If you are choosing between Selma or Schertz and want a smooth commute, you are not alone. The I‑35 corridor can feel intimidating when you are new to the area, especially if your job takes you to Randolph AFB, the Medical Center, or corporate campuses around Loop 1604. This guide breaks down the main routes, transit options, and smart strategies so you can plan a faster, less stressful drive. You will also find an easy way to test your commute during real peak hours before you pick a neighborhood. Let’s dive in.
Key routes from Selma and Schertz
Selma and Schertz sit along I‑35 on San Antonio’s northeast side. That position makes I‑35 the primary north-south spine into the city. From there, you will use Loop 1604, Loop 410, I‑10, and local Farm-to-Market roads like FM 78 and FM 3009 to reach specific job centers.
- I‑35 is your mainline toward downtown San Antonio and connectors like Loop 1604 and Loop 410.
- Loop 1604 is the outer loop that carries you west or east to northside employment clusters.
- Loop 410 offers an inner loop alternative for reaching central and northwest destinations.
- FM roads and frontage roads link neighborhoods to gates, park-and-ride lots, and local employers.
Before you set a daily route, check for active construction or incidents. TxDOT posts regional advisories and project updates on the TxDOT traffic advisories and project maps, and live conditions appear on the DriveTexas live traffic map.
To Randolph AFB
- General pattern: use neighborhood collectors to reach the closest eastbound connector toward Universal City and Converse, then continue to the appropriate gate for your assignment.
- If you are starting on I‑35, transfer to the most direct local road that serves your gate area.
- Important: Randolph is a secured installation. Confirm access requirements, gate hours, and any visitor procedures on the Joint Base San Antonio Randolph official page and review current base access and gate information before you go.
To the South Texas Medical Center and hospitals
- General pattern: travel south on I‑35, then connect via Loop 410 or I‑10/US‑87 depending on the hospital or clinic within the Medical Center area.
- There are multiple campuses across the northwest and near downtown. Pick routes by your exact destination, and expect variations by time of day and construction.
To northside employment centers
- General pattern: go south on I‑35 to Loop 1604, then head west or east to your target area along Loop 1604 or I‑10.
- For employers north of Loop 1604, plan a route that avoids single choke points. Keep at least one backup connection in mind.
Transit, park-and-ride, and carpools
Driving is the default for many Selma and Schertz residents, but public transit and shared rides can take pressure off your commute.
- VIA Metropolitan Transit: VIA runs local bus service, Park & Ride, and select express routes across the San Antonio region. Routes, lot locations, and schedules change, so confirm current options on the VIA Metropolitan Transit Park and Ride and express services site.
- Employer and base shuttles: Large medical systems and military installations sometimes coordinate employee shuttles or commuter benefits. Check your employer’s HR portal or the base transportation office for current programs.
- Rideshare and carpools: Uber and Lyft are common on the northeast side. Pricing varies during peak times. Many commuters also arrange carpools through workplace forums and neighborhood groups.
Peak-hour patterns and smart strategies
Traffic on I‑35 and the loops follows classic weekday peaks, roughly 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Local school schedules add short congestion spikes near campuses. These simple moves help:
- Time shift when possible. Leaving before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 a.m. often reduces delay on I‑35 and connector roads.
- Run a peak-period test drive. Drive your door-to-door route during your actual work hours to see signal timing, school traffic, and queue patterns.
- Use live tools every day. Check Google Maps, Waze, and the DriveTexas live traffic map for incident alerts and alternate routes before you leave.
- Build in gate time if you work on base. Account for security screening and potential queues. Review current guidance on the Joint Base San Antonio Randolph official page.
- Expect ongoing work zones. The loops and I‑35 often have construction. Review TxDOT traffic advisories and project maps and adjust your route if needed.
Neighborhood checklist for commuters
When you tour homes in Selma or Schertz, use this commute-first checklist to compare areas side by side:
- Real-world drive time. Test door-to-door during your normal start and end times. Note where traffic routinely builds.
- At least two viable routes. A neighborhood with more than one logical path to work reduces risk when an incident or construction closes a lane.
- Access to park-and-ride or transit. If you plan to use VIA, confirm the nearest Park & Ride lot and the routes that serve your work location that week.
- School and event timing. If school pickup affects your route, confirm bell times and identify alternate paths to avoid short spikes.
- Parking and driveway access. Check HOA rules and on-street parking restrictions that may affect daily in-and-out.
- Street layout. Master-planned areas often have collectors and cul-de-sacs that affect internal circulation and exit times.
- Early or late walking safety. If you expect to walk to a park-and-ride, review lighting and sidewalk conditions.
To see future improvements, watch city and county updates. The City of Schertz and the City of Selma post local street projects and public works notices. TxDOT also maintains region-wide construction and lane closure updates.
Plan a commute-first quick-start tour
A focused half-day can save you weeks of uncertainty. Here is a sample itinerary you can use. Adjust times to your schedule.
- 8:00 a.m. — Drive from Neighborhood A to your primary workplace during morning peak. Observe queues and gate or garage entry patterns.
- 8:45 a.m. — Return and review Neighborhood A. Note school locations, collectors, and any nearby park-and-ride options.
- 9:30 a.m. — Drive Neighborhood B to your workplace during off peak. Compare stress level, signals, and lane configurations.
- 10:15 a.m. — Break to review an amenity map and school info. Confirm any HOA or street-parking rules.
- 10:45 a.m. — Drive Neighborhood C and test the alternate route you might use for a second job or school dropoff.
- 12:00 p.m. — Recap next steps. Align on budget, target properties, and a plan for full tours.
Time ranges will vary by day, incident, and construction. The goal is to compare real experiences under the conditions that actually matter to you.
Useful tools and official updates
Keep these resources handy when you plan or adjust your commute:
Ready to test-drive your commute?
If commute convenience is at the top of your list, a guided, commute-first neighborhood tour can bring fast clarity. I will help you compare multiple route options, check VIA Park & Ride possibilities, and confirm HOA and parking rules before you make an offer. As a northside specialist with MRP, ABR, GRI, SRES, and CLHMS/LHS credentials, I understand PCS timelines and busy transfer schedules. Let’s make your first week here easier.
Your Trusted Guide — Let’s Connect through Melisa Fitchett to schedule your commute-focused tour.
FAQs
How do I commute from Selma or Schertz to Randolph AFB?
- Use local collectors to reach the correct gate, or start on I‑35 and transfer east toward Universal City or Converse; confirm gate hours and access on the JBSA Randolph site.
What is the best route from Selma or Schertz to the Medical Center?
- Start south on I‑35, then connect via Loop 410 or I‑10 depending on your exact hospital campus; check live conditions and construction before you go.
Are there park-and-ride options near Selma and Schertz?
- VIA operates Park & Ride and express services across the region; verify current lots and schedules on VIA’s website since service patterns change.
How can I avoid the worst of I‑35 traffic from the northeast side?
- Time shift your trip, keep a backup route through Loop 1604 or Loop 410, and check DriveTexas plus a navigation app for incidents each morning.
What should I evaluate in a commuter-friendly neighborhood?
- Look for multiple route options, realistic door-to-door test drives, proximity to transit, school timing, and any HOA or street-parking rules that affect daily access.
Do employers offer shuttles or commuter benefits in this area?
- Some large medical systems and military installations coordinate shuttles or subsidies; check your employer’s HR or transportation office for current programs.
