Driving from Austin to San Antonio
 

Planning to fly (Nov or Dec) into Austin from NY because it is a direct flight. From Austin driving to San Antonio to stay. The online maps say it will take 1+1/2 hours. Is that a realistic estimate? Is it an easy drive?

Yes, 90min is realistic. It's I-35 the whole way. Very easy drive. Speeds are 75-80mph, so if you drive slower stay out of the left lane(s). At times there can be a lot of truck traffic, and also rush hour congestion in/around San Antonio. Nothing to worry about, but you definitely won't have the road to yourself at any hour of the day.

Make sure your flight is non-stop, not just direct. There used to be a direct LGA to AUS flight on AA, which had a stopover in Houston.

Non-stops from NYC to AUS include JetBlue from JFK and CO from Newark. Not sure if Delta flies non-stop as well.

From NYC to Austin I actually prefer using AA through Dallas - which is counter to my always use non-stop rule. There are ~hourly flights LGA to DFW, and about the same frequency DFW to AUS. DFW to San Antonio may have the same frequency and be more convenient than driving Austin to SA.

You can expect the ride to be a bit shorter than 90 mins since the Austin airport is south depending on where you are going to in SA. The ride can be done in an hour, but I agree with J62 that it is a straight shot once you get on I35 and the traffic is almost never light on that stretch but it is uncomplicated.

great, thanks

Depending on your time, and willingness, and ultimate location in S.A. you can either take I-35, or a only-slightly-longer route and see a bit of the Hill Country in the process.

If so, go east on 71 (in front of airport) until it joins Hwy 290 east. Then shortly before you come to Johnson City, look for a sign that says "Henly cutoff". This takes you south a bit. You will see the break in the land and the Edwards Plateau. It will join with a smaller road that goes west and you will eventually join 281 a bit north of San Antonio.

You will see a lot more country, and see why people think the Hill Country is a unique place. You will also go near a nice winery (but 3-4 miles out of your way) and past a special bakery just before you come to 281.

This detour may add 30 minutes to your travel, again, depending on where in S.A. you are going and the time of day you are traveling. If you are traveling during the rush hour(s), the time may be no different, and the scenery much better. You can always see another expressway.

kcd

I second the route through hill country. Since the speed limit is 70 mph, you can drive almost as fast as on the Interstate and it is much more scenic.

The quickest way from the Austin Bergstrom International Airport to San Antonio is to take 71 East to SH130 South. Take SH130 south all the way until it hits I-35. This is the newly built bypass and is a nice drive.

Then, take I-35 south to San Antonio.