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Home » North America » Best Road Trips in Texas (Texas Best Destinations in 2024)

Best Road Trips in Texas (Texas Best Destinations in 2024)

A combination of awesome national parks and buzzing cities make Texas the perfect place to explore by car. Any good road trip will have you travelling between them along wide open roads with endless landscapes on either side of you. And there’ll be BBQ spots and natural pools to break up the journey!

It’s hard to plan a road trip to Texas because the place is just so big. In fact, it’s the biggest state in the lower. So, how can you pack the most in without tiring yourself out with the long drives between destinations? That’s where we come in.

In this post, we’ll help you plan the perfect Texas road trip. Not only will we tell you where to go, but we’ll also give you some ideas about what to do when you’re there and the best places to stay for your budget. With our expertly crafted Texas road trips, you’re sure to have an excellent adventure. Let’s hit the road!

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Why Roadtrip in Texas?

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If you don’t know Texas well or you’re not yet convinced about travelling across the state by car, let us reassure you; here are the top five reasons to road trip in Texas:

• National Parks:  With more than 100 national and state parks, there are plenty of spectacular spots in the state where you can get close to nature and enjoy outdoor activities.
• History:  It’s not just the natural sites that impress in Texas. Historical sites leftover from French, Spanish, and Mexican rule dot the state. Sites of battles and mission churches make learning about Texas’ past more accessible.
• Cities:  There are some huge cities in Texas, each with their own distinct character and personality. Austin is known as The Live Music Capital of the World, while Houston is said to be the most diverse city in the US!
• Texas BBQ:  BBQ here is more than just regional cuisine; it’s synonymous with the Lone Star State. You won’t find better brisket and ribs anywhere on earth!
• Rodeo:  Is there anywhere more associated with cowboys than Texas? We’d say no. Be sure to check out one of these awesome events on your road trip – there are events year-round at Forth Worth!

Surely by now you’re loading up the car and looking for the nearest gas station. First, though, let’s get some admin out of the way.

The Ultimate Texas Road Trip – 6 days

National and state parks route – 7 days, texas hill country loop – 3 days.

• From: Austin
• Total Distance: 738 miles
• Top Road Trips Stops: San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin

This is the best road trip in Texas if you want to get a taste of city life and not have super long distances between each stop. You’ll get a sample of all the best that Texas has to offer, with live music in Austin, shopping in Dallas, and rodeo in Forth Worth. There are several stops on the roads in between that will show you rural Texas too. This one really does have everything!

Make sure you check out our guide to the best motels in Austin , because they are located near the main road links and are cosy and affordable, perfect for road trips!

Road Trip Highlights:

• Austin Cathedral of Junk
• Alamo Fort and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
• Space Center Houston
• Dinosaur Valley State Park
• Forth Worth Stockyards Cattle Drive

Day 1: Austin to San Antonio (1.25 hours)

Your first day doesn’t have a lot of driving at all, so you can spend plenty of time in both Austin and San Antonio. Starting off in the Texan capital, there are loads to do depending on your travel style (and the weather).

If it’s sunny, check out Lady Bird Lake for a spot of stand up paddleboarding or chill out in Zilker Park. Alternatively, visit the impressive Texas Capitol Building – the largest of its type in the country. Don’t worry if you don’t get to see everything you want to in Austin; your road trip ends here too. But now, on to San Antonio!

If you’re looking for a unique place to stay in San Antonio, consider checking out one of the best bed and breakfasts in Texas for an affordable and homey feel.

• Best Things to Do:  Texas State Capitol, Zilker Metropolitan Park and Botanical Garden, Barton Springs Pool, Cathedral of Junk
• Where to Eat:  SFC Farmers’ Market at Republic Square, Franklin Barbecue, Mrs Johnson’s drive-in doughnut bakery (Austin)
• Where to Stay:  Drifter Jack’s Hostel , Aloft Austin Northwest , Downtown Birdhouse

Day 2: San Antonio and the Hill Country 

Of all the cities in Texas, San Antonio is said to be the hardest to drive in. That’s because it doesn’t follow the regular grid system. However, don’t let that put you off – it’s a fascinating place. Since you have the whole day here, you have a couple of options.

Stay in town to check out the River Walk or visit the legendary Alamo Fort, where Texas won its independence. Alternatively, you can drive out into the hill country. We’ve got a whole road trip coming up later on Hill Country, so more info on that then!

• Best Things to Do:  The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk, Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, San Antonio Botanical Garden
• Where to Eat:  El Mercado Plaza (over 100 local restaurants and shops), Pearl Farmers Market, Buckhorn Saloon and Museum
• Where to Stay:  Hilton Palacio del Rio , Historic River Walk Loft Apartment , Awesome Location Alamo/Riverwalk

Day 3: San Antonio to Houston (3.5 hours)

Day three sees you head east towards the coast and Houston on I-10. It’s the southernmost highway in the US and actually runs fully from Los Angeles to Jacksonville in Florida. But you’ll only be on it for a relatively short stretch. Once you arrive in Houston, you’ll be welcomed by the 4th largest city in the United States – and the most diverse! There’s just so much to do in Houston.

Insider tip: If you’re looking for awesome accommodation, check out the numerous amazing Airbnbs in Houston !

Leave San Antonio early so that you can head to Houston’s Space Center, where there’s a lot to see! Then, make your way into the city and explore the downtown underground tunnels. If your car is dirty, stop off at the world’s longest car wash.

• Best Things to Do:  Space Center Houston, Discovery Green Park, The Galleria Mall, Hines Waterfall Park, World’s Longest Car Wash
• Where to Eat:  The Hobbit Café, Rosie Cannonball, Hando, Toukei
• Where to Stay:  Wanderstay Houston , Courtyard Houston Downtown Convention Center , Small Modern Airbnb , Peaceful Studio with Downtown View

Day 4: Houston to Dallas (3.5 hours)

Take I45-North for the quickest route from Houston to Dallas. Alternatively, take Highway 6 North. The trip adds an extra two hours, but it’s worth it to stop off at Dinosaur Valley State Park.

As well as fossilised footprints, there are hiking trails and a playground. Great if you’re travelling with kids. When you arrive in Dallas, get a lay of the land from the top of the Reunion Tower. Then, if you still have time, check out the Sixth Floor Museum. It’s thought to be where JFK’s assassin fired from. Booking in advance online is recommended, and don’t forget a cool place to stay !

• Best Things to Do:  Dinosaur Valley State Park detour, Dallas Arts District, Reunion Tower, Sixth Floor Museum
• Where to Eat:  Sno (ask for a Piccadilly Raspa), Taqueria El Si Hay, S + D Oyster Company, Bubba’s Cooks Country
• Where to Stay:  The Wild Wild West , Alla’s Historical Bed and Breakfast , Retro 80s House , Downtown Tiny House

Day 5/6: Dallas to Forth Worth and Return to Austin (3.5 hours)

Day 5 is just a short drive on I-30 west to Forth Worth before the final stage of your loop back to the Texan capital, Austin. It’s famous for the Daily Cattle Drive, so you might end up in a traffic jam behind a herd of cows if you’re not careful.

The city is a blend of modern and traditional, and its cowboy roots mix with an exciting art and dining scene. The Fort Worth Water Gardens are a wonderful place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and chill out before you return to Austin.

• Best Things to Do: Fort Worth Stockyards Cattle Drive, Fort Worth Water Gardens, Kimbell Art Gallery, Billy Bob’s Texas.
• Where to Eat:  Billy Bob’s Texas (lots of bars and restaurants), FunkyTown Donuts, Riscky’s Brisket Bites, Wabi House.
• Where to Stay:  Hilton Fort Worth , Treehouse Studio near Downtown , Backyard Cottage near Downtown

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• From: Padre Island National Seashore
• Total Distance: 1,316 miles
• Top Road Trips Stops: Padre Island National Seashore, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Big Bend National Park, Guadalupe Mountains, Dinosaur Valley State Park

Now, let’s look at the best road trip in Texas for nature lovers. This will take you through every type of landscape there is in Texas. Starting off at the coast, you can bathe in the warm Gulf Waters and watch wildlife on South Padre Island. If you fancy spending extra time on the coast, Port Aransas is just a short drive away.

If you head to Port Aransas, consider staying in Corpus Christi where the vacation rentals are a little more affordable. Corpus Christi is also somewhere you might want to stay a couple days. There’s plenty of things to do in Corpus Christi but windsurfing is the number one activity.

Then, learn more about Texas’ history at the Missions National Historical Park. Hike and bike in the Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, before jumping back to prehistoric times at Dinosaur Valley State Park.

If you fancy this one, you could even rent an RV in San Antonio for a truly epic journey!

• Bird watching on South Padre Island
• Cycling between the churches of Missions National Historical Park
• Glamping in Big Bend National Park
• Climbing Guadalupe Peak
• See dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur Valley State Park

Day 1 and 2: Padre Island National Seashore to Missions National Historical Park (2.5 hours)

The first day of this Texas road trip is one of those which is lighter on the driving. You’ll cover 172 miles on I-37 North from Padre Island to the Missions National Park. Having such a short drive means you have time to explore Padre Island’s gems, and if you can extend your trip, we highly recommend staying in Padre Island to make the most of the area.

Wildlife lovers will not be disappointed – there are more than 380 species of birds in the parks, and you can even release turtle hatchlings. Spend the night here before moving on to Missions National Historical Park. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of four different missions sites along the San Antonio River.

• Best Things to Do:  Birdwatching in Padre Island National Seashore, kayaking, canoeing, or windsurfing on the Laguna Madre, Biking along the San Antonio River.
• Where to Eat:  Bar Louie South Padre Island, Barry’s International (Padre Island). Savor, Bourdro’s Texas Bistro, Cookhouse (San Antonio)
• Where to Stay: Hilton Garden Inn , Surfside Condo (South Padre Island), Drury Plaza Hotel , Private Riverwalk One Bed House

Day 3 and 4: Missions National Historical Park to Big Bend National Park (7.5 hours)

The next leg of your trip can be split across two days if necessary – after all, you’ll be travelling more than 400 miles! After a big breakfast in San Antonio, head west on the US-90 Highway towards Big Bend National Park. You’ll be skirting along the Mexican border for some of it!

Big Bend National Park offers incredible desert and mountain landscapes that are popular with hikers and campers. After an arduous hike in the Santa Elena Canyon, find a hot spring along the Rio Grande to soak those aching muscles.

If you’re into your art, the town of Marfa is pretty close by and well worth checking out! There’s lots of great places to stay in Marfa , if you fancy a little road trip detour.

• Best Things to Do:  Hiking in the Santa Elena Canyon, Hot Spring Historic Trail, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
• Where to Eat:  Chisos Mountains Lodge Mountain View Restaurant
• Where to Stay:  Off-Grid Adobe Dome , Cozy Cactus , Tin Valley Retro Bus , Las Estrellas Tipi

Day 5: Big Bend National Park to Guadalupe Mountains National Park (5 hours)

Another long journey today, but it’s well worth it. You’ll swap the desert lands of Big Bend National Park for the mountains of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Make a very early start and stop off in the town of Van Horn for a late breakfast.

As you carry on towards Guadalupe Peak itself, keep your eyes peeled for the population of bighorn sheep that call the area home. Stay the night in the park before tackling Guadalupe Peak the next day. It’s a 6 – 8 hour round trip, but you won’t want to do it in the midday heat!

A top tip, if you want to stay near the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and you have a bit more time, consider staying in El Paso. There are a lot of things to do in El Paso so if you’re thinking of extending your trip for a day or two, this would be a worthwhile detour.

• Best Things to Do:  Clark Hotel Museum (Van Horn), Guadalupe Peak hike, Smith Spring Loop Hike from Frijole Ranch.
• Where to Eat:  Boots and Scoops, Mom’s Kitchen, Cornudas Cafe.
• Where to Stay: West Patio Bed and Bath , Farm Stay in Dell City

Day 6 and 7: Guadalupe Mountains National Park to Dinosaur Valley State Park (7 hours)

The quickest way to your final stop on this Texas road trip itinerary sees you leaving the state altogether! Yep, you’ll pass through New Mexico on your way to Dinosaur Valley State Park along I-20 E. There are a few places to break up your trip (which you can do in one day or spread over two) on the highway. The first is near Sweetwater – the National WASP WWII Museum.

It’s an off the beaten track tribute to the first women who flew aircraft in the military. Stop for a kolache at Texas Doughboys in Abilene before visiting the site of the Santa Claus Bank Robbery in Cisco. Stay the night in Glenrose before checking out Dinosaur Valley State Park. Then, it’s a return to Dallas! If you still have time and want to visit some more, there’s a lot of things to do in Dallas.

• Best Things to Do:  Dinosaur Valley State Park, National WASP WWII Museum, Old Rip Horned Lizard (Eastland), Site of Santa Claus Bank Robbery, Cisco.
• Where to Eat: Texas Doughboys (Abilene), Hammond’s B-B-Q (Glen Rose)
• Where to Stay:  Modern Farmhouse , The Glenrose Treehouse , Country Woods Inn

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• From: San Antonio
• To: San Antonio
• Total Distance: 279 miles
• Top Road Trips Stops: Bandera, Kerrville, Fredricksburg, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, New Braunfels

Are you looking for Texas road trip ideas that don’t take up an entire week? Or perhaps you don’t want to be driving for miles and miles in an unfamiliar state? Well, not to worry. This much shorter trip is made just for you. A road trip in Texas Hill Country combines beautiful scenery, BBQ spots, and cowboy towns. It’s the true essence of Texas! And yes, there is some great hiking and climbing along the way.

• Oompah music at Ausländer Biergarten in Fredricksburg
• Enchanted Rock Natural Area
• Bracken Cave Preserve bat colony

Day 1: San Antonio to Fredricksburg (2 hours)

You can get from San Antonio to Fredricksburg in as little as an hour and ten minutes. However, that would mean missing out the charming towns of Bandera and Kerrville. Just a short journey west on Highway 16, Bandera is the self-titled Cowboy capital of the world. It’s a good spot for lunch (or a late breakfast) before moving on to Kerrville.

If you didn’t eat in Bandera, stop at Billy Gene’s, where you can dine with views of the Guadalupe River. Not hungry? Check out Stonehenge II instead. Your stop for the night is Fredricksburg. You’ll have to pinch yourself to be reminded you’re not in Germany!

• Best Things to Do:  Frontier Times Museum, Great Western Cattle Trail (Bandera), Stonehenge II (Kerrville), shopping and eating in Fredricksburg.
• Where to Eat: Old Spanish Trail Restaurant (Bandera) Billy Gene’s (Kerrville) Ausländer Biergarten (Fredricksburg)
• Where to Stay: Hotel Kitsmiller on Main , The Hideaway , Casa Tranquila

Day 2: Fredricksburg to Bracken Cave Preserve/New Braunfels (3 hours)

Head north from Fredricksburg area to your first stop of the day – Enchanted Rock Natural Area. There are more than eight miles of hiking trails here, and rock climbing for more adventurous tourists. Don’t spend too long here though, because your next stop is the beautiful natural spring of Hamilton Pool.

It’s a protected nature reserve, and you can’t swim here, but you’re sure to get some fantastic photos so don’t forget your camera. The final spot for the day is Bracken Cave Preserve. You’ll want to get there before dusk, as it’s home to the largest colony of bats in the world!

• Best Things to Do:  Hiking and climbing in Enchanted Rock Natural Area, Hamilton Pool, Bracken Cave Preserve.
• Where to Eat:  Enchanted Inn Restaurant, The Ice Cream Shop Hamilton Pool Road
• Where to Stay: River Road Bungalow , Canyon Getaway with Beautiful Views

Day 3: Bracken Cave Preserve/New Braunfels to San Antonio (1 hour)

With the hot weather in Texas Hill County, you’ll want to cool off, so head to Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort. It’s great fun for the whole family. Check out the cute town of New Braunfels and its shops and restaurants before a leisurely drive back to San Antonio. Once you’ve parked up, check in to your accommodation for the evening before going to the Japanese Tea Garden to decompress after a busy few days. Then, find somewhere for dinner on the River Walk!

• Best Things to Do:  Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, Natural Bridge Caverns, Gruene Hall, Japanese Tea Garden.
• Where to Eat:  Das Nutrition Haus, Gristmill River Restaurant & Bar (New Braunfels), The Barbecue Station, WD Deli (San Antonio).
• Where to Stay:  Inn on the Riverwalk , Hotel Valencia Riverwalk , City View River Walk Studio

There are two types of driving in Texas, and they’re both very different – urban driving and rural driving. Urban driving is the same as in many cities across the US. Most cities operate a grid system, and it’s easy to find your way around. However, San Antonio can be quite frustrating!

If you’re driving in rural Texas, be sure to fill up when you can as there may not be another gas station for miles. It’s also essential to keep bottled water in your car – it can get mighty hot.

Texan drivers can be quite aggressive, so make stops at roadside attractions on long rural drives to decompress. While it can be a challenge at times, don’t let any of this put you off. Driving in Texas is a lot of fun!

Renting a Vehicle in Texas

It’s really easy to rent a car, too. Go with one of the big companies at an airport or a major city, and you shouldn’t have any problems. Your rental desk may encourage you to go for something bigger if you’ve booked in advance, but remember that you know best what you’re comfortable driving.

When renting a car in Texas, do consider the following:

• Age Surcharge: Drivers under 25 can expect to pay more to rent a car by roughly $30USD per day.
• Deposit: Cash deposits are not accepted by most rental companies. Expect to pay somewhere between $100 and $300 USD on a debit or credit card. You’ll get it back if the car is returned in the same condition as you took it!
• Additional Driver Charge: Additional drivers can be added for as little as $10, provided they meet age and license requirements.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also tap into the van life to explore this beautiful state by renting an RV in Austin. You can do it from multiple other cities too because the RVs can come to you!

Texas law requires you to have a type of insurance called 30/60/25. Because you won’t be able to drive the car away without this, rental companies can charge extortionate amounts. Get insured for a better price beforehand with RentalCover.com

Don’t have a car? Well, we’re going to have to sort that out! Use  rentalcars.com  to find the best deals on the web and save heaps of cash!

Road Rules in Texas

Rules for driving in Texas are pretty similar to those throughout the United States. You’ll be driving on the right and passing on the left. However, each city may have a few subtle differences, so it’s a good idea to check out those according to the city or cities you’re planning to visit.

Some of the most important rules include using headlights when visibility is less than 1,000 feet. We’d suggest just using them all the time to be safe. It’s against the law to litter from your vehicle, which carries a fine of up to $500. And, while the blood alcohol content can be 0.08%, it’s best if you don’t drink and drive.

There are a couple of unusual laws in Texas that probably won’t make a blind bit of difference to your trip, but we figured you’d want to know anyway. While it’s illegal to use a vehicle that doesn’t have windshield wipers, you can’t operate a vehicle without a windshield. Not sure what the wipers are brushing there!

And the road rules don’t just stop at cars. In Texarkana, horses must be fitted with tail lights for nighttime rides. We don’t think a horse could cover the distances we have in mind for you, though!

Insurance in Texas

We touched on insurance earlier, but here’s a little more info. Texas law requires drivers to have 30/60/25 insurance. This is $30k injuries per person, $60k per accident, and $25k for property damage. This is the MINIMUM that you’re expected to have.

This can be a bit confusing, especially if you’re not from the United States. So, check out RentalCover.com . Their collision damage coverage and roadside assistance packages can save you money. Don’t get ripped off paying over the odds with your rental company’s insurance packages!

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

If you’re not careful, Texas’s wilderness will smack ya to next Monday.  There are six road trip essentials I never go traveling without:

1. First Aid Kit : Even if you don’t plan on doing anything extreme on your trip, like hiking, climbing, or other extreme sports, you never know what could happen. You could cut yourself while cooking, smash a finger in a car door, or burn yourself on a hot radiator. A first aid kit will be able to handle most of these minor situations.

2. Aux Cord : One of the only things to do on a long car ride by yourself is to listen to music or a podcast. Since most people use their phones as an MP3 player these days, an auxillary cord is crucial to preserving your sanity. If there is no auxiliary port in your car, buy a radio transceiver or use a portable speaker.

3. Phone mount :  It’s very dangerous to be looking down at your phone while driving. If you need to have access to your phone, for maps and what-not, buy a mount for it. This way, you can keep your eyes on the road and your phone won’t be far from your field of view.

4. Headtorch : Every backpacker should have a head torch! A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must. Currently, I’m using the Petzl Actik Core rechargeable headlamp – an awesome piece of kit! Because it’s USB chargeable I never have to buy earth polluting batteries.

5. Roadside Emergency Kit : Just like you never know what could happen to yourself , one never knows what can happen to their car . A vehicle can mysteriously fail, break, run into a ditch; all that and then some. Most emergency kit include a pair of jumper cables, a tow rope, a set of essential tools, and ties.

6. Toiletry Bag : I always travel with a hanging toiletry bag as it’s a super-efficient way to organise your bathroom stuff. Well worth having, whether you are hanging it from a tree whilst camping, or a hook in a wall, it helps to have quick access to all your stuff.

For plenty more inspiration on what to pack, check out my full road trip packing list.

Well, that’s just about everything covered, and you’re ready for your road trip in Texas! Will you be soaking up the culture of the cities, imagining the battle scenes of the Alamo, or finding dinosaur footprints in a state park? All of this and more is possible on your Texan road trip.

We’re sure that any of the three awesome road trips above will give you unforgettable memories of your trip to the Lone Star State. Just be sure to pick the one that’s the best match for your travel style… and how much you want to drive. Trust us, it’s (Fort) Worth it!

If you’re thinking of exploring the neighbouring areas, check out our Best Road Trips in Southwest guide!

• Check out our backpacking Dallas guide for in-depth info for your trip.
• Check out the  best B&Bs in Texas for the start of your epic trip.
• Check out all the epic  things to do in Lubbock, Texas while you’re visiting.
• Broaden your horizons by embarking on an epic road trips around the US .

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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Hey folks…quick correction in the Texas driving segment. “And, while the blood alcohol content can be 0.8%, it’s best if you don’t drink and drive.” I have the utmost confidence you meant .08%. I was probably a solid .8% once in my life. Think I lost my dog, my truck, and any remote sense of dignity that night.

Indeed, thanks for spotting that, Kirk. I must say your 0.8% experience sounds like a wild ride.

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The Perfect 10 Day Texas Road Trip Itinerary (2024 Guide)

• Last Updated: February 4, 2024

Plan the ultimate Texas road trip itinerary that includes national parks, hiking trails, and must-see cities around the Lone Star State.

Thinking about making your way south to visit Texas ? This epic 10-day Texas road trip shows you how you can experience the best that the Lone Star State has to offer.

The bulk of this 10-day itinerary is focused on central Texas where major highways form a meticulous triangle. By following this route you can experience major cities and state capitols, all the while learning just why everything is bigger in Texas!

Beginning in Dallas, you’ll venture even further by exploring Texas’ underrate nature and a past that continues to influence the wider country.

In reality, Texas is a massive state. You’d need much longer than 10 days to really see the entire state on an epic Texas road trip. So if you do have more time to spare, you can always add to this itinerary through many of the posts that we link to along the way.

But for the purpose of this Texas road trip itinerary, we’ll be focusing on the easily accessible highlights of Central Texas.

Find more ideas with our ultimate list of the best things to do in Texas !

Table of Contents

Where To Stay In Dallas + Fort Worth

Day 2 alternative – amarillo day trip from dallas, where to stay in austin, along the way to austin from dallas – waco, day 4 alternative – texas hill country, where to stay in san antonio, where to stay in corpus christi, where to stay in houston, where to stay in galveston, day 10 – return to dallas/houston, the wrap up, the perfect texas road trip itinerary.

Texas can be explored in a number of ways. From taking domestic flights to guided tours, this huge state has so much to offer. But a Texas road trip is a quintessential way to experience the Lone Star State!

During these 10 days, you’ll see charming small towns, magnificent cities, and natural beauty. This road trip in Texas is the perfect introduction to the second-largest state in the continental US!

The best way to get around is to rent a car and explore on your own! We recommend Rental Cars , which has the largest range of vehicles for the best value on the market.

Day 1 & 2 – Dallas + Fort Worth

Day 1 of your Texas road trip begins in Dallas . At the top of a trio of highways that form a triangle through the heart of Texas, you’re well-placed to begin a road trip of a lifetime.

Here in Dallas, you’ll find a blend of art, history, nature, and sport. Add on a second day in Fort Worth, and you can explore the history of cattle ranches before dancing the night away at Billy Bob’s Texas.

Dallas Arts District

Encompassing the largest arts district in the nation, exploring the Dallas Arts District is the best way to start your journey through Triple D . Here, you’ll discover 20 blocks of galleries and museums, including the Dallas Museum of Art.

This thorough 3-hour tour of Dallas, not only takes you through the district but to the Klyde Warren Park and Memorial Plaza.

Sixth Floor Museum

In 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald entered the Texas School Book Depository and changed American history. Now the Sixth Floor Museum, learn all about this tragic event, including the hours before along with the emotional aftermath.

• Address:  411 Elm St, Dallas, TX 75202
• Hours:  10 am-5 pm (Wed-Sun)
• Price:  $18

Klyde Warren Park

Escape the bustle of downtown Dallas with a relaxing picnic at Klyde Warren Park. Not far from the Arts District, the park features a thriving food truck scene and regular events including movie nights.

• Address: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201

Perot Museum of Nature & Science

A highlight of the Dallas Arts District, the Perot Museum of Nature & Science is a must-see. Featuring almost a dozen halls spread over five floors, you can dive into the topics of engineering, evolution, and earth.

• Address:  2201 N Field St, Dallas, TX 75201
• Hours:  10 am-5 pm (Mon, Wed-Sat) 11 am-5 pm (Sun)
• Price:  $20

African American Museum

Set in Fair Park, the African American Museum is believed to be the first of its kind. Home to a thorough collection of artifacts, documents, and art, it’s an incredible way to explore the history and culture of African Americans.

• Address:  3536 Grand Ave, Fair Park, Dallas, TX 75210
• Hours:  11 am-5 pm (Tue-Fri) 10 am-5 pm (Sat)
• Price:  Free

Want to extend to 3 days in Dallas? Check out our Dallas Itinerary !

AT&T Stadium

On day 2 of your Texas road trip, it’s time to explore neighboring Fort Worth. Along the way, you’ll pass Arlington, home to the Dallas Cowboys and AT&T Stadium.

This spectacular stadium can seat 80,000 fans and houses what was once a record-breaking jumbotron. Go watch the Cowboys or sign up for a stadium tour.

Leave the car at home with this tour of AT&T Stadium that includes transportation.

• Address: 1 AT&T Way, Arlington, TX 76011

Sundance Square

Spanning 35 blocks, Sundance Square represents the beating heart of Fort Worth. Old brick roads guide you by eye-catching architecture, including the historic Tarrant County Courthouse. Enjoy Texan cuisine, scratch your shopping itch, and stick around for the boisterous nightlife.

Kimbell Art Museum

Known as much for its architecture as its art, the Kimbell Art Museum quickly captures your imagination. Featuring art and antiquities from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, the galley covers a range of eras and styles with works from the likes of Picasso and Monet.

• Address:  3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107
• Hours:  10 am-5 pm (Tue-Thur, Sat) 12 pm-8 pm (Fri & Sun), closed Monday

Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District

The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District is a unique look into Texas’ connection to ranching and cowboys. Every day on Exchange Avenue, modern-day cowboys and cowgirls guide longhorns down the historic street. You can learn more about why at the Livestock Exchange.

Billy Bob’s Texas

Come sundown, the Stockyards is one of the best places for nightlife in Texas. Here, you’ll find Billy Bob’s Texas where you can go boot scootin’ crazy and indulge in some classic honky tonk!

• Address: 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76164

You can combine your Dallas experience with a day at Fort Worth on this guided tour .

At Hotel Crescent Court , you’ll feel right at home in your opulent setting before opening the ornate French doors for your own private balcony.

With cable TV, an on-site pool and a restaurant, Hampton Inn & Suites is a great place to recuperate as you explore downtown Dallas.

Close to nightlife and local culture, SOVA puts you in the heart of the action at a budget-friendly price.

Are you excited to explore Dallas and Fort Worth in greater depth? Read up on the complete list of things to do in Dallas right here.

This drive takes 5.5 hours from downtown Dallas.

