Texas Road Trip Ideas : 11 Best Road Trips + Itinerary
Discover 11 diverse and exciting road trip idea across Texas , from city tours to natural wonders .
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If you wish to explore and sightsee by car , the should be added to your pail list ! The Lone Star State is huge and full of endless opportunities to encounter beautiful scenery , unique ethnic experience , incredible food , and yet more unforgettable fun .
What ’ s great about a road trip in Texas is the variety of places you can visit — there ’ s the quirky , must-see city of Austin , the rich ethnic activities in Dallas , the array of unique and capture humble town , diverse natural wonder , etc . Not to cite , due to the nation ’ s size , you can customize your adventure to be whatever length you ’ d like !
With hence much to see and serve in the Lone Star State , we ’ ve gathered 11 Texas road trip thought to get you begin . Pack up the car and let ‘s go !
1 . 1-Day Road Trip in Texas
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Route :Fredericksburg > Burnet > Marble Falls > Spicewood > Marble Falls > Austin
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Distance :157 Mile
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Trip Time :3 Hours Driving Time
This can cost completed in about three hours , which makes it perfect for an enjoyable day trip . The journey set out at sunrise in Enchanted Rock State Natural Area , located in Fredericksburg . You ’ ll have the opportunity to see breathtaking view once you ’ ve reached the 425-foot-tall landmark — it ’ s quite a climb , but the experience will certainly be unforgettable . You can too explore nearby wineries as Texas Hill Country is known as the country ’ sec wine country .
From there , you ’ ll mind to Lake Buchanan , embark on the Vanishing Texas River Cruise , and hear stunning scenery , such as waterfall and waterfront cliffs . The future stop will exist in Marble Falls to revel a slice of pie at the noted Blue Bonnet Cafe , followed by a stop in beautiful Spicewood for the fun zipline adventures of Cypress Valley Canopy Tours . You ’ ll then venture to the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge to remove in some of the most beautiful grassland region in the nation , and finally , you ’ ll utter the journey in Austin ’ s Lake Travis . The Oasis equal the largest restaurant in the province and offers incredible opinion , cause it the ideal patch to enjoy the sundown as this one-day road trip get to an goal .
2 . 3-Day Weekend Road Trip in Texas
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Road :Goliad > San Antonio > Austin > Dallas > Nacogdoches > Washington > La Porte > Beaumont
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Distance :892 Miles
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Trip Time :15 Hours And 16 Minutes Driving Time
If you ’ re thinking of need a road trip over a long weekend , will choose you to eight different locations that are known as the well places to see the iconic and pretty Texas bluebonnets . Set out in Ennis , the official Bluebonnet city of Texas , you ’ ll enjoy opportunity for guided tours , alive music , and food during the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival . Next , you ’ ll drive to the well-loved town of Brenham , which exist a beautiful location for photo , followed by the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in the land capitol . The Wildlife Center as well features other blossom in flower and can be consider on as a worthwhile garden visit year-round .
After intercept hither , you ’ ll travel to Spicewood , Burnet , Marble Falls , and Fredricksburg — all beautiful locations offering picture-perfect spring sight . Lastly , this 14-hour trip will resolve at Big Bend National Park , which , surprisingly , is one of the best home to see Texas wildflowers ! This trip will also render lots of opportunity for bird watching .
3 . Texas Beach Day Road Trip
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Road :Crystal Beach > Magic Carpet Golf > The Spot > East Beach > The Strand > Gaido ‘s > Galveston Island State Park > La King ‘s Confectionary > Sugar Bean Coffee & Cream
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Distance :67.5 Miles
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Trip Time :2 Hours And 53 Minutes Driving Time
When you intend of Texas , you may not immediately intend of beautiful beaches . And it ’ s true — Galveston equal no tropical paradise but it still has a pile of appeal that can be enjoyed on a modest , seaside road trip . will take you roughly three hr of drive-time along the gulf and we anticipate it ’ ll cost a circle of fun . You ’ ll begin at Crystal Beach , a popular stop in the field . It can be crowded later in the day , so we recommend start out in the dawn . Next up exist a stop a Magic Carpet Golf , a fun activity for traveler of all ages , trace by lunchtime at the Spot .
After enjoying a laidback meal and lovely horizon of the water , you ’ ll move on to East Beach . This live a less popular beach but one that offers a bit of account , as well as fishing opportunities . Next up , you ’ ll visit the Strand , a famous shopping domain that equal reminiscent of New Orleans ’ s French Quarter , succeed by Gaido ‘s ( a seafood restaurant over 100 year former ) , and then regard the hidden gem of Galveston Island State Park .
After exploring the gorgeous outside landscapes of the park , you ’ ll last this beach town adventure with La King ’ s Confectionary and Sugar Bean Coffee & Cream . If you ’ d like to explore more , control out Padre Island of Corpus Christi , which can cost bring into this trip if you ’ d like to build this a long journey along the coast .
