Embark on a straightforward 293.4-mile journey from Cross Roads, TX, to San Antonio, TX, a drive that typically takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes. This route is predominantly highway, with 95% of the trip on main roads like TX 21, TX 7, and Pickle Parkway, making it an ideal candidate for a single-day trip. You'll encounter a fuel cost of approximately $44 for this drive. The entire trip stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent landscape. Given its manageable length and highway focus, this route is perfect for those looking to cover ground efficiently.
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
146.7 miles from Cross Roads, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 48m into the drive
.
San Antonio is the second largest city in the state of Texas and the 7th largest in the United States. It's the 24th largest metropolitan area in the country. Visited by more than 31 million annual visitors, San Antonio is a beautiful city at the axis of three different geological terrains: Hill Country, South Texas Plains and Prairie and Lakes. There's a lot to do in this city: fine art museums, historical missions and plenty of amusement parks in addition to great dining and lots of drinking. The culture and people are vibrant and interesting. San Antonio's downtown is one of the most lively in the nation.
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 30m. Total distance: 293.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 30m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
This highway-focused drive offers a nearly seamless experience on main roads. With 95% of the route utilizing highways, expect a steady pace for most of your journey. The longest uninterrupted stretch spans 148.3 miles on TX 21, so plan your stops accordingly. While primarily highway, the inclusion of TX 7 and Pickle Parkway may offer slight variations in scenery and road conditions, but the overall character remains that of a direct and efficient path. Prepare for a drive where the focus is on covering distance rather than winding through intricate local roads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 35 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
TX 21 is the longest continuous segment at about 148.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and TX 7. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 192.9 miles in near TX 95 / State Highway 95.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 24 significant decision points across 293.4 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 192.9 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 217.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 24 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
192.9 mi into trip|~3h 41m in|TX 95 / State Highway 95
Turn left onto TX 95 / State Highway 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
217.6 mi into trip|~4h 11m in
Turn left toward US 183, Toll 130 South
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward US 183, Toll 130 South
7
252.8 mi into trip|~4h 43m 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
273.9 mi into trip|~5h 5m 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
288.3 mi into trip|~5h 21m 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.
On the drive from Cross Roads, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Toll 130 South along the way.
Toll 130 South
217.6 mi in|~4h 11m
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
TX 21
148.3 mi
2h 48m
TX 7
37.5 mi
43m
Pickle Parkway
34 mi
29m
I 10
32.5 mi
33m
West State Highway 21
17.8 mi
20m
Rusk Street
6.3 mi
7m
East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
7m
State Highway 71 East
2.3 mi
2m
Longest stretch:
TX 21
— 148.3 mi, about 2h 48m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Cross Roads, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on FM 1911
281 ft·10 sec·FM 1911
2
Turn left onto US 69
1.9 mi·2 min·US Highway 69 South
3
Continue on US 69
6.3 mi·7 min·Rusk Street
4
Take the exit
0.3 mi·48 sec
5
Turn straight onto TX 7
37 mi·43 min·TX 7
6
Turn right onto US 287; TX 7
129 ft·2 sec·5th Street
7
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
196 ft·6 sec·East Houston Avenue
8
Turn left onto US 287; TX 7; TX 19; TX 21
289 ft·8 sec·South 4th Street
9
Turn right onto TX 7; TX 21
1.6 mi·2 min·East Goliad Avenue
10
Turn left onto TX 21
145 mi·2 hr 44 min·TX 21
Use the left lane.
11
Turn left onto TX 95
0.3 mi·29 sec·State Highway 95
Use the left / straight lanes.
12
Turn right onto TX 21
409 ft·10 sec·State Highway 71 East
Use the right lane.
13
Take the ramp
0.4 mi·49 sec
Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West
14
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71
2.2 mi·2 min·State Highway 71 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi·49 sec·TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
2.8 mi·3 min·TX 21; TX 71
17
Take the exit onto TX 21
0.3 mi·51 sec·TX 21
Toward TX 21 West: San Marcos
18
Turn left onto TX 21
18 mi·20 min·West State Highway 21
19
Turn left
0.3 mi·1 min
Toward US 183, Toll 130 SouthUse the left lane.
20
Turn straight onto US 183
0.5 mi·36 sec·US 183
21
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·39 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll South
22
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
34 mi·29 min·Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight right at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 West: San AntonioUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
24
Merge onto I 10; TX 130
11 mi·11 min·I 10; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
25
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.
26
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.
27
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.
28
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi·1 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Take the exit
0.1 mi·19 sec
Exit 579Toward Commerce Street, Houston StreetUse the straight / slight right lanes.
30
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi·38 sec·Interstate 10 East
31
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·East Houston Street
32
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi·7 min·East Commerce Street
33
Turn left onto 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
To make the most of this 5-hour and 30-minute drive, consider an early morning departure from Cross Roads to maximize daylight and minimize traffic, especially as you approach San Antonio. With only one recommended stop and a fuel cost around $44, planning your refueling before you leave or at the longest stretch point on TX 21 can ensure smooth sailing. This route is well-suited for a single day, allowing you flexibility in when and where you take your breaks. Keep an eye on road conditions, particularly on TX 21, as it forms the longest segment of your trip.
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 146.7 miles from Cross Roads, TX, or about 2h 48m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 148.3 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 65 miles or 1h 16m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.7 miles or 2h 48m 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 33m
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 Cross Roads, 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 Cross Roads, TX
This is one driving day of about 293.4 miles and 5h 30m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Cross Roads, 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 TX 21 for about 148.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 146.7 mi from Cross Roads, TX
· 2h 48m into the drive
The midpoint is around 146.7 miles from Cross Roads, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel check
Top up before TX 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 148.3 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.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Welcome to San Antonio Missions, a National Park Service site and the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas. Each mission in the park is a center of community and has been since the early 1700s. Th...
9 mi from route
~22 min detour
Free
near mile 296.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.33 one way
$88.67 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$48.53
$97.05
premium
$4.54
$52.38
$104.77
diesel
$5.61
$64.78
$129.56
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.7 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88
1
$30.81
$14.08
Efficient EV
73.4
0
$25.67
$11.74
EV Truck/SUV
117.4
1
$41.08
$18.78
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (67% 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
Cross Roads, TX
Evening
in Cross Roads on Friday
Local time
6:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Evening
in San Antonio on Friday
Local time
6:04 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Lexington, TX
147 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
3 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 30m 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 Cross Roads, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 293.4 miles and takes about 5h 30m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are TX 21, TX 7, Pickle Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.7 miles from Cross Roads, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.33 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 24 significant decision points across 293.4 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 192.9 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 217.6 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 252.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Cross Roads, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Toll 130 South along the way.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