Rather than spending a day in Fort Worth, start your day bright and early to make your way to Amarillo. As you drive into the more remote northwestern Texas, you’ll begin to see a different set of micro-cultures to go along with an increase in Stetsons, wild ponies, and dusty side roads.

Amarillo is a unique, quirky town that boasts a stop along historic Route 66 on top of being the gateway to Texas’ western frontier. It’s a great, historical stop on your Texas road trip!

Cadillac Ranch

Cadillac Ranch is one of the most interesting roadside attractions in Texas. Right off I-40, the “ranch” features the frontends of 10 Cadillacs buried in the Texan dirt. Decorated with a kaleidoscopic use of spray paint, it’s one of those things you wouldn’t see anywhere but Amarillo.

• Address: 13651 I-40 Frontage Rd, Amarillo, TX 79124

Sixth Street Historic District

Home to 13 blocks of Route 66 fame, the Sixth Street Historic District dates back to the 1920s. The collection of old-time commercial buildings recalls the heyday of Amarillo and features Art Deco, Art Moderne, and Spanish Revival architecture.

American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum

A classic West Texas experience, the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame & Museum explores the history of the world’s most popular horse breed. Hands-on exhibits and events take you back in time to the height of cattle herding.

• Address: 2601 E Interstate Dr, Amarillo, TX 79104
• Hours: 10 am – 4 pm, Closed Sundays and Mondays

Day 3 & 4 – Austin

This drive takes 3 hours from downtown Dallas

Whether you’ve taken a day trip to Amarillo or decided to just stay in Dallas, next you’ll be heading south to Austin along I-35. We recommend stopping in Waco on the way, which we’ll provide more details about shortly.

Austin is a beautiful mix of arts, culture, and color mixed in with all the things you’ve come to know and love about Texas. Unique neighborhoods abound in Austin. Add on ample outdoor activities, it’s best to give yourself at least two nights to explore what Austin has to offer.

One way to split your 48 hours up is by separating the attractions on either side of the surging Colorado River.

Read Next: Find out what other destinations made our list of the best places to visit in Texas !

Downtown Austin

Towering skyscrapers, museums, street art, and mouthwatering Tex-Mex lies in wait in downtown Austin. Spend your morning at the Museum of Weird or the Mexic-Arte Museum before enjoying some takeout food along the nearby waterfront.

See the best of downtown, along with South Congress on this e-bike tour .

Texas State Capitol

Nearby is the Texas State Capitol looming proudly over the rest of the city. The 19th-century building is one of the tallest government buildings in the country, with a beautiful dome and spire reaching over 300 feet. Join a guided tour to learn more about its history and stunning architecture.

• Address: 1100 Congress Ave
• Hours: 7 am – 8 pm (opens at 9 am on weekends)

University of Texas

Home to the iconic Texas Longhorns, the University of Texas is the place to be in the fall. But there’s more to this campus than just football. Explore to find the captivating Blanton Museum of Art, along with the Natural Science Center and the Memorial Museum.

Sunset at Congress Avenue Bridge

There’s no better place to be in Austin at sunset than the Congress Avenue Bridge. Boasting the largest urban bat colony in the world, all 1.5 million of them depart once the sun touches the horizon.

Such is the heady number, it can take 45 minutes to finish all the while the sky burns bright amber.

Watch the event from the Colorado River on a kayak tour .

The Dirty Sixth

To burn the midnight oil in Austin head to the Dirty Sixth. This rowdy nightlife strip harbors bustling music venues, pumping clubs, and dim-lit bars, perfect for enjoying a drink and reflecting on the road trip thus far.

Rainey Street Historic District

The alternative to the Dirty Sixth is Rainey Street Historic District. The revitalized old district is more laid back than Sixth Street with high-end eateries, vibrant bars, and charming, old-school pubs.

Lady Bird Lake

Nurse your hangover with a trip to Lady Bird Lake. When in Austin, you’re never far from nature, and you’ll find beautiful walking and biking trails from which to explore. Stop at Zilker Park for downtown views or paddle out on the lake with your traveling crew.

South Congress

Now that you’re back to normal, head to South Congress the hotbed of the Keep Austin Weird movement. Filled with kitschy shops, street art, and teeming with food trucks, it’s the place to stay weird, enjoy sprawling murals, and feast on delightful cuisine.

The Cathedral of Junk

Speaking of weird, the Cathedral of Junk finishes in the first place. The gallery of junk is spread through a simple backyard featuring a conglomerate of random items from engines to spooky mannequins.

Travelers must call ahead before visiting.

• Address: 4422 Lareina Dr, Austin, TX 78745
• Cost: Donation based

McKinney Falls State Park

If you haven’t quenched your thirst for nature yet on this Texas road trip, head to McKinney Falls State Park. Venture along the Onion Creek Hike to see both the lower and upper falls. While only 10 miles from Austin, the change of pace and color along with the fresh air will have you ready to tackle the rest of this road trip.

Five-star opulence awaits at Hotel Saint Cecilia where you’ll enjoy, a la carte breakfast, an on-site pool, and free bike hire.

On Sixth Street, East Austin Hotel , is a 3-star hotel with cable TV, on-site restaurants, and close to the University of Texas.

In central, downtown Austin, the Firehouse Hostel provides a fun, atmosphere with modern amenities and close to nightlife.

Check out our post to learn more about the best things to do in Austin .

As you make your way from Dallas to Austin, get off Highway 35 for a quick stop in Waco. Home to the beautiful campus of Baylor University, you’ll find mouthwatering cuisine at local markets and plenty of kitschy shops to add to your road trip shopping bag.

Magnolia Market at the Silos

With your day now fully underway, replenish your energy stocks at Magnolia Market at the Silos. This small district features a handful of food trucks, along with the famous Silos Baking Co., to go along with the collection of live events, boutique stores, and a farmers’ market.

• Address: 601 Webster Ave, Waco, TX 76706
• Hours: 9 am – 6 pm (closed Sun)

Dr. Pepper Museum

America’s oldest major soda brand was founded right here in Waco. This museum features three floors packed with exhibits that take you along Dr. Pepper’s timeline. The historic bottling plant even includes a Liquid Lab where you can attempt to make your own soda.

• Address: 300 S 5th St, Waco, TX 76701
• Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm (Mon to Sat) 12 pm – 5:30 pm Sun

Wooly Mammoth National Monument

Spanning five acres along the Bosque River, the Wooly Mammoth National Monument commemorates the discovery of a collection of Columbian mammoths found in Waco. The only discovery of its kind in the states, the monument provides a glimpse into the lives of the mammoths and the epic 3-decade excavation effort.

• Address: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco, TX 76708
• Hours: 9 am – 5 pm
• Price: Free. Guided tours are $6

Read next: The Ultimate 3 Days In Austin, Texas Itinerary

A guided tour of Austin may leave you feeling satisfied with your experience in the state capitol. If that’s the case, pack your car with all your day trip necessities and head to the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Featuring rolling hills, charming small towns, state parks, and elegant vineyards, it’s a lovely complement to Austin.

Pedernales Falls State Park

On route from Austin to the Texas Hill Country, stop off at Pedernales Falls State Park and soak up some natural beauty. One of the best things to do here is go for a swim in Hamilton Pool Preserve . This natural swimming hole is set in a dramatic canyon complete with limestone cliffs and a huge waterfall.

Other than Hamilton Pool, Pedernales Falls State Park has some awesome mountain biking and hiking trails.

Frederiksburg

There are a number of cozy German towns in the Texas Hill Country. The best? Frederiksburg. With eye-catching European architecture, Germanic cuisine, art galleries, and cute cafes, it’s a small town not to be missed.

Visit the Wineries

On this guided tour departing from Austin, venture into the countryside stopping at three award-winning wineries. Sample wines and local treats before exploring the beautiful, winding roads in a luxury van. This is a must for wine lovers going on Texas road trips!

Day 5 – San Antonio

This drive takes 1 hour and 20 minutes from downtown Austin.

After your visit to the Texas Hill Country, head south to San Antonio . Home to Spanish colonial missions and a thriving riverfront community, San Antonio thrives on surprising its visitors. This charming city is really a must-see on any road trip in Texas!

After a drive through the Texas Hill Country from Austin, be prepared to experience a unique city that balances prominent a Spanish past, with hints of the Wild West and modern Texan culture.

If you have time, extend your trip and spend 3 days in San Antonio !

San Antonio Missions

A National Historic Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the San Antonio Missions is a veritable gem that’s vital to America’s story. Covering five missions including the famous Alamo (San Antonio de Valero), you can learn all about the Spanish influence in this region.

The San Antonio Riverwalk

The San Antonio River Walk is the heart of local culture and hospitality. Home to river parades, the edges of the San Antonio River are lined with refined restaurants and chic bars.

This nighttime tour takes you on a River Walk Cruise with a visit to the Tower of the Americas.

Historic Market Square

Covering three blocks, the Historic Market Square is a great way to put on your tourist hat and shop, eat and drink. The square also boasts the largest Mexican market, known as El Mercado, in the States. Afterward, load up on fresh goods at the Farmer’s Market Plaza.

Natural Bridge Caverns

The Natural Bridge Caverns were discovered in the 1960s and are now the largest of their kind in the US. This guided experience allows you to skip the line and explore the vast cave network laden with stalactites and stalagmites.

Book your visit to the Natural Bridge Caverns on Get Your Guide !

Ranger Creek Brewing

It’s officially day 5 and halfway through your Texas road trip. Celebrate, reflect, and look forward to future adventures at Ranger Creek Brewing. Featuring more than just microbrews, you can enjoy small-batch craft whiskey before joining a guided tour.

• Address:  4834 Whirlwind Dr, San Antonio, TX
• Hours:  Monday – Thursday 10 am – 4 pm, Friday and Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm
• Cost:  Tours cost $15 and run every Saturday at 1 pm and 3 pm

Next to the River Walk, Hotel Emma offers guests a sun terrace with excellent views, a fitness center, and a pool, plus an on-site bar.

Wake up with a complimentary breakfast and wake up with a swim at Drury Plaza , before exploring San Antonio.

WaterWalk offers free daily breakfast, BBQ facilities, a fitness center, and a swimming pool all without hurting the wallet.

Day 6 & 7 – Corpus Christi

This drive takes 2 hours from downtown San Antonio.

After departing San Antonio on your Texas road trip, make your way south to Corpus Christi. Two days here may seem like a lot, but it’s the perfect spot to enjoy the captivating nature that South Texas has to offer.

Mustang Island

30 miles south of Corpus Christi is an 18-mile barrier island that is a boon for animal lovers and beach bums. Grab the towel and head to the wild sands of this protected area. Go for a swim in the Gulf, kayak along the rugged shorelines, and keep an eye out for the island’s 400 unique bird species.

Padre Island National Seashore

Established in 1962, the Padre Island National Seashore is the largest of its kind on earth. With 70 miles of untouched nature, explore a major bird migration spot and sea turtles or simply enjoy the views from the majestic coast.

South Padre Island

Contrasting to the previous day’s national seashore, the southern version offers a balance of humanity and natural wonders.

The beaches are delightful and there are family-friendly theme parks. However, you can’t beat a horse ride on the beach or a sunset yacht charter deep into the Gulf.

The Rio Grande

Staying in Corpus Christi provides you with an interesting opportunity to see the Rio Grande flow into the Gulf of Mexico. Visit the Las Palomas Wildlife area and be able to take a peak into the gulf coast of Mexico while enjoying one of the most southern points in mainland USA.

The Oceanside Retreat comes with beach views from your balcony, full kitchens, and walking distance to the shoreline.

Tru by Hilton provides upscale rooms with a swimming pool and fitness center all within a short drive of Mustang and North Padre Island.

The simple Knights Inn comes with beach views, cable TV, an outdoor pool, and BBQ facilities.

Day 8 – Houston

Next on your road trip in Texas, head up towards East Texas and spend some time in Houston . This diverse city has plenty of Texas history and nature to check out, plus there are a lot of great road trips to take from Houston !

Space Center Houston

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Texas, the Space Center Houston lives up to the hype. Dive into the history of space travel, visit Mission Control, and touch a rock that was returned from the moon! Finish up with exploring the thrilling Rocket Park.

• Address:  2101 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058
• Hours:  10 am-5 pm (Mon-Fri) 10 am-6 pm (Sat-Sun)
• Price:  $29.95

The Museum District

Home to 18 museums, (11 of which are free), Houston’s Museum District is as fascinating as it is budget-friendly. Highlights include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Menil Collection, and the Museum of Natural Science.

Buffalo Bayou Park

Enjoy some sunshine, a leisurely walk, and some cheese and crackers in Buffalo Bayou Park. This urban escape features a history water reservoir-turned-art-exhibit, plus old-time homes, beautiful, landscaped gardens, and some fun biking trails.

Find more things to do on this 3 Days In Houston Itinerary !

The La Colombe d’Or promises a memorable experience thanks to its Victorian decor, outdoor pool, and proximity to central Houston.

The Cambria provides road trippers with a central location and upscale amenities at a reasonable price.

At Wanderstay budget travelers will have a modern, themed hostel with spacious communal and dining areas.

Day 9 – Galveston

From Houston, head further into East Texas with a visit to the coastal city of Galveston . Here are the top things to do when you get there!

Stewart Beach

Not far from the Historic Pleasure Pier, Stewart Beach is the spot to get some sun, go for a swim, and enjoy your last full day. Snack stands will keep your thirst quenched and your hunger at bay, and be sure to rent an umbrella for some handy shade.

The historic Strand in Galveston is lined with elegant 19th-century architecture and where tales of the past ring along the walking path. Spread along five blocks, you’ll find the Opera House from 1894 and dozens of fun shops within ancient walls.

Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is Texas’ answer to the one in Santa Monica. Soaring out into the Gulf, enjoy the 15-plus rides, family-fun arcades, and the token fair hot dog.

At the George Manor , you’ll be staying in a historic building with included breakfast and an on-site restaurant while being within walking distance of the beach.

On the Galveston Seawall, enjoy ocean views, on-site bar, and fitness center at Clarion Pointe .

By East Beach, Wingate by Wyndham , provides an excellent location, cable TV, and complimentary breakfast at low cost.

From Galveston, it’s time for the last leg of your epic Texas road trip. To complete the Texas “triangle” drive north for 4.5 hours along I-45. For a shorter trip, drop your rental car off in Houston, which is under an hour away.

Well, there you have it folks, the perfect Texas road trip. Over ten days, you’ll hit up some of the state’s best cities, learn about important history and indulge in some local culture. But rest assured, there’s plenty of time for fun, whether that be in Fort Worth, Austin, or Galveston.

Such is the size of Texas, there are still some notable absentees. A larger West Texas road trip would help you explore Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. But iconic places like Big Bend and the surrounding national parks would require much more time.

But no matter how much time you spend in Texas, you’re sure to have a blast!

DISCLAIMER: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you book accommodation, tours or buy a product, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep creating more free travel content to help people plan their holidays and adventures. We only recommend the best accommodations, tours and products that ourselves or our fantastic editorial team have personally experienced, and regularly review these. Thanks for your support, kind friend!

Alesha and Jarryd

Hi, We’re Alesha and Jarryd!

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The 6 most spectacular road trips in Texas

Aug 28, 2023 • 8 min read

Texas is the perfect state for a road trip filled with BBQ breaks © monkeybusinessimages / Getty Images

Texas is big – very big. But Austin, Dallas, San Antonio and El Paso are easy-to-reach launchpads for scenic road trips across the state. Just be ready for some lonely roads, particularly in West Texas.

These are six of our favorite road trips in the Lone Star State , from the kitschy charms of Route 66 in the Panhandle Plains to the windswept beaches of the Gulf Coast. Top tip? Brake for dance halls and BBQ joints – wherever you are.

1. Hill Country

Best scenic road trip Austin–San Antonio; 200 miles 

The Hill Country is one of the prettiest regions in Texas, especially in spring when wildflowers bloom along the roadside. In Austin , soak up the live music and food truck scene – and watch the bats swoop out from beneath the South Congress Bridge – before heading west to Dripping Springs. Dubbed the Gateway to the Hill Country, this welcoming small town is home to Jester King Brewery , Treaty Oak Distilling and Hamilton Pool Preserve . Wine country begins here too.

Swing north to the Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park , which spotlights the 36th president’s local roots across two historic towns: Johnson City and Stonewall. Continue north to hike up the 425ft granite dome – part of an enormous underground batholith – at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area then dip south to explore antique shops and museums in German-settled Fredericksburg. After walking the caverns in Boerne, conclude in San Antonio , where The Alamo and the gorgeous River Walk anchor downtown.

Planning tip:  Get your Texas playlist ready with these tunes: New San Antonio Rose by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys; Luckenbach, Texas by Waylon Jennings; On the Road Again by Willie Nelson; Amarillo by Morning by George Strait; What I Like about Texas by Jerry Jeff Walker & Gary P Nunn; Miles and Miles of Texas by Asleep at the Wheel; El Paso by Marty Robbins; Waltz Across Texas by Ernest Tubbs; Corpus Christi Bay by Robert Earl Keen; God Blessed Texas by Little Texas.

2. Big Bend Loop

Best off-the-beaten-path road trip El Paso–El Paso; 900 miles

The Big Bend region of West Texas isn’t the middle of nowhere, but it might be next door. Murals pack a visual punch in El Paso , a scrappy starting point for exploring West Texas . A drive east through the high desert leads to remote Guadalupe Mountains National Park , home of the highest peak in Texas. Cool off in the spring-fed pool at Balmorhea State Park then settle in for world-class stargazing at the McDonald Observatory in tiny Fort Davis.

A battered school desk attracts intrepid hikers to the top of Hancock Hill in Alpine, which qualifies as a metropolis around here. Swing through Marathon before driving into the heart of Big Bend National Park . Stargazing, hiking in the Chisos Mountains, and admiring Santa Elena Canyon are just a few of the highlights here.

The Rio Grande feels like your sidekick while driving scenic FM 170 west through Big Bend Ranch State Park . With minimalist art, mysterious lights, and tasty Marfalafel on offer, the city of Marfa is the right kind of weird. And just as you think you’re driving back into normal on your return to El Paso, Prada Marfa rises up from the desert to say, “Not quite yet.”

3. Houston & the Gulf Coast

Best road trip for beaches Houston–South Padre Island; 600 miles 

A drive along the Gulf Coast delivers birdwatching, kayaking, coastal conviviality and oh-so-many beaches. Immerse yourself in Houston's culture and cuisine, then pull over for Space Center Houston – where the tram passes the Apollo Mission Control Center – on your drive to the coast. The first stop on the Gulf is Galveston , a barrier island where sunny beaches and old-school Southern charm reign supreme. Whooping cranes winter at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge while galleries and restaurants shine in pedestrian-friendly Rockport.

Kick back in winsome Port Aransas, a small beach town with a big personality. Escape the crowds at Padre Island National Seashore , where you can kayak and windsurf and also drive on the beach. Explore museums and the aquarium in Corpus Christi , then drive south for an end-of-trip embrace of festive beach living on South Padre Island. Although it might be a touch too festive during spring break.

Local tip:  Let the Texas landscape surprise you. No less than 35 ecoregions exist here. Contrary to stereotypes, white-sand beaches, soaring pine forests and snowcapped mountains are all part of the picture. Indigenous birds, mammals and alligators outnumber the head of cattle here. All told, the natural attractions are a major reason to visit Texas.

4. Route 66 & the Texas Panhandle Loop

Best road trip for American kitsch Amarillo–Amarillo; 450 miles 

This windswept drive tackles the Mother Road and the Panhandle Plains with breezy, and we mean breezy, aplomb. About halfway between Chicago and Los Angeles on the old Route 66, Amarillo is a cattle town with a kitschy side – just step inside the neon-fronted Big Texan Steak Ranch . As numerous billboards attest, diners can earn a free 72oz steak – if they can eat it in an hour!

On your drive east on Route 66, pull over for the Leaning Water Tower and the World's Tallest Cross in Groom, the barbed wire museum in McLean and the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock – it was the model for Ramone’s Body Shop in the Pixar movie Cars .

Drop south across the plains to explore the magnificent Palo Duro Canyon , the second-largest canyon in the US behind the Grand Canyon. Lubbock is home to the Buddy Holly Center , which honors the rockabilly legend, and the fantastic Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum . Drive north to complete the loop at Cadillac Ranch , where 10 Cadillacs are buried hood-first on the windy plains on the western outskirts of Amarillo. Route 66 runs for 177 miles across Texas, often overlapping with I-40.

5. Fort Worth, Dallas & Northeast Texas

Best road trip for quintessential Texas Fort Worth–Jefferson; 250 miles 

Stockyards, museums, oil derricks and outdoor adventure. This road trip is all Texas. Explore the historic stockyards in Fort Worth , a stopover for cattle drives on the Chisholm Trail, then dive into art and history in Dallas , a posh oil industry hub. The city is also home to the Sixth Floor Museum , which delves into the assassination of JFK here in 1963.

From Dallas, drive east through Northeast Texas , a region known as the Piney Woods due to its extensive pine forests. Roses and spring azaleas bring manicured charm to Tyler while oil wells bring money to mind in Kilgore. The beauty gets wild – and slightly eerie – among the moss-covered cypress trees in swampy Caddo Lake , which branches off into bayous and tributaries ready-made for adventurous paddlers. Unwind in charismatic Jefferson, a wild riverboat town in the 1800s now known for its Greek-revival homes, brick streets, and gentile Southern spirit.

Local tip: Stretch your legs in Dallas. The major art and history sights are concentrated blissfully close together, something you'll appreciate given the overall sprawl. Downtown museums and Arts District attractions nearby are in areas easily traversed either by walking or taking the McKinney Ave trolley.

6. Texas BBQ and Dance Halls

Best road trip for a rollicking fun time Austin–Gruene; 100 miles, 350 miles if you take the detour

Two things Texas does extremely well? BBQ and dance halls. This road trip may not be the most scenic or the most direct, but it is a blast. Bring a portable chair and rest your legs while waiting in the line at Franklin BBQ in Austin – you’re gonna need ‘em at full strength later with all the two-stepping going on at the legendary Broken Spoke. Head west to the Hill Country for dancing at Mercer Dance Hall in Driftwood then dig in the next day at Salt Lick , where the indecisive should go for the family-style all-you-can-eat platter.

Swing southeast for a BBQ quadruple-threat in Lockhart. Designated the BBQ capital of Texas by the state legislature, it’s home to Black’s Barbecue , Kreuz Market (don’t ask for sauce or a fork), Chisholm Trail Bar-B-Q and Smitty’s Market . When your belly is full, it's just a 45-minute drive southwest to the worn wooden dance floor at Gruene Hall . Open since 1878, it’s the oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas. Music nightly. Beer cold. Happiness assured.

Detour: It’s a 75-mile haul northwest from Driftwood to Llano for brisket at Louie Mueller, which opened in 1949, and at Cooper’s Old Time Pit BBQ, which opened in 1963. But hey, they’re Texas classics and worth a trip if you’re serious about your BBQ. Stop by Enchanted Rock State Natural Area on your drive south to tiny Luckenbach. Made famous by Willie and Waylon’s catchy tune, Luckenbach is home to another beloved dance hall. It’s also a laid-back place to sip a beer under the oak trees on a lazy afternoon.

This article was first published November 2020 and updated August 2023

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7 Epic Texas Road Trip Itinerary Ideas

There’s absolutely no better way to explore the Lone Star State than on an epic Texas road trip, and we’ve created this road trip guide to show you some of the best ones around!

From Texas’ largest cities to its open plains, from its laid-back beach towns to its wine country, there is no shortage of variety when it comes to what you can experience in Texas.

Here are the best road trips in Texas–plus a few tips to keep in mind before you go.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

Unforgettable Texas Road Trip Ideas

Austin to san antonio loop.

For first-time visitors to Texas and Lone Star State lovers alike, it’s hard to imagine a better short Texas road trip than the route between Austin and San Antonio –especially because it is so customizable!

While Austin and San Antonio are less than 2 hours apart (allegedly–traffic often has other plans), here are just a few things to you can potentially do on the way: float the river in New Braunfels , swim in Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs, shop in San Marcos, and eat some of Texas’ best barbecue in Lockhart.

If you’d like to extend the trip, consider making a triangle between the two cities by adding a stop in Fredericksburg to enjoy some of Texas’ German history, drink local wine, and climb to the top of Enchanted Rock.

Plus, of course, there are the cities themselves: both Austin and San Antonio are home to enough fun things to do to keep you busy for weeks, from the Alamo to the Texas State Capitol and beyond.

Recommended Road Trip Length

Since the driving distances are so short for this road trip, a four or five day trip is enough to give you a nice overview of the area–but the sheer number of things to do nearby means that you could easily triple that time without getting bored!

Small Hill Country Towns + Outdoor Adventures

This Texas road trip also focuses on the general region between and around Austin and San Antonio–also known as the Texas Hill Country –but instead of focusing the trip on the area’s two large cities with a few stops along the way, this one is focused entirely on the countryside.

Starting from either Austin or San Antonio, head out into the Hill Country to explore the official Texas Wine Trail, stop by whimsical Wimberely to experience Jacob’s Well and its colorful downtown, scarf down German food in Fredericksburg , sample barbecue in Lockhart, swim in Dripping Springs, head to the LBJ Ranch, and stop by the positively tiny town of Luckenbach.

Be sure to also mix in plenty of outdoor beauty: Enchanted Rock , Pedernales Falls State Park, Natural Bridge Caverns, and Guadalupe River State Park (one of the most popular spots for floating the river ) are all accessible on this Texas road trip.

A week is long enough to have an incredibly memorable Texas Hill Country trip, though not long enough to see it all!

Texas’ portion of Route 66 is fairly short–you can drive it straight across the panhandle in about 3 hours without stopping–but it definitely makes for a classic Texas road trip!

Along Route 66, by far the biggest city you’ll pass is Amarillo, where you should definitely stop to check out the Historic Route 66 District, the American Quarter Horse Museum, and–for the very, very hungry–the 72 oz. steak challenge at the Big Texan Steak Ranch (don’t worry, they have more human-sized portions on offer too).

You’ll definitely want to swing by Cadillac Ranch as well, located just west of Amarillo, for a sight that you just don’t see everyday: 10 Cadillacs with their frontends buried in a field, spray-painted within an inch of their lives. 

Lesser-known Slug Bug Ranch (similar concept as Cadillac Ranch, but with slug bugs) is located on Route 66 as well, but on the eastern side of Amarillo.

Though it’s not technically on Route 66 itself, I also highly recommend swinging south of Amarillo to check out Palo Duro Canyon , the second-largest canyon in the USA and an unforgettable place to visit!

While you can easily drive Texas’ portion of Route 66 in a single day, we recommend spending a night or two in either Amarillo or Canyon to enjoy the nearby sights and some of the hikes in Palo Duro Canyon!

Wide Open Spaces in West Texas

West Texas is not only home to the sprawling, harsh desert landscapes that the Lone Star State is often associated with, it’s also home to both of Texas’ national parks, which can act as the backbone to a phenomenal Texas road trip.

After exploring some of the best things to do in El Paso , head to Guadalupe Mountains National Park for truly majestic landscapes (and depending on time, consider dipping across the border to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico as well).

From there, head off to Big Bend National Park: don’t miss hiking Santa Elena Canyon or admiring the views from Marshall Drive!

Nearby, you’ll find the lesser-known but still phenomenal cousin of Big Bend National Park: Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Along the way, consider stopping at the ghost town of Terlingua, the artsy town of Marfa (famous for its Prada store that never opens), and the McDonald Observatory, to fully appreciate the inky black night sky of West Texas.

In order to fully appreciate both national parks as well as Big Bend Ranch State Park while still leaving time for additional sightseeing along the way, we recommend taking around a week and a half to enjoy a West Texas road trip.

Dallas Loop Road Trip

For a Texas road trip with a fantastic mix of big cities, great food, charming small towns, and even a bit of nature, consider taking a road trip beginning and ending in Dallas.

Start off your trip by enjoying the best of Dallas and Ft. Worth, including the Arboretum, Reunion Tower, and Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, and the Stockyards in Ft. Worth.

From there, head down to Waco, where you’ll find the insanely popular Magnolia Market at the Silos, the beautiful campus of Baylor, Wooly Mammoth National Monument, and even a Dr. Pepper Museum (Texans are serious about Dr. Pepper).

Be sure to stop along the way for kolaches in West, Texas!