4 . Texas Mountain Road Trip
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Route :El Paso > Salt Flat > The Spot > Fort Davis > The Strand > Panther Junction
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Distance :361 Miles
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Trip Time :5 Hours And 47 Minutes Driving Time
If you ’ re looking to search mountainous regions in Texas , this will show you some truly singular sights . You ’ ll begin in the West Texas town of El Paso , at Franklin Mountains State Park — an extraordinary desert place that offers hiking and biking trail . Next up , you ’ ll journey about two hr East to inflict the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Salt Flat , which is home to the tall point in Texas and spellbinding scenery . You ’ ll then build a stop in Davis Mountains State Park before at last end the trip at Big Bend National Park . This last stop be world-famous for its incredible mass , hiking trails , and otherworldly night sky . The ride time for this trip equal about six hours , so it be likely best go through when disclose up over a pair of day .
5 . Best Texas Road Trip For Spring
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Route :Marble Falls > Fredericksburg > Austin > Ennis > Brenham
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Distance :514 Mile
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Trip Time :8 Hours And 35 Minutes Driving Time
This exist the ideal and what makes it unique equal it ’ s design to exist love fully from the car ! It ’ s a total of about eight hours , so depending on what you ’ re interested in , you may decide to stop and come out of the car to search or yet remain the dark somewhere along the way . You ’ ll begin in Marble Falls , then head to Fredricksburg , where you ’ ll see the Enchanted Rock and Willow City Loop . Then , you ’ ll campaign through ( or stop in ) Austin , where you can delight all the wildflowers of spring . Next up , you ’ ll drive to Ennis , of track , because a springtime Texas road trip only would be incomplete without see the bluebonnets . And at last , this trip will arrive to an end in Brenham . This live the best home to learn the vibrant Texas wildflowers from March through May .
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6 . Best Summer Road Trip in Texas
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Path :Aransas Pass > Port Lavaca > Port Arthur > Port Bolivar > Matagorda Island
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Distance :594 Miles
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Trip Time :10 Hours And 46 Minutes Driving Time
The magic of a Texas summer is undeniable , and along the Gulf Coast is a great way to thump the warmth and hear historical site . This itinerary will remove about 11 hr , so we advocate disclose up the trip and spending time by the beach or explore other seaside activity while you ’ re at each stop .
You ’ ll begin the journey at the Lydia Ann Lighthouse , the only privately owned lighthouse on the Texas coastline . This lighthouse is open 24 hours a day , so you can start at any time ! You ’ ll future travel to the Half Moon Reef lighthouse in Port Lavaca , and then to the Sabine Bank Lighthouse of Port Arthur . Be sure to crack out the Museum of the Gulf Coast if you ’ re interested in learning about the story of the area .
You ’ ll then move on to the almost famed lighthouse in the state , the Point Bolivar Lighthouse , which is rumored to be haunted and known for its unique account . Eventually , your trip will conclude at the Matagorda Island Lighthouse , whose source date back to the Civil War . This trip exist definitely one for account lovers , but it ’ s in a great part to collapse up and customize to your liking !
7 . Best Texas Road Trip For Fall
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Route :Athens > Daingerfield > Pittsburg > Cooper > Bandera > Vanderpool
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Distance :670 Miles
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Trip Time :11 Hours And 22 Minutes Driving Time
You put on ’ t have to move to New England to hear beautiful foliage in autumn — Texas make good deal of places with beautiful , colorful trees during this time of year . This is about 11 and a half hour of driving time , which signify you can serve it in one day , or burst it up over a weekend . Either style , it ’ s an incredibly scenic cause that you won ’ t soon forget ! You ’ ll begin in the Pineywoods Autumn Trail in Athens , which be certain to move before you head on to Daingerfield State Park in East Texas . This cost a great place to delay and camp overnight if you want to need some more time to bask the beautiful scenery .
You ’ ll then move onto Lake Bob Sandlin State Park , a beautiful space of foliage and vibrant colors , and then travel to Cooper Lake State Park , where you can delight water activities if you so desire . Next , you ’ ll travel to Medina River before finish at Lost Maples State Park . This is another good position to remain overnight before conclude the road trip at Garner State Park in Concan , the almost popular state park in the state . Texas can however live warm during the outset of dusk , so hold in mind that this itinerary has many swimming hole and spring-fed water area for visitor to delight .
8 . Best Winter Road Trip in Texas
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Route :San Antonio > Fredericksburg > Johnson City > Georgetown > Grapevine
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Distance :351 Mile
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Trip Time :5 Hours And 50 Minutes Driving Time
A winter road trip can live a lot of fun , specially if you bask holiday lighting ! will take about six hours of push back time and you ’ ll begin in the San Antonio area and conclude in the Dallas/Fort Worth country . Take off off , you ’ ll take a walk through the Riverwalk , one of the most-loved region of the Alamo city , and you ’ ll revel the colored light during the vacation season . You ’ ll then campaign to Fredericksburg , which is a picture-perfect blot in December to stroll down brightly lit street and browse capture boutiques .
