Origin
Buffalo, TX
Evening in Buffalo on Wednesday
Local time
8:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Buffalo, TX to San Antonio, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
233.5 mi
376 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 18m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 43m
8 PM
4h 10m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Buffalo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Connecting Buffalo to San Antonio, this 240.4-mile journey covers a significant stretch of the Texas Great Plains. You should budget approximately 3 hours and 58 minutes of drive time, making this a very manageable one-day trip that doesn't necessarily require an overnight stay. Expect to spend roughly $36 on fuel for the trek. Since the route stays entirely within the Great Plains region, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout your travels. Because there are no scheduled stops in the current plan, you have the flexibility to power through or build in your own breaks as needed. It is a straightforward transit that serves as a practical link between these two Texas locations.
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
116.7 miles from Buffalo, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul. With zero highway share, your focus will be on navigating local roads that demand more active attention from the driver. The route lacks the typical monotonous grind of a major freeway, offering a more engaged experience behind the wheel. Because you are primarily on local roads, the pace remains measured as you work your way through the countryside. Expect a consistent driving environment where you will need to stay alert for frequent turns and potential changes in road conditions.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 26 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Pickle Parkway is the longest continuous segment at about 70.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Pickle Parkway and US 79. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 109.3 miles in near East 2nd Street.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 233.5 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 109.3 miles (East 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 122.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
109.3 mi into trip
|
~2h 10m in
|
East 2nd Street
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / right lanes.
7
122.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 27m in
Take the ramp toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Exit 426
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
7
192.8 mi into trip
|
~3h 31m in
Keep slight right at fork toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
6
214 mi into trip
|
~3h 53m in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
228.4 mi into trip
|
~4h 9m in
Take the exit toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Buffalo, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Pflugerville and Toll 130 South: Austin.
Pflugerville
122.1 mi in
|
~2h 27m
Toll 130 South: Austin
122.3 mi in
|
~2h 27m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Pickle Parkway | 70.3 mi | 1h 3m |
| US 79 | 56.4 mi | 1h 10m |
| Main Street | 51.1 mi | 58m |
| I 10 | 32.5 mi | 33m |
| East 2nd Street | 6.9 mi | 8m |
| East Commerce Street | 6.1 mi | 9m |
| Chris Kelley Boulevard | 2.1 mi | 2m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Pickle Parkway
— 70.3 mi, about 1h 3m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Buffalo, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on US 79
1.7 mi
·
2 min
·
East Commerce Street
2
Continue on US 79
51 mi
·
58 min
·
Main Street
3
Continue on US 79; TX 6
1.5 mi
·
1 min
·
North Market Street
4
Take the exit
0.9 mi
·
1 min
5
Continue on US 79; US 190
54 mi
·
1 hr 7 min
·
US 79; US 190
6
Turn left onto Porter Street
0.1 mi
·
22 sec
·
Porter Street
7
Turn right onto East 2nd Street
6.9 mi
·
8 min
·
East 2nd Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
8
Continue on US 79
2.6 mi
·
3 min
·
US 79
9
Turn left onto FM 685
2.1 mi
·
2 min
·
Chris Kelley Boulevard
Use the left lane.
10
Turn left onto FM 685
1.3 mi
·
1 min
·
TX 130 Frontage Road
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
11
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
10 sec
Exit 426
Toward TX 130 Toll South: Austin, Pflugerville
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
14 sec
·
this road
Exit 426
Toward Toll 130 South: Austin, Pflugerville
13
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
70 mi
·
1 hr 3 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Toward I 10 West: San Antonio
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
15
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
11 mi
·
11 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 10; US 90; TX 130
9.4 mi
·
9 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
0.8 mi
·
51 sec
·
90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
22
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Houston Street
23
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Commerce Street
24
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
25
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
26
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a sub-four-hour trip, departing in the morning gives you the best opportunity to reach San Antonio by the afternoon with plenty of daylight to spare. Given the turn-heavy nature of the route, prioritize frequent checks of your navigation system to ensure you stay on the correct local path. While the fuel cost is estimated at $36, it is wise to keep an eye on your gauge during the first half of the trip, as local roads may offer fewer service station options than a major highway. Use the inherent flexibility of this shorter drive to pace yourself, stopping whenever you need a quick stretch to stay refreshed for the winding sections. Carrying a physical map or an offline digital backup is a smart move when sticking to local routes.
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 116.7 miles from Buffalo, TX, or about 2h 20m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 70.3 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 51 miles or 58m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 116.7 miles or 2h 20m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 30m
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 Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, TX
This is one driving day of about 233.5 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 51 miles from Buffalo, 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 Pickle Parkway for about 70.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 116.7 mi from Buffalo, TX · 2h 20m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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 51 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 116.7 miles from Buffalo, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Pickle Parkway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 70.3 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
$35.28 one way
$70.56 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $38.62 | $77.24 |
| premium | $4.54 | $41.69 | $83.38 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.55 | $103.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 81.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.1 | 0 | $24.52 | $11.21 |
| Efficient EV | 58.4 | 0 | $20.43 | $9.34 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 93.4 | 1 | $32.69 | $14.94 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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
Evening in San Antonio on Wednesday
Local time
8:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Taylor, TX
117 mi in
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
19 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
4h 18m 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 Buffalo, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 233.5 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Pickle Parkway, US 79, Main 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 116.7 miles from Buffalo, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.28 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 233.5 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 109.3 miles (East 2nd Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 122.1 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 192.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Between Buffalo, TX and San Antonio, TX, road signs point toward Pflugerville and Toll 130 South: Austin.
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