Depending on the time of year and amount of time you have for your road trip, other destinations to mix in include Dublin (the original home of Dr. Pepper and a town with lots of Irish influences), Grapevine (one of the best Christmas destinations in Texas), Ennis (home to some of the best bluebonnet fields in the state during the spring) and Canton (adorable and historic, plus home to one of the best flea markets in Texas ).

A quick 3-day weekend is long enough to hit a few major sights in both Dallas and Ft. Worth and briefly see Waco as well, but for the full experience covering the great small towns near Dallas, 5-7 days would be a better time frame to work with.

Gulf Coast Road Trip

If you’re looking for a beach escape in Texas, you can’t do better than road tripping the southern section of the Gulf Coast.

Starting in Corpus Christi , head down the coast to charming Mustang Island before making your way down to South Padre to enjoy one of Texas’ most beloved beach escapes.

From riding horses on the beach to visiting a sea turtle sanctuary to, of course, simply enjoying the sun and waves, you’ll find plenty to do along the way.

Be sure to stop in Port Isabel to see Texas’ second-smallest state park and climb the 19th-century lighthouse for beautiful views of the town and water, too!

This road trip can be enjoyed over a 3-day weekend, though you’ll probably want to choose between visiting either South Padre or Mustang Island if you’re short on time.

To visit both islands and stop at fun spots like Port Isabel along the way, a week is a good time frame for this road trip in Texas.

Piney Woods Road Trip

Nothing puts the diversity of Texas on display quite as obviously as starting in the enormous metropolitan area of Houston and then driving due north, where very quickly, city will give way to green forest–a far cry from the desert landscapes of West Texas or the endless fields of the Panhandle that Texas is more likely to be associated with.

East Texas, though, is a whole different ball game, from the barbecue (generally served on a bun with sauce, unlike its better-known cousin from Central Texas) to the landscape.

For your Piney Woods road trip, stop by Davy Crockett National Forest to get an idea for what the nature in East Texas has to offer before heading onto towns like Palestine (one of the homes of the Texas State Railroad), Longview, Jefferson , Marshall, and Nacogdoches.

Caddo Lake State Park, with its beautiful bayous and Spanish moss, is also a must-see stop on an East Texas road trip.

Don’t forget to leave a little time for Houston itself: the Houston Space Center alone is worth the trip!

Starting and ending in Houston, you can get a good overview of the Piney Woods area in around a week–but consider extending your Texas road trip a bit to dip down south of Houston to enjoy the beaches of the Gulf Coast a bit, too!

Tricks + Tips for Road Trips in Texas

Don’t underestimate the distance involved in taking a texas road trip..

Fun fact: when you’re in El Paso, you’re closer to San Diego than Houston!

As the second-largest state in the USA, Texas covers a positively enormous amount of land–much of it extremely empty land, especially the further west you go–and therefore taking a road trip in Texas means planning strategically based on where in the state you are.

… and definitely don’t try to cover the whole state in one trip.

Unless you have the time and inclination to drive for thousands of miles, looping around the entirety of Texas’ most famous attractions is not realistic on a single Texas road trip.

The good news is, though, that that means there’s always a reason to come back!

Stopping and Buc-ee’s and Rudy’s are important parts of any road trip in Texas.

Buc-ee’s has a bigger reputation, but Rudy’s has better breakfast tacos–in my opinion, anyway, but there are definitely those who vehemently disagree!

Either way, these iconic Texas institutions deserve to be part of any Texas road trip. 

Rudy’s is a chain of barbecue restaurants with a side of selling gas and running a small general store, and Buc-ee’s is a gigantic gas station/souvenir shop/bakery/snack station with obsessively clean bathrooms and a beaver statue out front–and with a description like that, how can you not want to see it in person?

Texans drive fast, so be prepared!

The highest posted speed limit anywhere in Texas is 85 mph (70, 75, and 80 are more common, though), but on the long stretches of the open road, let’s just say that the speed limit can often, in practice, turn into the speed minimum.

Fill up when you can, especially when headed to rural areas.

Texas isn’t exactly Australian-Outback-levels of deprived of gas stations, but especially if you’re driving through very rural areas and/or on back roads, you won’t want to stress over your gas tank getting too low.

If you’re not in a hurry, opt for the back roads once in a while.

From beautiful farms to surprising small towns, there’s a lot of beauty lurking on Texas’ smaller roads.

Don’t plan a Texas road trip entirely around the big cities.

Texas’ cities are incredible, but many of the charms of road trips in Texas lie far away from their skyscrapers and (notorious) traffic.

Small towns, state parks, and wide-open spaces are some of the best things you can see in the Lone Star State, so be sure to mix them into your Texas road trip itinerary!

5 thoughts on “7 Epic Texas Road Trip Itinerary Ideas”

WOW! I lived the first 40 years of my life and now realize I only experienced a tiny bit of the wonders! After reading your articles (and seeing the pictures!) I can’t wait to go back and experience all of it!

Thank you so much, Diane! There is truly an overwhelming amount of things to see in Texas, we may never be done exploring it all!

Excellent presentation, but you should mention the twisted sisters, after TXDOT completes the bridge rework over Mill Creek.

I live in Virginia and I visit Texas every year and I have never before had a plan as well out as these seven trips. Thanks.

Glad to hear it, Fred! Enjoy Texas 🙂

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Texas road trip - The ultimate 1 week itinerary

Howdy, welcome to Texas! As the second largest state in the United States in terms of both area and population, there's a near infinite amount of things to see in Texas, making it the perfect destination for an epic road trip.

While there are lots of different Texas road trip routes you could take, our seven day round-trip itinerary covers all the big cities, hitting up Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and Fort Worth, as well as a detour through the picturesque Hill Country.

Before we launch into the trip, a quick word on driving in Texas. The car is king here, so expect to rely on your car in cities as well as to drive between them. Although this may sound annoying, it means that the roads are really clear and easy to navigate, and that there's usually ample inner city parking, making travelling by car a doddle.

Other than that everything else is pretty self-explanatory, so just get stuck in to your trip and enjoy!

Day 1: Austin - go sightseeing, take a dip in the Barton Springs Municipal Pool, & eat classic Texas BBQ food

The vibrant city of Austin is the first stop on your Texas road trip, and it's the ideal place to start and end your round trip itinerary.

As well as having a large international airport that's well-connected to the rest of the U.S. and London Heathrow, it's an amazing cultural hub to introduce you to the buzzing atmosphere you'll find throughout your Texas itinerary.

Aim to land some time in the morning and take today pretty slowly - you'll be back in Austin on day 7, so don't feel pressured to cover everything if you're feeling jet-lagged or worn out from your journey.

Travel tip: Pick up your car straight away at the airport - you'll appreciate having it to visit some of today's sights.

Fly into Austin, get settled at your hotel then head to the Texas State Capitol Building

After a quick relax at your hotel, head to the famous Texas State Capitol Building for your first taste of Austin

This magnificent building is the seat of government for the state of Texas, and is a stunning piece of 19th-century architecture that's a true symbol of the Lone Star State.

Located on a hill overlooking downtown Austin, its dome pokes through the rooftops and contrasts beautifully with the ultra-modern skyscrapers that surround it.

Picturesque grounds also wrap around the building, scattered with statues and monuments shaded by leafy trees and plants.

After you've enjoyed the outside, the best way to make the most of the inside is to take a free tour with a knowledgeable guide who'll be able to tell you all about Texan history and legislature, as well as the architecture itself.

Tours depart every 30 to 45 minutes from the south foyer and last around 30 minutes, running between 8.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3.30pm on Saturdays, and 12.00pm to 3.30pm on Sundays.

Have a lazy lunch then visit the Cathedral of Junk

The second attraction we're sending you to in Austin is very quirky and off-the-beaten-track, which means it's practically guaranteed to be unforgettable.

Have a lazy lunch at a cafe or restaurant that takes your fancy (save the BBQ food for later), then head to the Cathedral of Junk - an epic sculpture made entirely of - you guessed it - junk.

Located in a suburban backyard, this crazy art installation is the work of artist Vince Hannemann, and its cathedral-esque structure is made up of tangles of bicycles, household appliances, toys, CDs, and pretty much anything and everything - you name it, you'll probably be able to find it somewhere in the structure.

Although it may just look like a pile of junk at first glance, it's actually really intricately made and surprisingly thought-provoking. (You know what they say about 'one man's trash'!)

Make sure you go inside and look up to the spire-shaped roof to get the full cathedral experience, and interpret the artistic message however you see fit. We like to think it's there to make people stop and think about waste and consumerism.

You'll find the Cathedral of Junk at 4422 Lareina Drive, and owing to the fact that it's a home on a quiet residential street, it's vital you call ahead and make an appointment if you want to drop by. Call (512) 299-7413 to arrange a time.

The experience is free to enjoy, however there's a suggested donation of $10 per group to support its upkeep and continuous construction.

The easiest way to get there (and then to the pool afterwards) is to hop in your hire car and drive.

Bear in mind, however, that you won't be able to park on Lareina Drive, so pay attention to parking signs and find a spot on a nearby side street.

Alternatively you could have lunch at nearby Casa Maria before your visit - there's ample parking there and the Tex-Mex is great!

Drive to Barton Springs Municipal Pool for the rest of the afternoon

The Barton Springs Municipal Pool is around 20 minutes north of the Cathedral of Junk, so it should be easy to get there with enough time for a swim before it gets dark.

If you're travelling in the colder months don't be put off from taking a dip as this three-acre natural pool is fed by underground springs, meaning the water stays at a toasty 20ºC (68ºF) all year round.

Plus, temperatures in Austin tend to be pretty mild throughout the year anyway, so there's really nothing stopping you.

As well as being a lovely place for a swim and a sunbathe, the water is home to the endangered Barton Springs Salamander, so it's a pretty important feature of Austin's landscape.

For this reason, the pool is closed every Thursday from 9am to 7pm to clean and maintain the water, so ideally day 1 of your trip should fall on a different day so you don't miss out.

Admission to the pool costs $9 for adults, and note that lifeguards are only on duty some of the time, so make sure you take care when in the water and keep an eye on any children you're travelling with.

Watch the sunset and the bats from the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge

Make it back to your hotel with enough time to freshen up and head back out to the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge before the sun sets - trust us, you won't want to be late.

This unassuming bridge over the Colorado River comes alive at sunset between March and October, when hundreds of bats fly out from underneath the bridge and are beautifully silhouetted against the orange glow of the sky.

Following the 1980 redesign of the bridge, the structure includes lots of perfectly bat-sized crevices where the animals live and give birth to their pups.

If you're travelling in August, you'll get to see the pups emerge for the first time too, virtually doubling the cloud of bats flying against the pastel-hued sky.

The walkway on the east side of the bridge has the best view, but if you want to sit down it's also possible to spread out a blanket on the riverbank below. If you choose the latter, however, beware that you're more likely to get hit by bat poo!

And even if you're visiting outside of bat season, it's still worth heading to the bridge for the sunset view before you go for dinner.

Have a classic Texas BBQ feast at Black's Barbecue

It would be wrong not to kick off your Texas food adventure with some classic BBQ goods, so stroll north from the bridge to Black's Barbecue to work up an appetite.

This family-owned BBQ joint is currently run by the third generation of the Black family, and all the meat is still smoked using traditional methods developed by the very first generation.

Using a simple rub, oak wood, and a whole lot of patience, this restaurant cooks up some of the finest cuts of meat in town.

Classic brisket, ribs, and turkey are all on the menu, along with sides including beans, potato salad, and mac and cheese. The sides, however, are the only veggie options on the menu, so definitely opt for somewhere else if you're travelling with any vegetarians.

Those that do eat here, expect to leave very full, very happy, and very ready to retire to bed.

Day 2: Austin to San Antonio via the Hill Country - drive through the Hill Country, stopping to visit Hamilton Pool Preserve, Bandera & go horseback riding

The aim of day 2 is to get from Austin to San Antonio, and we're taking you on a detour through the Hill Country to make the most of the stunning Texan landscapes - there's more to it than big cities!

This beautiful area of rolling hills, glittering streams and tall oak trees is just a stone's throw from both Austin and San Antonio, and it's a great area for some scenic driving and cowboy culture.

Travel tip: If you're travelling in spring, look out for the colourful bluebonnet flowers that pop up all over the Hill Country. Peak season is from March to mid-April.

Drive west to Hamilton Pool Preserve

We're sticking with the swimming theme for your first stop by sending you to Hamilton Pool.

This nature reserve features a 50-foot waterfall plunging into a beautiful natural blue pool, fringed by rugged rocks and trees; and yes, it's absolutely as idyllic as it sounds.

Unlike Barton Springs Pool, the water here is pretty cold so you'll probably only want to swim if you're visiting in summer. However it's still a really pretty place to stop off on your way through the Hill Country.

There are a couple of things to note when visiting Hamilton Pool Preserve, the first being that you have to reserve and pay for a time to go before you arrive.

Although this may sound fussy, it does mean that it never gets too crowded, which is good for both you and the preservation of the stunning natural environment.

There's two sessions - one in the morning and one in the afternoon - and entry costs $11 per person, with an additional $15 charged per vehicle on arrival.

It's also important to note that swimming isn't always allowed. This is because excessive rainfall or a change in the levels of bacteria present in the water can make it unsafe, so make sure you check online before you arrive.

One final thing to be aware of is that the pool is around a half an hour hike from the car park and includes some uneven surfaces and steps, so do come prepared with comfortable shoes, and consider opting out if you have mobility issues.

With the technicalities out the way, just enjoy this stunning area for an hour or two, exploring the pool's surroundings, relaxing in the sun, and going for a dip (if you're brave enough).

Travel tip: If the weather's not great, the pool's all booked up, or you just don't fancy going to the pool, you could always drive a little further and visit the Enchanted Rock instead.

This pink granite mound rises above the green plains of the Hill Country and is a lovely place for a walk and a breath of fresh air - just remember to wrap up warm if you decide to climb to the top, as it can get pretty chilly!

Head back to the car and drive south to Bandera

Your next stop in the Hill Country is Bandera, which is roughly 105 miles from the pool.

It'll probably take you the best part of two hours to get there, so if you're feeling peckish you might want to stop off for lunch or pick up some snacks in Fredericksburg on the way.

Hopefully you'll arrive in Bandera in the early/ mid afternoon, giving you plenty of time to experience it's rustic Texan charm.

As the self-proclaimed 'Cowboy Capital of Texas', this is the place to go if you're looking for real life cowboys, dude ranches, rodeos, and honky-tonk clubs.

This town is true to its roots, embracing traditional southern U.S. culture without being bombarded by franchised restaurants and shops, so a visit here is a must if you want to get a feel for the genuine cowboy way of life.

There aren't many specific sights to see here, so just spend some time walking around and getting a feel for the quintessentially Texan culture. Walking down the Main Street is a great place to start, as it's lined with lots of bustling shops, bars, and restaurants.

One shop you should definitely peek into is Bandera General Store, a shop selling everything from cowboy boots and hats to gifts, BBQ sauces and ice cream.

The store even has one of only 11 original soda fountains left in the whole of Texas, so if you're in need of an old-school thirst-quencher after your drive, this is the place to go.

Head to Silver Spur Ranch to go horseback riding

Kit yourself out with cowboy attire, hop back in the car and drive 15 minutes down the road to Silver Spur Ranch to go horseback riding. This historic ranch is the ideal place to embrace the last of the Hill Country before you head to San Antonio.

The ranch offers one -hour rides for $45 or two-hour rides for $80 (plus a $5 parking fee), so don your blue jeans, saddle up, and prepare to release your inner cowboy (or girl).

Drive on to San Antonio and have dinner on the Riverwalk

By the time you've arrived in San Antonio and checked into your hotel it will probably be the evening, so make your way to the Riverwalk for a relaxing dinner to top off the day.

This charming portion of the city is made up of walkways that run along the San Antonio River, and is lined with loads of amazing bars and restaurants.

The Riverwalk comes alive with glittering lights at night, so pick a restaurant with tables overlooking the water so you can soak up the atmosphere. You'll be back on day 3 to explore properly, so don't feel guilty about prioritising food this evening.

We've got two restaurant suggestions to give you some inspiration... just avoid Tex-Mex as you'll be feasting on that tomorrow.

Boudro's - Texas bistro Boudro's is a popular spot on the Riverwalk, and serves up hearty seafood and speciality meat dishes as well as soups, salads, and mouth-watering appetisers. Be sure to order their legendary tableside guacamole which they prepare as you watch - you can't get much fresher than this!

Ocho - Situated in a glass conservatory overlooking the river, Ocho wins top marks for location and delicious food. Dishes here draw on both Latin and Texan influences, so expect some really interesting flavour combinations and heaps of old-world charm. They also sell some of the best Margaritas in San Antonio in downstairs Havana Bar, so definitely check that out after your meal.

Stick around for a drink and a stroll along the Riverwalk, then head back to your hotel and call it a night - it's been a long day!

Day 3: San Antonio - visit the Alamo, browse the Historic Market Square & relax in the Japanese Tea Garden

Have a stroll along the riverwalk in daylight, then visit the alamo.

Kick off day 3 with a morning stroll along the Riverwalk. While by night the walk was buzzing with bars and eateries, by day it's a lovely relaxed place for a stroll, with lots of lush foliage and pretty buildings fringing the water.

Have an early morning wander, grab a quick coffee, then head to the Alamo for the rest of the morning.

Officially called the Alamo Mission (or the Misión de Álamo in Spanish), the building dates back to the 18th century and was one of the early Spanish missions in Texas to educate the American Indians on becoming Christian.

It later became a fortress and was famously the site of the Battle of the Alamo against the Mexican Army in 1836. It's essentially a monument that sums up Texan heritage and the bravery of the heroes who refused to surrender during the battle.

Today it's a really interesting historical site to visit, with a beautiful church, a Long Barrack housing an informative exhibition on the site's history, and lovely grounds with a fountain, courtyard and loads of green space to enjoy.

Entry to the Alamo is free, however it relies on donations, so dropping a few dollars into one of the collection pots is encouraged.

Head to the Historic Market Square for lunch

You'll have worked up an appetite after your morning of sightseeing, so make your way to the Historic Market Square for some lunch and a browse; it's around a 20-minute walk west of the Alamo (or a few minutes in the car).

One of the largest Mexican markets outside of Mexico, this lively outdoor plaza is home to over 100 locally-owned stalls and shops selling traditional Talavera pottery, colourful clothing, and handcrafted gifts.

You'll also find traditional music and performances in the market, transporting you straight to Mexico City.

Before you have a proper browse of the stalls, turn your attention to the food on offer and grab some lunch - the market celebrates the best of San Antonio's incredible Tex-Mex scene.

Grab some tacos and craft beer from Viva Villa Taqueria followed by a sweet treat from Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery, then spend some time looking around, soaking up the atmosphere and buying a few souvenirs.

Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the Japanese Tea Garden

You've explored Spanish culture at the Alamo and experienced Mexican traditions at the Historic Market Square, now it's time for some Japanese heritage at the Japanese Tea Garden.

Located in Brackenridge Park towards the north of the city (you'll probably want to drive), this serene garden brings an unexpected slice of Japan to Texas and is a really beautiful yet underrated attraction to visit.

The garden was originally a rock quarry before being converted into the Japanese Tea Garden in 1917, with walkways, stone bridges, and a traditional pagoda all filling the space.

After extensive restoration between 2005 and 2011, the garden is now home to exotic plants, Japanese Koi fish, and the historic Jinju house.

Take your time enjoying the garden, making sure to check out the stone Pavilion, lily ponds, and waterfall before popping into Jingu House Cafe for a cup of tea to rest your legs; we'd recommend you spend an hour or two making the most of this serene oasis in the heart of the city.

If you've had enough of the garden and still have some time to spare before evening falls, Brackenridge Park is also home to San Antonio Zoo, a golf course and a botanical garden, so there's plenty more to occupy your time.

Have dinner then head to the Pearl District for a drink

Switch back to Texan culture for the evening and grab some dinner before heading to the Pearl District for a drink. This neighbourhood, built from the repurposed Pearl Brewery, is quickly becoming one of the city's trendiest areas.

Either honour the district's past and opt for a pint of one of Southerleigh Brewery's unique craft beers (look out for the quirky names, including 'Texas Uncommon Ale' and 'Koalas, Cocker Spaniels and Unicorns'), or head to Jazz Tx for a classy cocktail and live music.

Whichever you choose, both sum up this neighbourhood perfectly and are a great way to round off your San Antonio itinerary before you move on to Houston in the morning.

Day 4: San Antonio to Houston - drive to Houston, visit the Space Center & explore the city

Drive straight to space center houston.

The drive to Houston from San Antonio takes around three hours and 45 minutes, so you'll want to hit the road as soon as possible after breakfast to arrive at Space Center Houston in the late morning.

World renowned for being the home of NASA Mission Control, it would be wrong not to visit the Space Center on your Houston stop off. Book tickets well in advance to avoid the queues and get stuck in.

This fun and informative centre focuses on teaching its visitors all about space travel, with over 400 space artefacts, loads of exciting exhibitions and interactive displays, and actual flown spacecraft and replicas to explore.

As you can probably tell there's a lot to see here, which could easily cover the rest of the day, so if you're not too fussed about looking around Houston itself feel free to dedicate this leg of the journey exclusively to all things space.

If you'd rather keep some of your afternoon free, we'd advise spending around three hours here and prioritising the areas of the centre you'd like to see most.

Here's a list of what to expect on your visit so you can start planning:

NASA Tram Tour - A trip on the centre's tram will take you on a tour of the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) for a behind-the-scenes look at space exploration. Features include a tour of the astronaut training facility, a look around the historic Mission Operations Control Room (from which NASA led the iconic first lunar landing) and a trip to Rocket Park.

International Space Station Gallery - This interactive gallery offers an insight into the technologies and role of the International Space Station (ISS) and what it's like to live in space, as well as presenting artefacts that have been worn or used during real ISS missions.

Starship Gallery - This area of the Space Center is home to multiple flown spacecraft including Apollo 17 (which made the last Apollo mission to the moon), and Gemini V (which took two astronauts to the moon during the Cold War). Here you'll also be able to touch a piece of genuine moonstone - pretty cool if you ask us.

Independence Plaza - This is definitely one of the centre's highlights. In the Independence Plaza you'll have the opportunity to enter the shuttle replica Independence, which is mounted on top of the original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience being on a shuttle, so definitely make sure you squeeze this attraction in.

Mission Mars - This interactive exhibition gives you a feel for what it's like to travel to Mars. Experience a virtual Martian sunset, touch a Mars rock, and look inside a full-size Orion capsule to understand the colossal journey astronauts will have to make to this intriguing planet.

Astronaut Gallery - Home to one of the largest collections of spacesuits in the world, this gallery has examples on display used for everything from training drills to actual moon walks. The main suits to look out for are definitely those worn by the first two American women to go into space; they symbolise some pretty iconic moments in the history of space travel.

Tickets cost $29.95 and include admission to all of the above exhibitions.

Make your way into Houston and spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the city

If you've finished at the Space Center with some time to spare, drive into Houston and spend some time getting to know the city.

This buzzing metropolis is the most populous city in Texas, home to world-class restaurants, captivating art, an incredible shopping scene and a lively nightlife.

You'll probably be quite museumed-out after your epic visit to the Space Center, so we'd suggest just spending some time walking around the city at a leisurely pace.

Be sure to stroll through a portion of the downtown underground tunnels (a network of climate-controlled walkways connecting hotels, banks, shops and government offices), take a look at the octagonal Rothko Chapel, and snap a photo of the statue of Sam Houston (an important leader of the Texan revolution) in Hermann Park at sunset.

Go for dinner at The Pass & Provisions

When you start to feel those hunger pangs, make your way to The Pass & Provisions for dinner (the best way to get there is to hop in your hire car as the restaurant has both self-parking and a complimentary valet service available).

This two-in-one restaurant offers you a choice between a refined tasting menu served in the formal dining room of The Pass, or a more relaxed and informal experience at Provisions; it's up to you which you go for.

At The Pass, expect an intricate five-course tasting menu ($65) of fresh seasonal ingredients which you can pair with the perfect drink to accompany each course ($110).

The dishes are varied and exciting, and there's also the option to have a vegetarian version of the menu if you want to.

Provisions is more of a hearty affair, with comforting bowls of pasta, indulgent pizzas, and rustic bistro plates served up in a more laid-back environment.

The food is still pretty fancy (think squid ink pasta and duck confit pizza), but on less of a fine-dining level than The Pass.

Enjoy your meal, have a cocktail or two (Provisions) or a glass of wine from their extensive list (The Pass), then head back to your hotel and relax.

Day 5: Houston to Dallas - drive to Dallas, explore the Arts District, discover the history of John F. Kennedy's assassination, & have dinner at the top of Reunion Tower

The drive from Houston to Dallas is another long stretch (around three and a half hours), so drag yourself out of bed for one more early morning to arrive with some sightseeing time before lunch.

Go for a stroll around the Arts District and visit the Dallas Museum of Art or Nasher Sculpture Centre

Spend what's left of the morning having a look around the Dallas Arts District.

Said to be the largest arts district in the country, this area has loads of different arty sights to look at, so have a walk around and pick somewhere to go inside.

We'd recommend opting for either (or both) the Dallas Museum of Art, which houses over 22,000 pieces from the third millennium BC to the present day, or the Nasher Sculpture Centre, which has one of the best collections of contemporary sculptures in the world.

Admission to the Dallas Museum of Art is free, and costs $10 for the Nasher Sculpture Centre.

After you've had your art fix, grab some lunch (both museums have really nice cafes), then swap artwork for history as you make your way to Dealey Plaza for the afternoon.

Head to Dealey Plaza and learn about President John F. Kennedy's assassination

Although it may not be the cheeriest claim to fame, one of the things Dallas is most famous for is being the site of 35th U.S. President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963, and it's an important fragment of history to learn about during your visit.

JFK was fatally shot in Dealey Plaza in Downtown Dallas while riding in an open top car with his wife and then-Texas Governor John Connally. There are a couple of different attractions to visit here related to his death.

The first place to visit is the Sixth Floor Museum, located on the sixth floor of what used to be the Texas School Book Depository, in the very spot where Lee Harvey Oswald is thought to have fired the fatal shots.

The museum examines the life, death, and legacy of the president through historic film clips (including the chilling Zapruder Film of the assassination), artefacts, photographs, and informative displays detailing the events and aftermath of the shooting.

You can even stand in the exact place that Oswald is thought to have pulled the trigger.

With all the conspiracy theories that surround JFK's death, this museum is a fascinating place to get to grips with the full story and speculate about what you think really happened to the President that day.

Entry to the museum costs $18, and it's a good idea to book online in advance.

Once you're clued-up on the facts, head to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Plaza to pay your respects - it's all too easy to get caught up in the theories of what happened and overlook the fact that these exhibitions are there to pay homage to the President's death, not just his story.

The plaza is home to a simple concrete memorial designed by architect and Kennedy family friend Philip Johnson, which is intended to be an enclosed space of refuge away from the bustle of the city.

Its design is a cenotaph, a kind of empty tomb, symbolising the freedom of JFK's spirit, and it's accompanied by some words inscribed into granite squares in the plaza (we'll leave you to discover this epitaph for yourself).

Take your time visiting these monuments, then head to the nearby Commissary Cafe for coffee and cake before having a final wander around downtown Dallas.

Travel tip : Go and visit the Giant Eyeball and the Cattle Drive sculptures in Pioneer Plaza - they're pretty epic sights that'll lift your mood after that sombre afternoon.

Go for dinner at the top of Reunion Tower

After relaxing at your hotel for a bit, head to the Reunion Tower for dinner. This futuristic building is topped with a distinctive glowing ball that offers incredible 360-degree views of the city.

Reserve a table at Five Sixty , a restaurant located right at the top of the tower, where they serve up contemporary Asian dishes and a great selection of exotic beers and sake to accompany your meal.

Aside from the food, one of the best bits about this restaurant is that the whole dining room rotates as you eat, meaning that you really do get to enjoy 360-degree views without even leaving your seat - a dreamy way to celebrate your Texas road trip so far.

Have a long and slow dinner so you get to soak up the views for as long as possible, then make your way back to your hotel and call it a night.

Day 6: Dallas to Fort Worth - drive to Fort Worth to explore its modern art scene & cowboy heritage

Have a lie-in and brunch in dallas then drive to fort worth.

Have a slow start to day 6 - your itinerary has been super busy so far, so you definitely deserve a lie in!

When you're ready, head to All Good Cafe in the Deep Ellum neighbourhood for a hearty brunch.

