Trip from Nederland, TX to San Antonio, TX

Drive Time

5h 14m

Distance

284.5 mi

458 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$43

one way

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 40 min
4 AM
5h 1m ★
6 AM
5h 14m
8 AM
5h 41m
10 AM
5h 24m
12 PM
5h 21m
3 PM
5h 25m
5 PM
5h 40m
8 PM
5h 6m

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

Downtown Nederland, TX, TX

Nederland, TX

Job1505 De waal

Downtown San Antonio, TX, TX

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Trip Overview

Traveling from Nederland to San Antonio covers 289 miles and typically takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes of drive time. Since the entire journey remains within the Texas Great Plains, you will experience a consistent regional landscape throughout the trip. Budgeting roughly $43 for fuel is a smart way to prepare for the road ahead. Given the duration, this route works perfectly as a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination by the afternoon if you depart early. While the trip is manageable in one go, you should plan for at least one stop to stretch your legs and break up the drive. It is a straightforward trek that avoids the need for an overnight split, making it an efficient choice for travelers.

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

142.2 miles from Nederland, TX

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

Drive Character

Expect a turn-heavy, local-focused experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate through local thoroughfares like North 14th Street, Nederland Avenue, and Memorial Boulevard to reach your destination. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch on North 14th Street is zero miles, you should be prepared for frequent turns and constant engagement with the road. The personality of this drive is distinctly technical, requiring your full attention as you transition between local segments. This is not a monotonous highway haul; instead, it is a hands-on journey that demands patience and steady navigation.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 24 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.

Elevation Profile

Mostly flat terrain

663 ft -1 ft

Total Climb

702 ft

Total Descent

72 ft

Highest Point

663 ft

~272.6 mi in

Elevation Range

664 ft

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and H O Mills Highway. 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 14th Street.

Route Complexity 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 284.5 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: near the start (North 14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 16 key points

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

5
0 mi into trip | ~0m in | North 14th Street

Turn left onto North 14th Street

Navigation decision point

5
2 mi into trip | ~4m in

Take the ramp toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South:...
6
265 mi into trip | ~4h 50m 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
277 mi into trip | ~5h 2m 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
279.4 mi into trip | ~5h 5m 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
H O Mills Highway 19.8 mi 20m
East Commerce Street 4.3 mi 7m
TX 73 3.3 mi 3m
FM 365 3.2 mi 4m
Jade Avenue 1.8 mi 4m
Nederland Avenue 1.6 mi 3m
Jose Lopez Freeway 1.6 mi 1m
Longest stretch: I 10 — 246.1 mi, about 4h 24m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

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

1

Start on Boston Avenue

61 ft · 7 sec · Boston Avenue
2

Turn left onto North 14th Street

0.1 mi · 24 sec · North 14th Street
3

Turn right onto Nederland Avenue

1.6 mi · 3 min · Nederland Avenue
4

Turn left onto Memorial Boulevard

0.3 mi · 27 sec · Memorial Boulevard
5

Take the ramp

473 ft · 11 sec
Toward US 69 South, US 96 South, US 287 South: Port Arthur
6

Merge onto US 69; US 96; US 287

0.4 mi · 25 sec · South Memorial Freeway
7

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 18 sec
Toward FM 365: Port Neches, Fannett
8

Turn straight onto Memorial Boulevard

297 ft · 5 sec · Memorial Boulevard
9

Turn slight right

342 ft · 13 sec
10

Turn straight onto FM 365

3.2 mi · 4 min · FM 365
Use the left lane.
11

Turn left onto Jade Avenue

1.8 mi · 4 min · Jade Avenue
12

Turn right onto TX 73

20 mi · 20 min · H O Mills Highway
13

Turn straight onto TX 73

3.3 mi · 3 min · TX 73
14

Merge onto I 10

234 mi · 4 hr 11 min · I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

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.
16

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.
17

Continue on I 10; US 90

1.6 mi · 1 min · Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 19 sec
Exit 579 Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19

Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Interstate 10 East
20

Turn right onto East Houston Street

0.2 mi · 20 sec · East Houston Street
21

Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street

4.3 mi · 7 min · East Commerce Street
22

Turn left onto Military Plaza

392 ft · 15 sec · Military Plaza
23

Turn left onto Dolorosa Street

327 ft · 8 sec · Dolorosa Street
24

Arrive at destination

Dolorosa Street

Trip Plan

To make the most of your 4 hour and 20 minute journey, try to leave Nederland early in the morning to avoid any potential congestion on local streets. Since you are navigating local roads rather than interstates, factor in extra time for traffic signals and turns when planning your arrival in San Antonio. With only one recommended stop, use that break strategically to refuel and grab a snack, keeping your $43 fuel budget in mind for the total trip. The flexibility of a single-day trip is your biggest advantage here, so feel free to adjust your pace based on how you feel behind the wheel. Stay alert on North 14th Street, as the lack of long, straight stretches makes it essential to stay focused on your navigation from the very start.

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 142.2 miles from Nederland, TX, or about 2h 38m 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 31m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 142.2 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 16m

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 Nederland, 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 Nederland, TX

This is one driving day of about 284.5 miles and 5h 14m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Nederland, 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 142.2 mi from Nederland, TX · 2h 38m into the drive

Downtown houston-tx

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Houston, TX

142 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

Houston, TX to San Antonio, TX

195 mi · 3h 27m

Pacing Suggestions

Pasadena, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 142.2 miles from Nederland, TX, 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 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

$43.46 one way

$86.92 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 100 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.25 $47.63 $95.25
premium $4.59 $51.42 $102.85
diesel $5.64 $63.21 $126.41

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$43

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$68–$93

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 99.5 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 85.4 1 $29.87 $13.66
Efficient EV 71.1 0 $24.89 $11.38
EV Truck/SUV 113.8 1 $39.83 $18.21

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.

Forecast data refreshed 2 days ago

Origin

Nederland, TX

Afternoon in Nederland on Sunday

Local time

3:11 PM

CDT

Current temp

68°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

San Antonio, TX

Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday

Local time

3:11 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

13 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 14m 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 Nederland, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 284.5 miles and takes about 5h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, H O Mills Highway, 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 142.2 miles from Nederland, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.46 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 16 significant decision points across 284.5 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: near the start (North 14th Street): Navigation decision point; at 2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 265 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Nederland, TX to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Mostly flat terrain. The route ranges from -1 ft to 663 ft elevation with about 702 ft of total climbing.

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