Origin
Ballinger, TX
Afternoon in Ballinger on Sunday
Local time
1:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
53°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ballinger, TX to San Antonio, TX
Drive Time
3h 31m
Distance
202.8 mi
326 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$31
one way
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Ballinger to San Antonio covers 203.3 miles, making for a manageable 3-hour and 13-minute journey across the Texas Great Plains. Because the total drive time is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $30 for fuel to complete the transit between these two locations. Since this route does not rely on major interstates, you will experience a more local feel throughout the drive. It is a straightforward trek that avoids the complexities of multi-day planning, providing you with a reliable way to navigate between these two regional hubs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
101.4 miles from Ballinger, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 46m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind, as this route features a 0% highway share. Navigating this path requires your full attention, as the road personality is defined by winding local stretches rather than straight, high-speed lanes. Because you aren't spending time on major thoroughfares, the pace remains steady and demands engagement behind the wheel. You will find that the character of the road stays consistent throughout the 203.3-mile trip, keeping you focused on the changing local landscape. This is an ideal drive if you prefer winding, back-road travel over the repetitive rhythm of a cruise-controlled highway experience.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 12 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 6 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 87.8 miles in near US 83.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 202.8 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 87.8 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 182 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 6 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
87.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 33m in
|
US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
6
182 mi into trip
|
~3h 6m 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
201.1 mi into trip
|
~3h 28m 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
201.7 mi into trip
|
~3h 29m 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
202.3 mi into trip
|
~3h 30m in
|
Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 71.7 mi | 1h 14m |
| Grassmeyer Street | 41.9 mi | 44m |
| US 83 | 40 mi | 38m |
| Ellis Street | 29.4 mi | 31m |
| South 7th Street | 16.5 mi | 18m |
| McDermott Freeway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| North Pecos-La Trinidad | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Dolorosa Street | 0.5 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 71.7 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ballinger, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on US 83
17 mi
·
18 min
·
South 7th Street
2
Continue on US 83
42 mi
·
44 min
·
Grassmeyer Street
3
Continue on US 83
29 mi
·
31 min
·
Ellis Street
4
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi
·
38 min
·
US 83
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Use the left lane.
5
Continue on I 10
54 mi
·
54 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi
·
19 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
McDermott Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
9
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Pecos-La Trinidad
10
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 3-hour and 13-minute trip, plan your departure for the early morning to avoid midday traffic and ensure you arrive in San Antonio with plenty of daylight. Since there are no scheduled stops in this itinerary, pack your own refreshments and ensure your vehicle is fueled up before you leave Ballinger to avoid unnecessary detours. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, stay alert and pace yourself by taking short breaks if you feel the need to stretch your legs. Flexibility is your greatest asset here; use the lack of required stops to your advantage by adjusting your speed to match the local road conditions. Most importantly, keep an eye on your fuel gauge early in the drive so that the $30 estimate remains accurate for your specific vehicle.
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 101.4 miles from Ballinger, TX, or about 1h 46m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.7 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 25m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 101.4 miles or 1h 46m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 50m
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 Ballinger, 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 Ballinger, TX
This is one driving day of about 202.8 miles and 3h 31m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ballinger, 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 I 10 for about 71.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 101.4 mi from Ballinger, TX · 1h 46m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
101 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 101.4 miles from Ballinger, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.7 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
$30.98 one way
$61.96 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
71 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.95 | $67.90 |
| premium | $4.59 | $36.66 | $73.31 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $45.06 | $90.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$31
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$56–$81
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 71 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.29 | $9.73 |
| Efficient EV | 50.7 | 0 | $17.75 | $8.11 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 81.1 | 1 | $28.39 | $12.98 |
Gas CO2
71 kg
EV CO2
24 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
1:06 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
28 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
3h 31m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ballinger, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 202.8 miles and takes about 3h 31m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, Grassmeyer Street, US 83. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 101.4 miles from Ballinger, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.98 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 202.8 miles you will encounter 6 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 87.8 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 182 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 201.1 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Ballinger, TX to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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