New Braunfels Day Trip
from San Antonio
About 35 minutes on I-35 North. The closest Hill Country escape from San Antonio — and one of the best days you can have in Texas. Here is how to do it right.
A New Braunfels day trip from San Antonio is one of the easiest and most rewarding day trips in Texas. At just 30 miles up I-35 North, New Braunfels is close enough that you can be in the water by 9:30 AM and back home by dinner. The Comal River is everything a Texas summer day should be — spring-fed, crystal clear, 72 degrees year-round, and flowing right through the heart of the Hill Country.
The New Braunfels day trip from San Antonio works for everyone. Families with kids, groups of friends, couples, solo visitors — the Comal River and everything around it has something for each of them. And because the drive is so short, San Antonio visitors have more flexibility than anyone — if you want to stay for dinner at Gruene Hall, nothing is stopping you. But if you want a focused, efficient day trip from San Antonio to New Braunfels that gets you on the water and back home on a tight schedule, this guide is built for exactly that.
Here is the New Braunfels day trip from San Antonio done right.
New Braunfels Day Trip from San Antonio — I-35 Traffic
I-35 between San Antonio and New Braunfels is a straightforward drive but traffic is a constant reality. Morning and afternoon congestion on I-35 through San Antonio is simply part of life in this corridor — build it into your plan and you will not be surprised.
The general rule is to give yourself 45 minutes for a drive that Google Maps calls 35. That extra 10 minutes covers the typical morning slowdown through the San Antonio stretch of I-35 and gets you to New Braunfels without stress. On a clear weekend morning with no incidents the drive can genuinely be 35 minutes. On a busy Saturday with construction activity or a fender bender in the mix, 45 to 50 minutes is more realistic.
I-35 North traffic reality check
The Route — New Braunfels Day Trip from San Antonio
The drive could not be simpler. Take I-35 North out of San Antonio and stay on it all the way to New Braunfels. Take exit 187 toward New Braunfels and follow the signs toward downtown. We are at 565 N Market Ave — navigation will take you directly to our parking lot entrance and parking staff will direct you to a spot.
Route breakdown
- San Antonio to Schertz — ~15 miles, watch I-35 flow
- Schertz to New Braunfels — ~15 miles, typically smooth
- Exit 187 — New Braunfels downtown exit
- Exit 187 to Landa River Trips — 5 minutes
- Total: ~30 miles, allow 45 minutes
- No toll roads on this route
Landa River Trips
- Address: 565 N Market Ave, New Braunfels
- 250+ free parking spots on site
- Opens: 9 AM daily
- Last entry: 4 PM
- Last shuttle: 8 PM
- Phone: (830) 625-5889
San Antonio to New Braunfels — Full Day Itinerary
Here is the New Braunfels day trip from San Antonio laid out start to finish. Tight, focused, and built around getting the most out of your day on the Comal River.
New Braunfels day trip from San Antonio
30 miles, 45 minutes, and one of the best days Texas has to offer.
Where to Eat on Your New Braunfels Day Trip from San Antonio
New Braunfels has a genuinely strong food scene and since you are only 30 miles from home there is no reason to rush through a meal. Sit down, eat well, and enjoy what the city has to offer. Here are the best options by category.
What to Do Beyond the Float
The Comal River float is the anchor of any New Braunfels day trip from San Antonio but the city has plenty more to offer if you want to extend your day. Because the drive home is only 35 to 45 minutes, San Antonio visitors have the most flexibility of any out-of-town group.
Gruene is a must-visit on any New Braunfels day trip from San Antonio. The Historic District has antique shops, boutiques, wine tasting rooms, the Gruene General Store, and the Gristmill River Restaurant all within easy walking distance. Set aside at least 90 minutes to do it properly. Gruene Hall — the oldest dance hall in Texas — is the natural finish to a perfect day.
Landa Park sits immediately adjacent to the Landa River Trips property. The Comal River springs that start your float originate right here. After your float, walking access to the park gives you trails, Landa Lake, paddleboats, and some of the most scenic green space in New Braunfels — all at no additional cost.
If you are making a full day of the New Braunfels day trip from San Antonio, Natural Bridge Caverns is 20 minutes from New Braunfels toward San Antonio — which means it is actually on your way home. The Discovery Tour takes about an hour and goes 180 feet underground through one of the most impressive cave systems in Texas. The cave holds a constant 70 degrees regardless of the Texas heat outside.
Comal River Tubing — What to Know Before You Arrive
First time on the Comal River? Here is what makes it different from anything you have experienced before and everything you need to know before your New Braunfels day trip from San Antonio.
The river
- 100% spring-fed — crystal clear
- Constant 72°F year-round
- 2.5 hour float from start to finish
- Famous Tube Chute included
- Historic waterfall at launch point
- Shuttle ride back to your car included
The rental
- $25 per person — all-inclusive
- Includes tube, river entry, shuttle back
- Free parking — 250+ spots on site
- Free lockers for valuables
- No reservation needed — walk-ins welcome
- Opens 9 AM · Last entry 4 PM
Landa River Trips · New Braunfels’ Original Comal River Outfitter · Since 1986