Pelican Bay to San Antonio is 288.1 miles and takes about 5h 23m via Purple Heart Trail and I 35, with a fuel budget near $44 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip keeps you within Texas, traversing the Great Plains region from start to finish. It's a straightforward drive, mostly on major highways, making it a good option for a single-day journey without feeling overly rushed. You'll encounter a mixed driving profile, so be prepared for varied road conditions as you make your way south.
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
144 miles from Pelican Bay, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 45m into the drive
.
San Antonio is the second largest city in the state of Texas and the 7th largest in the United States. It's the 24th largest metropolitan area in the country. Visited by more than 31 million annual visitors, San Antonio is a beautiful city at the axis of three different geological terrains: Hill Country, South Texas Plains and Prairie and Lakes. There's a lot to do in this city: fine art museums, historical missions and plenty of amusement parks in addition to great dining and lots of drinking. The culture and people are vibrant and interesting. San Antonio's downtown is one of the most lively in the nation.
Top landmarks
•Alamo Mission in San Antonio — historic place in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
•San Antonio Missions National Historical Park — historic district in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
•Fort Sam Houston — military base in San Antonio, Texas
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 23m. Total distance: 288.1 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 23m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
This route offers a mixed driving experience, with 58% of it on highways. You'll spend a significant portion of your time on the Purple Heart Trail, including the longest uninterrupted stretch of 99.6 miles. As you progress, the drive will transition from the Purple Heart Trail to the South Freeway and eventually merge onto I 35, indicating a shift towards more urban and faster-paced highway travel as you approach San Antonio. Expect a blend of open road and busier thoroughfares.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 40 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 route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 21.9 miles in near East Lancaster Avenue.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 26 significant decision points across 288.1 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 21.9 miles (East Lancaster Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.5 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 279.9 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 26 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
21.9 mi into trip|~37m in|East Lancaster Avenue
Keep slight right at fork onto East Lancaster Avenue
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
206.5 mi into trip|~3h 50m 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
279.9 mi into trip|~5h 11m 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
286.3 mi into trip|~5h 19m 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
286.9 mi into trip|~5h 20m 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...
Step-by-step road directions between Pelican Bay, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on Sheila Drive
0.3 mi·1 min·Sheila Drive
2
At end of road, turn right onto Long Circle
0.1 mi·31 sec·Long Circle
3
Turn right onto Long Boulevard
384 ft·22 sec·Long Boulevard
4
Turn left onto Sandy Beach Road
1.4 mi·5 min·Sandy Beach Road
5
Turn left onto FM 730
2.1 mi·4 min·FM 730
6
Turn left onto Northwest Parkway
442 ft·8 sec·Northwest Parkway
7
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·24 sec
Toward TX 199 East
8
Merge onto TX 199
8.7 mi·9 min·Jacksboro Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
9
Continue on TX 199
0.7 mi·1 min·Lake Worth Boulevard
Use the straight / left lanes.
10
Continue on TX 199
0.8 mi·1 min·Lake Worth Boulevard
11
Continue on TX 199
0.5 mi·52 sec·Lake Worth Boulevard
12
Continue on TX 199
4.5 mi·7 min·Jacksboro Highway
Use the left lane.
13
Continue on TX 199
0.5 mi·1 min·North Henderson Street
14
Enter roundabout onto TX 199
113 ft·1 sec·North Henderson Street
15
Continue on TX 199
1.1 mi·1 min·North Henderson Street
Use the straight lane.
16
Turn left onto West Lancaster Avenue
0.8 mi·1 min·West Lancaster Avenue
17
Keep slight right at fork onto East Lancaster Avenue
0.3 mi·26 sec·East Lancaster Avenue
Use the right lane.
18
Turn right onto South Freeway
91 ft·1 sec·South Freeway
Use the right lane.
19
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·16 sec
Toward I 35W South
20
Merge onto I 35W; US 287 Bus
84 mi·1 hr 26 min·South Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
21
Continue on I 35; US 77
6.6 mi·7 min·North Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
22
Continue on I 35
38 mi·39 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
56 mi·58 min·I 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
24
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35; US 290
50 mi·54 min·Purple Heart Trail
Toward 32nd Street, Dean Keeton StreetUse the slight left lane.
25
Continue on I 35
1.7 mi·1 min·Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
26
Continue on I 35
12 mi·12 min·Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
27
Continue on I 35
10.0 mi·11 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
28
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
6.4 mi·8 min·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 SouthUse the straight / slight right lanes.
29
Keep slight left at fork onto I 35
0.6 mi·41 sec·North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35 South: Lower Level, LaredoUse the slight left lane.
30
Take the exit
0.1 mi·16 sec
Exit 157AToward Lexington Avenue, Main Avenue, San Pedro AvenueUse the slight right lane.
31
Turn straight onto East Elmira Street
526 ft·17 sec·East Elmira Street
Use the left / straight lanes.
32
Turn left onto North Main Avenue
0.2 mi·18 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the left / straight lanes.
33
Enter roundabout onto Navarro Street
159 ft·3 sec·Navarro Street
34
Continue on Navarro Street
111 ft·2 sec·Navarro Street
35
Keep slight right at fork onto North Main Avenue
0.4 mi·51 sec·North Main Avenue
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
36
Turn right onto West Travis Street
222 ft·10 sec·West Travis Street
37
Turn left onto North Flores Street
0.2 mi·20 sec·North Flores Street
38
Continue on Military Plaza
392 ft·15 sec·Military Plaza
39
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft·8 sec·Dolorosa Street
40
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Consider starting your journey in the morning to take advantage of the full daylight hours for the 5h 23m drive. With only one recommended stop and a total of 288.1 miles, you have flexibility in pacing yourself. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the 99.6-mile stretch on the Purple Heart Trail, as services might be less frequent than on the interstate. The estimated fuel cost is around $44, so budget accordingly before you depart from Pelican Bay.
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 144 miles from Pelican Bay, TX, or about 2h 45m 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 63 miles or 1h 20m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 144 miles or 2h 45m 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 23m
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 Pelican Bay, 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 Pelican Bay, TX
This is one driving day of about 288.1 miles and 5h 23m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 63 miles from Pelican Bay, 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 144 mi from Pelican Bay, TX
· 2h 45m into the drive
The midpoint is around 155.9 miles from Pelican Bay, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
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
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...
5 mi from route
~13 min detour
Free
near mile 118.2
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 311.7
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.53 one way
$87.07 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg101 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$47.65
$95.30
premium
$4.54
$51.44
$102.88
diesel
$5.61
$63.61
$127.22
Estimated Tolls: $0.01
Northwest Parkway
(0.1 mi)$0.01
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Tolls
$0
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.8 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
86.4
1
$30.25
$13.83
Efficient EV
72
0
$25.21
$11.52
EV Truck/SUV
115.2
1
$40.33
$18.44
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.
Forecast as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
Pelican Bay, TX
Morning
in Pelican Bay on Saturday
Local time
10:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Morning
in San Antonio on Saturday
Local time
10:46 AM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
60°F
Troy, 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
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
4 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 23m 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 Pelican Bay, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 288.1 miles and takes about 5h 23m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, South Freeway, I 35. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 144 miles from Pelican Bay, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.53 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 26 significant decision points across 288.1 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 21.9 miles (East Lancaster Avenue): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 206.5 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 279.9 miles (I 35 / North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Pelican Bay, TX to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
How this page is built
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
