This 294.6-mile drive from San Antonio to Jacksonville, Texas, is a solid day trip, taking approximately 5 hours and 28 minutes to complete. You'll spend about 85% of your time on highways, making it a focused driving experience. The estimated fuel cost for this journey is around $45. Since both your origin and destination are within the Great Plains region, expect a consistent landscape throughout. This route is best suited for a single day of travel, allowing you to reach Jacksonville with plenty of daylight remaining.
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
147.3 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 2h 35m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 28m. Total distance: 294.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 28m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (85%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Primarily a highway-focused drive, this route will see you covering 85% of the distance on main roads like US 79, Pickle Parkway, and 90th Infantry Division Highway. You'll encounter one significant uninterrupted stretch of 165.4 miles on US 79, so be prepared for extended periods of consistent driving. While largely highway, the exact feel can vary as you transition between these named segments, offering a straightforward, efficient path across Texas.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 30 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 165.4 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.
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 18 significant decision points across 294.6 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 18 key points
These 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 Jacksonville, 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
165.4 mi
3h 15m
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
— 165.4 mi, about 3h 15m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Jacksonville, 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 EastUse 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, WacoUse the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
1.0 mi·2 min
Exit 614Toward TX 130 Toll North: Austin, WacoUse 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 423Toward US 79: Taylor, Round Rock, Palm Valley BoulevardUse the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on this road
0.3 mi·34 sec·this road
Exit 423Toward 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
79 mi·1 hr 30 min·US 79
28
Merge onto US 79; US 84
33 mi·39 min·US 79; US 84
29
Turn left onto US 69
112 ft·1 sec·South Jackson Street
30
Arrive at destination
US 69
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour 28-minute duration, starting your drive from San Antonio in the early morning is advisable to maximize your time upon arrival in Jacksonville. With only one recommended stop, plan your breaks strategically, perhaps around the longest stretch of 165.4 miles on US 79. This route's efficiency means you have flexibility, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is always wise, especially on longer highway segments where services might be spaced out. Aim to depart before 9 AM to have a relaxed pace.
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 147.3 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 2h 35m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 165.4 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 65 miles or 1h 8m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.3 miles or 2h 35m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 26m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Jacksonville, 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 294.6 miles and 5h 28m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 65 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 165.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.3 mi from San Antonio, TX
· 2h 35m into the drive
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.51 one way
$89.03 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg103 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$48.72
$97.45
premium
$4.54
$52.60
$105.20
diesel
$5.61
$65.04
$130.09
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.1 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging
· 1 stop
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
88.4
1
$30.93
$14.14
Efficient EV
73.7
0
$25.78
$11.78
EV Truck/SUV
117.8
1
$41.24
$18.85
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
34 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 as of Apr 16, 2026
Origin
San Antonio, TX
Evening
in San Antonio on Thursday
Local time
5:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Partly Sunny
SSE 10 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 4:16PM CDT until April 16 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Red Flag Warning
Red Flag Warning issued April 16 at 4:16PM CDT until April 17 at 9:00PM CDT by NWS Lubbock TX
Destination
Jacksonville, TX
Evening
in Jacksonville on Thursday
Local time
5:58 PM
CDT
Current temp
57°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
72°F
Lexington, TX
147 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
33 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
5h 28m 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 Jacksonville, TX covers 294.6 miles and takes about 5h 28m 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 147.3 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 $44.51 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 18 significant decision points across 294.6 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 Jacksonville, TX, road signs point toward Austin, Waco and Round Rock.