The menu here has everything from fluffy buttermilk pancakes to classic fried breakfasts, Mexican huevos rancheros, breakfast tacos, and Texas omelettes.

If you're feeling particularly ravenous, go for their 'world's best' chicken-fried steak and eggs - definitely their signature dish that's sure to fill you with energy for the rest of the day.

Once you've eaten, make your way back to the car and hit the road for Fort Worth. This modern-yet-traditional city is located only 32 miles outside of Dallas along route 30, so it shouldn't take you more than around 40 minutes to get there.

Travel tip: Once you get to Fort Worth, we'd recommend you drive between sights rather than walking; the places on your itinerary are a little far apart and there's loads of parking available at each.

Browse the Kimbell Art Museum

There's no better place to continue your Texas art education than at the Kimbell Art Museum, so park up and head straight there once you've arrived in Fort Worth.

This world-class art museum houses an incredible permanent collection that features pieces by some of the most famous artists in history, including Matisse, Picasso, Rembrandt and Goya, that make it one of the best collections in the country.

One really special masterpiece to look out for is The Torment of Saint Anthony by Michelangelo.

The first known painting by this iconic Italian artist, it's believed to have been painted when he was just 12 or 13 before he found his niche as a sculptor. Definitely seek out this little painting as you walk around.

The building itself, designed by renowned architect Louis Kahn, is also a work of art.

Its vaulted ceilings are embedded with skylights that allow natural light to filter into the modern building and illuminate the art; the effect is pretty special.

Admission to the permanent collection is free, however there's a fee to enter some of the exhibitions, so check online ahead of your visit for what's on and how much it will cost.

There is also free parking on site, so don't worry about finding a spot to leave the car.

Enjoy the tranquillity of the Fort Worth Water Gardens

When you're done at the museum, hop back in the car and drive a few minutes east to the Fort Worth Water Gardens, another of this city's must-see sights.

This tranquil urban park is tucked away in bustling downtown Fort Worth and offers visitors a welcome respite from the busy streets.

The gardens are architecturally impressive as well as pleasantly soothing, made up of modern pools, cascading waterfall-style fountains, and tree-lined plazas to explore.

The Active Pool is, however, the undisputed star of the show here.

It features water cascading 38 feet down ledges and steps into a pool at the bottom, and it's possible to walk down amid the water to experience its sounds and motion. If you're fit to walk down the steps then definitely do - it's a really memorable experience!

Go to the Fort Worth Stockyards and watch the cattle drive

Your final stop in Fort Worth is the Stockyards, a little further north of the Water Gardens.

This historic cattle district is steeped in cowboy history, making for quite the contrast from the modern downtown you've explored so far.

Made up of low-rise buildings, cowboy stores, honky-tonk bars and rodeos, you can't get much more Wild West than the Stockyards.

Have a wander around at your own pace, taking in all the cowboy action and dipping into the shops for some souvenirs if you fancy it.

We're leaving your Stockyards itinerary up to you with just one piece of advice: make sure you arrive in time for the 4pm cattle drive.

This twice-daily herd of longhorn cattle is a tradition here that sees real Texas cowhands directing the animals down Exchange Avenue.

Every aspect of the display, from the type of cattle down to the traditional dress of the cowhands, is historically accurate, bringing the Old West to life in this modern city.

If you're worried about the ethical implications of going to a rodeo, the cattle drive is a great alternative.

Spend the evening at Billy Bob's Texas

Owing to the fact that you've just spent the afternoon at the Stockyards and it's your last night in Texas, it seems only fitting to spend the evening at one of the world's biggest honky-tonk bars, Billy Bob's Texas .

This huge 100,000-square-foot country and western nightclub in the Stockyards contains everything cowboy-themed you can think of, including an indoor rodeo arena, dozens of bars, live country music, and an enormous dance floor.

Check ahead on their website to see if anyone is performing the night you're there, and get ready to two-step the night away to celebrate the last night of your ultimate Texas road trip.

Day 7: Fort Worth to Austin - drive back to Austin, see any last minute sights & make your way home

Drive back to austin and make the most of your last few hours in texas.

Day 7 is the final day of your Texas itinerary, and what you do today depends entirely on what time you have to be at the airport to head home.

If you've got a little time to spare, we have a few last minute recommendations:

Bullock Texas State History Museum - For a final history fix, head to the Bullock Texas State History Museum. Detailing over four centuries of Texan history, this is the perfect place to polish your knowledge of the Lone Star State before you head home.

There's loads of great artefacts and exhibits to explore, particularly the impressive renovated shipwreck. Admission costs $12.

Franklin Barbecue - If you'd rather dedicate your final hours in Texas to your taste buds, then standing in line to sample the legendary brisket from Franklin Barbecue , which has been given the thumbs up by former President Barack Obama, is the activity for you.

Get in the queue as early as you can as they close up shop when the food runs out at around 3pm, and leave Texas with a belly full of the best food in town.

Zilker Park - If you'd rather just relax before jetting home, then a trip to Zilker Park should be on the cards.

This large green space is perfect for a leisurely walk, a picnic, or some relaxed sunbathing before you have to head to the airport, making it a great place to unwind.

If you decide that you want a little more excitement than that, Lady Bird lake is the ideal place for some kayaking or stand up paddle boarding in the warmer months.

University of Texas Tower - Another option is to get up high and bid farewell to Austin from the University of Texas Tower. The 45-minute tours of the tower end up at the observation deck, which offers views across the whole city. It's a wonderful way to round out your trip.

Tickets cost $6 and should be bought in advance, and note that the tower closes during winter.

Say goodbye to Texas and head to the airport

Finish up your activity, say goodbye to Austin and hop back into the car to drive to the airport - we hope ya'll had a great time in Texas!

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The 8 Most Scenic Road Trips in Texas

Even if you only have a day or two to explore, these road trips deliver natural swimming holes, stunning views, and good eats aplenty..

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With the largest highway system in the United States, Texas is ideal for road-tripping.

Photo by IrinaK/Shutterstock

In the largest state in the contiguous United States, it can take hours just to drive out of Texas, especially if you live toward the center—say, near San Antonio or Austin. So, when most Texans plan road trips, it’s usually an in-state jaunt. The good news is thanks to its size, there are many scenic things to see and do within the borders of the Lone Star State.

Texas sits in an interesting geographical position and boasts 10 different, distinct biomes—it’s not all rolling tumbleweeds and high desert—so there is plenty of scenery to enjoy. Some areas of interest to consider for your trip: the piney woods and Louisiana-like swamps of East Texas; the charming knolls of the Hill Country (and all the clear, cool rivers that run through it); the enchanting, mountainous West Texas desert; the rolling plains of the Panhandle.

If you’re a history buff, there are many historical museums, towns, and monuments to add to your itinerary. Texas was its own country for nine years, something no other state can claim, and has all of the drama, military conflict, and political spats that go along with nation building. With more than 16,000 historical markers throughout all 254 counties of the state, be ready to tap on the brakes and pull over for a quick stop. As John Steinbeck noted in Travels With Charley , the smaller a town is, the more historical markers it is likely to have.

Perhaps what makes a Texas road trip truly unique and worthwhile are the distinctive communities you’ll encounter. Most of central Texas was settled by German immigrants and many small towns in the area—like Gruene, Fredericksburg, and New Braunfels—have German-style restaurants, shops, and even festivals like Wurstfest . South Texas is home to the second-largest population of Latino people in the country after California, with a vibrant Tejano culture that’s been around for centuries. (I sure hope you like Tex Mex.) For a more traditional Southern jaunt, head to Houston where the drawls grow longer, the sweet tea flows free, and the barbecue ribs are as sweet as honey.

All of that, and I haven’t even talked yet about Buc-ee’s , aka the best (and cleanest) gas station chain ever and current record holder for the largest gas station in the world . Consider stocking up on beef jerky and beaver nuggets while you’re there and picking up a chopped brisket sandwich. And keep your eyes peeled for those good ol’ mom-and-pop diners as well—they might be selling homemade pies that will put your mama’s recipe to shame. Oh, and don’t forget to make a pit stop for barbecue if you happen to be near one of the best ’cue joints in Texas.

Ready to ride? Here are the eight of the best Texas road trips:

Highway 170 partially runs along Texas’s border with Mexico, making for striking canyon views.

Photo by jamsedel/Shutterstock

1. Lajitas to Presidio

• Start: Lajitas
• End: Presidio
• Distance: 50 miles
• Recommended time: One day

In the far reaches of West Texas, in the desolate-yet-beautiful borderlands between Mexico and the U.S., is Highway 170, arguably one of the most gorgeous drives in the whole country. Don’t just take my word for it—in 2008, National Geographic Traveler named it one of the nation’s most scenic highways, along with classics like California’s Highway 1 .

You could begin this journey in either direction, but the canyons are most spectacular if the drive starts in the small town of Lajitas (not much there besides a high-end golf resort and air strip) and ends in the slightly bigger small town of Presidio. There are no tourist traps or cultural stops along the way; this is a drive purely for enjoying the ruggedness and solitude of the West Texas desert landscape. Be sure to bring snacks or enough food for a roadside picnic—there are plenty of places to pull off from the road and enjoy a scenic meal.

For fans of Lonesome Dove , consider a detour to see the casita that served as Maria’s Ojinaga home in the miniseries Streets of Laredo , in the ghost town of Contrabando within Big Bend Ranch State Park . And if you happen to be driving from Presidio to Lajitas, make the extra 13 miles to Terlingua, where you can refill on fuel and refill your belly at the legendary Starlight Theatre Restaurant and Saloon —the margaritas are chilly and strong.

The Davis Mountains Scenic Loop begins and ends in Fort Davis.

Photo by Mae Hamilton

2. Davis Mountains Scenic Loop

• Starts and ends in: Fort Davis
• Distance: 75 miles

The Davis Mountains of West Texas are classified as a “ sky island ,” and their green slopes certainly strike a sharp contrast to the brown scrub brush of the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert. Encompassing a scenic 75-mile stretch of Texas State Highway 118 and Texas 166, the Davis Mountains Scenic Loop is the most elevated highway in the state as well as one of the least crowded and most scenic. When I made this trip in November 2021, I didn’t see a single car besides our own for the entire duration.

Along the way, travelers can admire historic ranches, rolling golden grasslands, and mountaintops teeming with flora and fauna found nowhere else in the state. There are several picturesque places to stop for a picnic, including the fancifully named Dead Man’s Canyon , which, as legend has it, got its moniker when the body of young Horace Powe was found propped up next to a boulder in the 1880s—he had been shot 11 times.

The route also passes through 33,000 acres of wild mountain land that’s stewarded by the Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountains Preserve as well as the University of Texas’s famous McDonald Observatory . The McDonald is a working observatory; academics travel from all over the world for the dark sky reserve that encompasses much of the Big Bend region of West Texas. However, there’s also a museum on campus where visitors can learn all about the research facility’s history and current functions.

Because the loop begins and ends in Fort Davis, spend some time in the small mountain town that still does not have a single traffic light. Blue Mountain Bar and Grill , which uses local ingredients in its kitchen, is a favorite.

If you have a few days to burn in the area, consider embarking on a more thorough West Texas road trip .

The Bluebonnet House in Marble Falls, built in the 1800s, is one of the most photographed homes in the state.

Photo by JaDipity/Shutterstock

3. Mineral Wells to Marble Falls

• Starts: Mineral Wells
• Ends: Marble Falls
• Distance: 163 miles
• Recommended time: One or two days

This is a Texas road trip best suited for summer thanks to its watery itinerary—there are several places to swim along this route.

The journey begins in the small North Texas town of Mineral Wells, once a bustling, premier spa destination known for its hot springs that lured the likes of Judy Garland, Clark Gable, Will Rogers, and even Bonnie and Clyde to its alkaline, mineral-rich waters. Sadly, the Baker Hotel , the place that put the town on the map, shut down in 1972. However, a group of investors bought the hotel in 2019 and are restoring the Grand Old Lady (placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982) to its former glory. (Keep up with their progress on their popular TikTok account.) But you don’t need to stay at the Baker to enjoy the water: Mosey on over to Lake Mineral Wells State Park , if the urge to splash around strikes you. Mineral Wells also has a cute downtown with plenty of shops and restaurants; try the shrimp and grits and ribs at Hole in the Wall Grill & Bier Garten .

Highway 281, which will take you from Mineral Wells to Marble Falls, is full of Hill Country charms and views. Stop in Hico for its Billy the Kid Museum (and an Old West conspiracy theory that says Billy wasn’t killed by Pat Garett in Fort Sumner—instead, he ran away to Hico in some sort of Elvis-Presley-is-still-alive kind of plot twist). Lampasas is home to the oldest spring-fed swimming pool in the state if you’re ready for another dip.

Finally, the journey ends in the small town of Marble Falls, set along the Colorado River, where retirees flock; you can get in one last swim here. Marble Falls is also home to the Blue Bonnet Cafe , a cozy diner famous for its homemade-style pies.

If you’re looking to spend a few days exploring the area, consider embarking on the ultimate Texas Hill Country road trip .

Port Aransas has over 18 miles of fluffy, white-sand beaches.

Photo by Stephanie A Sellers/Shutterstock

4. Galveston to Port Aransas

• Starts: Galveston
• Ends: Port Aransas
• Distance: 209 miles
• Recommended time: Two or three days

The saying goes that the West Coast is the best coast, but how about the third coast? Texas has 367 miles of shoreline, making it the sixth-longest coastline in the country. Unlike the East and West coasts where some of the most expensive property in the world comes with an ocean view, the beach communities of Texas are, for the most part, composed of working-class folks. This road trip begins in the island city of Galveston, 50 miles from Houston. Thanks to its proximity to H-Town, Galveston is one of the most popular beach towns in the state and features attractions like the Moody Gardens and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier . I think the best beaches in the state are a little farther south—thankfully, the road south along State Highway 35 is a beautiful one. Winding through marshlands, the route provides peekaboo views of the Gulf Coast and meanders through cute towns like West Columbia (capital of the Republic of Texas for eight months in 1836) and the fish-crazy city of Rockport.

Finally, the journey will end in Port Aransas, one of the prettiest beach towns in Texas. There you’ll find 18 miles of white-sand beaches and fresh Gulf Coast seafood. In the colder months, be sure to make a detour to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge , where the last wild flock of endangered whooping cranes likes to winter. Between April and August, baby sea turtles hatch and make their big journey to the ocean.

After you’re done with the Twisted Sisters, hop over to the nearby Frio River for a dip.

Photo by Taylor Leto/Shutterstock

5. Twisted Sisters Motorcycle Route

• Starts and ends in: Leakey
• Distance: 100 miles

Comprised of three Farm to Market roads—FM 335, FM 336, and FM 337—the Twisted Sisters Motorcycle Route is known the most challenging motorcycle loop in the state. And, it also happens to be one of the nicest drives in Texas. Located northwest of San Antonio, the Twisted Sisters cuts through the heart of the Hill Country. Expect gentle, rolling hills, lush live oaks, and limestone outcroppings.

But for motorcyclists, the road can also be dangerous—a sign off of FM 336 warns that 10 bikers have lost their lives on the Twisted Sisters since 2006. However, for experienced motorcycle enthusiasts, the twists, turns, and occasionally bumpy pavement of the famed loop are a delight to experience.

The Twisted Sisters ends and begins in the same place: Leakey, Texas, population 555. After the Twisted Sisters, consider relaxing by the banks of the Frio River, lined with bald cypress trees that turn a gorgeous shade of umber in the fall.

Texas’s stretch of old Route 66 will take you across the Panhandle.

Photo by TLF Images/Shutterstock

6. Route 66

• Starts: Shamrock
• Ends: Glenrio
• Distance: 164 miles

The Lone Star State is home to the shortest stretch of Route 66, a little under 165 miles (not everything is bigger in Texas), and it cuts almost straight across the Panhandle. As elsewhere in the USA, most of the road is not in service or has been demolished, but Route 66 mostly follows the modern path of Interstate 40. There are several Route 66–themed attractions to stop by during this drive, including the iconic, art deco–style U-Drop Inn and the public art installation of Cadillac Ranch . But perhaps one of the most famous stops is the Big Texan Steak Ranch , which serves 72-ounce steaks for free —if participants can eat the entire hunk of meat in less than an hour with no assistance.

Established in 1878, Gruene Hall may be the most famous dance hall in Texas.

Photo by Philip Arno Photography/Shutterstock

7. Gruene to Fredericksburg

• Starts: Gruene
• Ends: Fredericksburg
• Distance: 71 miles

This is probably one of this Texan’s favorite road trips on this list, mostly for sentimental reasons. As anyone who grew up in Central Texas knows, options for convenient day trips are scarce in the region, but Gruene and Fredericksburg are tried and true, and the drive between them is gorgeous.

Gruene (pronounced “green”) is a little German Texan town on the banks of the Guadalupe River; it is most famous for Gruene Hall , the state’s oldest continuously operating dance hall. Gruene Hall is something of a Texas legend and is worth visiting all on its own—musicians like Townes Van Zandt, Willie Nelson, and George Strait have played at the famed venue. Gruene was initially established by German immigrants interested in cotton farming; a giant cotton gin facility in town has been converted into the Gristmill River Restaurant and Bar , which has a fine view of the Guadalupe (its rushing waters once powered the gin).

The jaunt up to Fredericksburg, about 78 miles west of Austin, takes drivers through rolling Hill Country landscapes and vineyards. Much like Gruene, Fredericksburg was also settled by German immigrants and is famous for its German-style fare—consider stopping by the Old German Bakery and Restaurant on Main Street for some schnitzel and potato pancakes. Fredericksburg is famous for its peaches, so the best time to visit is in the summer when things like peach cider and ice cream are available and farm stands line the highways.

How do you know if you’re in East Texas? Take a deep breath—smell pine? You’re there.

Photo by @invadingkingdom/Unsplash

8. Houston to Sam Houston National Forest

Starts: Houston Ends: Sam Houston National Forest Distance: 47 miles Recommended time: An afternoon is fine, but plan an overnight visit to truly immerse yourself in the area.

The metropolitan crown jewel of East Texas is Houston (with its insanely delicious and diverse culinary scene ), but to get a taste of what the surrounding countryside is like, venture outside city limits to the Pineywoods . The Pineywoods of East Texas is a large area of woodlands that’s part of a bigger forest system that extends into Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Here, travelers will find swamps as well as heavily forested areas peppered with oak, mesquite, ash, elm, and, of course, pine trees. Hundreds of different bird, mammal, amphibian, and reptile species call the Pineywoods home, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, southern short-tailed shrew, and rafinesque big-eared bat. Keep a careful eye out for venomous water moccasin (aka cottonmouth) snakes as well as the fearsome American alligator.

One of the best and most convenient places to explore the Pineywoods from Houston is Sam Houston National Forest , just under an hour’s drive from the city. Day hikes like the Lone Star Hiking Trail or Double Lake Trail make it easy to get a sense of the area in a few hours, but there are overnight camping options in the park as well. Try visiting in the spring or fall to avoid those broiling Texas summer temperatures. If you’re looking for a place to cool off, head to the Blue Lagoon , an old limestone quarry that’s been turned into a swimming hole. Though it primarily caters to scuba divers, casual swimmers are also welcome.

Huntsville is only a 10-minute drive from Sam Houston National Forest. The town is infamously the home of the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, which houses the Death Row unit of the state. In Huntsville, travelers can visit the Texas Prison Museum , which is dedicated to “preserving the history and the culture of the Texas prison system.” Inside, there are exhibits that cover Bonnie and Clyde, the history of how the state’s penitentiary system grew, plus a display dedicated to those who were proven innocent after being wrongly executed by the state—it’s an intense, but sobering experience.

Home » North America » USA » Texas » The Perfect Texas Road Trip

The Perfect Texas Road Trip

By Author Laura Longwell

Posted on Last updated: November 17, 2022

This fabulous Texas road trip itinerary is packed with sites we love. They’re some of the best places to visit in Texas—ones that don’t make it on most tourists’ radars. From the antiques of Round Top to the painted churches of Schulenberg and the wineries and attractions of Fredericksburg, these are the small towns mostly known about and loved only by Texans.

Day 1: Visit Brenham and Round Top

Day 2: see painted churches and jacobs well, day 3: visit dripping springs and hamilton pool, day 4: explore pedernales falls state park, hye, and stonewall, day 5: visit fredericksburg and luckenbach.

In Texas, Blue Bell ice cream is life. Like BBQ, Whataburger, and Dr. Pepper up the road in Waco , Blue Bell is a Texas staple. Going to see where it’s made in the small town of Brenham just 90 miles from Austin was the fulfillment of a childhood fantasy and the first of our road trip destinations.

The Blue Bell ice cream factory experience is designed to evoke a particular kind of nostalgia and small-town feel. In front of the charming red brick building, we were greeted by a shiny antique 1930s delivery truck and the US and Texas flags flying high against the blue sky. Inside, we donned our old-time soda jerk paper hats with the Blue Bell logo on the side and took a walk through company history.

From Blue Bell’s beginnings as a creamery in 1907 to its development as a major ice cream brand, the exhibit shows the company’s evolution and its importance to Brenham. Upstairs is where the magic is, though.

One floor up, a huge window observation deck peers down onto the production area where you can see employees moving across the floor in every state of making the cold treat. In one corner, the bright half-gallon tubs and pints moved across the conveyor belt being filled with what anyone in Texas will tell you is the best ice cream in the country, if not the world.

Around the corner from the observation deck is what people come to the factory for—the scoop shop. For just $1, you can get a scoop of any of the Blue Bell flavors. From homemade vanilla to mint chocolate chip and pecan pralines ‘n cream, they have it all. Choosing was the toughest part.

Full from our time at the scoop shop, we headed a few miles away into downtown Brenham.

When I was growing up, Blue Bell commercials showed an idyllic version of a Texas summer—swinging on the front porch, swimming, running outside. Sometimes the running was through a field of iconic bluebells—no coincidence on how the name of the ice cream was chosen. Much of that atmosphere remains in the Brenham area, but there’s definitely a cooler edge to it these days, too.

Downtown Brenham is decked out with some of the coolest murals. With pink bears, giant owls, and plenty of tributes to the state, we immediately had the feeling of being in a hip small town, not just a wide spot in the road between Austin and Houston.

Brenham has two beer gardens and a brewery, and you’ll find tapas alongside the fabulous BBQ and Southern food offerings in town. There’s a cozy used book store—the Book Nook —and even a handful of art galleries. Several nights a week, things come alive with live music at Home Sweet Farm , and a professional theater company has regular performances at the 125-seat Unity Theatre. For a town of only 16,000 residents, Brenham offers lots of things to do.

There’s more than enough to occupy your time in Brenham, especially on a weekend. So, if you want to explore more, stay for the night at the Ant Street Inn and enjoy its antique furnishings and stained glass.

After a few photos and snacks in Brenham, we headed on to nearby Round Top. There was pie in our future, and we would not be stopped!

We arrived in Round Top for a late lunch at Royers Round Top Café , a quirky and super popular destination in this super tiny (population: 90) town. On the outside, we were greeted with an eclectic, folksy mix of personality-filled signs and places to rest our feet while we waited for a table. Plus, there was an “honor cooler” of beer on the front porch to help pass the time.

Inside, the hospitality continued as we dug into the fish tacos and the Bud’s café salad. But pie is the thing here, so go light on the lunch and make sure you save room. Our choice was the sweet ‘n salty—a mix of fudge, caramel, and sea salt.

Having eaten our way through much of the day, it was time to do a bit of walking in the square a few steps away. We browsed the collection of art galleries and studios, which feature everything from fine art to antique dishes to saddles and spurs. We looked through some of the clothing shops and stopped for a minute under the oak trees at Royers Pie Haven, an offshoot of the café and the place to go if you’re only looking for their famous pies.

Round Top is the place to go for antiques, so if you’re visiting during one of the antique fairs, don’t miss the array of vendors in the big red barn. Otherwise, your best bet is to hit up some of the other shops and warehouses (mostly open on the weekends) along Highway 237.

The pink station wagon—complete with Longhorns on the front—drew us into Junk Gypsy , the decorators and collectors of HGTV fame. Curiously, there’s no junk, but there is plenty of unique merchandise to choose from to add a lot of shabby chic and personality to your home and wardrobe. There’s lots of furniture, jewelry, and country-themed decorations. I even found a crown to wear while I shopped around, which is always a sign of a good time.

For a fun place to stay, check out Junk Gypsy’s Wander Inn or the nearby Coyote Station Lodging .

Make a pit stop in the town of La Grange on your Texas roadtrip. The 90-year-old Weikel’s Bakery is a great place for a mid-morning snack of their famous kolaches. These award-winning fruit pastries reflect the area’s Czech heritage (more on that to come), and they’re delicious. I like the cherry and apple the most, but you can’t go wrong.

If you have time, take a walk by the gorgeous Fayette County Courthouse, which dates from 1891, or head to Monument Hill for more historic sites, including a stately stone home and the remains of one of the first breweries in Texas. Otherwise, get back on the road for a quick trip to the area’s painted churches .

The painted churches of Texas are not the kind of sites one might expect to see here. Across the landscape of the Hill Country, these 20 unassuming churches look like any small-town place of worship on the outside, but, inside, the craftsmanship is outstanding.

The churches are the work of German and Czech immigrants who settled the area beginning in the 1840s. They had left behind everything they knew in Europe but brought the love of their homeland with them. They christened their new towns with names from Europe—Moravia, Praha (“Prague” in Czech), and Weimar, among others—and they built churches that reminded them of where they came from.

We visited four of these lovely buildings that are located near each other and are easily accessible to the public. Although they’re all in different tiny towns (like Dubina: population 44), they are informally known as the painted churches of Schulenburg, which is the largest town nearby.

What makes these churches worth exploring are their eye-popping interiors. With brilliant colors, swirling ivy, life-sized statues, and ceilings and pillars painted to fool the eye, there are a lot of unique things to see.

Our first stop was in Ammansville to see the dusty rose interior of St. John the Baptist. With the unexpected color scheme and floor-to-ceiling decorative elements, it stands out even among this unique group of buildings. Just outside the church, the cemetery is clearly European-influenced and reminded me of our day at the famous Bone Church in Kutna Hora near Prague. Many of the tombstones have inscriptions in Czech and include birthplaces a continent away.

Our second road trip stop—and my favorite—was Saints Cyril and Methodius Church in Dubina. Although access to the small interior is limited by a gate, a stop here gave us a look at the bluest indoor sky we’d ever seen. Admittedly, it was something I had never known I was missing, but the colors were spectacular. Even without lights on, the sanctuary felt like it glowed from within.

To reach the next stop, we crossed over the locally-famous Piano Bridge, which is one of only a few remaining iron bridges in the US. Supposedly, the bridge got its name from the noise it made when cars drove over it. A renovation has quieted the “music,” but it’s still a pretty sight.

After a 6-mile drive, we arrived at the “Queen of the Painted Churches,” St. Mary’s Catholic Church in High Hill. With stained glass from Germany, outstanding statues, and remarkable paintings, this heavily-adorned church lived up to its name. Nearby, another St. Mary’s — St. Mary’s Church of the Assumption in Praha — has stars that grace the ceiling and walls and a beautiful white altar gilded in 24 karat gold. It’s clear that each one of these buildings was a source of pride for its congregations who spared no expense in making them as lovely as possible.

Lockhart is the perfect place for a late lunch on the second day of your Texas road trip. The town is famous as one of the best places to go for barbecue. Try Lockhart Chisholm Trail BBQ for pit-smoked barbecue sandwiches or head to Kreuz Market for their jalapeno cheddar sausage. If barbecue isn’t your preferred (don’t say that too loudly—Lockhart is the “barbecue capital of Texas”), check out delicious Market Street Café for their Monte Christo French toast sandwich or shrimp penne.

After a bit of history and a lot of barbecue, we made our way to Jacob’s Well Natural Area , a park near Wimberley . The 81-acre site is a great place for birding ( not our thing ), geocaching, and hanging out with wildlife, but the real appeal is its swimming spot.

One of the prettiest and most popular places to cool off on your central Texas trip, Jacob’s Well is deceptively deep, bubbling up from a cave system that stretches over 100 feet underground. Make a reservation to swim and jump from the cliffs above if you’re brave enough. It’s one of our top Texas destinations and a fun place to spend a late afternoon.

For dinner, we headed on to Jester King Brewery in Dripping Springs. Along with the wild fermented ales, Jester King has a wide selection of pizzas and a few other bites. Enjoying the warm evening while listening to the live music under the stars was the perfect way to cap off our day.

