Origin
Smithville, TX
Night in Smithville on Wednesday
Local time
9:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
75°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Smithville, TX to San Antonio, TX
Last recalculated Apr 16, 2026
Drive Time
1h 58m
Distance
101.3 mi
163 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$15
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
1h 50m
★
6 AM
1h 59m
8 AM
2h 16m
10 AM
2h 5m
12 PM
2h 3m
3 PM
2h 5m
5 PM
2h 15m
8 PM
1h 53m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Smithville, TX
Wikimedia Commons
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Trip Overview
If you are planning a trip from Smithville to San Antonio, expect a straightforward journey covering 103.7 miles. You should set aside about 1 hour and 44 minutes of travel time, making this an ideal candidate for a quick day trip. Since both cities are located within the Great Plains region of Texas, you will experience a consistent landscape throughout the drive. Budgeting around $15 for fuel should keep you covered for the entire distance. Because the total duration is under two hours, there is no need to worry about overnight logistics or mid-way accommodation. This route is best suited for travelers who prefer a direct, no-fuss connection between these two Texas locations.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
50.7 miles from Smithville, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 3m into the drive .
Drive Character
This 103.7-mile journey is defined as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul. You will navigate through local roads including 3rd Street, Royston Street, and Highway 95, meaning you should be prepared for frequent maneuvering rather than long, monotonous stretches. Because the highway share is 0%, your focus will remain on local road navigation. With the longest stretch on 3rd Street clocking in at 0 miles, the path demands your constant attention behind the wheel. Expect a hands-on driving experience that prioritizes local connectivity over the ease of major highway travel.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 19 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 10 is the longest continuous segment at about 60.8 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and TX 304. You will hit about 13 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Loop 230 / 3rd Street.
Route Complexity
6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 101.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Loop 230 / 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (TX 95 / Royston Street): Navigation decision point; at 81.8 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 13 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Loop 230 / 3rd Street
Turn right onto Loop 230 / 3rd Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.3 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
TX 95 / Royston Street
Turn left onto TX 95 / Royston Street
Navigation decision point
6
81.8 mi into trip
|
~1h 34m in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
6
93.9 mi into trip
|
~1h 47m in
|
I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130 / 90th Infantry Division Highway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
8
96.2 mi into trip
|
~1h 49m in
Take the exit toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
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 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 60.8 mi | 1h 1m |
| TX 304 | 20.8 mi | 23m |
| FM 535 | 10.7 mi | 18m |
| East Commerce Street | 4.3 mi | 7m |
| Jose Lopez Freeway | 1.6 mi | 1m |
| State Highway 95 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| 90th Infantry Division Highway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Interstate 10 East | 0.3 mi | <1m |
Longest stretch:
I 10
— 60.8 mi, about 1h 1m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Smithville, TX and San Antonio, TX.
1
Start on Main Street
43 ft
·
5 sec
·
Main Street
2
Turn right onto Loop 230
0.3 mi
·
34 sec
·
3rd Street
3
Turn left onto TX 95
351 ft
·
6 sec
·
Royston Street
4
Continue on TX 95
0.8 mi
·
1 min
·
State Highway 95
5
Turn right onto FM 535
11 mi
·
18 min
·
FM 535
6
Turn left onto TX 304
21 mi
·
23 min
·
TX 304
7
Turn right
0.2 mi
·
27 sec
8
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
25 sec
9
Merge onto I 10
49 mi
·
48 min
·
I 10
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
12 mi
·
12 min
·
I 10; US 90; TX 130
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Keep slight left at fork onto I 10; US 90; TX 130
0.8 mi
·
51 sec
·
90th Infantry Division Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 10; US 90
1.6 mi
·
1 min
·
Jose Lopez Freeway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Take the exit
0.1 mi
·
19 sec
Exit 579
Toward Commerce Street, Houston Street
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Turn straight onto Interstate 10 East
0.3 mi
·
38 sec
·
Interstate 10 East
15
Turn right onto East Houston Street
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
East Houston Street
16
Turn slight left onto East Commerce Street
4.3 mi
·
7 min
·
East Commerce Street
17
Turn left onto Military Plaza
392 ft
·
15 sec
·
Military Plaza
18
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
327 ft
·
8 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
19
Arrive at destination
Dolorosa Street
Trip Plan
Since this is a relatively short, 1-hour and 44-minute drive, you have plenty of flexibility regarding your departure time. Without any planned stops along the way, you can easily complete the trip in one go, but keeping an eye on your fuel gauge is still a smart habit given the $15 cost estimate. Because the route relies entirely on local streets and Highway 95, stay alert for changing speed limits and intersections that require more focus than a standard highway. If you are prone to fatigue, remember that the lack of highway miles means you cannot rely on cruise control for long periods. Your best bet is to map out your specific turn-by-turn navigation on 3rd and Royston Streets before heading out to ensure a smooth transition between these local segments.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 50.7 miles from Smithville, TX, or about 1h 3m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 60.8 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 22 miles or 32m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 50.7 miles or 1h 3m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 35m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Antonio, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Smithville, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Smithville, TX
This is one driving day of about 101.3 miles and 1h 58m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 22 miles from Smithville, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on I 10 for about 60.8 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 50.7 mi from Smithville, TX · 1h 3m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
51 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 22 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 50.7 miles from Smithville, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 10 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 60.8 miles.
Arriving in San Antonio, TX
The final approach into San Antonio, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$15.31 one way
$30.61 round trip
$3.84/gal
25.4 MPG avg
35 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.20 | $16.75 | $33.51 |
| premium | $4.54 | $18.09 | $36.17 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $22.37 | $44.73 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$15
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$40–$65
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 35.4 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 30.4 | 0 | $10.64 | $4.86 |
| Efficient EV | 25.3 | 0 | $8.86 | $4.05 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 40.5 | 0 | $14.18 | $6.48 |
Gas CO2
35 kg
EV CO2
12 kg (66% 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.
Destination
San Antonio, TX
Night in San Antonio on Wednesday
Local time
9:27 PM
CDT
Current temp
77°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
63°F
Luling, TX
51 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
2 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
1h 58m 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 Smithville, TX to San Antonio, TX covers 101.3 miles and takes about 1h 58m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 10, TX 304, FM 535. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 50.7 miles from Smithville, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $15.31 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 101.3 miles you will encounter 13 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Loop 230 / 3rd Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.3 miles (TX 95 / Royston Street): Navigation decision point; at 81.8 miles (I 10; US 90; TX 130): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from Smithville, TX to San Antonio, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
Was this route helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Your tip has been submitted. Thanks!
/500
Recent Tips
·
Explore More
Continue From San Antonio, TX
More from Smithville, TX
More trips to San Antonio, TX
Explore more options from Smithville, TX or browse trips ending in San Antonio, TX.
Looking for more statewide routes? Browse TX road trips.
Explore maps for Smithville, TX or San Antonio, TX on MapSof.net.