Lincoln, NE → San Antonio, TX
794 mi · 15h 53m (driving)
Current Risk
Low Risk
Clear conditions along your route
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Lincoln
31°
Butler County
43°
McClain County
50°
Hood County
63°
San Antonio
55°
Trip Briefing
4 segments · 794 mi · 15h 53m
Weather
☀️ Clear sky
43°F, wind 4 mph
Rest Stops
11
Truck svc, Restrooms, WiFi
Cameras
6 live
Clear driving conditions expected
Rest stops in this segment:
- ● Sapp Brothers Travel Center
- ● York Rest Area Westbound 🚻
- ● Sapp Brothers Travel Center
Hazards Ahead
1 road closure may affect your route · 45 construction zones on route
45 Construction Zones on Route
KS 148: Construction work. Between US 81 and Republic County Line/Washington County Line.
US 81 in both directions: Lane closed. Between Cloud County Line/Ottawa County Line and Cloud County Line/Republic County Line.
US 81 southbound: Intermittent lane closure. Between Cloud County Line/Republic County Line and US 24.
I-135 in both directions: Lane closed. Between KS 4 and KS 140.
KS 4 in both directions: Automated traffic signals are in place. Between KS 104 and Dickinson County Line/Saline County Line.
KS 4 in both directions: Construction work. Between KS 104 and Dickinson County Line/Saline County Line.
+ 39 more zones along the route — see map for full list
Traffic Cameras
See recent road conditions along your route
Images are snapshots updated periodically by state DOTs. Timestamps shown in images indicate when each photo was captured.
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Selected Route
Via US-6 West → I-80 → ... → I-37 North → US-281
Cameras shown are along this computed route
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US-81 north of Belleville
KS ·
US-81 and US-24
KS ·
Southern Terminal MP 4
KS ·
I-70 at I-135
KS ·
I-70 at I-135 Salina MP 251
KS ·
I-135 at Centennial Road MM 91
Salina, KS ·
I-135 north of McPherson
KS ·
K-61 at I-135
KS ·
I-135 at US-50 MM 30
Newton, KS ·
I-135 at 61st
Park City, KS ·
I-135 at 53rd
Park City, KS ·
SH 130 SVRD / 290 HWY SVRD
Austin, TX ·
Live traffic on this route
Cameras, crashes and closures right now on the highways this drive uses.
Rest Stops Along Your Route
95 stops available
Swipe to see moreShowing 1-2 of 95
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⚡ Recent Weather Events on This Route
Premium users received alerts for these conditions:
- 🌧️Nov 11: Rain advisory for afternoon departures
- ❄️Nov 9: Snow expected at higher elevations - consider earlier departure
- 🌫️Nov 6: Dense fog warning for morning travel
Don't miss the next alert →
Driving from Lincoln, NE to San Antonio, TX covers 794 miles in roughly 15h 53m of drive time, crossing state lines. We track 12 live traffic cameras, 95 rest areas and 1 reported incident along this corridor so you can plan around them. On a drive this length, weather can change dramatically between stops. Use the segment-by-segment forecast below to time your route.
7-Day Driving Outlook
Today
Nov 13
42° / 31°
No precip
Tomorrow
Nov 14
45° / 28°
No precip
Sun
Nov 15
50° / 29°
No precip
Mon
Nov 16
51° / 34°
No precip
Tue
Nov 17
54° / 43°
No precip
Wed
Nov 18
60° / 49°
No precip
Thu
Nov 19
59° / 52°
No precip
🗓️ Weekend Outlook
Saturday
Good to Go⛅ Partly cloudy at origin, 🌦️ Slight rain showers at destination
Sunday
Use Caution⚠️ Hazardous conditions expected - Violent rain showers
Plan This Route
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Current Conditions
Lincoln, NE
31°F
Wind: 3 mph
San Antonio, TX
55°F
Wind: 4 mph
Weather data updated in real-time
Driving from Lincoln, NE to San Antonio, TX
The 794-mile drive from Lincoln, Nebraska to San Antonio, Texas takes approximately 15h 53m under normal conditions. Weather along this route can vary significantly, especially across open plains where severe weather and high winds can develop quickly. Route Outlook helps you find the safest time to travel by showing you weather conditions at every point along your route, timed to when you'll actually be there.
This long-distance route crosses state lines from Nebraska into Texas, connecting Lincoln and San Antonio. Covering 794 miles, this is a substantial drive that will take you through diverse terrain and weather patterns. Planning ahead with real-time conditions along the entire route — not just at your destination — is essential for a safe trip.
Common Weather Hazards on This Route
- Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding (spring and summer)
- Hurricane and tropical storm impacts (June through November)
Seasonal Driving Considerations
The Midwest corridor of this route is susceptible to rapid weather changes. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are a real threat from April through June, while winter brings heavy lake-effect snow, ice storms, and dangerously low wind chill. Flat terrain means high crosswinds can affect vehicle stability year-round, especially for taller vehicles. Spring flooding can also close highway underpasses and low-lying road segments.
Best Time to Drive Lincoln to San Antonio
For long drives like this 794-mile journey, planning is essential. Consider breaking the trip into segments if weather looks challenging. The best approach is to check conditions for multiple departure times using Route Outlook's optimizer, which considers weather at each point when you'll actually be there.
Driving Strategy
Covering 794 miles from Lincoln to San Antonio is a full-day or multi-day drive that requires advance planning. Break the route into manageable segments, planning fuel and rest stops every 2-3 hours. Weather that looks fine at departure may deteriorate significantly at the midpoint. Consider booking overnight accommodation if the forecast shows deteriorating conditions in the latter half. Route Outlook's segment-level weather data helps you identify exactly where and when conditions will change.
Pro Tip
Use Route Outlook's departure optimizer to find the best time to leave. Our 4D trajectory engine considers weather at each point along your route at the exact time you'll be there — not just at your destination. It also integrates live data from traffic cameras, DOT 511 feeds, and road weather sensors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Lincoln to San Antonio?
The drive is approximately 794 miles and takes about 15h 53m under normal traffic and weather conditions. Severe weather can add significant time to your trip.
What's the best day to drive this route?
Based on current forecasts, Today (Nov 13) looks ideal. Clear conditions expected along the entire route
Is it safe to drive from Lincoln to San Antonio today?
Current conditions show low risk along this route. Conditions look favorable for travel. Always stay alert and adjust speed for changing conditions.
Are there rest areas on the Lincoln to San Antonio route?
Yes, there are 95 rest areas along this route. Facilities include restrooms, parking, and in some cases picnic areas and vending machines. Rest stops are spaced throughout the drive, so you'll never be too far from a break.
Can I see live traffic cameras on this route?
Yes, Route Outlook shows 12 live traffic cameras along this route, sourced from state DOT feeds. You can check road visibility, traffic flow, and pavement conditions in real time before and during your drive.
What highways does this route use?
This route primarily uses US-81, I-35, Other. Conditions can vary between highway segments, so check live camera feeds and road condition reports for each stretch before departing.
Are there any road closures on this route right now?
There is currently 1 active incident along this route that may affect your drive. Check the incident details above for specific locations and expected durations.
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