Trip from San Antonio, TX to Carthage, TX

Drive Time

6h 39m

Distance

350.5 mi

564 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$54

one way

Best Time Drive vs Fly

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San Antonio, TX

Wikimedia Commons

Carthage, TX

Carlos Cibelli

Trip Overview

Traveling from San Antonio to Carthage covers a distance of 350.5 miles, requiring approximately 6 hours and 39 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because this journey consists of turn-heavy local roads rather than high-speed interstates, it is best suited for a single, focused day of driving. You should set aside a fuel budget of about $52 to cover the trip. Both starting and ending points sit within the Great Plains region of Texas, ensuring a consistent geographical feel throughout your travel. Given the duration and the nature of the local road network, this route works well as a direct push, though you should plan for at least one stop to break up the navigation.

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

175.2 miles from San Antonio, TX

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 12m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a departure from the typical highway experience, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate primarily via West Market Street, East Market Street, and East Commerce Street, which results in a turn-heavy local drive rather than a monotonous interstate grind. Because the longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on West Market Street, you will need to remain alert and engaged with frequent navigation. The character of the road is defined by its local access points, demanding your full attention as you transition through the various turns. It is a drive that requires patience and steady focus rather than high-speed cruising.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.

There are about 40 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.

TX 21 is the longest continuous segment at about 84.7 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on TX 21 and State Highway 21 East. 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 8/10

Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers

This is a demanding drive. With 23 significant decision points across 350.5 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 23 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

0.8 mi into trip | ~1m in

Turn left

Lane positioning matters here

Use the left lane.

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.

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

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

74.7 mi into trip | ~1h 16m in

Take the exit toward TX 21: Old Lockhart Road, Laws Road

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 463 Toward TX 21: Old Lockhart Road, Laws Road

Towns Along This Route

Between San Antonio, TX and Carthage, TX, road signs point toward Austin and Waco.

Austin

28.8 mi in | ~33m | via I 10; TX 130

Waco

28.8 mi in | ~33m | via I 10; TX 130

Main Roads

Road	Distance	Duration
TX 21	84.7 mi	1h 38m
State Highway 21 East	65.2 mi	1h 11m
TX 7	53.9 mi	1h 8m
Pickle Parkway	34 mi	30m
TX 315	26.7 mi	28m
90th Infantry Division Highway	22.2 mi	23m
Camino Real	17.6 mi	20m
US Highway 259	11.2 mi	12m

Longest stretch: TX 21 — 84.7 mi, about 1h 38m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Carthage, TX.

Start on Dolorosa Street

143 ft · 4 sec · Dolorosa Street

Continue on West Market Street

0.4 mi · 42 sec · West Market Street

Continue on East Market Street

0.4 mi · 45 sec · East Market Street

Turn left

363 ft · 13 sec

Use the left lane.

Turn straight onto East Commerce Street

0.7 mi · 1 min · East Commerce Street

Keep slight left at fork onto East Commerce Street

2.7 mi · 4 min · East Commerce Street

Turn slight right onto East Houston Street

0.3 mi · 30 sec · East Houston Street

Turn left onto Interstate 10 East

0.1 mi · 11 sec · Interstate 10 East

Use the left / straight lanes.

Take the ramp

0.2 mi · 21 sec

Toward I 10 East, US 90 East Use the straight / slight left lanes.

Merge onto I 10; US 90

1.8 mi · 2 min · Jose Lopez Freeway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on I 10; US 90

22 mi · 23 min · 90th Infantry Division Highway

Use the slight right lane.

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.

Take the exit

1.0 mi · 2 min

Exit 614 Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, Waco Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Continue on TX 130 Toll

34 mi · 30 min · Pickle Parkway

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 31 sec

Exit 463 Toward TX 21: Old Lockhart Road, Laws Road Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Turn straight onto US 183

0.6 mi · 38 sec · US 183

Turn slight right

0.3 mi · 1 min

Toward TX 21 Use the straight / left / right lanes.

Turn right onto TX 21

18 mi · 20 min · Camino Real

Take the ramp onto TX 21

5.5 mi · 6 min · TX 21

Use the straight / slight right lanes.

