Trip from Cedar Hill, TX to San Antonio, TX

Drive Time

4h 45m

Distance

263 mi

423 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$40

one way

EV Charging

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min

4 AM

4h 33m ★

6 AM

4h 46m

8 AM

5h 13m

10 AM

4h 55m

12 PM

4h 53m

3 PM

4h 57m

5 PM

5h 12m

8 PM

4h 38m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Cedar Hill, TX

Jeff Stapleton

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Stretching 282.7 miles between Cedar Hill and San Antonio, this journey takes approximately 4 hours and 7 minutes to complete. Because you aren't relying on major interstates, the trip functions best as a focused day trip rather than a multi-day expedition. You should set aside a fuel budget of about $42 to cover the distance. Since both your start and end points are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, the geography remains relatively consistent throughout the transit. Planning for one dedicated stop will help you break up the drive comfortably. This route is a practical choice if you prefer a direct, purposeful connection between these two Texas hubs without the typical interstate congestion.

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

131.5 miles from Cedar Hill, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 20m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy, local driving experience that favors backroads over high-speed transit. You will navigate via Houston Street, Jefferson Street, and Highway 67, meaning you won't encounter any significant highway stretches, as the highway share for this route is 0%. Because the longest stretch on Houston Street is 0 miles, you should be prepared for frequent turns and constant adjustments behind the wheel. The road’s personality is defined by its local character rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Staying alert is essential, as the route requires more active attention than a standard highway cruise.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 34 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 I 35W. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 125.6 miles in near I 35.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 263 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 125.6 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 181.4 miles (I 35; US 290 / Purple Heart Trail): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 254.8 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 23 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

125.6 mi into trip | ~2h 14m in | I 35

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

181.4 mi into trip | ~3h 13m 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

254.8 mi into trip | ~4h 34m in | I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35 South

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35 South

261.2 mi into trip | ~4h 42m 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

261.8 mi into trip | ~4h 43m in

Take the exit toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue

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 157A Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro...

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
Purple Heart Trail	99.6 mi	1h 46m
I 35W	57.6 mi	58m
I 35	55.8 mi	58m
South J Elmer Weaver Freeway	20.3 mi	22m
North Pan Am Expressway	17 mi	20m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway	6.6 mi	7m
Interstate Highway 35	1.7 mi	1m
South Sparks Street	0.8 mi	1m

Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Cedar Hill, TX and San Antonio, TX.

Start on Cedar Street

75 ft · 7 sec · Cedar Street

Turn left onto Houston Street

0.3 mi · 49 sec · Houston Street

Turn left onto Jefferson Street

0.2 mi · 34 sec · Jefferson Street

At end of road, turn right onto South Highway 67

0.4 mi · 30 sec · South Highway 67

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 25 sec

Toward US 67 South

Merge onto US 67

20 mi · 22 min · South J Elmer Weaver Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn left onto US 67 Bus

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Baugh Street

Turn straight onto US 67 Bus

0.1 mi · 14 sec · East College Street

Turn left onto FM 1706

0.8 mi · 1 min · South Sparks Street

At end of road, turn left onto I 35 Bus

0.1 mi · 15 sec · South Parkway Drive

Continue on I 35 Bus

487 ft · 22 sec · I 35 Bus

Turn left

0.2 mi · 22 sec

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 19 sec

Toward I 35W South

Merge onto I 35W

58 mi · 58 min · I 35W

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

Continue on I 35

1.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate Highway 35

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 35

10.0 mi · 11 min · North Pan Am Expressway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

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.

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.

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec

Exit 157A Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto East Elmira Street

526 ft · 17 sec · East Elmira Street

Use the left / straight lanes.

Turn left onto North Main Avenue

0.2 mi · 18 sec · North Main Avenue

Use the left / straight lanes.

Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street

159 ft · 3 sec · Navarro Street

Continue on Navarro Street

111 ft · 2 sec · Navarro Street

Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue

0.4 mi · 51 sec · North Main Avenue

Use the slight left / slight right lanes.

Turn right onto West Travis Street

222 ft · 10 sec · West Travis Street

Turn left onto North Flores Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · North Flores Street

Continue on Military Plaza

392 ft · 15 sec · Military Plaza

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

327 ft · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street

Arrive at destination

Dolorosa Street

Trip Plan

Since this is a turn-heavy, 282.7-mile drive, aim to depart early in the morning to navigate the local roads before traffic peaks. One well-timed stop will be sufficient to manage the 4-hour and 7-minute duration effectively. Keep your fuel budget of $42 in mind, as local roads may offer different refilling opportunities than major interstates. Because this route lacks long, uninterrupted highway segments, prioritize maintaining a steady pace to avoid fatigue from constant turning. A concrete tip for this specific path is to study your turn-by-turn navigation closely before starting, as the lack of highway signage means you will be relying heavily on local street markers throughout the entire journey.

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 131.5 miles from Cedar Hill, TX, or about 2h 20m 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 27m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 131.5 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 51m

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 Cedar Hill, 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 Cedar Hill, TX

This is one driving day of about 263 miles and 4h 45m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Cedar Hill, 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 131.5 mi from Cedar Hill, TX · 2h 20m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Killeen, TX

132 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

Killeen, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Killeen, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 131.5 miles from Cedar Hill, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top 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

$40.17 one way

$80.35 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 92 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$44.03	$88.05
premium	$4.59	$47.54	$95.07
diesel	$5.64	$58.43	$116.86

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$40

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$65–$90

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 92 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $28 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	78.9	0	$27.61	$12.62
Efficient EV	65.8	0	$23.01	$10.52
EV Truck/SUV	105.2	1	$36.82	$16.83

Gas CO2

92 kg

EV CO2

31 kg (66% 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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Cedar Hill, TX

Afternoon in Cedar Hill on Sunday

Local time

3:37 PM

CDT

Current temp

64°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday

Local time

3:37 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

17 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 45m 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 Cedar Hill, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 263 miles and takes about 4h 45m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35W, 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 131.5 miles from Cedar Hill, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $40.17 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.

The route from Cedar Hill, TX to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Return Trip

San Antonio, TX to Cedar Hill, TX

Plan the drive back the other way.

262.8 mi 4h 46m

Explore more options from Cedar Hill, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.

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Trip from Cedar Hill, TX to San Antonio, TX

Best Time to Leave

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in San Antonio, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Cedar Hill, TX

San Antonio, TX

Same local time

17 degrees warmer at arrival

4h 45m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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