There are some fun places to stay in the area including the beautiful Camp Lucy .

We started out day three of our Texas getaway in the cute Historic District with breakfast at Rolling in Thyme and Dough. It’s one of our favorite spots in Dripping Springs . Their breakfast croissant was the ideal fuel for our day, and the weather was nice enough for us to sit out on the patio and soak up a few morning rays.

After breakfast, we wandered the collection of boutiques along Mercer Street and Old Fitzhugh Road. Between Vintage Soul TX and Starrs on Mercer, you can find just about any kind of vintage-inspired decor or unique clothing item you’re in the market for.

By early afternoon, it was time to head about 10 minutes out of the center of town to Treaty Oak Distillery. We’ve visited a number of local distilleries in Texas , and Treaty Oak is one always love visiting.

The idea that Treaty Oak is just a distillery is a little bit misleading. Yes, they make some wonderful whiskeys and gins, and their craft cocktails are killer, but Treaty Oak is not just a place for spirits—the area they lovingly call “the ranch” is a great place to hang out and it’s completely family-friendly, too.

In addition to the drinks, there are picnic tables and lawn games, and there’s frequently live music. You can tour the distillery and chat with the bartenders. When you need something to sop up the drinks, there’s an on-site restaurant offering everything from poached pear salad to shrimp and grits. And like any good Texas joint, there is also a food truck serving BBQ. Treaty Oak is a great place to enjoy life for a few hours .

One of the realities of a trip to Texas is that it’s warm more often than not. Sometimes, it’s actually blazing hot. So as much as we loved lazing around at Treaty Oak, we needed to cool off. It was time to head to another one of the most famous swimming holes around, Hamilton Pool.

The pretty landscape and cool waters of Hamilton Pool draw people from all over central Texas and beyond because it’s a fabulous place to swim, but it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Texas. The pool itself is the result of the collapse of an underground river, so it has a unique formation with a waterfall and a natural cave-like structure, so you can get away from the sun, if you choose. There’s even a tiny beach.

We wandered down the trail (it’s about a quarter-mile uneven hike) to the swimming hole and plunged in. The water, which comes from a natural spring, is what some would call refreshing and other might deem a bit on the cold side. Either way, it’s a welcome break from the heat. Because the parks system limits the number of people at any one time, the pool never feels overrun or crowded. It’s a little corner of heaven.

We hadn’t had enough BBQ yet, so we headed to the famous Salt Lick in nearby Driftwood for dinner. We first visited several years ago after seeing the restaurant featured on Top Chef , and we return whenever we can. It helps that there are now few locations, including in the Dallas and Austin airports, in case you can’t make it to Driftwood.

The Salt Lick is one of the older barbecue joints in Texas and a very popular road trip stop. For more than 50 years, they have been slow cooking brisket, pulled pork, and other meats, and winning just about every award there is.

We always go for the pulled pork and a bit of sausage—with pickles and onions, of course. Since it’s the South, there’s always sweet tea and soda, or you can get wine from Salt Lick Cellars next door. We passed on the booze this time because we had one more destination on our list for the day.

Back in Dripping Springs, we decided to end the night at the Sidecar Tasting Room. The cozy house serves wines from Bell Springs Winery along with a limited menu, and we loved trying all their Mediterranean varietals. A glass of Tempranillo and a little guitar finished out our day in Dripping Springs.

Less than a half-hour away is Pedernales Falls State Park. This picturesque park is based around the Pedernales River whose rushing waters have carved out the bumps and crags of its ancient limestone bed over millions of years.

At over 5200 acres, the park offers an opportunity for a wide variety of outdoor activities. There are waterfalls, hiking trails, places for mountain biking, and lots of chances for tubing, kayaking, and swimming. It’s one of the best places to go on a road trip in Texas if you love nature.

It was a warm day, and we had a lot of fun ahead of us, so we decided to do a short hiking trail. Luckily, there’s a lot of flexibility at the park, and many of the sites are within easy walking distance of a parking lot. We headed straight for the Pedernales Falls Overlook. Water levels can change pretty quickly here, so the area looks different at different times of the year. It was low during our visit, so it was fun to walk out in the riverbed and see the mini-falls as the elevation changed.

Back in the car, we were off to Hye.

Hye is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it sort of place on Highway 290 that cuts through Central Texas. Hye Market is the best place to stop for lunch. Next to the town’s historic post office that dates from 1886, you can have all kind of delicious sandwiches, salads, and cheese plates featuring Texas products. Our choice was the BLT with tomato marinated in salt, rosemary, and cracked black pepper.

A few miles off the road from the Hye Market is one of the best distilleries in Texas, Garrison Brothers Distillery . The first legal whiskey distillery in Texas, Garrison Brothers makes only grain-to-glass bourbon. We booked in advance to get a spot on one of the 20 tours they offer each week.

The Garrison Brothers tour walked us through the whole process of making their Texas whiskey from the grain they grow themselves to aging the spirits in the barns out back. Sampling the bourbons is the best part, and you can hang out in their rocking chairs and relax as long as you want.

Just 15 minutes west in Stonewall, our next stop was the LBJ State Park and Historical Site . The park is home to several different sites that were significant in the life of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th president of the United States. LBJ was born a few minutes away in Johnson City (you can backtrack from Hye to tour his childhood home) but spent his later years on the ranch in Stonewall.

At the park, we visited the one-room schoolhouse where LBJ learned to read and viewed the Johnson family cemetery where the President and Lady Bird are buried. You can see a replica of his birthplace, view his plane known as Air Force One-Half, and visit the descendants of the longhorn herd he started here (beware, these guys can be fierce).

The biggest attraction at the park is the Texas White House where Johnson spent about one-quarter of his presidency—he was, apparently, much more comfortable in this white farm house than on Pennsylvania Avenue. The house looks much as it did when the President lived there, so we were immediately transported back to the 1960s, complete with wood paneling and loud floral upholstery. Walking through the house and seeing how the Johnsons lived offered a fascinating window into their lives. (Note: as of October 2022, the Texas White House remains temporarily closed for repairs, but there are many other things to see.)

For dinner, we were off to Fredericksburg, our favorite place in the Hill Country. There are lots of restaurants to choose from ranging from fine dining to self-serve. We opted for Otto’s German Bistro , which puts a modern spin on the traditional food of Fredericksburg’s German settlers. Their flammkuchen and spaetzle are fabulous, and they have an extensive selection of German and Austrian wines.

Fredericksburg, one of the best getaways in Texas, is known for its B&Bs, and we’ve tried a fabulous selection of them over the years. Consider Hoffman Haus , a luxury B&B just of Main Street in town, comfortable cabins at the Vintage Trail Cottages , or one of the other cute places to stay in town.

After breakfast at our B&B, we were off for a bit of browsing on Main Street, mostly because it seemed a little too early to start drinking.

Main Street in Fredericksburg has a little bit of everything. There is every kind of leather good under the sun, lots of clothes, and plenty of housewares and decorations emblazoned with their love of Texas, wine, and general sass. There are also lots of food items, so if you’ve ever wanted candy, a dip, or anything spicy, you’ll find it here. Check out Texas original James Avery for jewelry or the Fredericksburg General Store for literally anything.

There are also plenty of wine tasting rooms on Main Street, so if you want to get started trying the famous Hill Country wines, stop in for a sip. Grape Creek’s wines are great, and Texas Wine Cellars has a little bit of everything from different wineries.

After shopping for a little while and checking out some of the town’s historic buildings (the Vereins Kirche Museum tells the story of Fredericksburg’s German settlers), we stopped for lunch at Burger Burger. The burgers are fabulous and bigger than your head, and if you don’t care for beef, they and can be substituted for vegetarian or chicken options. Adding one of their milkshakes to your order may well leave you in a food comma.

Full from lunch, we decided to do a bit of walking. Texas is known for its gorgeous wildflowers, and Wildseed Farms collects many of them in one lovely place, so it’s a great location for enjoying the outdoors close to Fredericksburg.

In the spring, summer, and fall, the fields at Wildseed Farms teem with flowers of every shade from bright bluebonnets to brilliant red standing cyprus. Laced among the fields are walking trails, butterfly gardens, and an endless number of opportunities for taking photos. We’re a bit obsessed with colors, so we loved walking around the beautiful grounds.

Having burned off a bit of lunch, we were ready for one of the best indulgences in the Fredericksburg area—sampling local wines. Texas may not seem like the most obvious place for wine, but the climate lets the same grapes thrive here that do well in the Mediterranean, so there are lots of Cabernet Sauvignons, Albarinos, Merlots, Viogniers, and more to choose from.

There are dozens of wineries in the Fredericksburg area , many with sprawling grounds, beautiful cellars, and on-site restaurants (or weekend food trucks). On this trip, we opted to revisit two popular ones—Pedernales Cellars and Hilmy Cellars.

With gorgeous views of the Hill Country, Pedernales Cellars is known for its Spanish and Rhone-style wines and its commitment to using Texas grapes. Their GSM—a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvedre—is a wonderful choice.

Hilmy Cellars is unique among the Fredericksburg wineries because it’s biodynamic. We found sheep, guinea fowl, goats, and others doing their part to keep the award-winning winery functioning. Their Viognier and Sangiovese were among our favorites.

After a quick dinner at Fredericksburg Brewing Company, we headed out to Luckenbach. This one-name bar and performance venue in a three-person town was made famous by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings in the 1970s. Today, Luckenbach, Texas , welcomes musicians just about every day of the year for formal concerts and informal picking circles.

Luckenbach has a vibe all its own, is one of the most unique places to visit in the Hill Country and one of the top Texas roadside attractions . Decked out with a million stickers, flyers, and unusual memorabilia, it is informal homey. Everyone is there to have fun, and you don’t have to be a country fan to enjoy the music. We just grabbed a beer and a seat and joined in with the toe tapping.

After a couple of hours of music at Luckenbach, it was time to head back to our B&B to pack up and get ready to fly out of Austin the next afternoon. In truth, Fredericksburg is worth a full weekend if your schedule allows. There’s never enough time to explore Texas.

Laura Longwell is an award-winning travel blogger and photographer. Since founding Travel Addicts in 2008, she has written hundreds of articles that help over 3 million people a year get the most out of their travel. In that time, she has visited nearly 60 countries on 5 continents, often returning to favorite destinations over and over again. She has a deep love of history, uncovering unexpected attractions, and trying all the good food a place has to offer.

In addition to Travel Addicts, Laura runs a site about her hometown of Philadelphia—Guide to Philly—which chronicles unique things to do and places to see around southeastern Pennsylvania. Her travel tips and advice appear across the web.

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Tuesday 19th of July 2022

New road trip on my list!!

Saturday 23rd of February 2019

Yes, I agree with you. Blue Bell Ice Cream is life - just like BBQ. Been traveling for 2 years but I can't still find ice cream that as delicious as Blue Bell. This article takes me back to my childhood days. Take me back to Texas.

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Texas Travel 365

The Perfect Texas Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal

August 23, 2021 //  by  Texas Travel 365 //   5 Comments

Are you trying to figure out the perfect Texas road trip for your next United States adventure? Whether you live in Texas and want to see more of your state or want to visit each state in depth, Texas is a place to consider for your next American road trip. This Texas itinerary will give you plenty of ideas on how to spend your time in the largest of the continental U.S. states.

Texas might not be at the top of many people’s lists of the most beautiful or interesting U.S. destinations, but they would be wrong to dismiss the Lone Star State. Texas is perfect for anyone into history, art and culture, natural wonders, or simply having a fun time. There are a ton of national and state parks, locations significant in United States history, and other unique attractions you can only find in Texas.

Begin Your Texas Road Trip By Flying Into Austin

Fly or drive into Austin, the state’s capital, to start your road trip of Texas. Though, if you are driving from a nearby state, feel free to start this Texas road trip at any of the other stops that might be closer to you.

If you plan on flying in, make sure to check Skyscanner ahead of time to find the best airfare. Most likely, you will land at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport where there are plenty of rental car options for you to choose from. Pick the car best suited for your needs, then head into the city of Austin.

If you think you need some extra help planning your road trip, there are plenty of apps you can download. Check out our recommendations here !

Don’t forget to check out our Detailed Road Trip Packing List so you don’t forget any essentials for your trip!

Stop 1: Austin

Austin is the capital of Texas and is a city known for its fun, hip atmosphere mixed with a culture devoted to music and art. The city’s slogan is famously “Keep Austin Weird” due to its diverse and eccentric nature. Austin has embedded creativity and art so well into its urban development, that it is part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

There are plenty of activities to do here that are bound to excite and leave you craving more. You will need at least one or two nights in Austin to fully embrace it. You will have a blast bar hopping, testing out cool food trucks, exploring expansive parks, and soaking in the vibe of the city.

Things to Do

Admire the state capitol.

Standing in the heart of Austin is Texas’s State Capitol. Built in 1888 out of pink granite, this domed building is even taller than the U.S. Capitol building in Washington D.C. The beautiful building is worth a visit and is free to tour as well.

Visit Some of the Amazing Museums

Austin is full of different types of museums for people of many interests. The Bullock Texas State History Museum hosts exhibits focused on the history of Texas. Found on the University of Austin’s campus, the Blanton Museum of Art is home to thousands of pieces of art from the past centuries. Art and history lovers alike will want to see the Mexic-Arte Museum, which is dedicated to Mexican and Latin American art and culture.

Swim at the Barton Springs Municipal Pool

If you feel like cooling down after a day of exploring the city, try taking a dip at the Barton Springs Municipal Pool. This natural pool is fed by a spring and remains at a cool 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The bright, green water is surrounded by trees creating a calm setting to relax in. The pool is found within Zilker Park and there is a small fee to enter, but it is so worth it to swim is such a pretty location.

Enjoy a Concert or Music Festival

You can’t visit the Live Music Capital of the World without taking time to enjoy some of the live music that can be found throughout the city. You can spend the night on Sixth Street hopping from bar to bar enjoying the live music at each. Or head over to the Moody Theater for the famous Austin City Limits, which has featured a variety of musical artists over the years. If you are in Austin at the right time, you can attend the South By Southwest music festival.

Where to Stay

Affordable:  Days Inn by Wyndham Austin . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Mid-Range:  The Carpenter Hotel . Check Rates:  Booking.com

Stop 2: Hamilton Pool

The Hamilton Pool Preserve is just outside of Austin and makes for a great day trip from the city since it is only about a 45-minute drive west. The oasis-like pool is a lake-turned popular swimming hole and features a magnificent 50-foot waterfall. A cool carved-out cave behind the waterfall and circling a large portion of the pool provides a shady area to avoid the sun in between swimming on your visit. Know that there is no lifeguard on duty, so swim at your own risk.

The area also includes hiking trails and picnic tables and is a great place for bird watching. Before you visit, make sure to make an online reservation. Try to time your visit after a rainfall to ensure the waterfall is flowing as it does dry to a trickle at times. Swimming is sometimes no allowed when the bacteria levels of the water are too high.

Stop 3:  San Antonio

From Austin, it is about an hour and a half drive to the next city on your Texas road trip, San Antonio. This city boosts a great mix of historic and natural attractions to fit everyone’s interests. You will not be bored here as you explore famous battlegrounds and intricate caverns.

San Antonio is the second-largest city in Texas and was founded in 1718 as a Spanish mission, the evidence of which can still be found around the city. The UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Alamo and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park draw in millions of people per year.

Because of San Antonio’s history, the influences of Spanish culture can be seen around every corner. If you want to search it out, check out the Cathedral of San Fernando, the Spanish Governor’s Palace, or La Villita Historic Arts Village. Don’t forget to check out the best photography spots in San Antonio! 

Remember the Alamo

Located almost smack dab in the center of San Antonio, the Alamo is a must-see location for your Texas road trip. The old Alamo Mission was the site of a battle and standoff between the Texans and the Mexican army in 1836. Though the Alamo was eventually taken, the events that transpired there helped to rally the U.S. troops.

The Alamo is a history buff’s paradise and the building, along with the grounds is interesting to visit. It is free to visit if you do a self-guided tour, or you can pay to take a tour with a knowledgeable guide.

Stroll the River Walk

The River Walk is a pedestrian walkway below street level spanning 15 miles along the San Antonio River. The most popular part of the walk is in the city’s downtown and is full of restaurants, bars, shops, and museums. Take a stroll here during your stay to soak up the atmosphere.

Enjoy the Views from the Tower of the Americas

The 750-foot tall Tower of the Americas is found in Hemisfair Park and is a great place to visit if you are not afraid of heights. The tower features a panoramic observation deck, a revolving restaurant, and a 4D theater ride.

Explore the Natural Bridge Caverns

If you are looking for a fun adventure at a natural wonder, drive to the Natural Bridge Caverns just north of the city. These caverns are the largest commercial caverns in Texas and are certainly awe-worthy. Travel 180 feet below ground to enjoy the sight of amazing rock formations.

Relax at the San Pedro Springs Park

San Pedro Springs Park is a beautiful, 46-acre area perfect for those who enjoy time outside. It is said to be the second-oldest remaining park in the United States and is worth a visit. There is a spring-fed swimming pool, playground, and lush gardens, making it the perfect spot for families.

Affordable:  La Hacienda Inn . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Mid-Range: Hotel Havana . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Stop 4: Big Bend National Park

Now it is time to really get ready for the “road” part of your Texas road trip. This stop is a good six hour drive from San Antonio and is farther from any of the other stops. However, Big Bend National Park is a must-visit place, especially if you love to check off U.S. national parks. Because of the long drive to get there and the size of the park, you may want to stay for one or two nights. Also because of these factors, you are sure to get time to yourself, far from the tourists that can crowd other popular spots.

Big Bend is located on the Texas border with Mexico and is made up of superb desert and mountain landscapes. The park is perfect for camping and hiking, as well as photographing beautiful scenes and wildlife.

Hike the Santa Elena Canyon

The Santa Elena Canyon was carved out by the Rio Grande, creating a beautiful natural rock formation as well as a great hiking area. The trail here is just under two miles round trip and will give you drop-dead gorgeous views.

Search for Ruins

There are a smattering of cool ruins throughout the park. Search out these historic buildings to feel like an anthropologist and snap some photos. Look for the Mariscal Mine, Dorgan House, and an old post office, among others.

Soak in a Hot Spring

If all the hiking has left you with aching muscles, there are some natural hot springs to relax in. You can find a cluster of these springs down by the Rio Grande where a Hot Springs Historic Trail will lead you to each one will also providing nice views of the river.

Take a Trip into Mexico

If you bring your passport, consider taking a day trip into Mexico, which has its own national parks right across the border as well as many cute towns. Cross the border at Boquillas and take a ferry across the Rio Grande.

Affordable:  Terlingua Ranch Lodge . Check Rates:  Booking.com

Affordable:  Riata Inn – Presidio . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Mid-Range:  Eve’s Garden Bed & Breakfast . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Stop 5: Explore Texas Hill Country

From Big Bend loop back around to find the next stop on your Texas road trip itinerary. Texas Hill Country is found in south-central Texas between Austin and San Antonio. It is named after the rolling hills that form the area’s landscape. You can seven see Blue Bonnets In Texas here!

The area is a paradise for both nature lovers and photographers due to the many state parks and pretty scenic vistas. With so much to do and see in Texas Hill Country, you should plan to stay a couple of nights here.

Drink Wine at the Fall Creek Vineyards

Some people have referred to Texas Hill Country as the Napa Valley of Texas and if that is true, you have to try some wine! Fall Creek Vineyards can be found in the city of Driftwood. With a beautiful property and a tasting hall open seven days a week, this is a great stop for wine lovers.

Discover Fields of Bluebonnet Flowers

Bluebonnets are the state flower of Texas and if you drive through Texas Hill Country in the spring it will become apparent why as you pass field after field of the vibrant flowers. If you want to find an exceptionally photogenic bluebonnet field, try to find the Bluebonnet House outside of the town of Marble Falls. This abandoned building is known for the flowers that bloom around it.

Hike to the Top of Enchanted Rock

Head to the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area to climb the 1,825-foot, pink granite mountain called Enchanted Rock. This mountain provides outstanding views of Texas Hill Country, especially if you reach the summit at sunset.

Kayak on the Guadalupe River

The scenic Guadalupe River State Park is sought after by people who love to spend time on the water. Whether you want to kayak, go tubing, fish, or just swim, the Guadalupe River is a good stop for your road trip in Texas. This state park is also great for hiking and mountain biking.

Stay in Fredericksburg, a cute and centrally located town that will provide the perfect place to stay the night in-between days out exploring the Texas Hill Country. Or stay in either Austin or San Antonio, both a short drive away as well.

Affordable:  Fredericksburg Hill Country Hotel . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Mid-Range:  Wine Country Inn . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Stop 6: Dinosaur Valley State Park

From Texas Hill Country, drive about three hours north to find the next stop for your Texas road trip. Dinosaur Valley State Park is a small park that allows visitors to take a look into the prehistoric past.

Dinosaur Valley is a classic Texas road trip stop where you can discover preserved dinosaur footprints along the banks of the Paluxy River. There are also scale-model statues of dinosaurs here that make for a great photo-op, perfect for posting on social media. The park also has hiking trails and a playground. The park is free for children twelve and under, all others pay $7.

Just outside of the park, you can find Dinosaur World, which adds to the dinosaur theme of the area. This is a fun museum with interactive exhibits, a playground, and a nature trail that winds among more scale-model dinosaurs. This is the perfect place to spend some time with kids of all ages.

Stay in Glen Rose, a small town right outside of the park, or camp at one of the park’s campgrounds.

Affordable:  Glen Rose Inn and Suites . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Mid-Range:  Inn On The River . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Stop 7: Dallas

From Dinosaur Valley State Park, it is only about an hour and a half drive northeast to Dallas. This large, modern city, like many cities in Texas, is full of both historic and fun things to look forward to. You have to stop in Dallas or your Texas road trip simply would not be complete.

You will want to spend a couple of days here to see everything. There are so many amazing day trips from Dallas that you can make it as your home base and visit the surrounding area quite easily. You can spend one day here but we suggest two or three days in Dallas to really get a feel.

Dallas is one of the most diverse cities in the United States and is home to a population with many ethnic and religious backgrounds as well as being the home of one of the largest LGBT+ communities. Due to these factors, Dallas is clearly a very modern and welcoming city. The city also houses many Fortune 500 companies, such as American Airlines, AT&T, and ExxonMobil, creating a good economic standing.

Learn About the JFK Assassination at The Sixth Floor Museum

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas in 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald. Anyone interested in the history of this pivotal event will want to visit the Sixth Floor Museum, which is housed in the former Texas School Book Depository where Oswald had shot from.

At this informative museum, you will be able to learn about everything that lead up to the assassination, look at many photos and videos, learn about conspiracy theories surrounding the shooting, and see the preserved spot where Oswald had fired his gun.

Watch Animals at the Dallas Zoo or Dallas World Aquarium

If you have kids with you on your Texas road trip or just love animals, you may want to visit either the Dallas Zoo or the Dallas World Aquarium. Both locations are extensive and feature a variety of animals, including many endangered ones.

Admire the View from Reunion Tower

The odd-looking Reunion Tower was built in 1978 and is 171 meters tall. At night, it is lit up and is an interesting addition to the Dallas skyline. The top of the tower provides stunning views of the city. There are also two restaurants in the tower.

Check Out Fair Park

Fair Park in Dallas is 277 acres and hosts the Texas State Fair each fall. If you are in taking your Texas road trip during this time, you have to go to the fair! There will be a ton of rides to enjoy and food to devour.

Even if the state fair is not happening when you are in Dallas, Fair Park is still worth a visit. There are many other events and concerts held here throughout the year. You can also take time to be one with nature by walking the paths or check out some of the museums here as well.

Affordable:  Best Western Cityplace Inn . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Mid-Range:  Canvas Hotel Dallas . Check Rates:  Booking.com

Luxury:   Hotel Crescent Court . Check Rates:  Booking.com

Stop 8: Houston

The next stop on your road trip of Texas is Houston, the largest city in the state and the fourth-largest in the country. You can spend a whole weekend in Houston or only go for a short stop!

To get there from Dallas, it is a three-and-a-half-hour drive south. Houston is another city that can’t be excluded from a Texas itinerary as you can tell by all the interesting and unique things to do there.

Houston is a global and diverse city full of culture and known for its tourist-friendly Museum and Theater Districts. Some of the city’s many nicknames include Space City, Bayou City, and the Culinary Capital of the South. Make sure to try some succulent, Texas BBQ while in the city as well.

Learn About Space Travel at the Space Center Houston

Outer space is something that has fascinated people for most of human history. If you are interested in space travel, NASA, or science, you have to visit one of Houston’s most popular tourist attractions. The Space Center Houston is full of artifacts, interactive displays, cool exhibits, and behind-the-scenes movies that really pull you into the world of NASA. Houston, we do NOT have a problem!

Discover History at the Museum of Natural Science

After learning about things far off in space, it is time to learn about our own planet earth. At the Houston Museum of Natural Science, you will find displays of gems and minerals, complete dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian artifacts, wild animal dioramas, and more.

Relax at Hines Waterwall Park

The focal point and namesake of Hines Waterwall Park is a magnificent 64-foot tall waterfall-like fountain. This landmark begs to be photographed. After taking a selfie for Instagram next to the cascading water, take a seat in the green lawn in front of it for a picnic or just to relax.

Walk Among Butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center

The Cockrell Butterfly Center welcomes you to walk through a beautiful butterfly habitat that is home to hundreds of butterfly species. The simulated rain forest paradise has not only butterflies, but a 50-foot waterfall, tons of tropical plants, and a few other animals and insects as well.

Pretend to be a Cowboy at a Rodeo

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo take place annually in March and if your Texas road trip lines up right, you should make she to drop by the event. This is the largest event of its kind in the world, so if you have ever been interested in attending a rodeo, this is the one for you! Millions of people visit each year.

Affordable:  La Quinta Inn. Check Rates:   Booking.com

Mid-Range:  Club Quarters Hotel in Houston. Check Rates:   Booking.com

Stop 9: Galveston

Just a few minutes southeast of Houston is the coastal city of Galveston. This fun beach town is found on a long island connected to the mainland by causeways. You can visit here as a day trip from Houston or, if you have time and want to explore more in-depth, you can stay in the small city. Whatever you chose, Galveston is the perfect place to wind down from your Texas road trip.

Galveston is a tourist hub similar to New York City’s Coney Island and is known as the “Playground of the South”. Though there is a historic district, Galveston is not a place people go to visit museums or learn about history, like some Texas cities. Instead, people flock here for the carnival rides and resorts. This city is guaranteed to be a great, fun-in-the-sun time!

Have Fun at the Schlitterbahn Water Park

Whether you like the thrill of zooming down a water slide, floating in a lazy river, or lounging in the sun, head to the Schlitterbahn Water Park for a great day. Just don’t forget your sunscreen!

Explore the Historic Pleasure Pier

If you want more rides after the water park, head down to the Pleasure Pier, where you can find a year-round carnival. With roller coasters, a Ferris wheel, yummy junk food, and awesome ocean views, this pier is sure to be a fun location.

Take a Boat Tour of the Harbor to Spot Dolphins

There are many tour companies along the coast of Galveston that will happily take you out into the Gulf of Mexico in order to see dolphins. Some excursions even allow you to swim with the animals. Make sure to book a tour ahead of time to ensure a spot.

Take a Tour of Bishop’s Palace

Bishop’s Palace is not really a palace but was built as a private mansion for a wealthy couple in 1892. It is a now a beautifully crafted, historic landmark. Take a tour of the Victorian building to soak in the history of the place and admire the detailed architecture.

Explore the Moody Gardens

The Moody Gardens are comprised of three modern, glass pyramids. The three buildings each have a different theme which denotes what can be found within them. There is the Aquarium Pyramid, the Rainforest Pyramid, and the Discovery Pyramid. The Moody Gardens are like a mix of a zoo, park, and museum.

Simply Chill at the Beach

If all of your driving and sightseeing has tired you out, one way to relax and end your perfect Texas road trip vacation is to simply chill at one of Galveston’s seven beaches. Throw down a beach tower or snag a chair with an umbrella, then doze to the sound of waves crashing against the shore.

Affordable:  Galveston Beach Hotel. Check Rates:   Booking.com

Mid-Range:  Hotel Galvez and Spa . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Luxury:  Cozy Historic Beach Cottage . Check Rates:   Booking.com

Conclude Your Texas Road Trip By Flying Out Of Houston

From Galveston, head back up to Houston, return your rental car, and get checked in at the airport. If you drove, it is time to embark on your journey home.

