The Best Road Trip from Houston to San Antonio
From its beautiful River Walk, dotted with amazing restaurants and beautiful sights, to the Alamo, San Antonio seamlessly blends urban fun with rich Texan history.
An amazing road trip from Houston to San Antonio will take you past Cypress, Brenham, Waco, Austin, McKinney Falls State Park, San Marcos and Natural Bridge Caverns. This straightforward drive will take 6 hours and 10 minutes to cover 370 miles.
There is another route that goes through Galveston and Corpus Christi, so keep reading and learn everything there is to know about your Houston to San Antonio itinerary.
If you're on a tight schedule but would like to go on a fun adventure with an easy drive, you should consider a road trip from Houston to San Antonio. Despite the low mileage, the trip is full of beautiful landscapes and vistas for you to check out:
| Austin Route | Corpus Christi Route |
|---|---|
| Distance 370 miles | Distance 420 miles |
| Driving Time 6 hours 10 minutes | Driving Time 7 hours |
| We suggest taking 3 days | We suggest taking 3 days |
| Highlights | Highlights |
🏙️ Waco 🏛️ Austin 🪨 Natural Bridge Caverns | 🎡 Galveston 🥽 Corpus Christi 🏖️ Coastal views and beaches |
| Vibes Big cities, cultural attractions, small-town charm | Vibes Beaches, coastal views, resort towns |
| Best time for this drive
Best for good deals on accommodation prices, seeing bluebonnets | Best time for this drive
Best for enjoying the beaches on the Gulf Coast without the crowds |
| View Austin Route Itinerary | View The Corpus Christi Route Itinerary |
How far is San Antonio from Houston and how long will the road trip take?
The direct road trip route from Houston to San Antonio takes 3 hours and covers around 200 miles. However, this route never strays from the interstate, which means that you will miss out on many of the sights that make this region of Texas so special.
So instead, we recommend putting aside some extra time, maybe over a long weekend, to explore the Austin Route, which spans 370 miles. This drive will take 6 hours and 10 minutes without factoring in other stops.
Alternatively, you can also travel with the Gulf of Mexico views to your left, and this 420-mile Corpus Christi Route will take you 7 hours to drive without any further detours.
With so many iconic cities and beautiful landmarks on the way, you will want to put aside at least 3 days for this road trip, but as we always say, the more time you can spare, the better!
Best road trip route from Houston to San Antonio
Both of the outlined routes are perfectly viable for the road trip from Houston to San Antonio, so your choice will depend on which cities you'd like to visit on the way and whether you want to spend some time by the Gulf of Mexico coastline.
The Austin Route will take you towards north, where you can visit the charming city of Waco, famous for Magnolia Market at the Silos.
You will also visit Austin, as the route name implies, along with the beautiful small towns of Brenham, San Marcos, and New Braunfels.
If you have been to Austin before, or want to take advantage of the sunny weather, the Corpus Christi Route is the perfect alternative for endless ocean views. You will get to visit Galveston as well as Corpus Christi on this route, and get to do some beach-hopping before you reach your destination.
You can make stops at Freeport and Magnolia Beach, short detours away, and spend some time in Rockport. We highly recommend adding Port Aransas as a detour to this route, if you have some extra time.
If you are not hurrying back home, you could consider taking one on the way to San Antonio and the other on the way back since both routes follow entirely different roads and will allow you to discover new places each way.
Itinerary A: The Austin Route from Houston to San Antonio
🚗 370 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 10 minutes
We recommend making a detour to visit Waco and Austin on your way, and spend some time in small towns like Brenham, Temple, and New Braunfels following this itinerary.
1. Drive from Houston to Brenham
80 miles (1 hour 10 minutes)
Wave Houston's skyline goodbye and hop on US-290 to start your drive from Houston to San Antonio, heading northwest. You will soon reach the pretty Zube Park in Hockley. You can use this opportunity to take a break and stretch your legs.
