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Transportation in San Antonio, TX
San Antonio is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Texas, and its transportation system is organized around a network of major interstates, state highways, and two loop highways that provide regional and local connectivity. Roadway capacity is being expanded through large projects such as the Loop 1604 North Expansion, a multi-year effort to add lanes and improve interchanges along approximately 23 miles of the northern corridor.
Major Loops and Highways
Interstate 410 (I-410 / Loop 410)
Interstate 410 is an inner beltway around San Antonio that connects many residential, commercial, and employment areas throughout the city. It links drivers to corridors serving neighborhoods and destinations across Bexar County and connects with the region’s major interstate routes.
Loop 1604 (State Loop 1604)
State Loop 1604 forms a larger outer loop around much of the San Antonio area, especially on the North Side and through portions of western and eastern Bexar County. Sections of Loop 1604 are built to freeway or expressway standards, while other segments function as divided highways or smaller roadways, particularly in less urbanized areas. A major ongoing project—the Loop 1604 North Expansion—is investing about $1.4 billion to widen the highway, add general-purpose and HOV lanes, and modernize interchanges to reduce congestion and improve mobility.
Major Interstate Corridors
Three primary interstate highways serve San Antonio and connect it with other parts of Texas and the United States:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) runs generally east–west through the region and is a major route linking San Antonio with other cities along the I-10 corridor.
- Interstate 35 (I-35) passes through the city on a northeast–southwest alignment and is part of a key corridor that connects communities along the I-35 axis.
- Interstate 37 (I-37) begins in San Antonio and provides an important connection toward the south, linking the metropolitan area with the Texas Gulf Coast.
These interstates intersect or connect with I-410 and Loop 1604, forming the backbone of the regional highway network.
Expanding Roadways and Regional Access
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and local partners continue to upgrade major corridors in and around San Antonio. The Loop 1604 North Expansion Project includes added lanes, new HOV capacity, and reconstruction of key interchanges, such as the complex interchange between Loop 1604 and I-10 on the North Side. This interchange is being rebuilt to a modern, multi-level design with new flyover connectors to move large traffic volumes more efficiently.
These projects are intended to relieve congestion, support regional growth, and improve access between residential areas, employment centers, and major destinations.
Public Transit and Regional Bus Service
Public transit in the San Antonio area is provided by VIA Metropolitan Transit, the regional mass transit agency for Bexar County and surrounding communities. VIA operates a multimodal system that includes:
- Fixed-route bus service across a network of dozens of routes serving much of the urbanized area.
- VIA Prímo, a bus rapid transit (BRT)–style service operating along key corridors with higher frequency and enhanced stops. As of recent data, Prímo includes three lines and provides BRT service on corridors such as Fredericksburg Road and Military Drive.
- VIA Link, an on-demand, app-based ride-sharing transit service operating in designated zones, including areas in Northeast, Northwest, and Southside San Antonio. Riders can request shared trips within each zone and connect to the broader bus network at designated stops.
- Park & Ride facilities, which allow riders to park at lots around the region and transfer to VIA services for commuting or special events. VIA operates multiple Park & Ride lots and uses them extensively for large events such as sports games and festivals, offering free parking with a bus fare for round-trip service.
- Express routes, providing limited-stop service between Park & Ride or transit centers and downtown San Antonio, intended to shorten travel times for longer-distance commuters.
San Antonio does not currently have an urban light-rail or heavy-rail subway system. To provide rail-like service, VIA and local partners are developing VIA Rapid, an Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) system that uses bus-based rapid transit with dedicated lanes and upgraded stations along major corridors such as the planned north–south Green Line.
Micromobility, Walking, and Short-Trip Options
In addition to traditional transit and highways, San Antonio supports several other urban-mobility options:
- The City of San Antonio permits dockless e-scooters through authorized companies, providing short-trip mobility primarily in central areas.
- Downtown San Antonio, including the River Walk area, is promoted as a walkable district where visitors can reach many attractions on foot, with pedestrian-oriented infrastructure along the river and in nearby streets and plazas.
Getting Around San Antonio
Highways, interstates, and loop roads form the core of San Antonio’s transportation network, with ongoing expansion projects aimed at accommodating regional growth and improving travel times. Public transit provided by VIA—through fixed-route buses, Prímo BRT service, VIA Link on-demand zones, Park & Ride facilities, and express routes—offers additional options for traveling within the city and to major activity centers. In central areas such as downtown and the River Walk, walking, transit, and micromobility services complement the roadway system and provide alternatives for shorter trips.
