Origin
Anna, TX
Afternoon in Anna on Sunday
Local time
1:35 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Anna, TX to San Antonio, TX
Drive Time
5h 44m
Distance
316.9 mi
510 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$48
one way
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Anna to San Antonio covers 340.9 miles and typically takes about 5 hours and 3 minutes of driving time. Because this route stays entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience consistent terrain throughout your journey. With a recommended duration of just one day, it is perfectly feasible to complete this trip in a single session. Budgeting approximately $51 for fuel should cover your needs, provided you stick to the planned itinerary. Since you will be navigating via local roads like West 4th Street, South Powell Parkway, and McKinney Street, expect a more hands-on driving experience rather than a simple highway cruise. This route is ideal if you prefer local roads over high-speed interstates.
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
158.4 miles from Anna, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 52m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a standard interstate trek, this journey features a 0% highway share, meaning you will spend the entire 340.9 miles navigating surface streets and local thoroughfares. There is no "longest stretch" of uninterrupted highway here, as the route is defined by consistent turns on roads like West 4th Street. You will feel the technical nature of the drive as you transition through various local intersections rather than settling into a cruise-control rhythm. Be prepared for a more engaged, manual driving experience that keeps you focused on the road ahead for the duration of the 5-hour trip.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 99.6 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 6.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 28 significant decision points across 316.9 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 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 28 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
6.8 mi into trip
|
~10m in
Keep slight left at fork toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
8
42.6 mi into trip
|
~49m in
Take the exit toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
9
44.7 mi into trip
|
~53m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
8
235.3 mi into trip
|
~4h 12m in
|
I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
8
315.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 41m in
|
I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Towns Along This Route
Between Anna, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
Downtown
42.6 mi in
|
~49m
Denton
44.5 mi in
|
~53m
Waco
44.7 mi in
|
~53m
Dallas Zoo
45.6 mi in
|
~55m
|
via I 35E
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 99.6 mi | 1h 46m |
| South R L Thornton Freeway | 89.9 mi | 1h 32m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| Central Expressway | 35 mi | 37m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 17 mi | 20m |
| North Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| McKinney Street | 3.3 mi | 5m |
| South Powell Parkway | 2.4 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Anna, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on South Sherley Road
35 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Sherley Road
2
Turn left onto FM 2862
0.2 mi
·
23 sec
·
West 4th Street
3
Turn left onto TX 5
2.4 mi
·
3 min
·
South Powell Parkway
4
Continue on TX 5
3.3 mi
·
5 min
·
McKinney Street
5
Turn right onto TX 121
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
Sam Rayburn Highway
6
Keep slight left at fork
0.8 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 75 South, TX 121 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Merge onto US 75; TX 121
35 mi
·
37 min
·
Central Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
Take the exit
501 ft
·
12 sec
Exit 284C
Toward Downtown, Good-Latimer Expressway
Use the slight left lane.
9
Continue on North Central Expressway
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
North Central Expressway
Use the left / straight lanes.
10
Turn right onto Elm Street
304 ft
·
10 sec
·
Elm Street
11
Turn left onto North Pearl Expressway
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
·
North Pearl Expressway
Use the straight lane.
12
Turn right onto Young Street
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
·
Young Street
13
Turn left onto South Harwood Street
315 ft
·
8 sec
·
South Harwood Street
Use the left lane.
14
Turn right onto Canton Street
0.4 mi
·
47 sec
·
Canton Street
15
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
Toward I 30 West
16
Keep slight left at fork
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
Toward I 35E South, I 35E North: Waco, Denton
17
Keep slight left at fork
221 ft
·
5 sec
Toward I 35E North, I 35E South: Denton, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
Toward I 35E South: Waco
Use the left / right lanes.
19
Continue on I 35E
0.5 mi
·
44 sec
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
20
Continue on I 35E
89 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
South R L Thornton Freeway
Exit 426
Toward Dallas Zoo
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35
38 mi
·
39 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi
·
54 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton Street
Use the slight left lane.
25
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.6 mi
·
41 sec
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, Laredo
Use the slight left lane.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
33
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Navarro Street
34
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft
·
2 sec
·
Navarro Street
35
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
36
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Travis Street
37
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Flores Street
38
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
39
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
40
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To keep your 5-hour and 3-minute drive manageable, plan for at least one dedicated stop to break up the frequent turns. Departing early in the day is your best bet to avoid the buildup of local traffic on these specific surface streets. Since the route relies on local roads rather than major highways, keep a close eye on your navigation system to ensure you don't miss any of the frequent turns. With a fuel budget of $51, it is wise to fill up before you leave Anna to avoid hunting for gas stations during the more technical portions of the drive. The flexibility of a one-day trip allows you to adjust your pace as needed, so prioritize comfort and regular breaks to stay alert.
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 158.4 miles from Anna, TX, or about 2h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 158.4 miles or 2h 52m 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 39m
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 Anna, 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 Anna, TX
This is one driving day of about 316.9 miles and 5h 44m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Anna, 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 Purple Heart Trail for about 99.6 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 158.4 mi from Anna, TX · 2h 52m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
158 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 158.4 miles from Anna, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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
$48.41 one way
$96.82 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
111 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $53.05 | $106.10 |
| premium | $4.59 | $57.28 | $114.56 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $70.40 | $140.81 |
Estimated Tolls: $2.86
Central Expressway
(35.7 mi)
$2.86
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$48
Tolls
$3
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 110.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $33 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 95.1 | 1 | $33.27 | $15.21 |
| Efficient EV | 79.2 | 0 | $27.73 | $12.68 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 126.8 | 1 | $44.37 | $20.28 |
Gas CO2
111 kg
EV CO2
37 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
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
1:35 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
23 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 44m 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 Anna, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 316.9 miles and takes about 5h 44m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, South R L Thornton Freeway, I 35. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 158.4 miles from Anna, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $48.41 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 28 significant decision points across 316.9 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 6.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 42.6 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 44.7 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Between Anna, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Downtown, Denton, Waco and Dallas Zoo.
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