This section of the itinerary is quite a short drive so you can take it at your leisure. Another interesting place to visit en route is Liendo Plantation.
Once you arrive in Brenham, you will be in the heart of the Bluebonnet Country. If you have a sweet tooth or are traveling with family, you are in for a treat. Brenham is home to the Blue Bell Creameries, which arguably serve the best ice cream in the area.
Once you have enjoyed a cone of your favorite ice cream flavors, you can visit Antique Rose Emporium to admire the roses in this plant nursery.
2. Drive from Brenham to Waco
110 miles (2 hours)
You will head out of Brenham using TX-36 and continue heading northwest. You might be tempted to get to Waco as fast as possible, but we recommend stopping at the beautiful Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway for a short hike and a picnic to split up your drive.
Once you arrive in Waco, make the Silos at Magnolia one of the first places to visit, owned by Chip and Joanna Gaines. If you recognize these names, that's because they were the stars of HGTV's Fixer Upper TV series!
Another great place to visit is the Dr Pepper Museum, especially if you are traveling with family. Don't miss out on the seasonal workshops, especially during the Christmas season. If you have a little more time, you can also visit the Waco Mammoth National Monument.
3. Drive from Waco to Temple
35 miles (35 minutes)
Located in the rolling hills of Central Texas, Temple is only a short drive from Waco on Interstate 35 (I-35). Before you get there, though, we recommend stopping by the Eagles' Landing Restaurant and Grill in Bruceville-Eddy; you can find some of the best burgers in the county here.
You can then burn off the calories at Miller Springs Nature Center, located on the banks of Belton Lake. You can find miles of hiking and biking trails here. After your visit, keep driving southwest to reach Temple.
Once you arrive in Temple, you might be surprised by how many interesting museums you can find in this relatively small but charming town.
Two of our favorites are the Czech Heritage Museum, where you can learn more about the story of Czech immigrants in Texas from 1850 to the early 1900s, and the Railroad & Heritage Museum. Please keep in mind that the passenger trains here are only open on certain days and check before you visit.
4. Drive from Temple to Austin
70 miles (1 hour 10 minutes)
After your visit to Temple, you will continue driving southwest on I-35. Just on the outskirts of Temple, you will reach Belton, where you can visit the Bell County Museum.
If you are up for something quite different, Inner Space Cavern in Georgetown is one of the best-preserved caves in Texas. This local gem was hidden for 10,000 years until the Texas Highway Department discovered it in 1963!
Once you arrive Austin, you will have plenty to do and amazing places to visit. Austin being the capital of Texas, one of the must-visits here is the Texas Capitol building.
If you'd like to spend some time outdoors afterwards, Zilker Metropolitan Park is home to Zilker Botanical Gardens and Barton Springs Pool. With an average temperature of 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit, this beautiful pool is ideal for year-round swimming.
After a relatively long drive, you might want to take a break and stay in Austin for the night. This way, you can make the best of your visit and explore this amazing city further.
Out of all the amazing hotels in town, Austin Proper Hotel is by far the comfiest and one of the most stylish hotel choices in Austin, thanks to its beautiful modern design. You will find a fantastic restaurant on site that serves American, Mediterranean and Moroccan cuisine, one of the best in the city.
5. Drive from Austin to New Braunfels
50 miles (50 minutes)
After you spend a day or two in Austin, it will be time to set off on the last legs of your road trip to San Antonio. Continue following the interstate and visit Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, located on the outskirts of Austin, just before you leave the city.
If you have time for a short detour, we highly recommend McKinney Falls State Park on the way to admire the beautiful waterfalls.
After you return to the interstate, you will drive past San Marcos and enter New Braunfels from the Gruene neighborhood. Here, you can visit the Gruene Historic District before driving into the heart of the city.
Once you arrive in New Braunfels, one of the first places to visit is the New Braunfels Railroad Museum, especially if you love trains as much as we do! On the other hand, if you are traveling with little ones and want something more interactive, you can visit McKenna Children's Museum instead.
