Origin
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Kilgore, TX
Drive Time
6h 14m
Distance
333.8 mi
537 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$51
one way
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Kilgore, TX
Jeff Stapleton
Trip Overview
Traveling from San Antonio to Kilgore spans 333.8 miles and typically requires about 6 hours and 14 minutes of time behind the wheel. Because the route relies on local roads like West Market, East Market, and East Commerce streets rather than major interstates, you should plan for a full day of driving. Budget approximately $50 for fuel to complete the journey. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, the landscape remains consistent throughout the trip. While it is technically possible to complete this drive in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the local roads makes it a demanding trek that requires your full attention.
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
166.9 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 1m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive that lacks the predictability of a high-speed interstate corridor. With a highway share of 0%, you will spend the entire 333.8-mile journey navigating surface streets rather than cruising on open freeways. The longest uninterrupted stretch is 0 miles on West Market Street, meaning you should prepare for frequent stops and constant gear shifts. This route demands active driving, as the lack of highway miles keeps your speed lower and your focus higher. It is a practical, no-frills path that prioritizes navigation through local thoroughfares over fast-paced travel.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 41 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 155.2 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. 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 19 significant decision points across 333.8 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 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.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 281 North, I 37 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 281 North, I 37 North
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142A
Toward I 35 North: Austin
7
10.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
8
181.2 mi into trip
|
~3h 17m in
Take the exit toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
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 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 155.2 mi | 2h 45m |
| State Highway 31 | 35.8 mi | 38m |
| West Front Street | 26.3 mi | 30m |
| State Highway 31 East | 21.1 mi | 24m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| Corsicana Bypass | 11.8 mi | 13m |
| Northeast 2nd Street | 9.9 mi | 11m |
| State Highway 31 West | 9.7 mi | 11m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 155.2 mi, about 2h 45m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Kilgore, 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
216 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Commerce Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 281 North, I 37 North
7
Merge onto I 37; US 281
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
William J Bordelon Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142A
Toward I 35 North: Austin
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 35
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
6.0 mi
·
6 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Take the exit
0.3 mi
·
28 sec
Exit 338
Toward US 84: Waco Drive, Bellmead Drive
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Turn straight onto North Jack Kultgen Expressway
0.3 mi
·
30 sec
·
North Jack Kultgen Expressway
18
Turn right onto US 84
0.3 mi
·
52 sec
·
East Waco Drive
19
Continue on US 84
2.6 mi
·
4 min
·
Bellmead Drive
20
Continue on US 84
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
East US Highway 84
21
Continue on TX 31
17 mi
·
17 min
·
State Highway 31
22
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi
·
5 min
·
Hubbard Bypass
23
Continue on TX 31
19 mi
·
21 min
·
State Highway 31
24
Turn right onto TX 31
12 mi
·
13 min
·
Corsicana Bypass
Use the straight lane.
25
Turn right onto TX 31
9.3 mi
·
10 min
·
East State Highway 31
26
Continue on TX 31
9.9 mi
·
11 min
·
Northeast 2nd Street
27
Continue on TX 31
5.3 mi
·
6 min
·
West Royall Boulevard
28
Continue on TX 31
4.1 mi
·
4 min
·
State Highway 31 West
29
Turn left onto TX 31
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
TX 31
30
Merge onto TX 31; Loop 7
6.2 mi
·
7 min
·
Jed Robinson Loop
31
Take the exit onto TX 31
0.3 mi
·
46 sec
·
TX 31
32
Turn left onto TX 31
21 mi
·
24 min
·
State Highway 31 East
33
Continue on TX 31
2.0 mi
·
2 min
·
West Highway 31
34
Continue on TX 31
5.6 mi
·
6 min
·
State Highway 31 West
35
Continue on TX 31
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Chandler Highway
36
Continue on TX 31
26 mi
·
30 min
·
West Front Street
37
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
33 sec
Toward TX 135 South
38
Merge onto TX 135
0.4 mi
·
30 sec
·
State Highway 135 North
39
Turn left onto Gladewater Street
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Gladewater Street
40
At end of road, turn right onto West Main Street
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
·
West Main Street
41
Arrive at destination
East Main Street
Trip Plan
Given the 6-hour and 14-minute duration, departing early in the morning is essential to ensure you reach Kilgore before dark. Since this route involves a heavy concentration of city streets, plan for at least one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and manage the fatigue that comes with non-highway driving. Keep your $50 fuel budget handy, as the constant stop-and-go nature of local roads may impact your vehicle's efficiency differently than high-speed cruising. Because you are avoiding major highways, use a reliable GPS to stay on track through the various turns on West, East, and Commerce streets. Flexibility is your greatest advantage here, so monitor your energy levels closely and do not hesitate to add an extra break if the local road traffic feels taxing.
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 166.9 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 3h 1m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 155.2 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 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 166.9 miles or 3h 1m 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 3m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kilgore, 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 333.8 miles and 6h 14m.
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 Purple Heart Trail for about 155.2 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 166.9 mi from San Antonio, TX · 3h 1m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
167 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 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 166.9 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 Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 155.2 miles.
Arriving in Kilgore, TX
The final approach into Kilgore, 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 Kilgore, 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
$50.99 one way
$101.98 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
117 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $55.88 | $111.76 |
| premium | $4.59 | $60.33 | $120.67 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $74.16 | $148.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$51
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 100.1 | 1 | $35.05 | $16.02 |
| Efficient EV | 83.5 | 0 | $29.21 | $13.35 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 133.5 | 1 | $46.73 | $21.36 |
Gas CO2
117 kg
EV CO2
39 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.
Destination
Kilgore, TX
Afternoon in Kilgore 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 14m 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 Kilgore, TX covers 333.8 miles and takes about 6h 14m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, State Highway 31, West Front Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 166.9 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 $50.99 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.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 333.8 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 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from San Antonio, TX to Kilgore, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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