56 sec · William J Bordelon Freeway
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8
Take the exit slight right toward I 35 North: Austin
2907 ft · 1 min
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9
Merge slight left onto North Pan Am Expressway
8.2 mi · 10 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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10
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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11
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
11.9 mi · 13 min · Purple Heart Trail
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12
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
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13
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
47.8 mi · 52 min · Purple Heart Trail
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14
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
95.6 mi · 1 hr 40 min · Purple Heart Trail
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15
Continue on South Jack Kultgen Expressway
2.5 mi · 3 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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16
Take the exit slight right toward 18th - 17th Streets
1380 ft · 34 sec
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17
Turn straight onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
759 ft · 21 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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18
Turn left onto South 17th Street
1.4 mi · 4 min · South 17th Street
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19
Turn left onto West Waco Drive
143 m · 26 sec · West Waco Drive
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20
Continue on West Waco Drive
34 m · 8 sec · West Waco Drive
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21
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · West Waco Drive
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between San Antonio and Waco.
Interchange-aware route
The drive includes several ramps, exits, or merges, so checking the next few maneuvers before busy interchanges is useful.
Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight right to continue on Purple Heart Trail
95.6 mi · 01h 40m
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 Cloudy leaving San Antonio and Mostly Cloudy near Waco.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from San Antonio to Waco?
The road trip is about 179.6 miles (289.1 km) and usually takes 03h 18m 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?
Wells Branch is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90 miles from San Antonio and 89.7 miles from Waco.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 167.3 miles (269.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 12.3 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 10:22 AM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.96 one way or $47.92 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 56.3 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Mostly Cloudy around San Antonio and Mostly Cloudy near Waco.
Stop Ideas Near Wells Branch
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 Wells Branch.
Austin
Taylor
San Marcos Station
Killeen, Texas
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between San Antonio and Waco. Straight-line distance: 167.3 mi (269.25 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 Waco
The 11th most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 141,377 |
| Coordinates | 31.5493300, -97.1466700 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| Country | United States |
End: Waco (-97.14667, 31.54933)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 289 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 05h 59m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 29m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 35m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 59m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 33m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 14m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $23.96 | $47.92 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $26.96 | $53.92 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $29.11 | $58.21 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $25.32 | $50.63 |
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 23, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.