Now you know that Texas is not just a flat, bare place with nothing to see or do. This large state is bigger than many European countries and has plenty of attractions to entertain you on a driving tour of your own country. Texas is full of unique and varying landscapes and has much historic significance. A Texas road trip is sure to be a great time for the whole family!

Reader Interactions

January 26, 2022 at 12:03 pm

Hey – love the itinerary!

I know this is up there with the ‘how long is a piece of string’ question, but do you have any thoughts on the minimum time for this?

We’re looking at a road trip itinerary at the moment, so any idea of timings would be great – thanks

February 4, 2022 at 6:48 pm

There is a LOT of driving in some parts so I would say 10-14 days would be ideal but if you have less such as 5-7 i would just cut some things out!!

April 18, 2022 at 3:26 pm

This is a great itinerary- a good starting point for planning. Thank you!

April 25, 2022 at 9:07 pm

June 29, 2022 at 11:35 am

Appreciate this information and hotel suggestions as well. Curious if you think Fort Worth would be worth a side trip?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

10 Best Road Trips You Can Take Through The Scenic State Of Texas

• Texas offers stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural experiences, making it perfect for road trips filled with incredible scenery and activities.
• Some of the best road trips through Texas include exploring the charming small towns and wineries of Hill Country, marveling at the desert and mountain vistas of Big Bend National Park, and relaxing on the serene sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast.
• From following the iconic Route 66 through the Texas Panhandle to discovering lakes, forests, and rivers in the scenic northeastern corner, there are endless options for scenic roads in Texas that show off the state's most stunning vistas, charming towns, and rich culture.

Texas has stunning landscapes, vibrant cities, and rich cultural experiences. From basking on the golden beaches of South Padre Island to hiking the rugged mountains and deserts of Big Bend National Park , the Lone Star State has incredible scenery and activities to enjoy on a road trip.

Whether someone wants to cruise along the legendary Route 66, wine taste their way through Hill Country, or explore ghost towns in west Texas, the options for traveling through what is easily one of the best states for a road trip are practically endless. Here are some of the best road trips in scenic Texas that showcase the state's most stunning vistas, charming towns and cities, and rich culture.

RELATED: Food-Fueled Road Trip: The Guide To The Best BBQ Restaurants In Texas

Hill Country Loop: Wander The Rolling Hills And Valleys

A scenic driving loop through the beautiful texas hill country, with charming small towns, wineries, and endless views..

This route is one of the best road trips in Texas ; it's a central Texas loop that takes travelers through the rolling hills and charming small towns of Hill Country. Highlights of this drive include visiting Luckenbach, the "world's smallest honkytonk," with a colorful history and lively music scene. Travelers can also hike and take in the views from Enchanted Rock, a pink granite dome that juts up 425 feet from the surrounding plains.

The loop winds through Fredericksburg, where visitors can taste wine at one of the many wineries and visit unique museums like the National Museum of the Pacific War. End the Hill Country road trip in the lively city of Austin, exploring the music venues, BBQ joints, and hip SoCo neighborhood.

• Road Trip Length: 316.9 miles
• Major Stops: Austin , Fredericksburg , Luckenbach , Johnson City , Wimberley
• Best Time to Visit: Spring for wildflowers

Big Bend Country: Marvel At Desert and Mountain Vistas

Adventure through west texas to big bend national park, home to stunning desert scenery and rugged mountains..

Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas offers visitors stunning desert and mountain scenery. One of the most scenic road trips in Texas, travelers traversing this route can hike trails like the Chisos Mountain Loop to earn panoramic views and see unique wildlife like javelinas. Plus, dipping in the Rio Grande River offers a refreshing cool from the desert heat.

Visitors can stargaze at the nearby McDonald Observatory at night and see constellations under dark skies. The trip also includes stops in charming towns like Marfa, famous for the mysterious Marfa Lights, and Alpine, home of the Museum of the Big Bend.

• Road Trip Length: 250 miles
• Major Stops: Big Bend National Park , Marfa , Alpine

Gulf Coast Getaway: Relax On Serene Sandy Beaches And In Scenic Seaside Towns

Cruise along the sparkling gulf coastline, soaking up the sun, seafood, and small beach towns..

A road trip along the Texas Gulf Coast offers beautiful beaches, fresh seafood, and fun coastal attractions. Highlights of this route, which is among the most scenic drives in Texas on the coast, include enjoying miles of remote beaches on South Padre Island, perfect for beachcombing, building sandcastles, fishing, and swimming.

In Galveston, travelers can catch a shrimp boat ride and learn about this historic industry. The USS Lexington in Corpus Christi offers the chance to explore a WWII aircraft carrier. And no Texas road trip is complete without spending time in Houston, the state's largest and most cosmopolitan city, to experience the museums, restaurants, and NASA complex.

• Road Trip Length: 1630 miles
• Major Stops: Houston , South Padre Island , USS Lexington

Route 66 Road Trip: Follow Iconic Mother Road Through Texas Panhandle

Travel a slice of the legendary route 66 through the wide-open texas panhandle and step back in time..

Cruising along the Texas stretch of historic Route 66 provides a fun blast from the past. Road trippers can enjoy some of the top stops along Route 66 in Texas; they'll discover mid-century motels, vintage diners serving homemade pies and classic sandwiches, and plenty of quirky roadside sights. A highlight is stopping at the Cadillac Ranch, which is one of the best attractions on Route 66 where 10 graffiti-covered Cadillacs stand nose-first in the dirt.

The trip also winds through charming small towns like Shamrock, famous for its water tower decorated as a shamrock, McLean and Phillips 66 station museum, and more museums that showcase the history of Route 66. The starting point in Texas is Glenrio, a ghost town on the border with New Mexico. From there, travelers can continue to California if they wish to extend their adventure.

• Road Trip Length: 2400 miles
• Major Stops: Amarillo , Cadillac Ranch , Midpoint Cafe

RELATED: 10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Historic Route 66

Northeast Texas Getaway: Discover Lakes, Forests, And Rivers

Meander past pine forests, lakes, and rivers in texas' scenic northeastern corner..

Northeast Texas often gets overlooked, but it makes for a lovely adventure since the region boasts some of the best road trip routes in Texas. Highlights include boating, waterskiing, and fishing on Lake Texoma, one of the largest lakes in Texas. In historic Jefferson, travelers can stroll through antique shops, tour historic homes, and ride on a steam train, while outdoor adventures abound at Cooper Lake State Park, with hiking, biking, camping, and abundant wildlife.

Meanwhile, Caddo Lake provides beautiful scenery for boating and ample opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife spotting of alligators, turtles, and more. End your northeast Texas trip in nearby Dallas to take in museums, pro sports, and a happening restaurant scene, or head to Texarkana and see where Texas meets Arkansas.

• Road Trip Length: 127 miles from Dallas, 77 miles from Texarkana
• Major Stops: Dallas , Cooper Lake , Caddo Lake , Jefferson

Texas BBQ Road Trip: Sample Smoked Brisket Across The State

A mouthwatering pilgrimage to texas' legendary barbecue joints, from hole-in-the-wall to world-famous restaurants..

Wondering where to get authentic Texas BBQ ? For the ultimate foodie road trip across central Texas, hit the state's legendary barbecue hotspots. The trip should start in Austin, where favorites like Franklin Barbecue, la Barbecue, and Valentina's Tex Mex BBQ serve up tender brisket, fall-off-the-bone ribs, spicy sausage, and more.

Continue feasting on melt-in-your-mouth smoked meats at small-town spots like Louie Mueller and Snow's BBQ in Taylor, and then go on to Lockhart, the so-called "Barbecue Capital of Texas." Don't miss renowned joints like Black's BBQ, Smitty's Market, and Kreuz Market. End the foodie road trip in Elgin at Southside Market, the oldest barbecue restaurant in Texas, dating back to 1882.

• Road Trip Length: 330 km
• Major Stops: Lockhart , Austin, Lexington

RELATED: These Are Some Of The Best BBQ Restaurants In The U.S.

Texas Dance Hall Road Trip: Twirl And Whirl At Historic Venues

Two-step back in time at texas' historic and charming dance halls, steeped in lone star culture..

One of the best Texas road trips for those seeking to Experience Texas' lively western culture and two-stepping music scene should look no further than this country dance hall adventure. Texas dance halls are historic, community-gathering places that host regular live country music and dancing nights.

Stop at Gruene Hall near New Braunfels, billed as the "oldest continually operating dance hall in Texas." Dance the night away or enjoy a meal on their patio overlooking the Guadalupe River. John T. Floore's Country Store in Helotes has drawn crowds since 1945 with its lively atmosphere and wooden dance floor. Kicking up dust at Luckenbach Dancehall, made famous by Waylon Jennings, offers an authentic Texas honky tonk experience. And no country music trip is complete without visiting Billy Bob's.

• Road Trip Length: 400 miles
• Major Stops: Gruene , Luckenbach, Albert , Anhalt

Texas Wine Country Road Trip: Sip In the Lone Star State's Vineyards

Taste award-winning wines in texas hill country's vineyards and small-town wineries..

One of the best route trip routes in Texas for wine lovers is the journey through the up-and-coming Texas wine region of Hill Country. Over 50 wineries producing award-winning wines dot the landscape between Austin and Fredericksburg, producing varietals like Tempranillo, Viognier, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Start the road trip in Fredericksburg, visiting wineries like Pedernales Cellars and taking in the charming Main Street. Head to Hye, where William Chris Vineyards offers tastings against a backdrop of scenic views. Stop at Texas Hills Vineyard in Johnson City for a wine and cheese pairing.

End the wine-tasting tour in Stonewall, home of Becker Vineyards, one of the most famous in Texas. Relax at the wine bars, restaurants, and tasting rooms between wineries. Prime time to visit is during Texas Wine Month each April when special events and live music make it an even more lively experience.

• Road Trip Length: Fredericksburg to Stonewall: 16 miles, Stonewall to Johnson City: 15 miles, Johnson City to Driftwood: 38 miles, Driftwood to Dripping Springs: 14 miles
• Major Stops: Fredericksburg , Johnson City , Hye

Crystal Beach: Relax On The "Blue Wave Beach"

Soft white sands and calm blue waters create a peaceful beach escape on the bolivar peninsula..

This journey is a nice short road trip in Texas for those looking for a beachy day trip. Located on the Bolivar Peninsula off the coast of Galveston, Crystal Beach offers 32 miles of sandy coastline and calm, shallow waters perfect for swimming and fishing. It's a beach town with a relaxed pace of life, where visitors can spend days relaxing in the sun, building sandcastles, beachcombing, dolphin watching, or fishing from the long Galveston Jetties.

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier has carnival rides and midway games for those wanting more action. Travelers can also take a short ferry ride from the peninsula to Galveston to experience its attractions. But the best pastime on Crystal Beach is simple relaxation on this tranquil stretch of the Texas coast.

• Distance : 17 miles from Galveston
• Major Stops : Crystal Beach , Pleasure Pier , Fishing Charters

Bluebonnet Trail: Witness Spring Flowers Blanket Hill Country

Each spring, vibrant wildflower blooms paint a sea of blue along texas hill country roads..

This signature drive is one of the best Texas road trip routes in the spring. Vibrant bluebonnets blanket the Texas Hill Country each spring, creating a spectacular floral sight. The ideal way to take in these signature vivid blue state flowers is by driving the Bluebonnet Trail, located an hour west of Austin. This 25-mile loop follows ranch land and winding roads that explode with color in March and April.

From Burnet to Marble Falls, the landscape comes alive with rolling blue carpets of bluebonnets. Be sure to stop frequently for Instagram-worthy photos of the seasonal bloom. Take advantage of the Equestrian Trail Rides during these months, where one can saddle up horses and ride through waves of bluebonnets. It's a quintessential Texas experience and one of the prettiest seasons for a drive.

• Road Trip Length : 16-mile loop
• Major Stops: Equestrian Center , Vista Ridge Ranch , Willow City Loop
• Best Time to Visit: March-April

16 Unforgettable Road Trips To Take In Texas During Your Lifetime

Katie Lawrence

Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015. Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).

More by this Author

From fall foliage to ghost towns to natural wonders, we’ve put together some pretty unforgettable trips that are perfect for both family road trips and friend road trips. It’s never too early to start planning your next vacation, and this is the perfect list to pull from because no matter what kind of trip you’re looking for, there’s at least one that fits everyone’s fancy. In no particular order, we’ve listed some of the best road trips in Texas you’re sure to love. Be sure to click the links to our previous article to learn more about each road trip!

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So, who’s ready to hop in the car? Which one of these trips sounds the most fun to you? Let us know in the comments below!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Can I go for a train ride in Texas?

One of the best ways to see the Texan countryside is by train. If you want to experience the breathtaking beauty of Texas without the hassle of driving yourself, a scenic train ride is the way to do it. The Austin Steam Train is an old-fashioned train that offers scenic rides with incredible views of Texas hill country, plus several themed events throughout the year including murder mysteries, Christmas and holiday rides, and more. The Jefferson Railway is also a popular train ride that kids and adults of all ages will enjoy. The antique steam locomotive runs along the Cypress Bayou and offers lovely bayou views, wildlife viewing opportunities, and even a history lesson about the area before dropping off at the Diamond Don Gator Pit to witness a live gator feeding, a must-see opportunity!

What are the best things about living in Texas?

There’s so much to enjoy about living in Texas, we couldn’t possibly name it all. Texas truly has something for everyone. If you’re a foodie, Texas is the place to be, especially if you enjoy BBQ. For those that enjoy nature exploration, the Lone Star State is full of scenic spots that range from dry deserts to beautiful Gulf beaches. And if you’d rather trade greener pastures for silver skyscrapers, well, Texas has several bustling cities that would love for you to visit or move to.

What places in Texas should I see before I die?

Texas has plenty of attractions that are worthy of a road trip from any corner of the state, but there are a few that stand out from the rest. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in the Lone Star State include Big Bend National Park, Padre Island National Sea Shore, and of course, the Alamo. For city life, you won’t be disappointed with a visit to one of Texas’ major metropolitan cities like Austin, San Antonio, Houston, or Dallas.

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Featured Addresses

14 Best Places to see Fall in Texas

Did you know that there are beautiful fall colors in Texas?

Many people think of New England and the Northeast USA when they think of vibrant colors of the autumn season.

Everyone who loves fall foliage wants to visit Vermont or New Hampshire to see the leaves change color. 

However, Texas is one of the most underrated fall foliage destinations in the country.

The state may not be packed with fall foliage drives but it has its own share of fall colors and autumn festivals. 

There are several wide open spaces in the Lone Star State to take in the beautiful fall foliage.

Here is an ultimate guide to the best fall colors in Texas.

Best time to Visit Texas for fall colors

Visiting Texas for fall colors? Plan your Texas road trip late during the season.

You will find vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges throughout Texas during late October and November.

This is when peak fall season occurs in Texas.

Just a week before Thanksgiving is the perfect time to visit Uvalde County for fall splendor.

Best Places to see fall in Texas

Texas has several national forests full of oaks, maples, and cypress trees that change color in the autumn.

The best areas in the state to see the fall colors are definitely the state parks and natural areas. 

Fall colors in Texas also vary a lot depending on the region.

For the most vibrant fall colors, we recommend Central Texas, especially the Texas Hill Country . 

North Texas and East Texas also have a smattering of fall colors throughout the season.

These are our favorite places to see the best fall foliage in Texas:

Garner State Park

Garner State Park is located in the Uvalde County of Texas Hill Country.

The park comprises several acres along the banks of the Frio River with large, shady cypress, oaks, mesquites, and persimmon trees growing along the banks.

The trees change color late October to early November resulting in one of the best fall colors in Texas.

The state park also has several beautiful limestone bluffs along the river banks.

Visitors can also see the fa colors reflected in the river.

The natural beauty of this park makes it one of the best Texas State Parks for fall colors.

On the hiking trails, you will find riots of red, orange, and yellow colors.

Camping at Garner State Park in the fall is also great fun. 

Lost Maples State Natural Area

Most people think Texas is hot year round and looks pretty much the same through different seasons.

That’s why so many tourists are surprised to visit Lost Maples State Natural Area and see the beautiful deep orange fall colors of the Uvalde Big tooth Maples. 

Located on the Sabinal River, the Lost Maples State Park looks photogenic and amazing when the red maples trees change colors.

Lost Maples State Park also has plenty of other outdoor attractions like fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking.

This is definitely one of the best places to experience fall in Texas. 

Big Bend National Park

While most Texans associate Big Bend with spring wildflowers, the park also looks stunning in the fall.

The hot summer temperatures start cooling off, ushering in Big Bend’s busy tourist season.

Autumn in Texas is definitely well spent on a trip to Big Bend. 

You can see dramatic fall foliage in the backdrop of Chisos mountain ranges.

The national park is pretty much a desert and has very few trees, but the ones that thrive here do change color resulting in vibrant splashes of reds and orange against the desert landscape.  

McKinney Falls State Park

Located just 13 miles south of downtown Austin , McKinney Falls State Park is a great place to see fall colors in the Lone Star State.

The park is located where the Onion Creek and Williamson Creek meet and is home to the beautiful Lower McKinney Falls waterfall.

Cypress and oak trees grow along the creeks and have beautiful fall colors.

The best time to plan a day trip from Austin to the park to see the fall colors is early November.

Dallas Arboretum

Looking for the best fall colors in Dallas? Head to the Arboretum.

Autumn at the Arboretum is just spectacular.

The trees look brilliant with splashes of red, orange, and yellow.

But it is not just the trees that are the highlight of this event. 

You will also find the Pumpkin Village which is made of over 90,000 pumpkins!

Kids and adults alike are enthralled by this spectacular attraction, making it one of the top things to do in fall near Dallas . 

Fort Worth Botanic Garden

If you’re looking for a wonderful fall escape from the bustling city and need to relax, Fort Worth Botanic Garden is the perfect destination.

This botanical garden features over 20 acres of lush landscapes and plants that will make your visit worth it.

The gardens look spectacular in the fall.

Sabine National Forest

Sabine National Forest is a great place to see the fall colors in Texas.

Start your fall viewing trip at Nacogdoches .

The city has an established fall foliage trail that will take you through the Sabine National Forest of East Texas.

The route is 161 miles long and is amazing to drive in November.

There are hiking trails which will take you deep into the woods and up close with the fall foliage. 

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area looks pretty beautiful in fall.

You can drive to the area to see the leaves turn yellow and red during autumn.

From the trail to the summit, you can see the beauty of the fall colors spread out before you.  

We love visiting Enchanted Rock in fall since you can understand and admire the stark, rugged beauty of Texas fall perfectly from here.

Enchanted Rock is also popular for bouldering and mountain climbing activities.

You can also visit the city of Fredericksburg which is very romantic in the fall. 

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, located in the southwestern part of the state, is another good place to see fall colors.

The colors here are sparse but vivid, since the primarily desert landscape has very few trees. 

Take the scenic drive in the park or hike on its many trails to see the park in the fall.

This is also a great time to visit the park, since the Texas heat has all but disappeared and the cooler climate makes for excellent hiking and camping conditions. 

Dinosaur Valley State Park

Texas fall may be lovely, but it can still be hot and humid.

That’s why we love visiting Dinosaur Valley State Park in the fall.

You can see the beautiful vivid fall colors along the banks of the Paluxy River while you go wading deep in the river bed to see dinosaur footprints. 

If it gets too hot, you can swim in the river.

If it gets suddenly cool, skip the river bed and see the gigantic dinosaurs at the adjacent Dinosaur World.

There are many other things to do in Glen Rose and this makes for an excellent fall getaway. 

Caddo Lake State Park 

Fall months in Texas are perfect for exploring the outdoors.

Whether you plan to take a hike, go biking, or plan a kayak trail, Caddo Lake State Park in East Texas is the perfect place to do it.

The highlight of this park is the bald cypress trees in the Big Cypress Bayou.

The trees start changing colors around the last week of October and the color lasts till the end of November.

Explore a kayak trail to see the park in its splendor; Caddo lake is one of the best places to kayak in Texas .

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park

Another gem located in the Piney Woods region!

Visit Lake Bob Sandlin State Park from mid October to mid November and you will see bursts of color throughout the park.

The color here comes from trees like hickory and sweetgum and is a brilliant burgundy and orange red.

The colors look especially pretty at dawn or dusk or when reflected in the lake waters.

Other activities include fishing on the lake, scenic drives, and hiking in the park. 

Daingerfield State Park

In northeast Texas, you will find the hidden gem of Daingerfield State Park.

Much of the park is a forest of pines, oaks, and cypress trees.

Located in the Piney Woods region of Texas, the state park and its landscape looks striking throughout November. 

You can see the fall colors reflected on the lake or hike to see them up close.

The state park is also popular for kayaking, paddle boarding, and more.

Stay in a rustic cabin in Piney Woods to make the most of this romantic weekend getaway.

Tyler State Park

Tyler State Park, also located in the Piney Woods region of East Texas, is a great place to visit for scenic fall foliage drives.

The drive to the park itself is beautiful in fall. You can see splashes on red, orange, and yellows on the roadside. 

In the park, you can spot the foliage on hiking trails and have a picnic among the trees.

The Whispering Pines trail is a 1.3 miles loop lakeshore trail that is perfect for fall colors.

Other favorite activities at the park include camping, biking, hiking, and picnics.

This is definitely one of the underrated places to see fall colors in East Texas.

Also Read: Best Things to do in East Texas

Guadalupe River State Park

Guadalupe River State Park and the adjacent area of Canyon Lake is one of the most underrated destinations for seeing fall colors in Texas.

Majestic bald cypress, Spanish oak, and cottonwood trees create beautiful splashes of color along the river banks.

Drive along the scenic River Road in New Braunfels or go hiking in the state park to enjoy the amazing colors.

We hope you liked our post on the Best Places to see fall colors in Texas.

Did we miss out on any spots that look stunning in the fall? Let us know in the comments.

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7 Perfect Texas Road Trips

By: Author texasonly

Looking for Texas road trips ?

Then you are in the right place!

Texas is a huge state that is best discovered by hitting the open road.

We were born and raised in the great state of Texas, and still call it home.

This means you are in good hands while exploring this list of road trips in Texas .

Famous for delicious Texas barbecue, cowboy culture, and true southern hospitality, Texas will not disappoint!

Texas road trips allow you the opportunity to explore everything that the Lone Star State has to offer.

From big cities to small towns, national parks, state parks, and everything in between, inspiring Texas quotes and captions for years!

Here are some of the best road trips in Texas for you to explore!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.  By purchasing through these links, we get a small commission at no additional cost to you.

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Join the texas travel community and get a free texas bucket list checklist, 1. texas road trip to the hill country.

Towns Include:

Fredericksburg

San antonio.

The beautiful Texas Hill Country draws visitors from all over the world.

People come to this part of Texas to see the beautiful rolling Texas hills and to explore the Texas wine country .

Some of our favorite Texas small towns are in this area also!

Begin your trip in the Texas State Capitol, Austin .

Here you can explore the state capitol building, eat some great food , and enjoy the live music scene that Austin is so famous for.

Austin is full of outdoor activities as well. Hike Mount Bonnell to get a great view of the area or paddle your day away on Lady Bird Johnson Lake, one of the lakes in Austin .

Of course, visitors flock to Austin’s Congress Street Bridge to see the bat colony go out for their nightly feeding.

If you drive about 45 minutes southwest of Austin, you will find the artsy community of Wimberley, Texas .

Wimberley is home to the spring-fed Jacob’s Well and the Blue Hole Regional Park , both popular Texas swimming holes.

You can also visit the popular Hamilton Pool swimming hole to swim and see one of the waterfalls in Texas as well.

During your time in the Texas small town of Wimberley, you can visit the many wineries and distilleries that call this part of the Texas Hill Country home.

Our next stop is Fredericksburg , a German settlement that today is one of the premier wine regions in Texas.

While here you will definitely want to do a wine tasting (or two) at the best wineries in Fredericksburg .

You should also stay in one of the charming family-owned bed and breakfast hotels in Fredericksburg.

This Texas road trip is great anytime, but it is especially beautiful in the spring when all of the Texas wildflowers are in bloom.

If you are visiting in spring, add the gorgeous Willow City Loop to your Texas Hill Country itinerary.

If you have extra time in Fredericksburg, consider taking a day trip to Marble Falls .

Marble Falls is a great little lakeside town containing fun, boutique shops, and an epic pie shop, Bluebonnet Cafe.

Of course, it is also a great area to see all of the Texas bluebonnets if you are visiting during the spring months.

If you have time, you can also check out nearby Johnson City, TX . Johnson City is full of history and well worth exploring!

Our final stop on this epic Texas road trip is San Antonio.

The most popular attraction in San Antonio is the San Antonio River Walk.

The River Walk is a great place to grab a great meal, drink a margarita, and do some serious people-watching.

Of course, the River Walk isn’t the only thing to do in San Antonio.

Be sure to visit the San Antonio Mission Trail which includes the famous Alamo.

San Antonio also has a great botanic garden, fabulous parks, great shopping, and there are loads of beaches and state parks near San Antonio !

2. Route 66 Road Trip in Texas

Attractions on the road trip:

• Cadillac Ranch

Amarillo and Route 66

The historic Route 66 cuts through a portion of the Texas panhandle from Oklahoma to New Mexico.

If you make the entire Texas portion of the trip, it is only 178 miles!

Granted, there aren’t a lot of towns on this Texas road trip, it is definitely one that should be on your bucket list.

Many people who stop in Amarillo while on a road trip make their way to the Big Texan Steak Ranch to try out the 72 oz steak challenge.

If you can eat the steak and all of the side items within the allotted time, your meal is free and you get your picture on the wall.

Of course, along the way, you will want to visit the popular roadside attraction, Cadillac Ranch.

This 1974 art exhibition is comprised of 10 cars (Cadillacs) stuck nose down in the desert landscape.

Other stops to consider along Route 66 include Dot’s Mini-Museum and the Vega motel near the border with New Mexico, Midpoint Café, a 1950s dining establishment.

3. Road Trips in Texas to the Gulf Coast

Cities Include:

Corpus Christi

South padre island.

A Texas road trip along the Gulf of Mexico will have you traveling to some of the best cities on the Texas coast.

It’s hard to believe that Texas has over 3,000 miles of coastline, now that makes for an epic road trip for sure!

The first stop on this road trip is in the fun seaside town of Galveston, Texas.

Galveston has played a big role in Texas history as it was once one of the wealthiest towns in the United States thanks to the bustling port.

Galveston is a great city to enjoy some time on the best beaches in Texas , do some bird watching, or play on the amusement park rides of the Historic Pleasure Pier.

After leaving Galveston, hit the road for the next stop on this Texas road trip, Corpus Christi.

While in Corpus Christi , visit the Texas State Aquarium and take a tour of the USS Lexington.

Our final stop on this Texas road trip is South Padre Island.

South Padre Island is popular for the epic spring break parties that happen here each spring, but there is more to South Padre Island than that.

Along the way, explore the island’s 113 miles of Texas coastline before heading into town to discover what Padre Island has to offer.

You can enjoy Schlitterbahn Water Park or get your adrenaline fix at Gravity Park.

Of course, taking a fishing or sailing charter from Padre is always a good idea also.

Many are offered year-round thanks to the tropical climate found here.

4. West Texas Road Trip

This road trip includes:

The vast land that is found in west Texas will help visitors to understand why we always say ‘everything is bigger in Texas.’

The sprawling landscape of this area is something that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

You definitely don’t want to miss it!

Road trips in Texas that include Big Bend should also include stops in Marfa and Terlingua along the way.

The small town of Marfa will have you trying to decide if the Marfa lights are one of the natural wonders of the area or are from aliens.

It will also have you exploring Texas history museums and eating some really great food.

Terlingua and Big Bend

Terlingua is an eccentric Texas town that is known as a Texas ghost town.

This tiny town is home to some quirky places to stay, some interesting roadside attractions, and a population of 50 people!

This is one of the best Texas road trips for outdoor lovers as it ends up in Big Bend National Park.

Big Bend National Park encompasses over 1,200 acres of land just waiting to be explored.

Take note though, this national park is known for its harsh environment, so be careful out there!

While in the area, don’t forget to visit Big Bend Ranch State Park also.

The largest state park in Texas, Big Bend Ranch has incredible views of the night sky, numerous hiking trails, and some incredible canyon views.

