Origin
Groves, TX
Afternoon in Groves on Sunday
Local time
2:54 PM
CDT
Current temp
70°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Groves, TX to San Antonio, TX
Drive Time
5h 11m
Distance
285.5 mi
459 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 58m
★
6 AM
5h 12m
8 AM
5h 39m
10 AM
5h 21m
12 PM
5h 18m
3 PM
5h 22m
5 PM
5h 37m
8 PM
5h 4m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Groves, TX
Jeff Stapleton
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
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
142.8 miles from Groves, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 34m into the drive .
Drive Character
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.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 17 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 246.1 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 73. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 5.9 miles in near TX 73.
Route Complexity
8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 10 significant decision points across 285.5 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 5.9 miles (TX 73): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 266 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 10 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
8
5.9 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
TX 73
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 73 toward TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the left lane.
Toward TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston
5
31.9 mi into trip
|
~35m in
|
I 10
Merge onto I 10
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
266 mi into trip
|
~4h 47m 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.
6
278 mi into trip
|
~5h in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
280.4 mi into trip
|
~5h 2m 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
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 246.1 mi | 4h 24m |
| TX 73 | 30.7 mi | 33m |
| East Commerce Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| 39th Street | 0.6 mi | 1m |
| East Parkway Street | 0.4 mi | <1m |
| Interstate 10 East | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 246.1 mi, about 4h 24m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Groves, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on 39th Street
0.6 mi
·
1 min
·
39th Street
2
Turn slight right onto East Parkway Street
0.4 mi
·
44 sec
·
East Parkway Street
3
Take the ramp
0.1 mi
·
15 sec
Toward TX 73 West
4
Merge onto TX 73
4.7 mi
·
5 min
·
TX 73
5
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 73
23 mi
·
24 min
·
TX 73
Toward TX 73 West: Winnie, Houston
Use the left lane.
6
Turn straight onto TX 73
3.3 mi
·
3 min
·
TX 73
7
Merge onto I 10
234 mi
·
4 hr 11 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
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.
9
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.
10
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
13
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Houston Street
14
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Commerce Street
15
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
16
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
17
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
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.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 142.8 miles from Groves, TX, or about 2h 34m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 246.1 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 142.8 miles or 2h 34m 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 12m
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 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 285.5 miles and 5h 11m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Groves, 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 I 10 for about 246.1 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 142.8 mi from Groves, TX · 2h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 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 142.8 miles from Groves, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 246.1 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.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.61 one way
$87.22 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $47.79 | $95.59 |
| premium | $4.59 | $51.60 | $103.21 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $63.43 | $126.86 |
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: 99.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.6 | 1 | $29.98 | $13.70 |
| Efficient EV | 71.4 | 0 | $24.98 | $11.42 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.2 | 1 | $39.97 | $18.27 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 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.
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
2:54 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
11 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 11m 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 Groves, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 285.5 miles and takes about 5h 11m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, TX 73, East Commerce Street. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 142.8 miles from Groves, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.61 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 10 significant decision points across 285.5 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 5.9 miles (TX 73): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 31.9 miles (I 10): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here; at 266 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Groves, TX to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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