Trip from Los Angeles, CA to San Antonio, TX

Drive Time

22h 57m

Distance

1353.9 mi

2,179 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

3-day trip

Fuel Cost

$314

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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Los Angeles, CA

Stephen Leonardi

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Spanning 1,353.9 miles from the Pacific Coast to the Great Plains, this journey from Los Angeles to San Antonio is a significant cross-country undertaking. You should plan for approximately 22 hours and 57 minutes of pure driving time, which makes splitting the trip over three days the most manageable approach. Expect to budget roughly $184 for fuel to cover the distance between California and Texas. Because you are crossing multiple state lines and shifting regions, this is best treated as a multi-day expedition rather than a quick getaway. By pacing yourself, you ensure the drive remains a productive travel experience rather than an exhausting marathon.

Trip Pace

Best split across 3 days

Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.

Break Rhythm

6 planned breaks

Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

Midpoint

676.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 11h 51m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a high-speed interstate experience, as 51% of this route is comprised of primary highways. Your journey relies heavily on I-10, the Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, and the Benson-Steins Pass Highway to connect the West Coast to the heart of Texas. Be prepared for a long haul, as your longest uninterrupted stretch reaches 555.7 miles on I-10 alone. While the road is efficient for covering ground, the character of the drive shifts from coastal California landscapes to the expansive, open terrain of the Southwest. Staying focused is key, as the sheer volume of highway miles defines the steady, rhythmic pace of this long-distance drive.

Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.

There are about 44 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 555.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

At 22h 57m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near North Main Street.

Route Complexity 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 29 significant decision points across 1353.9 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: near the start (North Main Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 0.3 miles (East Aliso Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 29 key points

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

0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North Main Street

Turn left onto North Main Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

0.3 mi into trip | ~0m in | East Aliso Street

Turn right onto East Aliso Street

Lane positioning matters here

Use the right lane.

10.7 mi into trip | ~13m in | I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

14.8 mi into trip | ~18m in | I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10 / San Bernardino Freeway

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.

1352.2 mi into trip | ~22h 54m in

Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown

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 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
I 10	555.7 mi	8h 57m
Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway	427 mi	7h 23m
Benson-Steins Pass Highway	88.3 mi	1h 28m
Casa Grande-Tucson Highway	54.6 mi	55m
San Bernardino Freeway	45.1 mi	51m
Tucson-Benson Highway	42.9 mi	44m
Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway	37.8 mi	38m
Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway	33.5 mi	35m

Longest stretch: I 10 — 555.7 mi, about 8h 57m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Los Angeles, CA and San Antonio, TX.

Start on West 1st Street

69 ft · 9 sec · West 1st Street

Turn left onto North Main Street

0.3 mi · 34 sec · North Main Street

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto East Aliso Street

338 ft · 13 sec · East Aliso Street

Use the right lane.

Take the ramp

0.1 mi · 19 sec

Toward US 101 South, I 10 East, I 5 South

Merge onto US 101

0.6 mi · 51 sec · Santa Ana Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.3 mi · 32 sec

Exit 1D Toward I 10 East: San Bernardino

Continue on San Bernardino Freeway

9.3 mi · 10 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Toward I 10 East Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

4.1 mi · 4 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.2 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.5 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the slight right lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

1.4 mi · 1 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.0 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

2.1 mi · 2 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

4.0 mi · 4 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10 EXPR

9.0 mi · 9 min · I-10 Metro ExpressLanes

Use the slight left lane.

Merge onto I 10

14 mi · 16 min · San Bernardino Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 10

40 mi · 44 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Toward Redlands, Palm Springs Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

32 mi · 34 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

1.1 mi · 1 min · Sonny Bono Memorial Freeway

Continue on I 10

222 mi · 3 hr 50 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

20 mi · 22 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 10

0.5 mi · 35 sec · Dean Lindsey Memorial Tunnel

Continue on I 10

3.2 mi · 3 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight left at fork onto I 10

1.2 mi · 1 min · Papago Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Merge onto I 10; US 60

12 mi · 14 min · Maricopa Freeway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 10

38 mi · 38 min · Phoenix-Casa Grande Highway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

55 mi · 55 min · Casa Grande-Tucson Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 10

6.1 mi · 6 min · North Freeway

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10

43 mi · 44 min · Tucson-Benson Highway

Use the none lane.

Continue on I 10

88 mi · 1 hr 28 min · Benson-Steins Pass Highway

Continue on I 10

164 mi · 2 hr 47 min · Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway

Continue on I 10; US 85; US 180

12 mi · 14 min · Camino Real de Tierra Adentro

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10; US 180

175 mi · 2 hr 53 min · I 10; US 180

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10

363 mi · 5 hr 44 min · I 10

Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

17 mi · 19 min · I 10; US 87

Use the none lane.

Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87

1.7 mi · 2 min · McDermott Freeway

Use the none lane.

Take the exit

0.5 mi · 1 min

Exit 569C Toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown Use the slight right lane.

Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.2 mi · 16 sec · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad

0.6 mi · 1 min · North Pecos-La Trinidad

Use the straight lane.

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

0.5 mi · 55 sec · Dolorosa Street

Use the straight / left lanes.

Arrive at destination

Dolorosa Street

Trip Plan

To handle this 1,353.9-mile route effectively, aim to break your journey into three distinct segments to avoid driver fatigue. With six planned stops along the way, use these intervals to refuel and stretch, keeping in mind that your fuel costs will hover around $184. Departing early in the morning is your best strategy to navigate through major metro traffic before settling into the long stretches of I-10. Since the route involves such extensive highway travel, keep a close eye on your fuel gauge during the 555.7-mile stretch where services may be spaced further apart. Prioritizing consistent rest stops will make the transition from the Pacific region to the Great Plains much more comfortable.

Morning Departure

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

Evening Departure

This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

This drive is better paced as a 3-day trip.

Plan roughly 6 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 676.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, or about 11h 51m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 555.7 miles.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 220 miles or 3h 58m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 676.9 miles or 11h 51m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Overnight split

Day 1 wrap after about 451.3 miles or 8h 1m

Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 21h 55m

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 Los Angeles, CA 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.

Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.

Treat this as a 3-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Los Angeles, CA

Aim for roughly 451 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 2

Keep the middle miles efficient

Aim for roughly 451 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Day 3

Finish the approach into San Antonio, TX

Aim for roughly 451 miles and 7.7 hours of wheel time on this day.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 220 miles from Los Angeles, CA.

This route usually feels better as a 3-day drive than as one long push.

Plan about 6 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.

The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 555.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 676.9 mi from Los Angeles, CA · 11h 51m into the drive

Early stop town

Coffee and fuel

Buckeye, AZ

338 mi into the route

Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch

This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.

Mid-route town

Overnight candidate

Tucson, AZ

677 mi into the route

Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start

This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.

Find hotels in Tucson, AZ

Late stop town

Final reset

Fort Davis, TX

1015 mi into the route

Best for: Food, fuel, and one last short break

This is a smart final reset before the arrival run into San Antonio, TX.

Overnight Options

Night 1

Chandler, AZ

451 mi · about 7.7h in

A practical overnight split lands near Chandler, AZ after about 451 miles or 7.7 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Night 2

Fort Hancock, TX

903 mi · about 15.3h in

A practical overnight split lands near Fort Hancock, TX after about 903 miles or 15.3 hours of driving.

Find hotels

Pacing Suggestions

Calipatria, CA

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 220 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Deming, NM

Meal break

The midpoint is around 676.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 555.7 miles.

Overnight split

Hotel stop

For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 451 miles or 7.7 hours on the road.

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.

On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach San Antonio, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.

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

$313.53 one way

$627.06 round trip

$5.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 474 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$6.07	$323.34	$646.67
premium	$6.24	$332.77	$665.54
diesel	$5.64	$300.79	$601.58

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$314

Hotel (2n)

$160–$280

Meals

$75–$150

Total

$549–$744

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 473.7 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $142 in charging · 5 stops · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	406.2	5	$142.16	$64.99
Efficient EV	338.5	3	$118.47	$54.16
EV Truck/SUV	541.6	6	$189.55	$86.65

Gas CO2

474 kg

EV CO2

158 kg (67% less)

This is a long EV road trip requiring 5 charging stops. Plan your route around charger locations and allow extra time for charging.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Los Angeles, CA

Afternoon in Los Angeles on Sunday

Local time

12:18 PM

PDT

Current temp

77°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday

Local time

2:18 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.

For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.

Time zone

2 hours later

The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.

Temperature spread

4 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

22h 57m on the road

This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Los Angeles, CA to San Antonio, TX covers 1353.9 miles and takes about 22h 57m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are I 10, Pearl Harbor Memorial Highway, Benson-Steins Pass Highway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.

Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.

Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 3-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 451 miles on day one.

The midpoint is about 676.9 miles from Los Angeles, CA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.

At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $313.53 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.

Plan about 6 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.

The route from Los Angeles, CA to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Trip from Los Angeles, CA to San Antonio, TX

Trip Overview

Drive Character

How Hard Is This Drive?

Critical Maneuvers

Main Roads

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Trip Plan

Before You Leave

Where to Stop

Overnight Options

Pacing Suggestions

Arriving in San Antonio, TX

Fuel & Cost

Travel Intel

Los Angeles, CA

San Antonio, TX

2 hours later

4 degrees warmer at arrival

22h 57m on the road

Frequently Asked Questions

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