Origin
Big Spring, TX
Afternoon in Big Spring on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
52°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Big Spring, TX to San Antonio, TX
Drive Time
5h 13m
Distance
296.6 mi
477 km
Drive Score
10/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 0m
★
6 AM
5h 13m
8 AM
5h 40m
10 AM
5h 23m
12 PM
5h 20m
3 PM
5h 24m
5 PM
5h 39m
8 PM
5h 5m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Big Spring, TX
Jeff Stapleton
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Big Spring to San Antonio covers 298.5 miles across the Great Plains, typically taking about 4 hours and 44 minutes. Because this is a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straight interstate shot, it is best approached as a full-day commitment. You should budget approximately $44 for fuel to complete the journey. While it is certainly possible to do this in a single day, be prepared for a steady pace rather than high-speed highway cruising. The route relies on South Gregg Street, Highway 87, and US 87 South to navigate you through the region. It is a straightforward trip that moves you between two distinct points in Texas, perfect for those who prefer navigating local roads over the monotony of major 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
148.3 miles from Big Spring, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 39m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a very different experience than a typical highway sprint, as this route features zero percent highway driving. Instead, you will navigate a turn-heavy local drive that requires your full attention behind the wheel. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on South Gregg Street, meaning you will be making frequent adjustments and turns throughout the journey. The road's personality is defined by these local transitions rather than long, open stretches of asphalt. You should anticipate a more engaging, hands-on driving experience that keeps you focused on the road ahead as you transition between the Great Plains landscapes.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 87 is the longest continuous segment at about 72.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 87 and I 10. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 181.6 miles in near US 83.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 296.6 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 181.6 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.9 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 295 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
181.6 mi into trip
|
~3h 15m 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
275.9 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m 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
295 mi into trip
|
~5h 9m 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
295.6 mi into trip
|
~5h 10m 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
296.1 mi into trip
|
~5h 12m in
|
Dolorosa Street
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / left lanes.
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 87 | 72.2 mi | 1h 17m |
| I 10 | 71.7 mi | 1h 14m |
| US 83 | 40 mi | 38m |
| William B Crooker Memorial Highway | 38 mi | 38m |
| Ellis Street | 29.4 mi | 31m |
| South Main Street | 21.5 mi | 23m |
| US Highway 87 South | 14.6 mi | 14m |
| South US Highway 87 | 2.7 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 87
— 72.2 mi, about 1h 17m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Big Spring, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on I 20 Bus
81 ft
·
5 sec
·
West 4th Street
2
Turn right onto US 87 Bus
1.8 mi
·
3 min
·
South Gregg Street
3
Continue on US 87 Bus
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
South US Highway 87
4
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
19 sec
Toward US 87 South: San Angelo
5
Merge onto US 87
38 mi
·
38 min
·
William B Crooker Memorial Highway
6
Continue on US 87; TX 158; TX 163
1.2 mi
·
2 min
·
4th Street
7
Continue on US 87
15 mi
·
14 min
·
US Highway 87 South
8
Continue on US 87
72 mi
·
1 hr 17 min
·
US 87
9
Turn right onto US 83
21 mi
·
23 min
·
South Main Street
10
Continue on US 83
29 mi
·
31 min
·
Ellis Street
11
Take the exit onto US 83
40 mi
·
38 min
·
US 83
Toward I 10 East: San Antonio
Use the left lane.
12
Continue on I 10
54 mi
·
54 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
17 mi
·
19 min
·
I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
McDermott Freeway
15
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
Exit 569C
Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
16
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.2 mi
·
16 sec
·
North Pecos-La Trinidad
17
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
North Pecos-La Trinidad
Use the straight lane.
18
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
0.5 mi
·
55 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
Use the straight / left lanes.
19
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Since this 4-hour and 44-minute drive relies on local roads rather than major interstates, plan your departure for early in the day to avoid navigation fatigue. You only have one planned stop on this 298.5-mile route, so make it count by refueling and stretching your legs thoroughly when you pull over. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as local roads can lead to unpredictable consumption compared to steady highway driving. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, using a reliable GPS is essential to stay on track along US 87 South. Because the entire trip is manageable within a single day, you have the flexibility to adjust your pace to suit your comfort level without needing an overnight stay.
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 148.3 miles from Big Spring, TX, or about 2h 39m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 72.2 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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 148.3 miles or 2h 39m 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 15m
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 Big Spring, 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 Big Spring, TX
This is one driving day of about 296.6 miles and 5h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Big Spring, 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 87 for about 72.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 148.3 mi from Big Spring, TX · 2h 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 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 148.3 miles from Big Spring, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before US 87 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 72.2 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
$45.31 one way
$90.61 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $49.65 | $99.30 |
| premium | $4.59 | $53.61 | $107.22 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.89 | $131.79 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 89 | 1 | $31.14 | $14.24 |
| Efficient EV | 74.2 | 0 | $25.95 | $11.86 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.6 | 1 | $41.52 | $18.98 |
Gas CO2
104 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% 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
3:24 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
29 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 13m 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 Big Spring, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 296.6 miles and takes about 5h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 87, I 10, US 83. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 148.3 miles from Big Spring, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $45.31 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 10 significant decision points across 296.6 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 181.6 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 275.9 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 295 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Big Spring, TX to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From San Antonio, TX
More trips to San Antonio, TX
Explore more options from Big Spring, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Big Spring, TX or San Antonio, TX on MapSof.net.