Last recalculated Apr 17, 2026
Drive Time
3h 28m
Distance
179.7 mi
289 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$27
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Boling, TX
Thomas balabaud
This 179.7-mile drive from San Antonio, TX to Boling, TX is an achievable day trip, taking approximately 3 hours and 28 minutes. Primarily following I-10 and State Highway 71 South, with a brief section of 90th Infantry Division Highway, you'll spend about 71% of your time on highways. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is $27. Given its manageable length, this route is perfect for a single-day excursion without the need for an overnight stay. You'll be traveling within the Great Plains region for the entirety of this Texas-based trip.
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
89.8 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 34m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 28m. Total distance: 179.7 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (71%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Expect a largely highway-focused drive, with a significant 71% of the journey on faster roads. The longest uninterrupted stretch you'll encounter is 92.8 miles on I-10, offering a period of consistent travel. While the majority of the route is on these main arteries, the transition onto State Highway 71 South and the 90th Infantry Division Highway may offer a slight change in pace. This drive balances efficient travel on major roads with segments that might feel more local as you approach your destination.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and State Highway 71 South. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 179.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.8 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 4.6 miles (Interstate 10 East): Lane positioning matters here; at 4.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Turn left onto Interstate 10 East
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp toward I 10 East, US 90 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Merge onto I 10; US 90 / Jose Lopez Freeway
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward TX 71 East, TX 71 BUS: Columbus, El Campo
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Antonio, TX and Boling, TX, road signs point toward Austin, Waco and El Campo.
Austin
Waco
El Campo
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 92.8 mi | 1h 32m |
| State Highway 71 South | 29.2 mi | 32m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| Farm-to-Market Road 961 | 14.2 mi | 24m |
| West Boling Highway | 10.4 mi | 18m |
| US 59 Business | 3.9 mi | 5m |
| East Commerce Street | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Boling, TX.
Start on Dolorosa Street
Continue on West Market Street
Continue on East Market Street
Turn left
Turn straight onto East Commerce Street
Keep slight left at fork onto East Commerce Street
Turn slight right onto East Houston Street
Turn left onto Interstate 10 East
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10; US 90
Continue on I 10; US 90
Continue on I 10; TX 130
Take the exit
Continue on TX 71
Turn right onto TX 71
Turn left onto FM 961
Turn left onto US 59 Business
Turn right onto FM 1301
Arrive at destination
With a total duration of under four hours, this route offers flexibility for departure. Consider leaving San Antonio in the morning to maximize daylight and allow for a relaxed pace. You'll have one main stretch of nearly 93 miles on I-10, so plan your first break before or after this segment. The estimated fuel cost of $27 is quite reasonable for this distance, but it's always wise to start with a full tank. Keep an eye out for signs directing you onto State Highway 71 South, as this marks a key change in your road selection.
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 40 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 89.8 miles or 1h 34m 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 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Boling, 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 179.7 miles and 3h 28m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 89.8 mi from San Antonio, TX · 1h 34m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
90 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 40 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 89.8 miles from San Antonio, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 92.8 miles.
The final approach into Boling, 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 Boling, TX.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$27.15 one way
$54.31 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $29.72 | $59.44 |
| premium | $4.54 | $32.08 | $64.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $39.68 | $79.35 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$27
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$52–$77
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 62.9 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $19 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 53.9 | 0 | $18.87 | $8.63 |
| Efficient EV | 44.9 | 0 | $15.72 | $7.19 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 71.9 | 0 | $25.16 | $11.50 |
Gas CO2
63 kg
EV CO2
21 kg (67% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Night in San Antonio on Thursday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny
Destination
Night in Boling on Thursday
Local time
9:48 PM
CDT
Current temp
78°F
Unavailable
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
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.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore more options from San Antonio, TX or browse trips ending in Boling, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for San Antonio, TX or Boling, TX on MapSof.net.