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 26 sec

Turn straight onto College Street

0.9 mi · 1 min · College Street

Turn left onto TX 21; TX 95

0.4 mi · 35 sec · State Highway 95

Use the left lane.

Turn right onto TX 21; Loop 150

0.8 mi · 1 min · Chestnut Street

Use the right lane.

Continue on TX 21

65 mi · 1 hr 11 min · State Highway 21 East

Keep slight left at fork onto TX 21

79 mi · 1 hr 31 min · TX 21

At end of road, turn right onto TX 7; TX 21

33 mi · 36 min · TX 7; TX 21

Turn left onto TX 7

21 mi · 31 min · TX 7

Turn left

0.3 mi · 41 sec

Merge onto Loop 224

5.9 mi · 6 min · Southwest Stallings Drive

Continue on US 59

0.9 mi · 58 sec · North US Highway 59

Take the exit

0.2 mi · 24 sec

Use the left lane.

Continue on this road

0.1 mi · 20 sec · this road

Merge onto US 259

11 mi · 12 min · US Highway 259

Continue on US 259

3.0 mi · 3 min · US Route 259

Continue on US 259

2.6 mi · 3 min · South Railroad Avenue

Turn right onto TX 315

27 mi · 28 min · TX 315

Turn slight left

266 ft · 8 sec

Turn left onto US 59 Business; US 79 Business

200 ft · 5 sec · North Shelby Street

Turn right onto Panola Street

116 ft · 5 sec · Panola Street

Arrive at destination

Panola Street

Trip Plan

To tackle this 350.5-mile journey successfully, aim for an early morning departure to account for the frequent turns and local traffic patterns. Since you are limited to local roads, build flexibility into your schedule to accommodate the single recommended stop along the way. Keep your $52 fuel budget in mind and try to fill up before hitting the more technical stretches of the route to avoid searching for stations in unfamiliar local areas. Prioritize comfort and mental preparedness, as the lack of highway miles means you will be actively driving for the entire 6 hour and 39 minute duration. Staying mindful of your turns is the most critical piece of advice for completing this trip efficiently.

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.

You can normally do this drive in one day.

Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.

The halfway point lands around 175.2 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 3h 12m into the drive.

The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 84.7 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 80 miles or 1h 23m in

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

Halfway reset

Around 175.2 miles or 3h 12m in

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

Final approach

Final hour starts around 5h 28m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Carthage, 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 350.5 miles and 6h 39m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 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 TX 21 for about 84.7 miles.

Where to Stop

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

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 175.2 mi from San Antonio, TX · 3h 12m into the drive

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Austin, TX

175 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

Austin, TX

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Houston, TX

Meal break

The midpoint is around 175.2 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 TX 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.7 miles.

Arriving in Carthage, TX

The final approach into Carthage, 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 Carthage, TX.

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

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$53.54 one way

$107.08 round trip

$3.88/gal 25.4 MPG avg 123 kg CO₂

Fuel Type	$/gal	One Way	Round Trip
midgrade	$4.25	$58.67	$117.35
premium	$4.59	$63.35	$126.70
diesel	$5.64	$77.87	$155.74

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$54

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$79–$104

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

Estimated CO2 emission: 122.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $37 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO₂

Vehicle Type	kWh	Stops	DC Fast	Home Charge
Average EV	105.1	1	$36.80	$16.82
Efficient EV	87.6	1	$30.67	$14.02
EV Truck/SUV	140.2	1	$49.07	$22.43

Gas CO2

123 kg

EV CO2

41 kg (67% less)

Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.

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 data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

San Antonio, TX

Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday

Local time

2:18 PM

CDT

Current temp

81°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Carthage, TX

Afternoon in Carthage on Sunday

Local time

2:18 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

16 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

6h 39m on the road

Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.

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 Carthage, TX covers 350.5 miles and takes about 6h 39m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.

The main roads are TX 21, State Highway 21 East, TX 7. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

The midpoint is about 175.2 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 $53.54 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 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.