Another great small town in this area is Alpine, Texas .

5. El Paso Loop Road Trip

• Guadalupe Mountains State Park

The El Paso Loop road trip is probably one of those road trips that many people don’t really know about, but I am here to tell you it should be on your Lone Star State road trip list for sure.

This road trip will have you exploring the remote area of far west Texas, taking in some amazing views, and exploring the west Texas landscape.

Start out exploring Franklin Mountain State Park before visiting the attractions in town like the El Paso Museum of Art.

There are some great restaurants and lots of pretty murals around El Paso also.

You can leave the city and visit the Hueco Tanks State Park and see the unusual granite features that draw loads of rock climbers to this area.

Guadalupe Mountain State Park

About 1.5 hours from the Hueco Tanks State Park is the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home to the world’s largest fossil reef!

The small town of Fort Davis is on this Texas road trip also.

Here you can explore Davis Mountain State Park, the Fort Davis Historic Site, and the historic downtown area.

6. Piney Woods of East Texas Road Trip

Cities include:

A road trip through the Piney Wood of East Texas is one of the best Texas road trips for nature lovers.

Drive a couple of hours east of Dallas -Fort Worth, and you will feel like you are in a totally different area of Texas.

The first stop here is the small town of Canton, Texas.

This little town is known for the world’s largest flea market that takes place here the first Monday weekend every month.

When they say the world’s largest flea market, they mean it.

The population of the town skyrockets during these weekends!

After exploring Canton, head to Tyler, Texas. Tyler has so many great restaurants, great shopping, and a fabulous lake.

They are also famous for their Tyler roses and are home to the largest rose garden in the United States.

Your final stop on the Piney Woods road trip is Longview.

Longview is a great place to visit in the fall as when the fall foliage takes over and covers this area.

Longview is also home to some great museums, restaurants, and cute shops.

This is also one of the best road trips for festival lovers as Longview is known to host several festivals throughout the year.

You can also do the Piney Woods Wine trail while in this area.

This wine trail has you visiting some of the great Texas wineries that call this region of Texas home.

While you’re in the area, be sure to check out the wineries in East Texas !

7. International Cities of Texas Road Trip

Castroville.

You don’t have to leave Texas to feel like you have traveled internationally thanks to the road trips in Texas that include the cities formed by international immigrants.

These towns are evidence of the diversity and culture of the people of Texas.

About 1.5 hours southwest of Fort Worth , you will find the small central Texas town of Dublin.

Dublin is a small Texas city that is big on personality and fully embraces its Irish culture.

While visiting, you can make your own soda at Dublin Bottling Works before you eat one of their delicious hamburgers at Doc’s Soda Shop which is located on-site.

Be sure to take your picture with the 4 leaf clover sign and the other murals you will find around town. You can also shop for Irish souvenirs at Things Celtic.

This fun store has everything from kilts to keychains.

While in Dublin, you have to visit Veldhuizen Cheese and taste some of the delicious homemade cheeses that are made.

The town of West is a small city about on hour south of Dallas .

West is best known for their amazing kolaches. That is thanks to the Czech heritage that shaped this town.

The best time to experience all things Czech is during their annual Westfest.

Westfest celebrates all things Czech!

Visitors to West during this festival get to enjoy dancing the polka to a live band, shop the many great vendors, and eat their heart’s fill of Czech food!

Immersing yourself in the German heritage of Fredericksburg is easy.

The German influence is everywhere in this city.

Start out by visiting Fredericksburg’s Pioneer Museum to see how the first German settlers lived. Here you can tour homes and see the artifacts from this era.

While here you can also drink some German beer and wine and eat some delicious German food.

A visit to Castroville, Texas will have you thinking you have been transported to a small town in the French countryside.

The half-timbered Steinbach Haus is the perfect place to start your journey.

This house was built in the early 1600s and was imported to Castroville!

This isn’t the only house though, there are examples of Alsatian architecture all over town.

Visit the boutique shops in town to find the perfect ‘French’ souvenir before grabbing a tasty treat from Haby’s Alsatian Bakery.

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About The Author

Michelle Snell is a travel writer, history buff, wine lover, and enthusiast of different cultures. Michelle enjoys bringing places to life through her informative writing style on her blogs, That Texas Couple and Totally Texas Travel.  Her practical tips and suggestions help make travel dreams a reality while immersing her readers in the history, culture, and food of a region.  She is happiest sipping wine in Italy or chilling on a beach with her husband, Marty.

Jen | Local Love & Wanderlust

Saturday 8th of July 2023

Good reference, my inlaws moved to Texas - if we ever visit them this will come in handy.

Monday 10th of July 2023

Thanks for checking it out, Jen!

A Capone Connection

I'm going to be in San Antonio in September so this is super helpful. Thanks so much! I love road trips.

I'm so glad to hear this! I hope you have fun!

Saturday 17th of June 2023

These are so great! I went to Austin for a wedding a few years ago and had an awsome time checking out the music scene. I would love to spend more time there and do some Texas road tripping!

Sunday 18th of June 2023

Yes, Austin has an awesome music scent. Texas is a great place to road trip option. The sheer size means there are so many fun itineraries you can create!

Where to See Texas Fall Foliage — Texas Travel Talk

Wednesday 20th of July 2022

[…] Depending on the region, Texas is a vast state with diverse landscapes and climates. This means you can have a different experience in our state by driving just a few hours in any direction. That means Texas is great for road trips. […]

22 Best National Parks to Visit in April You'll Love

Monday 10th of January 2022

[…] then Big Bend National Park should definitely be on your list. Big Bend is one of the perfect Texas road trips that allow you to escape and become one with […]

Texas Roadtrip Itinerary: The Best of Texas in 1 Week

When you think of Texas, there are a number of images that probably come to your mind -- cowboy hats, Tex-Mex cuisine, sprawling cities -- all of which you will find in the Lone Star State. Texas might not be the first destination you think of when you consider a road trip destination in the USA, but you should because Texas offers a little something for everyone! Plus there is no better way to explore the Lone Star State than an epic Texas road trip. 

Given its large size, a road trip will give you the flexibility to explore many different cities and corners of Texas. With in-laws living in Dallas and a cousin living in Houston, I have had the privilege to visit Texas a few times in recent years, checking out new cities and destinations on each visit. This 1 week Texas itinerary will give you plenty of ideas on how to spend your time in the largest of the continental U.S. states.

What You'll Find In This Post

This is the Perfect 1 Week Texas Road Trip Itinerary

Overview of this Itinerary

Dallas and Houston have the two biggest and most well-connected airports. Depending on where you’re coming from and what available flights you find, this itinerary could be done in the order listed below (with Dallas as the start) or reversed (with Houston as the start). Usually booking round trip flights is cheaper, which is why I structured this one week itinerary the way I did. But you could easily alter your start and end points by booking two one way flights (ex: arrive in Dallas, depart from Houston), which would cut out almost 4 hours of driving between Houston and Dallas. However this might increase the cost of your rental car. 

In total, this itinerary will require approximately 12 hours of driving over 7 days with the longest stretch totaling nearly 4 hours. You could extend this itinerary to 10-14 days depending on the amount of time you have available for your Texas vacation; but seven days is the fastest you could reasonably complete this route. The terrain and road conditions for this road trip are mild, so you can rent a compact car and there is no need for an SUV or all-terrain vehicle unless you have a lot of travelers in your group.    

Although Dallas is a famed Texas city, it doesn’t often appear on many travel bucket lists which is why it is the perfect place to start your one week road trip in Texas! It is an underrated destination in Texas. You can see the major highlights of Dallas in 1 day, but if you have extra time, I include additional itinerary suggestions on my 48 hour Dallas city break itinerary .

Start your day in downtown Dallas which is full of interesting spots to explore. The Dallas Museum of Art is a great free art museum with an extensive collection. Just around the corner is Klyde Warren Park , a first of its kind public park built over a highway. If you aren't tired of art quite yet, check out some of the outdoor installations in downtown Dallas. Pioneer Plaza is an impressive public art installation of 52 large bronze bull sculptures, as well as the Giant Eyeball a 30 foot public art installation of a giant eyeball. 

Perhaps my favorite of all the activities that I did while in Dallas was the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza . For those who might not know, Dealey Plaza is the historic location of President JFK’s assassination in 1963. The Sixth Floor Museum is housed in the exact location where assassin Lee Harvey Oswald stood to shoot the fatal shot. I found this museum to be exceptionally well-curated. Visitors are greeted with an explanation of the geopolitical issues at play during JFK’s presidency.  Then you will then follow a nearly minute-by-minute timeline of the events leading up to the assassination on November 22nd.

One of the trendiest neighborhoods in Dallas is Deep Ellum, making it the perfect place to end your day in Texas’s capital city. Located directly east of downtown Dallas, Deep Ellum is a lively district characterized by colorful street art, excellent cocktail bars, brewpubs and art galleries. Start by grabbing some pre-dinner drinks at HIDE , a high-end cocktail joint known for its creative and well-crafted drinks. Then grab a beer at a local brewery, such as Braindead Brewing , or Deep Ellum Brewing Co .

Located almost perfectly between Dallas and Austin, Waco is a logical next stop on your one week road trip in Texas. Only an hour and half drive south of Dallas, head out early the next morning to make full use of your day trip to Waco. You have most likely heard of two of Waco’s most famous residents-- Chip and Joanna Gaines -- of HGTV’s Fixer Upper fame. This wholesome family has created Magnolia, a cult-like home decor brand, that has seemingly become synonymous with Waco. 

After leaving Dallas early, you are most likely in need of some caffeine. Waco has several great coffee shops, but if you only have time to visit one, make sure it is Dichotomy . The inventive menu of coffee drinks, made with locally roasted beans, includes a spiced pear cappuccino and blended espresso with Dr Pepper over ice. The area around this coffee shop is also quite cute, so you might be tempted to pop into some of the charming boutiques nearby. 

For your first meal in Waco, Magnolia Table is an obvious choice. Dishing up classic breakfast and lunch items daily until 3pm, this is the Gaineses’ restaurant located off of I-35. A visit here is basically a rite of passage when visiting Waco, thanks to delicious breakfast tacos stuffed with hash browns or Joanna’s buttermilk biscuits served with whipped strawberry butter or sausage gravy. There is almost always a line and they don’t accept reservations, so the earlier you arrive the better. Be aware that Magnolia Table is not actually on the same property as Magnolia Market , but there is a shuttle bus that runs between the two. 

To walk off the inevitable food coma you’ll have, head to the Silos District for the afternoon. Another off-shoot of the Gaineses’ brand, the Silo District is a 2.5-acre new development that encompasses shopping, a farmer’s market and pop up eateries. It is by far the city’s most renowned attraction, and inside you will find the famed Magnolia Market at The Silos . You can easily spend a few hours here shopping and sampling some of the delightful drinks and cuisine. Slurp on an Instagrammable sweet tea from Alabama Sweet Tea Company or fruit smoothie from Luna Juice Bar as you explore the market.

Dr Pepper is a much beloved soda in the Lone Star State and it originates from Waco. Learn about the history of this bubbly drink at the Dr. Pepper Museum . Inside you’ll be able to witness the process of soda making at the liquid laboratory and sample some at Frosty’s Soda Shop at the end of the tour. Styled like an old school soda fountain, soda jerks mix up fresh Dr Peppers which you can enjoy on its own, or as a float when paired with a couple scoops of creamy Blue Bell ice cream.

Nearby the Dr Pepper Museum is Spice Village , a spacious market style shopping hall. If you want to break up the Magnolia brand stops, this is a great option because it is a long-running institution in Waco with over 60 independent clothing and decor boutiques under one roof. End your day in Waco with dinner at one the city’s surprisingly underrated restaurants, such as Milo All Day which crafts Southern cuisine staples with a light, modern touch. Have a nightcap cocktail at Balcones Distilling whose gorgeous location is the perfect backdrop for tasting whiskey and relaxing after a long day exploring Waco.

Day 3 & 4

Perhaps the most well-known of all the destinations on this Texas road trip itinerary is Austin. This is a city that is absolutely packed with personality, which is probably one of the reasons it is such a desirable place to visit. Although you could easily spend a week visiting (and eating) all the incredible things that Austin has to offer, a 2 day stop will give you the perfect taste of this city. From colorful street art to delicious food trucks, you will feel the creative weirdness that makes Austin unique. I have visited Austin twice, and on both of my visits, I came away with a love for this unique and quirky city.

From statues to murals, Austin embraces a culture of creative expression that makes this a perfect destination for exploring street art. Pump up your Instagram feed while visiting Austin with my self-guided street art walk ! One thing that you absolutely must do while visiting Austin is EAT ALL THE THINGS. There is no denying that Austin is a foodie destination. Well-known for its food truck parks, you can easily eat well in Austin for cheap. I summarize my favorite Austin eateries so you can discover some of the best cuisine Texas has to offer. 

Hill Country

Texas is a massive state, so with only one week to visit, you won’t be able to cover too much ground; but to get a sense of the ranching, wild west that Texas is so iconic for, spend a day in Hill Country! In the loosest geographic terms, Hill Country is where South Texas, Central Texas, and West Texas meet and can be easily accessed from Austin or San Antonio. With rolling hills, local wineries, stunning sunsets, and small-town charm, this region is quintessentially Texas. 

You’ll start to see some of the lovely Hill Country scenery approximately 20 minutes to the west of Austin and almost all the way south until you reach San Antonio. Get a view of the scenery from above with a zip-lining excursion! There are a few different options in Hill Country, including Wimberley Zipline Adventures near Wimberley or Lake Travis Zipline Adventures a little closer to Austin. Either way, you can spend the morning zipping through the skies over the trees and hills of Texas!

If adventure isn’t quite your thing, go for a hike in one of the area’s lovely start parks. Hill Country State Natural Area offers 5,000 rolling acres of canyons, creeks, and plateaus for beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes. Another good choice is Lyndon B. Johnson State Park because you can take a self-guided tour of the LBJ Ranch where the 36th president grew up.

Try to time your visit to Hill Country with the Bluebonnet bloom! The Texas state flower typically peaks its bloom in late March and early April and you can find them throughout this region. Stop at Salt Lick for lunch to sample some of the best BBQ in Hill Country. From beef brisket to pork sausage to pork ribs, the Salt Lick offers all the classic BBQ staples as well as a big assortment of delicious sides like potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, bread, housemade pickles and jalapeños. 

In the afternoon, grab your swimsuit and get out on the water. Texas gets very hot, especially in the summer, so taking a dip is the perfect way to cool down. Pedernales Falls State Park has a beautiful waterfall and you can swim in the cool water at the bottom of the falls for an immersive experience. Blue Hole Regional Park is a lush, hidden oasis with one of the best watering holes in the region. For a really fun way to experience the water, try tubing! Floating the Rio Frio is a non-stop party as locals and tourists alike bring booze-filled coolers to accompany their tube floating. You can rent a tube from Andy’s on the River who also provides shuttles to pick-up and drop-off points. 

After going for a swim, spend the late afternoon enjoying some of the Hill Country’s finest wines! A blossoming local wine industry has sprung up in Texas over the last decade, many of which are located along Hwy 290. This region of Texas is home to 15 native species of grapes which are now blended into 25 different kinds of wine. There are a countless number of wineries to visit for a tasting such as William Chris Vineyards , Grape Creek , Becker Vineyards , Barons Creek Vineyards and Messina Hof . Just be sure to have a designated driver!

For unique accommodation in Texas’s Hill Country, consider a stay at Yurtopia . Located in Wimberly, you can rent one of the yurts for a luxurious glamping experience. You can unplug and relax, surrounded by the Texas hills while smelling fresh cedar and oaks. It will be a unique and memorable experience!

San Antonio

As the second largest city in Texas, San Antonio is a fun and historic place to spend 24 hours on your one week Texas roadtrip. You could easily spend several days in San Antonio exploring the city, but with one day, you’ll just have time to hit the major highlights. I recommend renting a bicycle for the day as an efficient and easy way to see all the tourist attractions. San Antonio’s bike sharing program, B Cycle , has stations throughout the city for easy pick up and drop off -- plus the affordable $12/day rental fee makes this a budget friendly means of transportation! 

Start your bicycle tour of San Antonio by visiting the five Missions of San Antonio . Founded as missionary centers by the Catholic church in the 18th century, these five missions became the foundation of modern San Antonio. The recently expanded southern section of the River Walk pathway connects all the missions along the river, making for a lovely morning excursion! I didn’t personally go into all the missions, but you can certainly enjoy the views of the rustic stone Mission Concepción, the whitewashed Mission San Juan and the most rural Mission Espada from the bike path. 

The final mission, the Alamo , is by far the most famous of the historic structures in San Antonio. The main building of the Alamo is actually a chapel built for the Mission San Antonio de Valero. Known primarily for the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution, the Alamo is an absolute must see during your 24 hours here in San Antonio. It is free to go inside The Alamo and wander around by yourself, or you can opt for a guided tour by a park ranger for $15. The Alamo is open from 9am to 7pm in the summer or 9am to 5.30pm the rest of the year. Because of its popularity with tourists, The Alamo is a very busy place so it is best to get there early to avoid the crowds. 

The Alamo is very close to the Riverwalk, which is conveniently your next stop! Set along the San Antonio River, the San Antonio Riverwalk is the most visited tourist attraction in all of Texas! The downtown loop of the riverwalk is dense with shops, restaurants, hotels, and bars. I recommend walking this section of it, because it can be challenging with a bike and the large crowds of people. Thankfully, you can easily walk the entirety of the downtown loop in approximately an hour. 

There is such a nice atmosphere along the river, so wander with no particular itinerary and enjoy the sites. There are plenty of restaurants to stop for a drink or snack, but be forewarned that San Antonio’s culinary highlights are located a little farther flung from the riverwalk. For a nice photo spot, walk over the West Market Street Bridge for the perfect aerial view over the river and the colored umbrellas of Casa Mia . You can also take a boat tour down the river if you want to enjoy the loop from the water. The tour takes roughly 45 minutes and you’ll learn lots of interesting facts about San Antonio and Texas history! 

For a yummy Mexican lunch, visit Historic Market Square , a popular Mexican market within walking or biking distance of The Riverwalk. Along with food stalls and restaurants, the market has over 100 independently owned shops selling Mexican artisan gifts. It is actually the largest Mexican market outside of Mexico! If you’re up for a longer bike ride, make Ray’s Drive Inn your destination for lunch. You will not be disappointed by this casual eatery’s famed puffy taco. Available in either beef or carne guisada, these fresh-from-the-fryer crackly stuffed taco shells are really a delight. 

The middle of the day in Texas tends to get very hot, so enjoy some air conditioning at the Briscoe Western Art Museum . Spanning five centuries of western American art, this museum has a unique collection of native and indigenous art, as well as pieces from the colonial era. Work up a sweat with a riverfront ride to the revitalized Luxury, where you can grab a beer and snack located in refurbished shipping containers.

End your day in San Antonio at Pearl Brewery district. Much less touristy than the other stops so far on this itinerary, the Pearl Brewery district is a 22-acre riverside site full of street art, cute shops, and yummy restaurants. The Tiny Finch carries artful accessories and home goods, while Melissa Guerra specializes in Mexican tableware. There are plenty of good choices for restaurants in the Pearl. A few highlights include the seasonal farm-to-table Supper American Eatery , or flavorful, heartfelt Caribbean fare from Mi Roti . For something a little swankier, check out Down on Grayson whose upscale Tex-Mex cuisine pairs perfectly with their famous margaritas. Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery dishes up Southern comfort food in an old brewery to pair perfectly with their house-made beers. 

The sprawling mega-metropolis of Houston continues to grow year after year, attracting young people from around the world. In fact, Houston is the youngest and most diverse city in the United States! This diversity is visible in its global restaurant scene, and you should definitely spend your 24 hours in Houston eating some of the best cuisine this city has to offer! I think Houston is one of the most under-rated food cities in the USA. 

Brunch is a much-loved meal in Houston with a bevy of delightful options to choose from. For a wonderful ambiance, it is hard to beat Dunlavy’s . Described as a ‘glass tree house’ overlooking the Buffalo Bayou, the lavish chandelier-clad dining room at Dunlavy’s will make your Instagram feed look amazing and its food is the perfect way to start your day. 

Once breakfast is over, Houston’s most beautiful park, Buffalo Bayou Park , is directly accessible from the restaurant parking lot. With trails stretching out over 160 acres and a recent multi-million dollar renovation, walk off your food baby while admiring huge trees and the babbling brook. Nearby Bayou Park is one of Houston’s quirkiest attractions -- the Beer Can House . Built from 1968–1988 using 50,000+ recycled beer cans, the house’s former owner John Milkovisch decked out his house into a recycled work of art which is now open for public viewing. 

After the park, head north to the Greater Heights neighborhood. With an assortment of great shops and restaurants, this is a cool area to explore on foot around lunch time. Favor the Kind is a stylish home decor and clothing shop with a great bohemian flair. There is also a lot of street art in this area, including the ‘ Greetings from Houston ’ mural. If you need a bite to eat or tasty cocktail, check out the Heights Bier Garden which has a really nicely styled bar and patio. 

Thanks to Houston’s nearly year-round good weather, many of the restaurants and bars in the city are graced with huge outdoor seating areas. This is perfect for COVID-safe dining without compromising the lively atmospheres. Kirby Ice House has a really fun vibe with an expansive bar selection serving local beers, cocktails & wine. Food trucks park nearby and once a week they offer a crawfish boil with locally caught crawfish! 

End your day in Houston with a cold beer at the West Alabama Ice House . This boisterous neighborhood dive bar serves a good selection of local and national beer which you can gulp down on their massive outdoor patio full of picnic tables. Don’t miss your chance to try some of the best tacos in Houston from Tacos Tierra Caliente, a food truck that parks nextdoor to the ice house.   

Do you have any thoughts or questions about this Texas itinerary? Tell me in the comments!

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Thanks so much for all of your awesome pointers! My husband and I and our 5 kids ranging from 8-18 fly into Houston next Thursday the 10th. We’ll drive to Dallas that day and do Six Flags in Dallas on Friday the 11th. We’d love to do this road trip you have planned because we fly back out of Houston on the 17th. My question is if you can give us some good tips of things to do with kids. Thanks again!

Hi Jill! It sounds like you and your family have an awesome adventure ahead. I hope you have a great time! I don’t have kids myself and I haven’t traveled with kids in Texas, so unfortunately I can’t provide many suggestions. But it sounds like you’re off to a great start with Six Flags!

Ok I am from Houston and I am about to take this trip I’ve been to Dallas a couple of time but not to visit always on business. I will update everyone on how my trip was

Thank you for your comment, and its so nice that you are going to explore your state a little bit more. I hope you have a great time!

I want to know, would it be a good trip to do with older people, seniors. I’m thinking of going in December during Christmas holidays

Yeah, I think it would be totally doable with seniors. As long as they are comfortable in the car, I think this itinerary would be appropriate. There aren’t many big outdoor activities or long walks if they aren’t feeling up for it.

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This is the Ultimate Texas Road Trip

by Jason Heidemann, Travelocity Staff Writer | Apr 12, 2018 | 7 comments

Note : All travel is subject to frequently changing governmental restrictions—please check federal, state and local advisories before scheduling trips. This article was updated on August 20, 2020.

Don’t pretend you haven’t pictured yourself speeding down Route 66 in search of Cadillac Ranch and other fabled roadside nostalgia; kicking up dirt in Hill Country back roads; joining the queues in Austin for legendary barbecue; following in the footsteps of real cowboys at the Fort Worth Stockyards; or stepping into a pair of boots and kicking up your heels at a roadside honky-tonk. The Lone Star State has all that and so much more. Sure, it’s daunting in size (five New Yorks could fit inside Texas), but we’ve criss-crossed the entire state and so can you. Starting in dusty Amarillo and ending seaside in Galveston , here’s the perfect six-day itinerary for a nose-to-tail Texas road trip.

Day 1: Amarillo

Route 66 stretches some 2,200 miles from Chicago’s Grant Park to the Santa Monica Pier in LA, and an Amarillo starting point means you’ll be smack at its halfway point — almost. Grab a set of wheels and make a beeline for the kitschy Midpoint Cafe about 50 miles west of dusty Amarillo. Made famous as the inspiration for Flo’s V-8 Cafe in the Pixar film Cars , here you can snap a selfie in front of the diner (and brag to friends that you’ve driven half the Mother Road even though you haven’t), grab some grub and snag a Route 66 souvenir or two.

Amarillo’s Cadillac Ranch offers one of Route 66’s most artistic stops.

Afterward, make a U-turn and head straight back to Amarillo and be on the lookout for the biggest roadside prize of them all, legendary Cadillac Ranch . The work of San Francisco-based art collective Ant Farm, this Route 66 collection of spray-painted vintage Cadillacs nosediving straight into the mud is probably the most famous public art installation in America, and only about 15 minutes west of downtown Amarillo. Want more? About a half hour away is Combine City , a colorful spoof on Cadillac Ranch only using, you guessed it, tractors.

Hungry yet? The perfect roadside restaurant awaits. A large steer and a banana yellow facade properly announce the Big Texan Steak Ranch , a combination steakhouse, motel, brewery and gift shop that sits on Route 66 on the east side of town. Its signature item is the 72oz steak which is free if you inhale the entire thing, plus side dishes, within an hour (Spoiler: You won’t). Mostly the menu consists of more manageable victuals including signature dishes like mountain oysters and baby back ribs. We love the servers for their Texan hospitality.

Where to Stay:  Stick close to the Mother Road and stay at the Courtyard Amarillo Marriott Downtown, which is close to the city’s charming Route 66 Historic District.

Day 2: Amarillo to Wichita Falls

Rise and shine early, you’ve got plenty to see and do today and a formidable amount of road to cover. Ye Olde Pancake Station and Scratch Made Bakery are probably the two most famous breakfast joints in town. Scarf down some bacon and eggs and on your way out of town and hit up Jack Sisemore Traveland , a giant warehouse on the south side of town containing more than a dozen vintage and restored RVs and airstream trailers dating back to the 1930s. Sisemore’s is also an RV dealership, but you probably don’t need one, right?

The Leaning Tower of Texas | Photo by author

You’ve got a little more Route 66 to cover before swinging off the road and heading south to Wichita Falls. About 20 minutes east of Amarillo is VW Slugbug Ranch , which may elicit a yawn after Cadillac Ranch and Columbine City, but those little VWs sure are cute. In Groom, be on the lookout for an excellent photo op in the form of The Leaning Tower of Groom , a slanted water tower and a sort of Texas version of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Mother Road is littered with abandoned gas stations that have been lovingly restored, so park your wheels in front of the perfectly orange pumps at the 66 Station in McLean for a photo op. An even bigger prize is the U-Drop Inn , a retired service station (turned visitor center) and Art Deco masterpiece in Shamrock. This Texas town boasts Irish heritage, so be on the lookout for a monument that includes a piece of the original Blarney Stone.

In Shamrock , wave goodbye to the Mother Road and swerve south onto Rte 83. About halfway between 83 and Rte 287 lies tiny Wellington, whose claim to fame is that just outside of town, robbers Bonnie and Clyde drove their getaway car off the road and into a river (a plaque marks the spot). A museum in Wellington salvaged Clyde’s ammo clip and one of Bonnie’s gloves. There’s not much else to see, so put pedal to the metal and connect with 287 to Wichita Falls . A small city by Texas standards, it’s nevertheless big enough to boast a decent food scene. Stick with the retro theme for dinner and roll up to Scott’s Drive In for a Big Scottie Burger washed down with Cherry Limeade.

Where to Stay: For easy hop on/hop off access, stay at the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Wichita Falls Northwest off 287 or the budget-friendly Comfort Inn .

Day 3: Wichita Falls to Dallas

Grab some morning grub at the family owned and operated Hwy Cafe or at downtown’s 8th Street Coffeehouse and get ready for singlet heaven! The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame traces the roots of pro wrestling back to the Civil War era (no joke) through the advent of television and onward to present day via displays of photographs and memorabilia. Everything is bigger in Texas except the world’s littlest skyscraper, a downtown building proposed by a con artist who promised 40 stories but only delivered three.

Falls in Wichita Falls? But of course!

Yes, there are actual falls in Wichita. They’re man made, but still pretty. The original falls washed away in a flood during the 1800s, but new ones were constructed in 1987. Head to the south bank of the Wichita River at Lucy Park to check out the 54-foot waterfall and snap away.

