Texas Road Trips

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There’s plenty to see and do in this southern state, so we’ve compiled the ultimate list of Texas road trips that should be at the top of your USA bucket list.

Texas Road Trips

Texas has pristine waterfalls, mountains, bustling cities, and scenic highways with roadside cafes and isolated gas station towns.

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And because the state is so spread out, road trips are one of the most rewarding ways to see what Texas has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a day trip to Dallas or a complete Texas vacation, we’ve got it covered.

This collection of Texas road trips has routes for nature lovers, history buffs, and everyone in between.

When you’re ready to hit the road, keep reading to find the best routes and most scenic drives for your southern adventures.

Texas Scenic Road Trips

Are you in a big city? Check out our list of driving trips from Dallas for some weekend trips from Dallas that will allow you to escape the city for a while and see more of Texas during your stay.

We’ve all heard the saying, “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” but do you know just how big this state is?

The Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Luxembourg and Hungary would fit into the Lone Star state and still have room to move.

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As in Europe, one of the best ways to explore the diverse landscapes and attractions of Texas is to get in the car and take a slow tour.

If you don’t have your own car, we recommend renting one for a while. There really is no better way to do that than on vacation in Texas!

This Texas National Park is known as “Texas’ Gift to the Nation” and just one step through these beautiful historic lands will convince you.

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Five hours south of El Paso and six hours west of San Antonio, Big Bend is a bit removed from the state’s urban areas, but the distance only adds to its charm.

Not only that, but Big Bend also has some of the best hiking trails in Texas – a great excuse to stretch your legs!

Visitors can look back in time in the harsh Texas desert and near the Mexican border.

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Human habitation in Big Bend dates back 10,000 years, and the park’s carefully preserved archeological sites show that many Native Americans lived on its territory.

You can even ride parts of the Comanche Trail, which is frequently traveled between the United States and Mexico. Ranches, military outposts and old mining sites also await curious visitors.

If you only have one day, take the stunning 30-mile Ross Maxwell Scenic Byway, which passes several ranches and lookouts before bringing you to the Santa Elena Canyon Trailhead.

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If you have more time, there are some impressive walks in the park and overnight backpacking is possible with a special permit.

Parallel to the Dallas-Austin road, this less traveled route will allow you to get to know this small town in Texas.

The trip between these two quaint destinations takes two hours along Texas’ scenic US Highway 281 with many attractions in between. This is one of the best weekend getaways in Central Texas.

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In Mineral Wells, you should check out the abandoned (and reportedly haunted) Baker Hotel, a luxury resort that was once the spring training ground for some of the best baseball teams in the country.

The town is named after the mineral water springs that flow through it. Some say it still has magical healing properties, and bottles are still offered today if you want to try it for yourself.

On your way south, stop by Hico for real small town living; it has less than 1500 inhabitants!

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If you’re traveling in the Texas heat, you might as well break up your trip at Hancock Springs Park in Lampas.

The oldest pool in the state, filled with pure local spring water, is always cool and refreshing, but especially after a couple of hours in the car.

Once you reach Marble Falls, there is no shortage of natural wonders to explore. The small town has limestone caves, old-growth forests and miles of famed Texas Hill Country vineyards.

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While adrenaline junkies can go mountain biking, hang-gliding and zip-lining, the city has some of the best homemade pies in the state. If you’ve tried Southern cuisine before, you know what a compliment that is.

Dallas is a city that has long been part of the Texas tourist circuit, but most visitors stick to the downtown attractions.

For those who really want to delve into the area, the Belt Line Road is a 92-mile loop spanning 15 cities and sides of Dallas that many people — even its residents — never see in its entirety.

West Texas Road Trips

It’s no ordinary trip to Texas, but there are few who enjoy the mix of urban and rural, historic neighborhoods and decadent restaurants.

The trip will take about 2 hours, but if you want to see all the sights along the way, it can easily turn into a full day trip to Dallas.

Cedar Mountain Nature Preserve offers a short hike to stretch your legs while discovering native Texas flora and fauna. The road then leads into industrial Dallas with the old railroads and remnants of the cotton industry that defined the area.

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Garland, Carrollton and Grand Prairie are filled with historic architecture and quaint shopping streets where you can visit the farmers market or enjoy lunch at one of the many favorite comfort food restaurants.

The 1.5-hour, 80-mile drive between Texas’ two busiest cities is filled with rolling hills and Southern charm, with historic attractions and some of the best food in the state at either end.

We could dedicate an entire post to Austin alone, but for the highlights, be sure to visit the Texas State Capitol, home of the state government, and bustling East 6th Street, home to all of Austin’s best bars and restaurants.

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Heading south, swing by San Marcos where you can take a glass-bottom boat tour of beautiful Spring Lake and satisfy your sweet tooth with the city’s signature treat, a Manske roll at Gil’s Broiler.

Next on the list is New Braunfels. From the German-influenced historic district to the original Schlitterbahn water park and resort, this town has something for everyone.

Once in San Antonio, make the most of your time in Texas’ oldest city by strolling the world-famous San Antonio Boardwalk.

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The River Walk is home to some of the best art, food and shopping in the area, so don’t miss out.

Of course, all history buffs should also visit the Alamo and some of the other 18th-century missions that dot the urban landscape.

If you don’t know, the Alamo is a small legendary fort and monument to Texas history. It has a museum with artifacts, beautiful gardens and much more.

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If you want to feel like a pioneer cowboy in Texas for the first time (albeit in a comfortable air-conditioned car instead of riding a horse), a trip to El Paso is a must.

Surrounded by low Texas mountains and desert landscapes, El Paso is a sprawling city on the border of Mexico and New Mexico.

We recommend doing the 281-mile loop of El Paso for at least the entire long weekend, but you can extend the trip to five days or a full week if it fits your schedule.

Texas Road Trip

The first stop, about an hour’s drive away, is Hueco Tanks State Park, a small park with unusual granite landscapes perfect for rock climbing and historic rock art accessible by guided tours.

From there, continue another hour and a half to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home to the world’s largest fossil reef and the four highest mountains in Texas.

This is an East Texas adventure for those who love forest scenery and other lakes. Book a weekend and fly through sights that seem far from the southern state they call home.

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When you leave Dallas, a 2-hour drive east brings you to Daingerfield State Park, an area known for its stunning fall foliage.

Even for those who don’t visit Texas in the fall, Daingerfield is a rural and secluded quiet destination for year-round hiking, fishing, boating and camping.

While the Texas Hill Country is better known as the wine center of the state, the Piney Woods Wine Trail has even more intimate tasting tours because there aren’t as many tourists (yet)!

Your Guide To The Perfect Texas Road Trip

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