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Create accountDrive Time
8h 41m
Distance
536.3 mi
863 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
2-day trip
Fuel Cost
$82
one way
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Spanning 538.6 miles across the Texas Great Plains, this journey from Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia to San Antonio requires approximately 7 hours and 57 minutes of pure driving time. While technically manageable in a single day, it is a significant haul that demands focus behind the wheel. You should budget around $80 for fuel to cover the distance, though it is wise to keep a little extra set aside for fluctuations. Since you will be navigating local roads like Zebu Road, Bovee Road, and Alameda Avenue, expect a slower pace than a typical interstate sprint. Consider whether you have the stamina for an eight-hour day or if you prefer to break the trip into two segments to keep your arrival in San Antonio fresh.
Trip Pace
Best split across 2 days
Treat the return leg as its own travel day rather than an afterthought.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
268.1 miles from Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 4h 22m into the drive .
Expect a grounded, local-road experience on this route, as it maintains a 0% highway share throughout the entire 538.6-mile trek. You will spend your time navigating through Zebu Road, Bovee Road, and Alameda Avenue, which offers a much more intimate look at the landscape than a high-speed interstate. Because the route relies entirely on secondary roads, the drive feels consistent rather than monotonous, requiring your full attention as you transition between these specific thoroughfares. The lack of major highway stretches means your speed will be lower, so factor in the reality that this is a steady, deliberate navigation across the Great Plains rather than a quick dash.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 10 and Alameda Avenue. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 152.1 miles in near I 10.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
This is a demanding drive. With 15 significant decision points across 536.3 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 152.1 miles (I 10): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 515.5 miles (I 10; US 87): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here; at 533 miles (I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87 / McDermott Freeway
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward Santa Rosa Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 10 | 524.6 mi | 8h 20m |
| Alameda Avenue | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| North Loop Drive | 1.8 mi | 3m |
| McDermott Freeway | 1.7 mi | 2m |
| FM 1110 | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Bovee Road | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| North Pecos-La Trinidad | 0.7 mi | 1m |
| Estate Drive | 0.6 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, TX and San Antonio, TX.
Start on Barzon Street
At end of road, turn left onto Zebu Road
Turn right onto Bovee Road
Turn right onto TX 20
Turn left onto Burbridge Road
Turn right onto Trent Road
Continue on Estate Drive
Turn right onto FM 76
Turn left onto FM 1110
Continue on FM 1110
Turn right onto Gateway Boulevard East
Take the ramp
Merge onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Keep slight right at fork onto I 10; US 87
Take the exit
Turn straight onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Keep slight right at fork onto North Pecos-La Trinidad
Turn left onto Dolorosa Street
Arrive at destination
To tackle this 7-hour and 57-minute drive effectively, plan for at least two deliberate stops to stretch your legs and reset your focus. Since you are sticking to local roads, departures should happen as early as possible to avoid potential traffic delays on Alameda Avenue or other segments of the route. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge, as the $80 estimate is a baseline; having a buffer will prevent unnecessary stress between your planned stops. Because this is a long-distance drive without the ease of high-speed interstates, ensure your vehicle is prepped for sustained, lower-speed travel. Prioritize your comfort and hydration to manage the nearly eight hours of road time, and you will reach San Antonio feeling much more prepared.
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.
Consider an overnight stop or starting very early.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 118 miles or 1h 59m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 268.1 miles or 4h 22m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Overnight split
Day 1 wrap after about 268.1 miles or 4h 22m
Stop before fatigue turns the last few hours into a grind. You want day two to start fresh, not just resumed.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 7h 39m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near San Antonio, TX than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, 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.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Treat this as a 2-day road trip and book the overnight stop before the busiest arrival window.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Day 2
Finish the approach into San Antonio, TX
Aim for roughly 268 miles and 4.3 hours of wheel time on this day.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 268.1 mi from Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, TX · 4h 22m into the drive
First major stop
Coffee and fuel
177 mi into the route
Best for: Coffee, fuel, and an easy first stretch
This is a natural early stop once the first hours of the drive are behind you.
Second major stop
Overnight candidate
354 mi into the route
Best for: Hotel check-in, dinner, and a fresh start
This lines up well with a realistic day-end stop if you are breaking the drive into stages.
Find hotels in Live Oak, TXNight 1
268 mi · about 4.3h in
A practical overnight split lands near Big Lake, TX after about 268 miles or 4.3 hours of driving.
Find hotelsA short stop after about 118 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 268.1 miles from Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia, 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 524.6 miles.
Overnight split
Hotel stopFor a steadier pace, wrap day one after about 268 miles or 4.3 hours on the road.
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.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around San Antonio, TX.
On a multi-day trip, keep the last day a little lighter so you reach San Antonio, TX with some flexibility left in the schedule.
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.
Regular Gas
$81.92 one way
$163.85 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $89.78 | $179.55 |
| premium | $4.59 | $96.94 | $193.87 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $119.15 | $238.29 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$82
Hotel (1n)
$80–$140
Meals
$50–$100
Total
$212–$322
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 187.6 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $56 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 160.9 | 1 | $56.31 | $25.74 |
| Efficient EV | 134.1 | 1 | $46.93 | $21.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 214.5 | 2 | $75.08 | $34.32 |
Gas CO2
188 kg
EV CO2
63 kg (66% 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.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Socorro Mission Number 1 Colonia on Sunday
Local time
1:21 PM
MDT
Current temp
51°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
2:21 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
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.
For long drives, weather on day two can matter just as much as conditions at departure, so check the whole travel window rather than only the first day.
Time zone
The destination clock does not match departure time, so double-check hotel check-in windows and late arrival plans.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
This is long enough that the arrival forecast matters almost as much as departure conditions. Recheck both ends before you roll.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
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