Origin
Fairview, TX
Night in Fairview on Wednesday
Local time
9:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
62°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Fairview, TX to San Antonio, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
3h 4m
Distance
168.7 mi
272 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
2h 53m
★
6 AM
3h 5m
8 AM
3h 28m
10 AM
3h 13m
12 PM
3h 10m
3 PM
3h 14m
5 PM
3h 27m
8 PM
2h 58m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Fairview, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Traveling from Fairview to San Antonio covers 168.7 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 4 minutes of road time. Because the entire journey stays within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout the trip. With a fuel estimate of approximately $26, this drive is very budget-friendly for a solo traveler or a small group. It is perfectly manageable as a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stay. Planning for one scheduled stop is recommended to break up the journey and keep you fresh behind the wheel.
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
84.4 miles from Fairview, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 35m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a highly efficient, highway-focused experience, as 96% of your route consists of major thoroughfares. You will navigate a combination of TX 21, the Pickle Parkway, and I-10, providing a straightforward path between the two cities. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 71.3 miles on TX 21, requiring you to maintain focus during that extended segment. This route is designed for speed and directness rather than winding local roads, making it ideal for those who prioritize travel time over scenic wandering. Prepare for a steady, consistent pace as you transition between these main arteries.
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.
TX 21 is the longest continuous segment at about 71.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 68.2 miles in near TX 95 / State Highway 95.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 168.7 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 68.2 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 17 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
68.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 15m in
|
TX 95 / State Highway 95
Turn left onto TX 95 / State Highway 95
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
92.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 45m 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
128.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 18m 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
149.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m 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
163.6 mi into trip
|
~2h 55m 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 Fairview, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Toll 130 South along the way.
Toll 130 South
92.9 mi in
|
~1h 45m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| TX 21 | 71.3 mi | 1h 19m |
| Pickle Parkway | 34 mi | 29m |
| I 10 | 32.5 mi | 33m |
| West State Highway 21 | 17.8 mi | 20m |
| East Commerce Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| State Highway 71 East | 2.3 mi | 2m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
TX 21
— 71.3 mi, about 1h 19m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Fairview, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on TX 21
68 mi
·
1 hr 15 min
·
TX 21
2
Turn left onto TX 95
0.3 mi
·
29 sec
·
State Highway 95
Use the left / straight lanes.
3
Turn right onto TX 21
409 ft
·
10 sec
·
State Highway 71 East
Use the right lane.
4
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
49 sec
Toward TX 21 West, TX 71 West
5
Merge onto TX 21; TX 71
2.2 mi
·
2 min
·
State Highway 71 East
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
Continue on TX 71; TX 21
0.7 mi
·
49 sec
·
TX 71; TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7
Continue on TX 21; TX 71
2.8 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 21; TX 71
8
Take the exit onto TX 21
0.3 mi
·
51 sec
·
TX 21
Toward TX 21 West: San Marcos
9
Turn left onto TX 21
18 mi
·
20 min
·
West State Highway 21
10
Turn left
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward US 183, Toll 130 South
Use the left lane.
11
Turn straight onto US 183
0.5 mi
·
36 sec
·
US 183
12
Take the ramp
0.3 mi
·
39 sec
Toward TX 130 Toll South
13
Merge onto TX 130 Toll
34 mi
·
29 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 relatively short drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time, though leaving mid-morning can help you avoid potential rush-hour congestion in either city. Plan to complete your one recommended stop during the middle of the trip to ensure you stay alert during the longer stretches. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge before merging onto I-10, as the highway-heavy nature of the drive means you will be covering ground quickly. Because the total duration is just over three hours, you can easily reach San Antonio by the afternoon if you head out early. Use the Pickle Parkway segment to make steady progress toward your destination.
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 84.4 miles from Fairview, TX, or about 1h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 71.3 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 37 miles or 41m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 84.4 miles or 1h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 29m
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 Fairview, 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 Fairview, TX
This is one driving day of about 168.7 miles and 3h 4m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 miles from Fairview, 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 71.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 84.4 mi from Fairview, TX · 1h 35m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
84 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 37 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 84.4 miles from Fairview, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before TX 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 71.3 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
$25.49 one way
$50.98 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
59 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $27.90 | $55.80 |
| premium | $4.54 | $30.12 | $60.24 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $37.25 | $74.49 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 50.6 | 0 | $17.71 | $8.10 |
| Efficient EV | 42.2 | 0 | $14.76 | $6.75 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 67.5 | 0 | $23.62 | $10.80 |
Gas CO2
59 kg
EV CO2
20 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
Night in San Antonio on Wednesday
Local time
9:39 PM
CDT
Current temp
85°F
Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SSE 5 to 10 mph
15% chance
Live forecast
62°F
Bastrop, TX
84 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
23 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 4m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Fairview, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 168.7 miles and takes about 3h 4m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are TX 21, Pickle Parkway, I 10. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 84.4 miles from Fairview, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $25.49 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 17 significant decision points across 168.7 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 68.2 miles (TX 95 / State Highway 95): Lane positioning matters here; at 92.9 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 128.1 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
On the drive from Fairview, TX to San Antonio, TX, road signs begin pointing toward Toll 130 South along the way.
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