The drive from San Antonio, TX to Cactus, TX covers 566.9 miles and takes about 9h 55m behind the wheel.
It usually feels better as a 2-day road trip than as one long push.
The route leans on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, I 10, US 84 for much of the mileage,
and the overall profile is long-distance drive.
The longest uninterrupted segment is about 109.9 miles on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway.
At current regular gas prices, budget about $85.66 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
283.4 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 4h 59m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Solo Traveler
9h 55m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Long-distance drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
At 566.9 miles and 9h 55m of driving, this is a route where fuel stops, weather, and timing matter more than any single turn. The main roads are Marshall Formby Memorial Highway and I 10.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 47 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 109.9 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
At 9h 55m, this is a long-haul route where pacing matters more than any single turn. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 16.1 miles in near I 10; US 87.
Driving Effort9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 31 significant decision points across 566.9 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 16.1 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.7 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.8 miles (US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 31 key points
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
6
16.1 mi into trip|~20m in|I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
6
114.7 mi into trip|~1h 58m in|US 83
Take the exit onto US 83 toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Exit 456
Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
6
202.8 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue
Turn right onto US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
202.8 mi into trip|~3h 32m in|TX 158 / North Broadway Street
Turn left onto TX 158 / North Broadway Street
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
7
505.2 mi into trip|~8h 48m in|US 87
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87 toward US 87 North
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 87 North
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 Cactus, TX, road signs point toward Menard and Lubbock.
Menard
114.7 mi in|~1h 58m|via US 83
Lubbock
268.3 mi in|~4h 44m|via US 84
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
109.9 mi
1h 51m
I 10
98.7 mi
1h 37m
US 84
74.5 mi
1h 14m
South Fillmore Street
45.4 mi
47m
Frisco Avenue
41.9 mi
44m
State Highway 153
29.5 mi
33m
North Main Street
29.3 mi
30m
Highway 84
20 mi
19m
Longest stretch:
Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
— 109.9 mi, about 1h 51m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Cactus, TX.
1
Start on Dolorosa Street
143 ft·4 sec·Dolorosa Street
2
Continue on West Market Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·West Market Street
3
Turn left onto Navarro Street
0.8 mi·1 min·Navarro Street
4
Enter roundabout onto San Pedro Avenue
85 ft·1 sec·San Pedro Avenue
5
Continue on San Pedro Avenue
0.5 mi·1 min·San Pedro Avenue
6
Turn left onto West Cypress Street
0.1 mi·10 sec·West Cypress Street
Use the left lane.
7
Turn straight onto East Fredericksburg Road
1.2 mi·2 min·East Fredericksburg Road
8
Turn right onto Interstate 10 West
0.1 mi·13 sec·Interstate 10 West
9
Take the ramp
0.1 mi·13 sec
Toward I 10 West, US 87 North
10
Merge onto I 10; US 87
13 mi·14 min·McDermott Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
99 mi·1 hr 37 min·I 10; US 87
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
12
Take the exit onto US 83
0.3 mi·44 sec·US 83
Exit 456Toward US 83 North, US 377: Junction, Menard
13
Turn right onto US 83; US 377
29 mi·30 min·North Main Street
Use the right lane.
14
Continue on US 83
42 mi·44 min·Frisco Avenue
15
Continue on US 83
17 mi·18 min·Roberts Avenue
16
Turn right onto US 67; US 83
387 ft·18 sec·Hutchings Avenue
Use the right lane.
17
Turn left onto TX 158
6.3 mi·7 min·North Broadway Street
Use the left lane.
