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Trip from San Antonio, TX to Little River-Academy, TX

Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 18, 2026 · Editorial standards

Drive Time

2h 43m

Distance

144.3 mi

232 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$22

one way

EV Charging

Unknown

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 32 min
4 AM
2h 33m ★
6 AM
2h 44m
8 AM
3h 5m
10 AM
2h 51m
12 PM
2h 49m
3 PM
2h 52m
5 PM
3h 4m
8 PM
2h 37m

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

Best Time Drive vs Fly
Google Maps Waze Apple Maps
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Downtown San Antonio, TX, TX

San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Downtown Little River-Academy, TX, TX

Little River-Academy, TX

Eddie O.

Trip Overview

The drive from San Antonio, TX to Little River-Academy, TX covers 144.3 miles and takes about 2h 43m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.

The route leans on Purple Heart Trail, North Pan Am Expressway, Holland Road for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is mostly surface roads. The longest uninterrupted segment is about 111.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail. At current regular gas prices, budget about $21.80 one way before food or hotel costs.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

1 planned break

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

72.1 miles from San Antonio, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 22m into the drive .

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
Purple Heart Trail 111.2 mi 2h
North Pan Am Expressway 15.6 mi 18m
Holland Road 7.2 mi 9m
South I-35 Frontage Road 4.6 mi 6m
Interstate Highway 35 1.9 mi 2m
East Loop 121 1 mi 1m
William J Bordelon Freeway 0.8 mi <1m
East Market Street 0.4 mi <1m
Longest stretch: Purple Heart Trail — 111.2 mi, about 2h

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Little River-Academy, TX.

1

Start on Dolorosa Street

143 ft · 4 sec · Dolorosa Street
2

Continue on West Market Street

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West Market Street
3

Continue on East Market Street

0.4 mi · 45 sec · East Market Street
4

Turn left

363 ft · 13 sec
Use the left lane.
5

Turn straight onto East Commerce Street

216 ft · 12 sec · East Commerce Street
6

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 28 sec
Toward US 281 North, I 37 North
7

Merge onto I 37; US 281

0.8 mi · 55 sec · William J Bordelon Freeway
8

Take the exit

0.6 mi · 1 min
Exit 142A Toward I 35 North: Austin Use the slight right lane.
9

Merge onto I 35

8.2 mi · 10 min · North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10

Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway

7.4 mi · 8 min · North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: Austin Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11

Continue on I 35

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

Continue on I 35

1.9 mi · 2 min · Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13

Continue on I 35

48 mi · 52 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14

Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290

52 mi · 55 min · Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 19 sec
Exit 287 Toward Amity Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16

Turn straight onto South I-35 Frontage Road

4.6 mi · 6 min · South I-35 Frontage Road
17

Turn right onto Loop 121

1.0 mi · 1 min · East Loop 121
18

Turn slight right

364 ft · 10 sec
19

Turn straight onto FM 436

7.2 mi · 9 min · Holland Road
20

Arrive at destination

FM 436

Trip Plan

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 72.1 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 1h 22m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 111.2 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 32 miles or 38m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 72.1 miles or 1h 22m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 2h 11m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Little River-Academy, TX than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

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 144.3 miles and 2h 43m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 32 miles from San Antonio, 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 111.2 miles.

Where to Stop

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

city in Hays County, Texas, United States

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Buda, TX

72 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.

Pacing Suggestions

New Braunfels, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 32 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Austin, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 72.1 miles from San Antonio, 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 111.2 miles.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Nearby Places

Restaurants, cafes, gas stations and more along your route.

Spanish Governor's Palace

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.1 mi from route

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–5 pm

+12102077527

Visit website

GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises

4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–10 pm

+12102274746

Visit website

San Antonio | The Saga

4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0 mi from route

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9–9:30 pm

+12102259800

Visit website

Hemisfair

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.5 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 5 am–12 pm

+12107094750

Visit website

San Antonio Fire Museum

4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.6 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–3:30 pm

+12103907236

Visit website

The Amazing Mirror Maze

4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10:30 am–8 pm

+12102242288

Visit website

SEA LIFE San Antonio

4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Near the start, right off the route

0.4 mi from route ~1 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 10 am–5 pm

+12106101160

Visit website

San Antonio River Lock & Dam

4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Near the start, right off the route

0.8 mi from route ~2 min detour

San Antonio, Texas

Hours: 9 am–10 pm

+12102271373

Visit website

Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.

Heads-up: tricky spots

5 of 9

5 decision points cluster between mile 0.8 and 131.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.

6
0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.
7
0.9 mi into trip | ~1m in

Take the ramp toward US 281 North, I 37 North

Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward US 281 North, I 37 North
7
1.9 mi into trip | ~3m in

Take the exit toward I 35 North: Austin

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

Use the slight right lane. Exit 142A Toward I 35 North: Austin
7
10.7 mi into trip | ~14m in | North Pan Am Expressway

Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin

Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Toward I 35: Austin
7
131.2 mi into trip | ~2h 25m in

Take the exit toward Amity Road

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

Use the straight / slight right lanes. Exit 287 Toward Amity Road

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.80 one way

$43.61 round trip

$3.84/gal 25.4 MPG avg 51 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $4.20 $23.87 $47.73
premium $4.54 $25.76 $51.53
diesel $5.61 $31.86 $63.72

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$22

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$47–$72

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 50.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.

Driving Electric?

About $15 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 43.3 0 $15.15 $6.93
Efficient EV 36.1 0 $12.63 $5.77
EV Truck/SUV 57.7 0 $20.20 $9.24

Gas CO2

50 kg

EV CO2

17 kg (66% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

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 17, 2026

Origin

San Antonio, TX

Afternoon in San Antonio on Saturday

Local time

3:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

89°F

Mostly Cloudy

SSE 15 mph 0% chance Live forecast

Rip Current Statement

Rip Current Statement issued April 17 at 5:31PM CDT until April 18 at 10:00PM CDT by NWS Houston/Galveston TX

Wind Advisory

Wind Advisory issued April 17 at 2:03PM CDT until April 18 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Norman OK

Destination

Little River-Academy, TX

Afternoon in Little River-Academy on Saturday

Local time

3:17 PM

CDT

Current temp

65°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

24 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

2h 43m on the road

The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.

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

National Parks Near This Route

Worth a detour if your schedule allows.

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
View on nps.gov

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

What kind of drive is this?

144.3 mi in 2h 43m across surface roads — expect steady turns and local traffic rather than long highway runs.

Only 16% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
20 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 111.2 mi on Purple Heart Trail.

How Hard Is This Drive?

7/10

Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.

Driving Effort 7/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.

This is a demanding drive. With 9 significant decision points across 144.3 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 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

About the Cities

Starting in San Antonio, TX

Full guide →

Founded 1718

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

City content from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0).

Who Is This Route For?

Weekend Trip

Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 43m. Total distance: 144.3 miles.

Family Friendly

Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.

Solo Traveler

2h 43m drive, comfortable solo distance.

Scenic Drive

Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

The longest stretch is about 111.2 miles on Purple Heart Trail. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.

It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Little River-Academy, TX before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.

Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. Dedicated rest areas are limited, so plan gas or food stops as your bathroom breaks.

The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.

Yes — San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.

Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Little River-Academy, TX before heading back.

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.

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