It’s about a 2.5-hour drive to Dallas-Fort Worth, where numerous treasures await, so best to make haste. But feel free to stretch your gams in Bowie, home to the World’s Largest Bowie Knife (that sucker is 14-feet tall and weighs 2,000 pounds!). Further down the road (about 30 miles) is the town of Decatur, which is home to a snappy town mural and the photogenic Petrified Wood Gas Station .

Find yourself in the Wild Wild West, also known as the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Ready to slick it, big city style? If you planned your day right, you should be able to motor into the Fort Worth Stockyards by mid-afternoon. A former livestock market that is now a National Historic District, the Stockyards wear their Wild West pride on their sleeve and these days have been spiffed up with shops, restaurants, bars and hotels with tourist appeal. Time your visit just right to watch the 4 p.m. daily cattle drive. The Stockyards are as good a place as any to gear up in Western wear. Try  Cavender’s or Maverick Fine Western Wear .

Onward to Dallas. There’s much to see and do in the Big D , but with daylight quickly burning, head over to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza before it closes. Here you’ll take a sobering trip back in time to the fateful afternoon on November 22, 1963 when shots rang out from the sixth floor depository and killed President Kennedy.

From here, it’s only a short drive to Deep Ellum , a funky and spirited neighborhood covered in murals and littered with fascinating public art. Join the happy hour masses with a beer at the Deep Ellum Brewing Company , but save your appetite. You’ve waited long enough for Texas BBQ, so have your first taste a few blocks away at the Pecan Lodge which, in our humble opinion, has the best beef brisket in all of Dallas. While licking the sticky ‘cue from your fingers, head over to indie cool Bishop Arts District and watch the perfect buttery crust surrender to the will of your fork at tasty Emporium Pies .

Where to Stay:  Hip (and affordable) hotel brand NYLO is headquartered in Dallas. The NYLO Dallas South Side will make you feel like a road trip rock star.

Day 4: Dallas to Austin/San Antonio

You won’t want to miss this eye-catching view in Dallas.

The morning calls for hitting a few downtown highlights before dashing out of town. Fuel up first with cheap and tasty breakfast tacos at Taqueria La Ventana , then check out a few must-see pieces of public art starting with the massive and sprawling cattle herd sculptures at Pioneer Plaza , a recreation of 19th century cattle drives. Next, head to the swanky Joule Hotel and snap a selfie in front of the three-story fiberglass Giant Eyeball sitting in the hotel’s garden.

Jump on I-35 and watch the Dallas skyline fade in your rearview mirror as you speed toward Austin . There’s a lot of ground to cover between the two cities, but also a couple of worthy roadside detours to keep things interesting. About 60 miles into the drive is the town of Hillsboro, whose claim to fame is the Hill County Cell Block Museum , a former county jail-turned-museum made famous because Elvis Presley was arrested here on drunk and disorderly charges and spent a night in the slammer. Another 35 minutes down I-35 is the city of Waco and the Waco Mammoth National Monument , which stands on the site where the bones of 24 Woolly Mammoths were discovered in 1978 and which joined the National Parks System in 2015 under the stewardship of President Obama. View the bones of a nursery herd of mammoths that died suddenly and, inexplicably, the bones of a camel that were also discovered at the site.

Another hour down the road, it’s worth pulling over in tiny Jarrell not just for fuel, but also for a photo op at an immaculately restored (but not in business) 1940s gas station .

If you got an early enough start, you should have no trouble arriving in Austin by early to mid-afternoon. Your stomach is probably rumbling, so join the seemingly endless (but worth it) queues at legendary Franklin Barbecue . Compare the brisket here to what you had in Dallas the night before or venture deeper into the menu and check out pulled pork or sausage links. Franklin opens at 11 a.m. daily and stays open until it sells out — which is usually by mid-afternoon. Also, they are closed Mondays.

Weird and wonderful Austin takes a full weekend to explore, but with a limited amount of time on the clock, stick to a few photo album (make that Instagram) worthy shots. Ai Weiwei’s beguiling “Forever Bicycles” sculpture was crafted out of 1,300 bikes and sits in Town Lake Metropolitan Park not far from the Four Seasons Hotel Austin . Other Instagrammable roadside gems include the Greetings from Austin mural at 1st and Annie Streets and the beloved “I Love You So Much” mural which is scrawled onto one side of Jo’s Coffee on Congress Avenue — a worthy place to grab a cup of java before jumping back on the freeway.

Welcome to beautiful Texas Hill Country! Admire the pretty countryside outside of Austin as you follow Hwy 290 west about 75 miles to Fredericksburg . A small town famous for its German heritage and postcard-perfect Main Street, Fredericksburg is also the gateway to Texas wine country. Pair your visit with a swing through nearby Luckenbach . A tiny blip on the map (pop. 3 as of the 2006 census), this semi-ghost town is known for its general store (where you can scoop up a few T-shirts and key chains) and a neighboring dance hall that is now a famous venue for live country music.

The hour drive (via Ranch Road 1376 south to I-10) to San Antonio will put you in the Lone Star State’s second largest city by nightfall. Indulge your inner tourist by making a beeline to the famous San Antonio River and snagging a balcony seat at the Esquire Tavern overlooking the famous River Walk. Fun fact: Their wooden bar top is the largest in Texas!

Where to Stay:  We’re obsessed with the vintage chic Hotel Havana , but the budget-minded El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel (built in 1962, but fully renovated) screams roadside charm.

Day 5: San Antonio to Houston

No trip to San Antonio is complete without a stop at The Alamo.

After scarfing down an order of bananas foster French toast (picture four thick slices of toast topped with a homemade banana rum praline sauce) at Magnolia Pancake Haus , remember the Alamo with a morning excursion to San Antonio’s famous historic attraction. Its claim to fame is the Battle of the Alamo (in which all Texian defenders were killed), but now stands as an integral monument to the state’s 9-year tenure as an independent nation. Both the grounds and church structure are free to visit.

It’s a straight 200-mile shot west on I-10 to Houston , and there’s little to see and do along the way, but one worthy detour between the two cities is a stop in charming Shiner . Dubbed the “Cleanest Little City in Texas,” it boasts a perfectly walkable collection of shops and restaurants on Avenue E and 5th Street. Most famously, it’s home to Spoetzl Brewery . Founded in 1909, it’s the oldest independent brewery in Texas and tours are offered twice daily in winter and four times daily during the summer.

An afternoon arrival in Houston affords plenty of time to get acquainted with Space City. The excellent and free Menil Collection in the Montrose neighborhood offers a sprawling urban art campus and multiple buildings containing compelling works ranging from the prehistoric era to present day. Don’t miss the Cy Twombly Gallery or the chance for a moment of quiet reflection at the Rothko Chapel .

Within walking distance of the Menil Collection is lovely Common Bond Bakery , probably the most celebrated bakeshop in town (it’s worth the lines). Grab a few sweets and some light lunchtime bites and make the short drive to Bethel Church Park for a picnic inside a burnt-out church that now houses a tiny, urban park! Afterward, finish up your art fix by making another short drive (Houston is nothing if not sprawling) to mural-studded Graffiti Park .

Houston is home to an excellent museum campus containing the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Children’s Museum of Houston, the Holocaust Museum and the Houston Zoo. If nothing else, take a stroll around the lovely Reflection Pool  at sunset.

Dining choices in Houston are endless (the city is a vast culinary wonderland), but we love Coltivare Pizza and Garden , a simple, unfussy and always busy Italian restaurant located in the charming and walkable Heights neighborhood. Share a couple pizzas and a bottle of red wine and try to snag a table outside. Since it’s your last night of the trip (can you believe it?) it’s also time to live it up at a real Texas honky tonk. Head to the outskirts of the city to Firehouse Saloon and Badlands Radio . This rocking joint is pure country both inside and out, and hosts live acts seven nights a week. Leave your car at the hotel, take a ride share and get ready to really kick up your heels!

Where to Stay:  Downtown Houston is making a comeback. Stay at the Hotel ICON (housed in an old bank building) to be in the center of it all.

Day 6: Galveston

Ready to go out with a bang? Here’s how to make your last day a doozy. Start with some soulful eats at the Breakfast Klub , a Houston institution serving up Southern comfort foods like wings and grits, biskits and gravy (their spelling, not ours) and green eggs and ham. Wash it all down with a cup of coffee and hit the road!

They don’t call it Space City for nothing. The excellent Space Center Houston is about 30 minutes south of town and boasts all kinds of cosmic attractions like the Apollo 17 Command Module (the last manned spacecraft to land on the moon), simulated shuttle experiences, meetups with a NASA astronaut (Fridays only) an interactive Martian exhibit and more. You could spend all day here and that’s just fine as you only have a little bit of pavement left to pound.

Beachside bliss in Texas? It’s real in Galveston!

The road to Galveston from the Space Center is only about 30 miles. Follow I-45 south across the Galveston Causeway and make your way to either the Galveston Island Pleasure Pier (a combination pier and amusement park) or the less touristy 61st Street Fishing Pier . Afterward, head to Gaido’s Seafood Restaurant, an oceanfront icon that’s been serving up Gulf-captured chow like cornmeal-fried catfish or jumbo soft shell crab since 1911. Go ahead and enjoy a slice of their famous pecan pie for dessert; it’s the end of the road and you totally deserve it.

• Latest Posts

Jason Heidemann, Travelocity Staff Writer

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The Ultimate Texas Road Trip

By Meredith Carey

The largest city in the state lives up to the “everything’s bigger in Texas” adage, and that doesn’t just mean in size: The art scene in Houston has exploded in the last decade, turning it into a cultural center full of museums, like the Menil Collection , and art exhibits, like [James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” at Rice University . And, while Austin may be home to some of the best taco joints and craft breweries in the state, Houston is on its way up, with a massive beer hall at Saint Arnold Brewing Co. and Underbelly , a 180-seat restaurant that serves a daily menu of locally raised meats, seafood, and seasonal produce.

San Antonio

San Antonio is known to most as the home of the Alamo and Riverwalk. But outside of the tourist hotspots, there’s plenty to enjoy (and eat). The city’s Pearl District should be your starting point, with home base at the offbeat Hotel Emma, , which itself is plenty of reason to visit San Antonio. Test out some Tex-Mex street food at the nearby La Gloria, which specializes in tacos al pastor , ceviches, and tlayudas , a sort of open-faced taco covered with refried beans, meat, cheese, and more.

Distance from Houston: 190 miles

On the way to Austin, make a lunch pit stop in Lockhart. It may be a little out of the way, sure, but this town of around 13,000 houses some of the best barbecue in the world . With three standout barbecue restaurants, you’ll have to leave your ego at the door and join the ranks of brisket and rib enthusiasts eating with their hands off butcher paper “plates.” Stop at least one joint from the town’s holy trifecta: Kreuz Market , Black’s Barbeque , or Smitty's Market . Remember: true Texans eat their brisket sans sauce, so try to refrain from asking for any .

Distance from San Antonio: 70 miles

It’s no surprise that the Texas capital is the fastest-growing city in the U.S. To make sure you make it to the best of the nearly-all outstanding restaurants, shops, and bars that Austin has to offer, plan a few days in for this stop. Start at Hope Outdoor Gallery (pictured), and make sure to pick up a can of spray paint on the way to this outdoor graffiti free-for-all, that offers incredible views of Austin. Then, try Whip In, the Tex-Mex-meets-Indian restaurant that serves goat sliders with jalapeño on naan (we’re drooling already). Come evening, there’s only one place to be: Rainey Street , Austin’s own cocktail row. Fit in a shopping trip down South Congress when you can, making sure you don’t miss Uncommon Objects , a veritable treasure trove of antiques—and taxidermy. If you’re visiting in the summer, cool off in the natural Barton Springs Pool , a local summer hotspot in Zilker Park, Austin's own version of Central Park.

Distance from Lockhart: 35 miles

Jessica Puckett

Hannah Towey

Fredricksburg

Next up: Texas… wine country ? Surprisingly, the state’s Hill Country is a prime climate for vineyards, and Fredericksburg is at the center of it all. Drive down Highway 290 between Austin and you’ll come across 15 wineries. Take your pick, but drink in moderation—you have a long drive ahead, after all. If you’re not ready to leave the bluebonnet hills just yet, spend a night at Hotel Flora and Fauna and stargaze from the pool.

Distance from Austin: 78 miles

Not for the faint of heart, Big Bend National Park is a national treasure hidden in the south west corner of Texas. If you'd rather drive through the park and have ten hours to spare (though you'll need a truck or an SUV), take the River Road, which follows the course of the Rio Grande. Stops at the Mariscal Mine and Glenn Springs are a must, with stunning views of the park's canyons. If you're up for a moderately difficult hike, try the Window Trail. At 5.6 miles round-trip, the hike can be done in a day, and drops you in the middle of a large rock canyon that cuts through the rim of the Chisos Mountains.

Distance from Fredericksburg: 357 miles

Marfa has become a bucket list trip for anyone who's tapped into culture. Here, there are 16 galleries, one for every 124 residents of this isolated town, in addition to the Chinati Foundation , which holds hundreds of works by Dan Flavin, John Chamberlain, Donald Judd, and more. The key to tackling Marfa is timing, as restaurants have odd hours and can be closed unexpectedly. Your best bet falls between Thursday and Sunday, though there will still be one or two stores or galleries closed during that time. Recently, the town received its first full service hotel, the Hotel Saint George, though budget-conscious and adventurous travelers should look into spending the night in a teepee at El Cosmico . Our editors' advice? Try out whichever of these restaurants is open: Marpho, a Vietnamese bánh mì and pho emporium, or Planet Marfa , which serves up a mean plate of nachos.

Distance from Big Bend National Park: 98 miles

El Paso is the last stop on this trip, unless you'd like to add on an additional trip to White Sands National Monument. Drop off your rental car with one pit stop, up the Wyler Aerial Tramway for sweeping views of El Paso and its sister city, Juarez, Mexico.

Distance from Marfa: 194 miles

Optional: White Sands

We know, we know: White Sands National Monument isn't in Texas. It's in neighboring New Mexico. But after all of that driving, how could you miss out on surfing down otherworldly sand dunes? Try to go early in the morning, as these dunes heat up quickly during the day.

Distance from El Paso: 96 miles

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15 Most Exciting Road Trips From Texas

Road trip cities from texas.

Take a state as big as Texas — 268,597 square miles — and couple it with a pandemic, and you have another meaning to "Lone Star State."

If you are antsy and in need of travel, we've found cities you can visit that are just a road trip away. Some may only take a few hours, but all can be done in a day to get you to a new place to see, explore and shake up repetitive days.

Ready to go? We have the mileage, hotels and attractions already planned out for you on these 15 most exciting road trips from major cities in Texas.

New Orleans

Let the good times roll in New Orleans, home to the nation's biggest Mardi Gras celebration and Jazz Fest.

Where to Go: Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World museum, the French Quarter and the Garden District

Where to Stay: Maison de la Luz , the top-ranked hotel in the city

Where to Eat: Cafe du Monde for its famous beignets

Getting There

From Houston: 348 miles, 5 hours and 15 minutes

From Dallas: 506 miles, 7.5 hours

From San Antonio: 543 miles, 8 hours

From Austin: 564 miles, 9 hours and 15 minutes

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Go farther afield to the crossroads between the American Plains and the West, where ample skiing and crisp air await.

Where to Go: The Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and one of many zipline tours

Where to Stay: The Broadmoor , a destination resort dating back more than 100 years

Where to Eat: Salsa on the Rock, the top-rated restaurant in the city

From Houston: 958 miles, 14.5 hours

From Dallas: 724 miles, 10.5 hours

From San Antonio: 862 miles,13 hours

From Austin: 849 miles, 13 hours

Oklahoma City

You won't be able to squeeze in all of the sights in OK City in one weekend — there are more than 50 attractions here.

Where to Go: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Bricktown, and the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Where to Stay: Inside a 1920s renovated building at the Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection  

Where to Eat: Metro Wine Bar & Bistro, the city's favorite

From Houston: 445 miles, 6.5 hours

From Dallas: 206 miles, 3 hours

From San Antonio:  466 miles, 7 hours

From Austin: 388 miles, 5 hours and 45 minutes

Shreveport, Louisiana

Check out the border city offering riverboats, gaming and waterfront entertainment.

Where to Go: R.W. Norton Art Galley, Shreveport Water Works Museum and Shreveport Aquarium

Where to Stay: Try the Remington Suite Hotel and Spa , and get pampered during your visit.

Where to Eat: Leave behind Tex-Mex for Athena Greek & Lebanese Grill.

From Houston:  238 miles, 4 hours

From Dallas: 188 miles, 2 hours and 45 minutes

From San Antonio:  414 miles, 6.5 hours

From Austin: 336 miles, 5.5 hours

Kansas City, Missouri

Visit the City of Fountains, and enjoy its wide array of music clubs — this is where swing and bebop began.

Where to Go: The National WWI Museum and Memorial, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Union Station and Arabia Steamboat Museum

Where to Stay:  Crossroads Hotel , a charming boutique property beloved by travelers

Where to Eat: Devour the barbeque ribs at Jack Stack Barbeque Freight House.

From Houston:  745 miles, 11.5 hours

From Dallas: 508 miles, 8 hours

From San Antonio:  780 miles, 12 hours

From Austin: 702 miles, 11 hours

Santa Fe, New Mexico

See the oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. — a place that inspired artist Georgia O'Keeffe.

Where to Go: Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Museum of International Folk Art and Canyon Road

Where to Stay: Sample the exceptional at the luxurious Inn of the Five Graces .

Where to Eat: Sazon, the city's best restaurant with a Latin flair

From Houston: 874 miles, 13 hours

From Dallas: 640 miles, 9.5 hours

From San Antonio: 706 miles, 10 hours and 45 minutes

From Austin: 686 miles, 10 hours and 45 minutes

Mesa Verde, Colorado

Visit the oldest archaeologically preserved city in the country at this national park and heritage site.

Where to Go: The site's Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Spruce Tree House and numerous hiking trails

Where to Stay: The Far View Lodge is the only lodging within the park's entrance.

Where to Eat: The Metate Room at the Far View Lodge, featuring park views and fine dining

From Houston: 1,102 miles, 17.5 hours

From Dallas: 912 miles, 14 hours

From San Antonio:  978 miles, 15.5 hours

From Austin: 959 miles, 15.5 hours

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Step back in time in the town that became a retreat a century ago, due to its naturally heated thermal waters.

Where to Go: Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs National Park, Fordyce Bathhouse and Lake Catherine State Park

Where to Stay: Lookout Point Lakeside Inn will give you the best views of the lake and provide plenty of peace.

Where to Eat: Grab breakfast at the Pancake Shop dinner.

From Houston:  402 miles, 6 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 287 miles, 4.5 hours

From San Antonio: 548 miles, 8 hours and 45 minutes

From Austin: 470 miles, 7.5 hours

Lake Charles, Louisiana

Don't miss the Festival Capital of Louisiana, Lake Charles, which gives NOLA a run for its money.

Where to Go: Millennium Park, USS Orleck Naval Museum and Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu

Where to Stay: You don't need to spend a fortune to get away to the Hampton Inn Lake Charles .

Where to Eat: Save room for the steaks at Ember Grille & Wine Bar.

From Houston: 143 miles, 2 hours and 15 minutes 

From Dallas: 342 miles, 5.5 hours

From San Antonio:  339 miles, 5 hours

From Austin: 404 miles, 4 hours and 45 minutes

Memphis, Tennessee

Visit the home of blues and rock 'n' roll — the likes of Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded here and Elvis and B.B. King called it home.

Where to Go: Sun Studio, Graceland, Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the National Civil Rights Museum – Lorraine Motel

Where to Stay: Stay at the iconic Peabody Hotel and watch the ducks parade in the lobby.

Where to Eat: Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken for real soul food

From Houston: 567 miles, 8 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 452 miles, 6.5 hours

From San Antonio:  725 miles, 10.5 hours

From Austin: 647 miles, 9.5 hours

Dodge City, Kansas

Go back to the Wild West, where Wyatt Earp regained control of the Old West town and Westerns have been filmed.

Where to Go: Dodge City Trail of Fame, Boot Hill Museum and Dodge City Zoo

Where to Stay: Take a pick from chain hotels like the Best Western Plus Country Inn & Suites .

Where to Eat: Central Station Bar & Grill for a taste of home

From Houston: 696 miles, 10 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 466 miles, 7.5 hours

From San Antonio:  658 miles, 10 hours and 15 minutes

From Austin: 628 hours, 9 hours and 45 minutes

Branson, Missouri

Head to the Ozarks, and enjoy the vacation town of Branson, a four-season resort area.

Where to Go: Sparky Free Downtown Branson Trolley, Historic Owen Theatre and Burbank Jones specialty shop

Where to Stay: There are 15 suites in the award-winning and rustic Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks Lodging .

Where to Eat: The Keeter Center is also the go-to for great food.

From Houston: 597 miles, 10 hours

From Dallas: 432 miles, 7 hours

From San Antonio:  699 miles, 11 hours

From Austin: 621 miles,  9 hours and 45 minutes

Gulfport, Mississippi

Hit the white-sand beaches of Gulfport and the Gulf Islands National Seashore on the barrier islands, and try your luck at the casinos of Mississippi.

Where to Go: Ship Island, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and the Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum

Where to Stay:  The area is home to many cozy B&Bs, including the Guest House at Gulfport Landing .

Where to Eat: Seafood is the way to go here, and you'll find it at Half Shell Oyster House.

From Houston: 528 miles, 8 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 560 miles, 8 hours and 15 minutes

From San Antonio:  598 miles, 9 hours

From Austin: 566 miles, 8.5 hours

Taos, New Mexico

Heed the calling of the slopes in one of the best ski resorts in the country surrounded by an artistic community.

Where to Go: Taos Ski Valley and the Spa and Wellness Center at the Blake

Where to Stay: The alpine resort, The Blake , puts you in the heart of it all, with its location adjacent to a ski lift.

Where to Eat: Continue the alpine adventure at the Bavarian Restaurant, serving authentic German fare.

From Houston: 893 miles, 14 hours

From Dallas: 658 miles, 10.5 hours

From San Antonio: 737 miles, 11 hours and 45 minutes

From Austin: 723 miles, 11 hours and 45 minutes

Meet where the East meets West in the Gateway City of St. Louis, well worth the drive.

Where to Go: Gateway Arch, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, City Garden, and the Thaxton & Speakeasy

Where to Stay: Embrace the arts with a stay at the Angad Arts Hotel in the Grand Center Arts District.

Where to Eat: Pappy's Smokehouse for St. Louis-style barbeque

From Houston: 779 miles, 12 hours and 15 minutes

From Dallas: 636 miles, 10 hours

From San Antonio:  903 miles, 14 hours

From Austin: 825 miles, 13 hours

• South Dakota
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• Pennsylvania
• Washington, DC
• West Virginia
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• British Columbia
• New Brunswick
• Nova Scotia
• London, England
• Another Alaska Road Trip
• Big Sky (Washington, Idaho, Montana)
• Crater Lake & Yosemite
• Evergreen (Washington & Oregon)
• Northern Rockies
• Oregon & Northern California
• Surf & Volcanic Turf
• The Best of Alaska
• Yellowstone and Tetons
• Canadian Maritimes in Autumn
• New England Leaf-Peeping Tour
• Arches in Winter
• Tahoe & Sequoia
• Vegas Hiking Long Weekend
• Death Valley Superbloom
• Colorado Hiking Week
• A Week In Utah
• 5 Days, 4 Corners
• Southwest Utah
• Fallorado (Fall in Colorado)
• Golden Aspens
• Golden State (California)
• The Loneliest Trip
• Red Rocks (Sedona)
• Utah and Colorado
• Winter Escape (AZ & NM)
• Allegheny and Blue Ridge
• Weekend in Chicago
• Appalachian Foothills
• Florida Keys Weekend
• Georgia Weekend
• Lake Erie Loop
• Lone Star (Texas)
• The Route and the Trail
• The Southeast
• 100 Hours in London
• Canadian Rockies
• Canadian Rockies in Winter
• Best of Arizona
• The Enchanted Land (New Mexico)
• Rocky Roads
• Ohio’s Bridges and Backroads
• Desert Trails
• Olympic Ring
• California Dream
• Arches and Canyons
• Balloon Fiesta
• Breaking Bad ABQ
• Guide to Mount Rainier National Park
• Photography
• License Plates

November Road Trip: Where to Travel in November

Fall is almost over, but not quite, as we enter the month of November. If you know where to look, you might be able to find some colorful Autumn leaves in certain November road trip destinations.  Or, maybe you’re just looking for a final getaway before you settle in for the winter.  No matter what your motivation, November is a good time to hit the road and do some exploring.

November Road Trip: Chiricahua National Monument

You’ve probably never heard of this place.  It’s far from everything, east of Tucson, Arizona and west of El Paso, Texas.  Chiricahua’s remote location makes it one of the least-visited properties in the National Park system.  And in November, fewer than 5,000 people make the trip out to the “wonderland of rocks”.

Chiricahua is, indeed, a rocky wonderland.  Here, you can plan a day-long hike around “the big loop”, which will take you into the Heart of Rocks : a maze of hoodoos, balanced rocks, and natural sculptures.  Shorter hikes, like Sugarloaf Mountain , and a scenic drive out to Massai Point , provide additional sightseeing opportunities.  You can also attempt a drive over the Chiricahua Mountains to the community of Portal .  It’s on this side of the park that you’ll find some brilliant fall colors in late October and into November, in Cave Creek Canyon.  The area around Portal is also legendary among bird watchers, although April and May are the best month for birders to visit.

Start here:

Tucson is about 125 miles away from Chiricahua National Monument.  Double it for Phoenix.  El Paso is about 200 miles from Portal, but to get into the heart of the park you’ll either need to add 75 miles to loop around the mountains, or attempt a drive on the dirt roads that cross the hills.

Why it’s the best time:

You may experience freezing temperatures at night, but the days should be pleasant, topping out in the 60’s.  Crowds won’t be a problem.  On the east side of the park, you should find fall colors in Cave Creek Canyon until at least mid-November.

November Road Trip: Guadalupe Mountains, Texas

It might be the last place you’d ever think to look for fall colors, but you can find them in west Texas, in the shadow of the highest mountain in the state.  Guadalupe Mountains National Park includes some areas like McKittrick Canyon that are filled with maple trees that turn brilliant colors, usually in late October and into the first half of November.  Even visiting later in November will reveal a blanket of colored leaves on the ground.

While I haven’t been to the park in November, a friend of mine has, and she brought back some great photos:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Toni Gonzales (@tvproducergirl)

Fall foliage aside, a November road trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park is also a good idea for the hiking.  You can tackle shorter trails, or the big one, up to Guadalupe Peak .  You might experience some chilly temperatures in the mornings and evenings, but you shouldn’t have to worry about the thunderstorms that threaten hikers during the summer months.

Oh, and don’t forget to include a side-trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park , just up the road in New Mexico.  Or, drive down to Big Bend National Park , about 250 miles to the south.

El Paso is about 115 miles away.  Midland-Odessa is another good option, about 180 miles from Guadalupe Mountains.  Check both to see which has the best rental car and airfare rates. And to make it a longer road trip, consider Albuquerque as a starting point.

November is one of Guadalupe Mountains’ most-visited months, but you shouldn’t expect a big crowd anytime.  Fall colors are brilliant into mid-November.  Temperatures are chilly, but there’s little threat of thunderstorms.

November Road Trip: Zion National Park

Zion National Park is great, any time of year.  It does get choked by crowds during the summer months, though, making the off-season much more appealing.  In November, you can expect to see some fall foliage reaching its peak — the latest of any of the surrounding areas.  You could hike trails like Emerald Pools or Hidden Canyon , but you should find plenty of fall leaves along the scenic highway on the canyon floor  or in the Kolob Canyons area of the park, off I-15.

Las Vegas is just a 2 1/2 hour drive away from Zion National Park, making it the largest nearby airport.  Salt Lake City would require a longer drive, but if a scenic November road trip is what you’re looking for, it might be a good option.  St. George also has service from several major airlines, but expect flights to cost more.

The number of visitors to Zion drops dramatically from October to November.  Fall colors continue in many parts of the park into the middle of the month.  The chance of snow is slim, although you will probably experience some chilly temperatures in the mornings and evenings.  Also, Zion suspends shuttle service at some point in November each year, allowing you to drive your own vehicle into the canyon.

Start your search for a November getaway right now! Pick a state to begin:

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