18
Turn right onto FM 2111
12 mi·13 min·FM 2111
19
Turn left onto TX 153
29 mi·33 min·State Highway 153
20
Keep slight right at fork onto TX 153
19 ft·0 sec·State Highway 153
21
Turn right onto TX 70
10 mi·10 min·State Highway 70
22
Continue on TX 70
0.8 mi·1 min·Lamar Street
23
Turn left onto Northwest Georgia Avenue
0.1 mi·16 sec·Northwest Georgia Avenue
24
Take the ramp
340 ft·8 sec
Toward I 20 West: Midland
25
Merge onto I 20; US 84
6.0 mi·5 min·I 20; US 84
26
Take the exit onto US 84
0.3 mi·19 sec·US 84
Exit 238AToward US 84 West: Snyder, Lubbock
27
Keep slight left at fork onto US 84
74 mi·1 hr 14 min·US 84
28
Turn right onto Loop 46
1.0 mi·1 min·South Avenue F
29
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 207
0.1 mi·10 sec·North Avenue F
30
Turn straight onto TX 207
0.4 mi·38 sec·Ralls Road
31
Turn left onto Spur 575
0.1 mi·17 sec·East 15th Street
32
Turn right onto US 84
1.0 mi·1 min·North US Highway 84
33
Continue on US 84
20 mi·19 min·Highway 84
34
Continue on US 84
4.6 mi·4 min·Trooper Jerry Don Davis Memorial Highway
35
Continue on US 84
6.8 mi·6 min·East Highway 84
36
Continue on US 84
4.5 mi·5 min·Slaton Road
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi·26 sec
38
Turn slight right onto Interstate 27
321 ft·6 sec·Interstate 27
39
Take the ramp
0.2 mi·31 sec
40
Merge onto I 27; US 87
110 mi·1 hr 51 min·Marshall Formby Memorial Highway
41
Continue on I 27; US 60; US 87
13 mi·15 min·Canyon Expressway
Use the straight / right lanes.
42
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
0.9 mi·2 min·US 87
Toward US 87 NorthUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
43
Keep slight right at fork onto US 87; Original US Route 66
45 mi·47 min·South Fillmore Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
44
Continue on US 87; US 287
15 mi·16 min·South Dumas Avenue
45
Turn right onto North Drive
0.2 mi·32 sec·North Drive
46
Turn right onto Rector Avenue
150 ft·4 sec·Rector Avenue
47
Arrive at destination
Rector Avenue
Trip Plan
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This drive is better paced as a 2-day trip.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 283.4 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 4h 59m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 109.9 miles.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 125 miles or 2h 9m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 283.4 miles or 4h 59m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 283.4 miles or 4h 59m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 8h 51m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Cactus, 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.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
+
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Antonio, TX
Aim for roughly 283 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into Cactus, TX
Aim for roughly 283 miles and 5 hours of wheel time on this day.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 125 miles from San Antonio, TX.
This route usually feels better as a 2-day drive than as one long push.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Marshall Formby Memorial Highway for about 109.9 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 283.4 mi from San Antonio, TX
· 4h 59m into the drive
The midpoint is around 283.4 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 Marshall Formby Memorial Highway if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 109.9 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stop
For a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 283 miles or 5 hours on the road.
Arriving in Cactus, TX
The final approach into Cactus, 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 Cactus, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach Cactus, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
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...
13,000 years ago, Alibates Flint was used by mammoth hunters as a source of flint for tools. Learn how important this site was to the survival, commerce, and culture of the people of the High Plains.
14 mi from route
~35 min detour
Free
near mile 527.8
Set within the wide‑open Texas Plains, Lake Meredith National Recreation Area offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of rugged grasslands. Over thousands of years, the Canadian River carved dramatic 2...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 527.8
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park tells the story of our 36th president beginning with his ancestors until his final resting place on his beloved LBJ Ranch. This entire "circle of life" gives...
28 mi from route
~70 min detour
Free
near mile 39.1
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$85.66 one way
$171.32 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg198 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$93.76
$187.52
premium
$4.54
$101.22
$202.43
diesel
$5.61
$125.16
$250.33
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$86
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$216–$326
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 198.3 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $60 in charging
· 2 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
170.1
2
$59.52
$27.21
Efficient EV
141.7
1
$49.60
$22.68
EV Truck/SUV
226.8
2
$79.37
$36.28
Gas CO2
198 kg
EV CO2
66 kg (67% less)
Plan for 2 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.
Forecast as of Apr 15, 2026
Origin
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon
in San Antonio on Thursday
Local time
12:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Cactus, TX
Afternoon
in Cactus on Thursday
Local time
12:11 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
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
28 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
9h 55m on the road
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
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 Cactus, TX covers 566.9 miles and takes about 9h 55m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Marshall Formby Memorial Highway, I 10, US 84. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Yes. This route is usually more comfortable as a 2-day drive. A sensible stopping point is after roughly 283 miles on day one.
The midpoint is about 283.4 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 $85.66 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 2 meaningful breaks 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 31 significant decision points across 566.9 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 16.1 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 114.7 miles (US 83): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 202.8 miles (US 67; US 83 / Hutchings Avenue): Lane positioning matters here.
Between San Antonio, TX and Cactus, TX, road signs point toward Menard and Lubbock.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. There are 4 parks within detour distance of this route.
