Origin
San Antonio, TX
Evening in San Antonio on Wednesday
Local time
8:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Buffalo, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
4h 18m
Distance
234.9 mi
378 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$35
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 5m
★
6 AM
4h 19m
8 AM
4h 45m
10 AM
4h 28m
12 PM
4h 25m
3 PM
4h 29m
5 PM
4h 44m
8 PM
4h 11m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Buffalo, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 234.9 miles across the Great Plains of Texas, this drive from San Antonio to Buffalo typically takes about 4 hours and 18 minutes. Because the trip is relatively straightforward, you can easily complete it in a single day without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $35 for fuel to cover the distance. This route is best suited for travelers who prefer a direct, purposeful journey rather than a long-haul expedition. Since both cities are located within the same region, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout your time on the road.
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
117.4 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 58m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a mindless interstate cruise. Because the route relies on local roads rather than major highways, your attention will need to remain fixed on the road ahead. You won't find the monotony of a high-speed interstate here; instead, anticipate a more active driving experience as you navigate the turns. Since the highway share is 0%, be prepared for lower average speeds and more frequent adjustments behind the wheel. The profile is strictly local, so adjust your expectations for a slower, more deliberate pace compared to typical highway travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 28 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US 79 is the longest continuous segment at about 105.7 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on US 79 and Pickle Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.8 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 16 significant decision points across 234.9 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 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.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 16 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
0.8 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Turn left
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
6
4.6 mi into trip
|
~7m in
|
Interstate 10 East
Turn left onto Interstate 10 East
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left / straight lanes.
7
4.7 mi into trip
|
~7m in
Take the ramp toward I 10 East, US 90 East
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East
8
39.7 mi into trip
|
~44m in
Take the exit toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
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 614
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
8
113.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
Take the exit toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley Boulevard
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 423
Toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley B...
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between San Antonio, TX and Buffalo, TX, road signs point toward Austin, Waco and Round Rock.
Austin
28.8 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 10; TX 130
Waco
28.8 mi in
|
~33m
|
via I 10; TX 130
Round Rock
113.6 mi in
|
~1h 52m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| US 79 | 105.7 mi | 2h 5m |
| Pickle Parkway | 73 mi | 1h 6m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| I 10 | 10.9 mi | 10m |
| Palm Valley Boulevard | 5 mi | 6m |
| Carlos G Parker Boulevard Southwest | 4.3 mi | 4m |
| East Commerce Street | 3.5 mi | 5m |
| West 2nd Street | 3.1 mi | 3m |
Longest stretch:
US 79
— 105.7 mi, about 2h 5m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Buffalo, 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
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
East Commerce Street
6
Keep slight left at fork onto East Commerce Street
2.7 mi
·
4 min
·
East Commerce Street
7
Turn slight right onto East Houston Street
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
East Houston Street
8
Turn left onto Interstate 10 East
0.1 mi
·
11 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
Use the left / straight lanes.
9
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Merge onto I 10; US 90
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 10; US 90
22 mi
·
23 min
·
90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the slight right lane.
12
Continue on I 10; TX 130
11 mi
·
10 min
·
I 10; TX 130
Toward I 10 East: Houston, Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
2 min
Exit 614
Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Continue on TX 130 Toll
73 mi
·
1 hr 6 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
Exit 423
Toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley Boulevard
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on this road
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
this road
Exit 423
Toward US 79: Palm Valley Boulevard
17
Continue on TX 130 Frontage Road
0.2 mi
·
35 sec
·
TX 130 Frontage Road
18
Take the ramp
0.4 mi
·
33 sec
19
Merge onto US 79
5.0 mi
·
6 min
·
Palm Valley Boulevard
20
Continue on US 79
3.1 mi
·
3 min
·
West 2nd Street
21
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
Toward US 79 North: Rockdale
22
Continue on US 79
4.3 mi
·
4 min
·
Carlos G Parker Boulevard Southwest
23
Keep slight right at fork onto US 79
53 mi
·
1 hr 5 min
·
US 79
24
Take the exit onto US 79; US 190
0.1 mi
·
26 sec
·
US 79; US 190
25
At end of road, turn left onto US 79; US 190; TX 6
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
South Market Street
26
Continue on US 79; TX 6
0.3 mi
·
22 sec
·
North State Highway 6
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 79
52 mi
·
59 min
·
US 79
28
Arrive at destination
US 79
Trip Plan
Given the 4-hour and 18-minute duration, departing early in the morning is your best strategy to avoid mid-day congestion on local roads. Since there are zero formal stops scheduled in the data, pack plenty of water and snacks to keep yourself fueled for the entire 234.9-mile stretch. Keep a close eye on your gas gauge, as the $35 fuel estimate assumes a steady pace, and local routes often lack the frequent service stations found on major interstates. Flexibility is your greatest asset on this trip, so don't feel pressured to rush the drive. If you find the turn-heavy nature of the route tiring, plan for a quick roadside break to stretch your legs and reset before continuing to Buffalo.
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 117.4 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 1h 58m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 105.7 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 52 miles or 56m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 117.4 miles or 1h 58m 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 30m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Buffalo, 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 234.9 miles and 4h 18m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 52 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 US 79 for about 105.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 117.4 mi from San Antonio, TX · 1h 58m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
117 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
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 52 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 117.4 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 US 79 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 105.7 miles.
Arriving in Buffalo, TX
The final approach into Buffalo, 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 Buffalo, 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
$35.49 one way
$70.99 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
82 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $38.85 | $77.70 |
| premium | $4.54 | $41.94 | $83.88 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $51.86 | $103.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$35
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$60–$85
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 82.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $25 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 70.5 | 0 | $24.66 | $11.28 |
| Efficient EV | 58.7 | 0 | $20.55 | $9.40 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 94 | 1 | $32.89 | $15.03 |
Gas CO2
82 kg
EV CO2
27 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.
Destination
Buffalo, TX
Evening in Buffalo on Wednesday
Local time
8:44 PM
CDT
Current temp
58°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
73°F
Taylor, TX
117 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
19 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
4h 18m 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 San Antonio, TX to Buffalo, TX covers 234.9 miles and takes about 4h 18m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US 79, Pickle Parkway, 90th Infantry Division Highway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 117.4 miles from San Antonio, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $35.49 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 234.9 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 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.
Between San Antonio, TX and Buffalo, TX, road signs point toward Austin, Waco and Round Rock.
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