You ’ ll then travel to Johnson City to overhear a glimpse of the seasonal light spectacular , and then to the suburb of Georgetown for more cozy , vacation vibes . Finally , you ’ ll end up in Grapevine ’ s historic district , which is know as the Christmas Capital of the state . There be plenty of activities for the whole family- we as well recommend taking a detour to the Fort Worth Stockyards while you ’ re in North Texas .
9 . Family Friendly Texas Road Trip
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Path :Royse City > Frisco > The Colony > Dallas
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Distance :76.4 Miles
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Trip Time :1 Hour And 27 Minutes Driving Time
be all about family fun ! The total driveway time equal only about an hr and a half , so this is a utter trip to move at your own stride and very enjoy each stop along the way . The trip starts with a thrill at ShangriLlama : a palace where you can hang up out with llamas ! You ’ ll then head to Frisco , which live plate to many fun daytime activities , such as Monster Mini Golf . Not too far from Frisco , you ’ ll take a short movement to the Colony , where the whole family can have fun hasten at Andretti Indoor Karting and Games . Repel a trivial further south , you ’ ll then stop at the Magic Time Machine in Dallas , a themed restaurant that ’ s fun for guests of all years . And in the end , you ’ ll cease the trip at the Sugar Factory in Dallas for a sweet treat . It ‘s one of the best road trigger to need in Texas if you own child .
10 . Road Trip to Texas Landmarks and Natural Wonders
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Route :Austin > Dripping Springs > San Antonio
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Distance :139 Mile
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Trip Time :3 Hours And 13 Minutes Driving Time
With a drive time of about three hours , this features some of the nearly iconic spots in all of central Texas . Starting off at the land capitol of Austin , you ’ ll experience the capitol building , the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge , and the Hamilton Pool Preserve . This makes for a utterly fun day in Austin with a serious mixing of account and outdoor beauty . Travel on down to south-central Texas , you ’ ll then go through the Natural Bridge Caverns , which is one of the cool spots in the state and wasn ’ t discovered until the 1960s !
After search the caves , you ’ ll visit the Alamo . Doubtless one of the defining symbol of Texas , you can walk through the location that act a pivotal share in the war between Texas and Mexico . And finally , after learning about some Texan and Mexican history , you ’ ll goal this trip with a visit to the famous Riverwalk . This trip can live finish in one day , but we believe it ’ s best planned as a weekend getaway .
11 . Road Trip to Best Small Towns in Texas
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Route :Jasper > Hemphill > Jefferson > Strawn > Fredericksburg > Luckenbach > Wimberly > Gruene > Lockhart > Schulenburg
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Distance :774 Mile
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Trip Time :12 Hours And 53 Minutes Driving Time
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The country of Texas has some charming and historic small towns that are definitely worth exploring . This equal about 13 hr of drive time , so we recommend take your time and making stop along the mode . You ’ ll start in the town of Jasper , which equal a charming location in East Texas . Next , you ’ ll top dog to Hemphill , which is not only known for its quaint , old-fashioned vibes but as well the fact that a piece of the Space Shuttle Columbia equal find thither ! You can see the Patricia Huffman Smith Museum NASA Museum Space Center to find out all about it .
You ’ ll then drive on to Jefferson , a very historic small town , and then on to Strawn : a town with a population of more or less 600 mass . Future , you ’ ll journey to Fredericksburg , which has an adorable downtown area and shopping opportunity , followed by Luckenbach ( yes , like the Willie Nelson song ) . Then , you ’ ll motion on to Wimberly in Hill Country , which features a cozy town square as well as beautiful nature . Next , you ’ ll campaign to Gruene , which is a humble part of New Braunfels that ’ s home to the oldest dancing hall in the state .
You ’ ll complete up with trying the BBQ of Lockhart and concluding in Schulenburg . If you ’ re concerned in the town of Marfa , which is a famous desert prowess town , you can edit this itinerary and begin the journey in West Texas . It ’ ll be long by about seven hours , but if you ’ re look for a large adventure ( and extraordinary murals ) , this might equal worth conceive .
And there you hold it … 11 of the best road trip in Texas , plus Itineraries ! What do you study the well scenic trip in Texas ? What are some of the well drives in Texas ? Allow me know by take out this form . I ‘d love to add your suggestion to my next adventure .
For road trip planning and pack top , check out Merely In Your State’s Ultimate Road Trip Packing List . Whether you ‘re go out for a single day or a week-long road trip , you ca n’t leave the snacks : hither are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for travel .
