Traveling from San Antonio to Palacios covers 170.4 miles and typically takes about 3 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel. Because this journey is relatively short, it functions perfectly as a single-day trip, meaning you won't need to worry about booking an overnight stay. You can expect to spend approximately $26 on fuel for the round trip, making it a budget-friendly excursion. The route remains entirely within the Great Plains region of Texas, offering a consistent geographic backdrop from start to finish. Since the trip is manageable in a single stretch, it provides plenty of flexibility for your schedule. Whether you are heading to the coast for a quick getaway or a change of scenery, the simplicity of this drive makes it an accessible option.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
85.2 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 42m into the drive
.
Who Is This Route For?
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 34m. Total distance: 170.4 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 34m drive, comfortable solo distance.
Scenic Drive
Mixed drive route profile with national parks nearby.
Drive Character
Expect a turn-heavy local drive rather than a straightforward interstate cruise, as this route features zero percent highway travel. You will navigate through local infrastructure, starting with West Market Street, East Market Street, and Tower of the Americas Way as you depart San Antonio. Because this is not a high-speed highway route, you should anticipate a more deliberate pace that requires your full attention on local road navigation. This drive offers a consistent, technical experience rather than long, uninterrupted stretches of open road. By focusing on local roads, you get a more intimate look at the landscape compared to the monotony of a typical interstate commute.
Expect a mix of faster highway mileage and slower local approaches near the beginning or end.
There are about 27 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
US Highway 87 East is the longest continuous segment at about 48.7 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 near Tower of the Americas Way.
Driving Effort8/10
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 170.4 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 (Tower of the Americas Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. 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.
5
0.8 mi into trip|~1m in|Tower of the Americas Way
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
8
2.3 mi into trip|~3m in
Take the exit toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South, I 10 West, US 90 West, US 87 North: Houston, El Paso
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 139
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South, I 10...
8
2.5 mi into trip|~3m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, Victoria
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Hous...
8
4.7 mi into trip|~7m in|US 87
Take the exit onto US 87 toward US 87 South: Roland Avenue, Victoria
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 577
Toward US 87 South: Roland Avenue, Victoria
6
114.7 mi into trip|~2h 18m in|US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Turn left onto US 87 / East Goodwin Avenue
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
US Highway 87 East
48.7 mi
56m
TX 35
29.6 mi
44m
East Broadway Street
23.8 mi
27m
West Fay
22.9 mi
24m
Port Lavaca Drive
21.3 mi
25m
Rigsby Avenue
4.7 mi
8m
US 87
4.3 mi
5m
TX 72
3.9 mi
4m
Longest stretch:
US Highway 87 East
— 48.7 mi, about 56m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Palacios, 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·40 sec·East Market Street
4
Turn right onto Tower of the Americas Way
0.2 mi·21 sec·Tower of the Americas Way
Use the right lane.
5
Take the ramp
0.3 mi·33 sec
Toward I 37 South, US 281 South
6
Merge onto I 37; US 281
1.1 mi·1 min·William J Bordelon Freeway
7
Take the exit
0.2 mi·22 sec
Exit 139Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South, I 10 West, US 90 West, US 87 North: Houston, El PasoUse the slight right lane.
8
Keep slight left at fork
0.6 mi·1 min
Toward I 10 East, US 90 East, US 87 South: Houston, VictoriaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
9
Merge onto I 10; US 87; US 90
1.7 mi·1 min·Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Take the exit onto US 87
0.2 mi·33 sec·US 87
Exit 577Toward US 87 South: Roland Avenue, VictoriaUse the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Turn right onto US 87
0.5 mi·1 min·Roland Avenue
Use the straight / left lanes.
12
Turn slight left onto US 87
4.7 mi·8 min·Rigsby Avenue
13
Continue on US 87
49 mi·56 min·US Highway 87 East
14
Continue on US 87
23 mi·24 min·West Fay
15
Turn left onto TX 72
3.9 mi·4 min·TX 72
16
Turn left onto US 77 Alt; US 87; US 183
0.7 mi·59 sec·South Esplanade Street
17
Turn right onto US 87
24 mi·27 min·East Broadway Street
18
Continue on US 87
3.9 mi·6 min·North Main Street
19
Turn left onto US 87; US 59 Bus; US 77 Bus
0.3 mi·26 sec·East Rio Grande Street
20
Turn right onto US 87
0.5 mi·51 sec·North Navarro Street
21
Turn left onto US 87
0.3 mi·30 sec·East Goodwin Avenue
Use the left lane.
22
Continue on US 87
21 mi·25 min·Port Lavaca Drive
23
Keep slight left at fork onto US 87
4.0 mi·4 min·US 87
24
Turn left onto TX 35
30 mi·44 min·TX 35
25
Turn right onto 6th Street
0.4 mi·1 min·6th Street
26
Turn left onto Ritchie Avenue
299 ft·13 sec·Ritchie Avenue
27
Arrive at destination
Ritchie Avenue
Trip Plan
For the most relaxed experience, try to depart early in the morning to account for the turn-heavy nature of the local roads. Since you only have one planned stop along the 170.4-mile path, pace yourself to ensure you stay alert during the 3-hour and 34-minute duration. Keep your $26 fuel budget in mind, and consider fueling up before you leave the San Antonio area to avoid searching for stations on smaller, unfamiliar local roads. Given the lack of highway miles, it is wise to double-check your navigation system frequently as you transition between local streets. Flexibility is your biggest advantage here, so use your single stop to stretch your legs and break up the technical driving segments effectively.
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 85.2 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 1h 42m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 48.7 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 37 miles or 48m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 85.2 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 47m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Palacios, 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 170.4 miles and 3h 34m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 37 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 Highway 87 East for about 48.7 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 85.2 mi from San Antonio, TX
· 1h 42m into the drive
The midpoint is around 85.2 miles from San Antonio, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Palacios, TX
The final approach into Palacios, 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 Palacios, TX.
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...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$25.75 one way
$51.50 round trip
$3.84/gal25.4 MPG avg60 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.20
$28.18
$56.37
premium
$4.54
$30.42
$60.85
diesel
$5.61
$37.62
$75.24
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$26
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$51–$76
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 59.6 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $18 in charging
· 0 stops
· 67% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
51.1
0
$17.89
$8.18
Efficient EV
42.6
0
$14.91
$6.82
EV Truck/SUV
68.2
0
$23.86
$10.91
Gas CO2
60 kg
EV CO2
20 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
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
Evening
in San Antonio on Thursday
Local time
6:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Destination
Palacios, TX
Evening
in Palacios on Thursday
Local time
6:13 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
64°F
Gonzales, TX
85 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
3 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
3h 34m on the road
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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 Palacios, TX covers 170.4 miles and takes about 3h 34m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are US Highway 87 East, TX 35, East Broadway Street. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 85.2 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 $25.75 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. A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
This is a demanding drive. With 18 significant decision points across 170.4 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 (Tower of the Americas Way): Lane positioning matters here; at 2.3 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 2.5 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from San Antonio, TX to Palacios, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Yes. Nearby national parks include San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
