Origin
Albany, TX
Afternoon in Albany on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
55°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Albany, TX to San Antonio, TX
Drive Time
5h 17m
Distance
258.4 mi
416 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$39
one way
EV Charging
Loading...
station data
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 4m
★
6 AM
5h 17m
8 AM
5h 44m
10 AM
5h 27m
12 PM
5h 24m
3 PM
5h 28m
5 PM
5h 43m
8 PM
5h 9m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Albany, TX
Thomas balabaud
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Driving from Albany to San Antonio covers 259.2 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 17 minutes of road time. Because this journey stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you can easily manage the trip in a single day without needing an overnight stay. Expect to budget roughly $39 for fuel to complete the transit. You will navigate via South Main Street, 8th Street, and Highway 87 as you transition between these two central Texas hubs. It is a straightforward route that favors local navigation over massive interstate systems, making it a manageable trek for those who prefer a steady pace.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
129.2 miles from Albany, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 49m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a monotonous interstate grind, this route features zero highway miles, meaning you will be navigating surface streets and regional roads for the duration of the 259.2-mile trip. There is no single long, uninterrupted stretch to settle into, as the path relies on segments like South Main Street to move you forward. The personality of this drive is technical and localized, requiring you to stay alert through constant transitions. Prepare for a hands-on experience where the road conditions reflect the character of the local infrastructure rather than high-speed highway travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 283 is the longest continuous segment at about 60.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 283 and South US Highway 87. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 210.4 miles in near US 87.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 258.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 210.4 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 237.6 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
210.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 24m in
|
US 87
Take the ramp onto US 87 toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
6
237.6 mi into trip
|
~4h 52m in
|
I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
256.7 mi into trip
|
~5h 13m in
Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
6
257.3 mi into trip
|
~5h 15m in
|
North Pecos-La Trinidad
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
6
257.9 mi into trip
|
~5h 16m in
|
Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 283 | 60.7 mi | 1h 30m |
| South US Highway 87 | 59.9 mi | 1h 7m |
| 8th Street | 40.5 mi | 46m |
| US 87 | 27.2 mi | 27m |
| I 10 | 17.4 mi | 19m |
| Bridge Street | 14.6 mi | 16m |
| North US Highway 87 | 13.2 mi | 15m |
| US 84 | 10.2 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
US 283
— 60.7 mi, about 1h 30m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Albany, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on TX 6
13 ft
·
7 sec
·
South 2nd Street
2
Turn left onto US 180; US 283; TX 6
0.4 mi
·
43 sec
·
South Main Street
3
Turn left onto US 283
61 mi
·
1 hr 29 min
·
US 283
4
Continue on US 83
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
US 83
5
Turn right onto US 283; TX 206
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
US 283; TX 206
6
Continue on US 84; US 283; TX 206
0.7 mi
·
50 sec
·
US 84; US 283; TX 206
7
Turn left onto US 84; US 283
9.5 mi
·
10 min
·
US 84; US 283
Use the straight lane.
8
Turn right onto US 283
41 mi
·
46 min
·
8th Street
9
Turn left onto US 87
3.4 mi
·
3 min
·
United States Highway 87
10
Continue on US 87
0.3 mi
·
23 sec
·
Commerce Street
11
Turn right onto US 87; US 190; US 377
15 mi
·
16 min
·
Bridge Street
12
Continue on US 87; US 377
13 mi
·
15 min
·
North US Highway 87
13
Continue on US 87; TX 29
0.8 mi
·
56 sec
·
Fort McKavitt Street
14
Take the exit onto US 87
166 ft
·
4 sec
·
US 87
15
Merge onto US 87
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
San Antonio Street
16
Continue on US 87
40 mi
·
44 min
·
South US Highway 87
17
At end of road, turn left onto US 290; US 87
1.5 mi
·
4 min
·
West Main Street
18
Turn right onto US 87
1.1 mi
·
2 min
·
South Washington Street
19
Continue on US 87
20 mi
·
23 min
·
South US Highway 87
20
Take the ramp onto US 87
27 mi
·
27 min
·
US 87
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi
·
19 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
McDermott Freeway
23
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
24
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Pecos-La Trinidad
25
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
26
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
27
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a 4-hour and 17-minute drive, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refresh. Aim to depart early in the morning to avoid midday congestion on local roads, especially when navigating through town centers. Budgeting $39 for gas is a solid estimate, but keep an eye on your tank levels early in the trip, as fuel accessibility can vary on local routes compared to major interstates. Because the route is composed of South Main Street, 8th Street, and Highway 87, pay close attention to your GPS navigation to ensure you do not miss a turn in the more congested sections. Flexibility is your best asset here, so feel free to adjust your pace to suit the flow of local traffic.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 129.2 miles from Albany, TX, or about 2h 49m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.7 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 53m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 129.2 miles or 2h 49m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 25m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Antonio, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Albany, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Albany, TX
This is one driving day of about 258.4 miles and 5h 17m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Albany, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on US 283 for about 60.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 129.2 mi from Albany, TX · 2h 49m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
129 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 129.2 miles from Albany, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 283 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.7 miles.
Arriving in San Antonio, TX
The final approach into San Antonio, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around San Antonio, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$39.47 one way
$78.94 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
90 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $43.26 | $86.51 |
| premium | $4.59 | $46.71 | $93.41 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $57.41 | $114.82 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$39
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$64–$89
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 90.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $27 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 77.5 | 0 | $27.13 | $12.40 |
| Efficient EV | 64.6 | 0 | $22.61 | $10.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 103.4 | 1 | $36.18 | $16.54 |
Gas CO2
90 kg
EV CO2
30 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
3:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
26 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 17m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Albany, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 258.4 miles and takes about 5h 17m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 283, South US Highway 87, 8th Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 129.2 miles from Albany, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $39.47 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 258.4 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 210.4 miles (US 87): Lane positioning matters here; at 237.6 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 256.7 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Albany, TX to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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