7+ of the Best Texas Road Trips: Epic Places to Visit

Texas, the second-largest state in the United States has so many unique areas to explore. You could seriously spend years visiting all the cities in Texas. From historical and battle sites to wine country, Buc-ee’s convenience stores to National Parks, there is something for everyone in Texas. Foodies will love the barbecue while wine lovers will love Texas Hill Country. The following are some of the best Texas road trips to take while on a Texas vacation.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission at no cost to you!

TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Search for the best Texas hotels here!

Oklahoma City to Waco, Texas

By Lisa of Planning Away

Why Waco, Texas? This is a great question with a simple answer Magnolia Market. Let’s get started on all the best stops between Oklahoma City and Waco, Texas, making it one of the best Texas road trips. The total distance of 288 miles will take about 4.5 hours if you drive straight through.  It is a straight shot on I-35. There are some fun stops along the way that are worth taking the extra time to check out! 

At exit 55 in Davis, Ok is Bendre Chocolate Factory. It is open from 10am-5pm Monday through Saturday. You can jump out and if you time it right you will get to see a fully functional chocolate factory.  You will also get to sample some chocolate.  They have the cutest Oklahoma and Texas Chocolates.

There are plenty of rest stops along the way and they are really nice but if you hold out until Fort Worth you can stop at the famous Buc-ee’s ! This is a gigantic convenience store.  We love walking around and trying new foods. 

As you head down towards Waco you will want to stop in West, TX.  The Czech Stop is located here.  We have some Czech heritage in our family history so make sure to celebrate it by grabbing a Kolach when we pass by.    

Once you arrive in Waco you will need to head straight to the Silo’s where Joanna Gaines store is located. There is also a bakery located on the property which is delicious. Stay the night in one of the Airbnb’s that has been remodeled on Fixer Upper.

Continue your day trip the next day at Magnolia Press and Magnolia Table.  Visit the Harp furniture store and take a tour around town. Waco, TX, and Magnolia Market is the perfect weekend and one of the best Texas road trips. 

West Texas: Midland to Big Bend National Park

By Melissa from Parenthood and Passports

From ghost towns and old military posts to one of the least visited national parks in the country, West Texas is unlike any other part of the state. road trip here is one of the best Texas road trips. With large stretches of open road surrounded by desert landscapes taking a West Texas road trip is a great way to disconnect and feel truly off the grid.

Give yourself at least three days, starting your road trip in either Midland or El Paso and eventually making your way down to Big Bend National Park. Considered one of the most remote national parks in the continental US, Big Bend is a great place to spend a couple of days hiking and stargazing. The popular Saint Elena Canyon hike takes you down into the canyon along the Rio Grande River, which separates Texas from Mexico.

Just outside the park, the ghost town of Terlingua has become a fun roadside stop for many visitors to the area. The abandoned mining town is still home to a few dozen residents, who operate the trading post, restaurants, and hotel in the area.

Of course, no West Texas road trip would be complete without stopping in the artsy town of Marfa. Known for its unique art installations, like a Prada storefront in the middle of nowhere, Marfa is a great place to spend a day or two relaxing, exploring, and conversing with the artistic locals and makes for one of the best Texas road trips.

Houston to New Orleans

By Gabby of The Office Escape Artist

If you’re based in Houston, a road trip to New Orleans is relatively quick and very easy and one of the best Texas road trips. New Orleans is conveniently located off I-10 so you won’t have to worry about navigating until you get close to NOLA.  Just 350 miles away, it’s only about 5 hours of drive time – but you should plan on 6-7 hours to account for traffic & stops.

On the way to NOLA, I recommend you stop at the Buc-ee’s in Baytown.  It’s only about half an hour outside of central Houston but it’s a great place to fuel up and buy some coffee & snacks.  I always recommend a stop a Buc-ee’s if it’s convenient. It is a Texas thing! That will leave just about 5 hours of the drive-time left.  Two very convenient stops are Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Lake Charles is famous for casinos so if you want a more extended break, hit one of them up.  I recommend the Golden Nugget. It has fun slots and a diverse restaurant selection to boot. If you want a good dining experience in Baton Rouge, hit up Acme Oyster House.  You can get some excellent Cajun & Creole cuisine here, including red beans & rice, gumbo, and, of course, oysters.

