Origin
Clifton, TX
Afternoon in Clifton on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
59°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Clifton, TX to San Antonio, TX
Drive Time
3h 46m
Distance
194.2 mi
313 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
3h 34m
★
6 AM
3h 47m
8 AM
4h 12m
10 AM
3h 56m
12 PM
3h 53m
3 PM
3h 57m
5 PM
4h 11m
8 PM
3h 39m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Clifton, TX
Jeff Stapleton
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 216.1 miles, the journey from Clifton to San Antonio takes approximately 3 hours and 26 minutes of driving time. Because this route avoids major highways entirely, it is best suited as a dedicated day trip rather than a quick transit. You should budget about $32 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the road requires significant attention to navigation through local streets, it is a manageable drive for a single day. Planning for one scheduled stop will help keep you refreshed as you transition from the rural landscape of Clifton into the heart of San Antonio.
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
97.1 miles from Clifton, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 57m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full focus, as this route features zero highway miles. You will navigate via South Avenue G, Avenue C, and South 7th Street, which creates a very different experience than a typical interstate trek. Because the longest stretch on any single road like South Avenue G is 0 miles, you will be making frequent turns throughout the journey. This technical, local-road profile means you should prepare for a slower, more interactive driving experience compared to high-speed travel. The road's personality is defined by these constant transitions, making it a trip for those who prefer local backroads over the monotony of a major expressway.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 35 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 62.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 56.8 miles in near I 35.
Route Complexity
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 194.2 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 56.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.6 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 186 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 18 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
56.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m 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.
8
112.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 14m 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
7
186 mi into trip
|
~3h 35m 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
8
192.4 mi into trip
|
~3h 43m 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
8
193 mi into trip
|
~3h 44m 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 | 62.2 mi | 1h 8m |
| I 35 | 55.8 mi | 58m |
| State Highway 317 | 18.9 mi | 22m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 17 mi | 20m |
| North Lone Star Parkway | 14.8 mi | 18m |
| South Avenue G | 8.6 mi | 10m |
| Avenue C | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Avenue D | 2.8 mi | 5m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 62.2 mi, about 1h 8m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Clifton, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on FM 219
79 ft
·
8 sec
·
West 5th Street
2
Turn left onto TX 6
8.6 mi
·
10 min
·
South Avenue G
3
Continue on TX 6
2.9 mi
·
4 min
·
Avenue C
4
Turn right onto TX 317
0.4 mi
·
32 sec
·
South 7th Street
5
Continue on TX 317
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
North Lone Star Parkway
6
Continue on TX 317
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
·
Avenue G
7
Continue on TX 317
6.5 mi
·
8 min
·
North Lone Star Parkway
8
Continue on TX 317
2.5 mi
·
3 min
·
South Main Street
9
Continue on TX 317
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 317
10
Continue on TX 317
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
Avenue D
11
Continue on TX 317
1.4 mi
·
1 min
·
South Lone Star Parkway
12
Continue on TX 317
13 mi
·
16 min
·
State Highway 317
13
Continue on TX 317
2.8 mi
·
5 min
·
North Main Street
14
Turn left onto East Central Avenue
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
East Central Avenue
Use the left lane.
15
Turn right onto South I-35 Frontage Road
347 ft
·
6 sec
·
South I-35 Frontage Road
16
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
19 sec
Toward I 35 South, US 190 West
17
Merge onto I 35; US 190
0.5 mi
·
33 sec
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi
·
58 min
·
I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
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.
20
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi
·
11 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
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.
24
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.
25
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
16 sec
Exit 157A
Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
26
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft
·
17 sec
·
East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
27
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi
·
18 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
28
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft
·
3 sec
·
Navarro Street
29
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft
·
2 sec
·
Navarro Street
30
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi
·
51 sec
·
North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
31
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft
·
10 sec
·
West Travis Street
32
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
North Flores Street
33
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
34
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
35
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Given the turn-heavy nature of this 216.1-mile drive, aim for an early morning departure to ensure you have plenty of daylight for navigating local roads. Since you have only one planned stop along the way, choose a location that allows you to stretch your legs and refuel your vehicle effectively. Be mindful that because you are traveling exclusively on local streets, your actual travel time may fluctuate based on local traffic conditions. Keep your GPS handy at all times, as the lack of highway signage means you will rely heavily on your navigation system to manage the frequent turns on South Avenue G and other local streets. This flexibility is your biggest advantage, so don't be afraid to pull over if you need a breather during this multi-hour trek.
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 97.1 miles from Clifton, TX, or about 1h 57m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 62.2 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 39m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 97.1 miles or 1h 57m 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 5m
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 Clifton, 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 Clifton, TX
This is one driving day of about 194.2 miles and 3h 46m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Clifton, 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 62.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 97.1 mi from Clifton, TX · 1h 57m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
97 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 97.1 miles from Clifton, 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 62.2 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
$29.67 one way
$59.33 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
68 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $32.51 | $65.02 |
| premium | $4.59 | $35.10 | $70.20 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $43.14 | $86.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 67.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $20 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 58.3 | 0 | $20.39 | $9.32 |
| Efficient EV | 48.6 | 0 | $16.99 | $7.77 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 77.7 | 0 | $27.19 | $12.43 |
Gas CO2
68 kg
EV CO2
23 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
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
22 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 46m 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 Clifton, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 194.2 miles and takes about 3h 46m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35, State Highway 317. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 97.1 miles from Clifton, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $29.67 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 is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 194.2 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 56.8 miles (I 35): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 112.6 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 186 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Clifton, TX to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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