Origin
San Antonio, TX
Evening in San Antonio on Thursday
Local time
5:57 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Lufkin, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
5h 27m
Distance
293 mi
472 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
5h 14m
★
6 AM
5h 28m
8 AM
5h 54m
10 AM
5h 37m
12 PM
5h 34m
3 PM
5h 38m
5 PM
5h 53m
8 PM
5h 20m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Lufkin, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
Spanning 293 miles, the journey from San Antonio to Lufkin takes approximately 5 hours and 27 minutes of active driving time. Because this route relies on local navigation through West Market, East Market, and East Commerce Streets rather than major interstates, it functions best as a dedicated day trip. You should budget roughly $44 for fuel to cover the distance between these two Great Plains locations. While the drive is manageable in a single day, the turn-heavy nature of the route requires your full attention behind the wheel. Use this information to gauge your comfort level with navigating local roads for the duration of the trip.
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
146.5 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 40m into the drive .
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 5h 27m. Total distance: 293 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
5h 27m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (83%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Drive Character
Expect a technical, turn-heavy experience rather than a high-speed interstate cruise, as this route features a 0% highway share. You will navigate primarily via West Market Street, East Market Street, and East Commerce Street, making for a hands-on driving experience that demands constant engagement. There is no long-distance highway cruising here, with the longest uninterrupted stretch on West Market Street measuring 0 miles. The personality of this drive is defined by frequent turns and local traffic patterns. You will find yourself constantly adjusting to the road's layout as you transition through the various segments of the journey.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 31 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.
Driving Effort
7/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 17 significant decision points across 293 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 17 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
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 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 Lufkin, 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 |
| Pickle Parkway | 34 mi | 30m |
| TX 7 | 33 mi | 36m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 22.2 mi | 23m |
| Camino Real | 17.6 mi | 20m |
| TX 103 | 11.6 mi | 12m |
| I 10 | 10.9 mi | 10m |
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 Lufkin, 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
34 mi
·
30 min
·
Pickle Parkway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
31 sec
Exit 463
Toward TX 21: Old Lockhart Road, Laws Road
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Turn straight onto US 183
0.6 mi
·
38 sec
·
US 183
17
Turn slight right
0.3 mi
·
1 min
Toward TX 21
Use the straight / left / right lanes.
18
Turn right onto TX 21
18 mi
·
20 min
·
Camino Real
19
Take the ramp onto TX 21
5.5 mi
·
6 min
·
TX 21
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
26 sec
21
Turn straight onto College Street
0.9 mi
·
1 min
·
College Street
22
Turn left onto TX 21; TX 95
0.4 mi
·
35 sec
·
State Highway 95
Use the left lane.
23
Turn right onto TX 21; Loop 150
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
Chestnut Street
Use the right lane.
24
Continue on TX 21
65 mi
·
1 hr 11 min
·
State Highway 21 East
25
Keep slight left at fork onto TX 21
79 mi
·
1 hr 31 min
·
TX 21
26
At end of road, turn right onto TX 7; TX 21
33 mi
·
36 min
·
TX 7; TX 21
27
Continue on TX 103
12 mi
·
12 min
·
TX 103
28
Continue on Spur 339
2.3 mi
·
3 min
·
North Raguet Street
29
Turn left onto TX 94
0.4 mi
·
55 sec
·
West Frank Avenue
30
Turn right onto Loop 266
0.1 mi
·
14 sec
·
North First Street
31
Arrive at destination
Loop 266
Trip Plan
Given the 5-hour and 27-minute duration, plan to depart early in the morning to maximize daylight for your local navigation. You should anticipate making at least one stop to break up the monotony of the turn-heavy roads and ensure you stay alert. Keep your fuel budget of $44 in mind, and consider fueling up before you leave San Antonio to avoid searching for stations on unfamiliar local streets. Since the route lacks highway miles, factor in extra time for traffic signals and intersections that will inevitably slow your pace. Prioritize comfort and frequent adjustments to your seating position to mitigate fatigue caused by the high volume of turns along the way.
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 146.5 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 2h 40m 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 64 miles or 1h 7m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 146.5 miles or 2h 40m 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 27m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Lufkin, 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 293 miles and 5h 27m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 64 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 146.5 mi from San Antonio, TX · 2h 40m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
147 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 64 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 146.5 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 TX 21 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 84.7 miles.
Arriving in Lufkin, TX
The final approach into Lufkin, 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 Lufkin, 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
$44.27 one way
$88.55 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
103 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $48.46 | $96.92 |
| premium | $4.54 | $52.31 | $104.63 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $64.69 | $129.38 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$69–$94
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 102.5 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 | 87.9 | 1 | $30.76 | $14.06 |
| Efficient EV | 73.3 | 0 | $25.64 | $11.72 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 117.2 | 1 | $41.02 | $18.75 |
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.
Destination
Lufkin, TX
Evening in Lufkin on Thursday
Local time
5:57 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
20 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 27m 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 Lufkin, TX covers 293 miles and takes about 5h 27m 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, Pickle Parkway. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 146.5 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 $44.27 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 17 significant decision points across 293 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 Lufkin, TX, road signs point toward Austin and Waco.
Was this helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From Lufkin, TX
More trips to Lufkin, TX
Explore more options from San Antonio, TX or browse trips ending in Lufkin, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for San Antonio, TX or Lufkin, TX on MapSof.net.