One piece of advice – traffic can get awful on I-10.  If you feel like you may need a restroom break, take it as soon as possible.  You may think “the next city is just 30 minutes further” but don’t risk it: more than once, a car accident has completely shut down the stretch of I-10 and I was on for 30+ minutes. Once you’re in New Orleans, I recommend 3 days minimum.  If you have more time to spend there, however, take it. There is so much to see, do, and taste in the Crescent City! 

Houston to Galveston Island

By Sarah Arnstein of She Travels

Houston is a wonderful, bustling city to live in or travel to, but sometimes, you just want to get out of the city and into the fresh air. That is why Galveston Island is the perfect road trip to take from Houston! This is going to be a short road trip, but so worth it!

Galveston Island is just over an hour from Houston (about 56 miles), so this can be a day trip, but I suggest spending a few days on the Island to see as much of it as you can. There are several old mansions that have been turned into bed and breakfasts that would make a great home base for your time on the Island. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Houston Space Center toward the Southeast corner of Houston. It is on the very edge of the city, so this is the perfect time to stop by and explore the museum and all of its exhibits.

Once you get to Galveston Island, I would suggest one day to enjoy Pleasure Pier and the Galveston beaches. This area is known for its beaches since most of the Island touch the Gulf of Mexico. Another day can be spent exploring the historic downtown where you can walk around the area and pop into any of the shops you would like to check out. Whether you spend a day or a week on Galveston Island, it’s definitely a must-see during your time in Texas. It is one of the best places to enjoy the beach in this magnificent state and makes for one of the best Texas road trips.

Texas Route 66

By Kate Storm of Lone Star Travel Guide

Covering a mere 179 miles, Texas’ portion of Route 66 is fairly short, cutting cleanly across the panhandle–but for a short distance, it is full of things to do and one of the best Texas road trips.

Framed by the Oklahoma state border on one side and the New Mexico state border on the other, when driving Route 66 in Texas be sure to stop in Amarillo–the biggest city along Route 66 in Texas–to see the Route 66 Historic District, check out the American Quarter Horse Museum, and, if you’re especially hungry, experience a Texas-sized roadside attraction at the Big Texan State Ranch, where you can participate in the 72 oz. steak challenge (and that is not a typo).

Of course, any trip to Route 66 in Texas will require a stop at the quirky, famous Cadillac Ranch, which is free to visit and definitely an unforgettable sight in the desert. Consider also veering slightly off course to visit Palo Duro Canyon, which is located about half an hour south of Amarillo and is not only beautiful and a great place to hike, but the second-largest canyon in the USA! 

While you can certainly drive Texas’ portion of Route 66 in a single day, consider spending a night or two in the Amarillo area to make the most of the Palo Duro Canyon and the surrounding area. Palo Duro Canyon and/or Amarillo is a fun Texas getaway in its own right, too, even if you’re not driving the full route from Oklahoma to New Mexico.

Dallas to San Antonio

By Victoria of Tori Leigh

One of the most popular and best Texas road trips is the route between Dallas and San Antonio. Driving direct, the route is only 275 miles and around four and a half to five hours, but with many exciting stops along the way, the road trip can turn into a multi-stop vacation! This road trip is very family-friendly, as well, with so much to do along the way and in San Antonio for kids.

Ideally, you need a week for this Texas Road trip, especially if you want to stop in some of the popular cities along the way. Waco, for example, is home to the famous Magnolia Silos and market, and a small downtown filled with shops and restaurants. Of course, the road trip is incomplete without a stop in Austin. Find food trucks, some of the best Texas barbecue\, live music, and the State Capitol Building.

Road trippers looking for more nature and outdoor stops will enjoy passing through Marble Falls. An hour outside Austin, