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Trip from Heath, TX to San Antonio, TX

Compiled by the Trip.ovh editorial team · Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026 · Methodology

Drive Time

5h 20m

Distance

295.7 mi

476 km

Drive Score

9/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$45

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 7m ★
6 AM
5h 20m
8 AM
5h 47m
10 AM
5h 29m
12 PM
5h 27m
3 PM
5h 31m
5 PM
5h 46m
8 PM
5h 12m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Best Time Drive vs Fly
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Downtown Heath, TX, TX

Heath, TX

Thomas balabaud

Downtown San Antonio, TX, TX

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

This 295.7-mile drive from Heath, TX, to San Antonio, TX, is designed for a single day, taking approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes. The majority of your journey, 65% of it, will be on major highways like I 35 and the Purple Heart Trail. With a fuel cost estimated at $45, this is a straightforward trip across the Great Plains region of Texas. It’s a manageable distance for one day, allowing you to reach your destination without needing to break up the drive. Consider this route if you're looking for an efficient way to connect these two Texas cities.

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

147.8 miles from Heath, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 38m into the drive .

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 20m. Total distance: 295.7 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

5h 20m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused experience for most of this 5-hour, 20-minute trip. You'll spend a good portion of your time on major arteries, including the Purple Heart Trail and I 35, which make up 65% of the route. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 99.6 miles on the Purple Heart Trail, so be prepared for extended periods of highway driving. This profile suggests a steady pace, making it ideal for covering ground efficiently rather than for leisurely sightseeing.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 99.6 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on Purple Heart Trail and South R L Thornton Freeway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 32.5 miles in.

Driving Effort 9/10

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 20 significant decision points across 295.7 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 32.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.1 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 287.6 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 20 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

7
32.5 mi into trip | ~38m in

Take the exit toward I 35E South: Waco

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 467B Toward I 35E South: Waco
8
214.1 mi into trip | ~3h 47m 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
287.6 mi into trip | ~5h 8m 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
294 mi into trip | ~5h 16m 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
294.5 mi into trip | ~5h 17m 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 99.6 mi 1h 46m
South R L Thornton Freeway 80.3 mi 1h 22m
I 35 55.8 mi 58m
Lyndon B Johnson Freeway 18.2 mi 19m
North Pan Am Expressway 17 mi 20m
US 80 7.4 mi 7m
North Jack Kultgen Expressway 6.6 mi 7m
FM 740 3.6 mi 5m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 99.6 mi, about 1h 46m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Heath, TX and San Antonio, TX.

1

Start on FM 740

0.9 mi · 1 min · Bois D'Arc
2

Continue on FM 740

3.6 mi · 5 min · FM 740
3

Turn right onto FM 460

1.0 mi · 1 min · Clements Drive
Use the right lane.
4

Turn right onto West US Highway 80

0.2 mi · 22 sec · West US Highway 80
5

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 26 sec
Toward US 80 West
6

Merge onto US 80

7.4 mi · 7 min · US 80
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
7

Take the exit

0.9 mi · 1 min
Toward I 635 South Use the slight right lane.
8

Merge onto I 635

18 mi · 19 min · Lyndon B Johnson Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min
Exit 467B Toward I 35E South: Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Merge onto I 35E

80 mi · 1 hr 22 min · South R L Thornton Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 35; US 77

6.6 mi · 7 min · North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12

Continue on I 35

38 mi · 39 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Keep slight left at fork onto I 35

56 mi · 58 min · I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

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.
15

Continue on I 35

1.7 mi · 1 min · Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Continue on I 35

12 mi · 12 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17

Continue on I 35

10.0 mi · 11 min · North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

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.
19

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.
20

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 16 sec
Exit 157A Toward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro Avenue Use the slight right lane.
21

Turn straight onto East Elmira Street

526 ft · 17 sec · East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
22

Turn left onto North Main Avenue

0.2 mi · 18 sec · North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
23

Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street

159 ft · 3 sec · Navarro Street
24

Continue on Navarro Street

111 ft · 2 sec · Navarro Street
25

Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue

0.4 mi · 51 sec · North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
26

Turn right onto West Travis Street

222 ft · 10 sec · West Travis Street
27

Turn left onto North Flores Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · North Flores Street
28

Continue on Military Plaza

392 ft · 15 sec · Military Plaza
29

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

327 ft · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street
30

Arrive at destination

Dolorosa Street

Trip Plan

Given the 5 hour and 20 minute duration, departing Heath, TX, in the morning is recommended to make the most of daylight. You'll want to plan for at least one stop, and with a longest stretch of 99.6 miles, consider a break around the halfway point. Keep an eye on fuel; the estimated cost is $45 for the 295.7 miles. Since this route is well-suited for a single day, you have flexibility in your departure time. A practical tip: familiarize yourself with the major highway transitions, particularly as you merge onto I 35, to ensure a smooth continuation of your journey.

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 147.8 miles from Heath, TX, or about 2h 38m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.6 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 12m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 147.8 miles or 2h 38m 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 18m

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 Heath, 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 Heath, TX

This is one driving day of about 295.7 miles and 5h 20m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 miles from Heath, 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 99.6 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 147.8 mi from Heath, TX · 2h 38m into the drive

city in Bell County, Texas

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Troy, TX

148 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.

Popular next leg

Troy, TX to San Antonio, TX

153.2 mi · 2h 49m

Pacing Suggestions

Waxahachie, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 65 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Troy, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 147.8 miles from Heath, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.6 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.

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Waco Mammoth National Monument

National Monument

Standing as tall as 14 feet and weighing 20,000 pounds, Columbian mammoths roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. Today, the fossil specimens represent the nation's first and...

4 mi from route ~11 min detour Free near mile 112.2
View on nps.gov
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

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 295.7
View on nps.gov

Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$44.68 one way

$89.36 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 104 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $48.91 $97.81
premium $4.54 $52.80 $105.59
diesel $5.61 $65.29 $130.57

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$45

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$70–$95

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 103.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 88.7 1 $31.05 $14.19
Efficient EV 73.9 0 $25.87 $11.83
EV Truck/SUV 118.3 1 $41.40 $18.92

Gas CO2

103 kg

EV CO2

35 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.

Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026

Origin

Heath, TX

Late night in Heath on Friday

Local time

12:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

74°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Late night in San Antonio on Friday

Local time

12:08 AM

CDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

60°F

Troy, TX

148 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 20m 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 Heath, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 295.7 miles and takes about 5h 20m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, South R L Thornton Freeway, I 35. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.8 miles from Heath, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.68 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 20 significant decision points across 295.7 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 32.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 214.1 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 287.6 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Heath, TX to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include Waco Mammoth National Monument and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.

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