Drive Time
4h 17m
Distance
287.6 mi
463 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Photo: Mark Direen
Traveling from Groves to San Antonio covers 287.6 miles and takes approximately 4 hours and 17 minutes of drive time. Because this route is a manageable length, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget roughly $43 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. Since the trip lacks major highway stretches, you will spend your time navigating local roads rather than cruising on an interstate. This drive is best suited for those who prefer staying off the main highways and enjoy the pacing of a local, turn-heavy journey.
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
143.8 miles from Groves, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 8m into the drive .
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention behind the wheel. Unlike a straightforward interstate grind, this route relies entirely on local roads, meaning you will encounter frequent turns and transitions throughout the 287.6-mile journey. With zero highway share, the character of the road is intimate and hands-on, requiring you to stay alert through the various segments. You won't find any long, uninterrupted stretches here, so plan for a drive that changes pace constantly. It is an ideal route if you prefer navigating the nuances of local roadways over the monotony of high-speed travel.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 17m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Groves, TX to San Antonio, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| East Parkway Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| TX 73 West | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Commerce Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Interstate 10 East | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Houston Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Commerce Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Groves, TX and San Antonio, TX.
Start on 39th Street
Turn slight right onto East Parkway Street
Take the ramp straight toward TX 73 West
Merge slight left
Keep slight right to continue on TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston
Turn straight
Merge slight left
Keep slight left
Keep slight left to continue on 90th Infantry Division Highway
Continue on Jose Lopez Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
Turn right onto East Houston Street
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
Turn left onto Military Plaza
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Arrive at your destination
To make the most of your 4-hour and 17-minute trip, try to depart early in the morning to beat local traffic congestion. Since there are no designated long-haul stretches, you have the flexibility to pull over whenever you need a break, which is a major advantage for this specific route. Keep your fuel budget of $43 in mind as you plan your stops, as local roads may offer different refilling options than major highway corridors. A helpful tip for this turn-heavy drive is to double-check your GPS navigation before heading out, as the lack of main highway infrastructure means you will be making frequent turns to stay on track.
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.
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 11m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.8 miles or 2h 8m 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 31m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Antonio, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Groves, 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 Groves, TX
This is one driving day of about 287.6 miles and 4h 17m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 143.8 mi from Groves, TX · 2h 8m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
144 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 143.8 miles from Groves, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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.
Regular Gas
$43.93 one way
$87.87 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $48.14 | $96.29 |
| premium | $4.59 | $51.98 | $103.97 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $63.89 | $127.79 |
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: 100.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 86.3 | 1 | $30.20 | $13.80 |
| Efficient EV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.17 | $11.50 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 115 | 1 | $40.26 | $18.41 |
Gas CO2
101 kg
EV CO2
34 kg (66% 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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Evening in Groves on Saturday
Local time
6:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Evening in San Antonio on Saturday
Local time
6:26 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
70°F
Houston, TX
144 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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