6. Drive from New Braunfels to San Antonio
30 miles (40 minutes)
If you are traveling with family, you might want to spare a little extra time for this last section of the road trip from Houston. Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo is located just outside New Braunfels, conveniently just off the interstate.
Morgan's Wonderland en route is the world's first ultra-accessible family fun park with tons of rides. Their motto is "The First Theme Park Where EVERYONE Can Play" and we love that!
Once you arrive in San Antonio, take a stroll by the River Walk scene and grab a bite at one of the many restaurants located here, featuring beautiful views of the San Antonio River.
Afterwards, the Alamo is the perfect place to visit for any history buff. Here you can book a guided tour or explore the grounds on a self-guided tour to learn all about this pivotal place in Texas history.
Once you are ready to call it a day, Omni La Mansion del Rio is one of our favorite places to stay in San Antonio. Located a 5-minute walk from The Alamo, this luxurious hotel features rooms with views and has an upscale restaurant on-site that overlooks the River Walk.
Itinerary B: The Corpus Christi Route from Houston to San Antonio
1. Drive from Houston to Galveston
50 miles (50 minutes)
This itinerary from Houston to San Antonio will take you to the beautiful shores of the Gulf Coast. Start your drive from Houston by hopping on I-45 an heading southeast.
If you simply cannot wait until Galveston to reach the shore, then you can make a short detour to Kemah to enjoy its famous Kemah Boardwalk, which has waterfront dining options and many rides to enjoy, including a Ferris wheel with panoramic views.
After your visit, you can return to the interstate and you will soon reach Galveston.
Once you arrive in Galveston, don't miss out on visiting the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, especially if you haven't made the detour to Kemah. If you are feeling daring, you can enjoy a thrilling ride on the famous Texas Star Flyer or the Iron Shark Rollercoaster.
If that's not your thing, we recommend heading to The Strand Historic District. The Strand is home to many shops and restaurants, so you can spend an entire afternoon here before heading out of Galveston.
2. Drive from Galveston to Lake Jackson
50 miles (1 hour)
This part of the drive from Houston to San Antonio will be really scenic with views of the West Bay to your right and the Gulf of Mexico to your left. As you drive on the Galveston Island, you can visit Moody Gardens, a fun theme park for the entire family, or spend some time at Jamaica Beach.
Driving southwest towards Christmas Bay on Bluewater Highway, you will reach Kelly Hamby Nature Trail Park just before heading inland on TX-332 and reaching Lake Jackson.
Once you arrive in Lake Jackson, Sea Center Texas is an amazing educational aquarium to visit. This marine center is free to visit, and has great educational programs for both children and adults.
If you have time, you can also have a short drive to the nearby town of Clute and visit the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science.
3. Drive from Lake Jackson to Port Lavaca
90 miles (1 hour 40 minutes)
You will head inland during this section of the itinerary as you drive from Lake Jackson to Port Lavaca, but you will have plenty of detour options if you want to see more ocean views such as visiting the Matagorda Bay.
You will also drive past Brazoria and San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges, both of which are great for hikes and wildlife spotting. Once you are done exploring, follow TX-35 to Port Lavaca.
Once you arrive in Port Lavaca, make sure to snap a photo with the pretty Halfmoon Reef Lighthouse as you enter the city via Lavaca Bay Causeway.
Another great place to visit is the Calhoun County Museum to learn more about the history of the area.
4. Drive from Port Lavaca to Rockport
50 miles (1 hour)
Follow TX-35 our of Port Lavaca as you approach the shore once again. You will have plenty of places to visit for outdoor recreation on this drive. Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is one of the highlights en route as you make your way to Rockport. You can also visit Goose Island State Park.
Once you arrive in Rockport, the promised beaches of the Gulf Shore will be waiting for you. Work on your tan at Rockport Beach and visit the Rockport Pier. If it is a hot day, you can get away from the heat and explore the Texas Maritime Museum instead.
