Drive Time
4h 22m
Distance
243.3 mi
392 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$37
one way
Photo: Action Construction Equipment Ltd. - ACE
Spanning 243.3 miles, your journey from San Antonio to Donna takes approximately 4 hours and 22 minutes of drive time. Because the route is categorized as a turn-heavy local drive, you should budget for a full day on the road if you want to navigate the transition between these two Great Plains locations comfortably. With a fuel cost estimate of $36, this trip is budget-friendly, though the lack of highway travel means you will be relying on local surface streets for the duration. It works perfectly as a single-day commitment, provided you are prepared for a steady pace rather than a high-speed interstate cruise. Since both cities are situated within the Great Plains, you will notice a consistent regional character throughout your travels.
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
121.6 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 11m into the drive .
Expect a unique experience behind the wheel, as this route features 0% highway driving, opting instead for a series of turn-heavy local roads. You will spend your time navigating through streets like West Market Street, East Market Street, and Tower of the Americas Way. Because the longest stretch on any single road is 0 miles on West Market Street, you should prepare for frequent turns and a constant need for attention. This is not a monotonous interstate grind; it is a technical, low-speed drive that requires steady focus. The road’s personality is defined by its local nature, offering a slower, more deliberate pace than typical cross-country highway travel.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 22m drive. You will face about 0 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from San Antonio, TX to Donna, TX is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| West Market Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| East Market Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tower of the Americas Way | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 37 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| William J Bordelon Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Lucian Adams Freeway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| US 281 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South Nueces Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Donna, TX.
Start on Dolorosa Street
Continue on West Market Street
Continue on East Market Street
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
Take the ramp slight left toward I 37 South, US 281 South
Merge slight left onto William J Bordelon Freeway
Continue on Lucian Adams Freeway
Take the exit slight right toward US 281 South
Keep slight left to continue on South Nueces Street
Keep slight left
Keep slight left to continue on Falfurrias Expressway
Keep slight left
Merge slight left
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward Spur 433: Main Street
Turn straight onto East Expressway 83
Turn right onto North Main Street
Turn left onto Hooks Avenue
Turn right onto South 11th Street
Arrive at your destination
Planning for this 243.3-mile trip requires a patient mindset due to the turn-heavy nature of the roads. Since you have one planned stop along the way, use that time to stretch your legs and reset, as the constant turning can be more mentally taxing than straight highway driving. Aim to depart early in the morning to ensure you reach Donna well before dark, allowing you to navigate the final local turns with better visibility. Keep your $36 fuel budget in mind, but always carry a little extra for potential idling or route adjustments. A concrete tip for this specific drive is to double-check your GPS frequently, as the reliance on local streets rather than major highways means you will encounter many intersections where a missed turn could add significant time to 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.
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 26m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 121.6 miles or 2h 11m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Donna, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving San Antonio, 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 San Antonio, TX
This is one driving day of about 243.3 miles and 4h 22m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 121.6 mi from San Antonio, TX · 2h 11m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
122 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.
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 121.6 miles from San Antonio, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Donna, 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 Donna, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$37.17 one way
$74.33 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $40.73 | $81.46 |
| premium | $4.59 | $43.98 | $87.95 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $54.05 | $108.11 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$37
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$62–$87
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 85.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $26 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 73 | 0 | $25.55 | $11.68 |
| Efficient EV | 60.8 | 0 | $21.29 | $9.73 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 97.3 | 1 | $34.06 | $15.57 |
Gas CO2
85 kg
EV CO2
28 kg (67% less)
Plan for 0 charging stops, roughly every 270 miles. Allow 25-40 minutes per stop at a DC fast charger.
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. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Night in San Antonio on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Night in Donna on Saturday
Local time
11:50 PM
CDT
Current temp
73°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
74°F
Corpus Christi, TX
122 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
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
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