How far is Waco, TX from San Antonio, TX?
The driving distance from Waco, TX to San Antonio, TX is about 198.9 miles (320.1 km), with a travel time of about 02h 52m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 167.3 miles (269.3 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 44m 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 52m.
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.
Census designated place
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Waco and San Antonio.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Waco and San Antonio.
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1
Start on West Waco Drive
110 m · 15 sec · West Waco Drive
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2
Continue on West Waco Drive
525 ft · 26 sec · West Waco Drive
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3
Turn left onto North 18th Street
1.4 mi · 4 min · North 18th Street
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4
Turn right onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
60 m · 4 sec · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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5
Take the ramp straight toward I 35 South
1605 ft · 39 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto South Jack Kultgen Expressway
2.5 mi · 3 min · South Jack Kultgen Expressway
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7
Continue on Purple Heart Trail
37.9 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
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8
Keep slight left
55.8 mi · 59 min
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9
Keep slight left to continue on Purple Heart Trail
49.8 mi · 55 min · Purple Heart Trail
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10
Continue on Interstate Highway 35
1.7 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
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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 North Pan Am Expressway
10 mi · 12 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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13
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
6.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway
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14
Keep slight left to continue on North Pan Am Expressway
2907 ft · 41 sec · North Pan Am Expressway
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15
Take the exit slight right toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
684 ft · 17 sec
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16
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft · 17 sec · East Elmira Street
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17
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
830 ft · 19 sec · North Main Avenue
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18
Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Navarro Street
49 m · 3 sec · Navarro Street
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19
Exit the roundabout onto Navarro Street
34 m · 2 sec · Navarro Street
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20
Keep slight right to continue on North Main Avenue
2181 ft · 52 sec · North Main Avenue
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21
Turn right onto West Travis Street
68 m · 11 sec · West Travis Street
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22
Turn left onto North Flores Street
807 ft · 20 sec · North Flores Street
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23
Continue on Military Plaza
119 m · 16 sec · Military Plaza
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24
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
100 m · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street
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25
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Dolorosa Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Waco and San Antonio.
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 left
55.8 mi · 00h 59m
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.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Waco and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near San Antonio.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Waco to San Antonio?
The road trip is about 198.9 miles (320.1 km) and usually takes 02h 52m 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?
Wells Branch is a useful midpoint, sitting about 90 miles from Waco and 108.9 miles from San Antonio.
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 31.6 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 12:46 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $26.53 one way or $53.06 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 62.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Waco and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near San Antonio.
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 Waco and San Antonio. Straight-line distance: 167.3 mi (269.25 km).
#1 Waco
The 11th most populous city in Texas.
| Population | 141,377 |
| Coordinates | 31.5493300, -97.1466700 |
| Altitude | 143 |
| Country | United States |
#2 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 |
End: Dolorosa Street (-98.493645, 29.424163)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 320 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 06h 37m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 04h 58m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 03h 58m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 03h 18m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 02h 50m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 02h 28m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.78 | $26.53 | $53.06 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $29.85 | $59.70 |
| Premium | $4.59 | $32.23 | $64.46 |
| Diesel | $3.99 | $28.03 | $56.06 |
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.