5. Drive from Rockport to Corpus Christi
30 miles (35 minutes)
This is the shortest drive on the itinerary but there is quite a bit to see, especially if you have the time to make a few detours. You will follow TX-35 from Rockport to Aransas Pass, where you can visit the Aransas Pass Aquatic Center.
If you are not in a hurry to reach Corpus Christi, you can follow the Redfish Bay Causeway to make a detour to Port Aransas Beach, which we highly recommend!
Once you arrive in Corpus Christi, one of the first places you should visit is the impressive USS Lexington Museum on the Bay. USS Lexington is a World War aircraft carrier that has been turned into a museum. Afterwards, continue your museum hopping at Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History.
You might want to rest up before you set off on the last leg of your road trip - in which case, it is hard to beat the comfort of Residence Inn by Marriott Corpus Christi Downtown. Located a short walk from the beautiful McGee Beach, this hotel is also a short drive from Bob Hall Pier and Mustang Island State Park.
6. Drive from Corpus Christi to San Antonio
140 miles (2 hours)
It is time to leave the beautiful Gulf Coast behind and drive northwest from Corpus Christi to San Antonio. Use I-37 to leave Corpus Christy, and shortly after, you will get the opportunity to visit Lake Corpus Christi State Park.
For a local gem, you can visit the small but deceivingly comprehensive Longhorn Museum in Pleasanton just before you reach San Antonio. This free museum is filled with goodies ranging from military memorabilia to several carriages and stagecoaches.
Once you arrive in San Antonio, it's time to relax! One of the best ways to recover from all the driving is to enjoy a meal by the famous San Antonio River Walk. Once you have enjoyed lunch (or dinner, depending on the time of your arrival, of course!), you can either head to The Alamo or check into your hotel.
Depending on what time of year you take this trip, it can be a little difficult to find a room in a good hotel. If you plan for the trip in a timely manner, however, you may just snag a room with a beautiful view at the popular Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk.
The River Walk is arguably the crowning jewel of San Antonio, and this hotel puts you in the center of all the action – you'll be within walking distance of the Alamo, Travis Park, and Rivercenter Mall.
Best time to go on a road trip from Houston to San Antonio
The best time to make a road trip from Houston to San Antonio depends on what you're looking to get out of it – the city has plenty to offer, no matter the season.
If you're well-accustomed to Houston's climate, San Antonio offers much of the same – summertime temperatures often approach (and sometimes even reach) 100 degrees, whereas winters are generally mild at around 60 degrees.
San Antonio is a family getaway in many respects – because the city features so many theme parks, you can expect it to be full of tourists during summer break. This, together with the amped-up hotel rates, can make visiting in the summer hard to recommend for some.
Winter is generally a safer time to visit in terms of crowds, but you still might want to plan around a few events around this time. One of our favorite events is the charming and festive Dickens on the Strand in Galveston, if you are traveling on the Corpus Christi Route.
During winter, you can expect the average high temperatures in the low to mid-60 degrees Fahrenheit. It's rare, but not impossible, to see temperatures dip below freezing. Snowfall is quite rare in San Antonio so don't keep your hopes up for a white Christmas!
March to May is a great time to do this road trip—temperatures hover around 70 to 75 degrees, much like in the fall. While you can expect lingering tourists in November, late winter and early spring are quieter and cheaper.
If you visit in the fall, make sure to check out Heart O' Texas Fair & Rodeo in Waco on the Austin Route for a truly Texan experience. Pecan Street Festival is held twice yearly in Austin, once in May and once in September so make sure to check the schedule out if you are traveling during these months.
Once you reach your destination, Fiesta San Antonio takes place in April and it is one of the biggest celebrations in San Antonio.
Things to see on a road trip from Houston to San Antonio
Although the drive isn't particularly long, there's actually a lot to see between Houston and San Antonio. You'll definitely want to take a few days to check everything out, and maybe even take a full week if you're going through Austin. These are some of the places worth checking out:
| The Austin Route | The Corpus Christi Route |
|---|---|
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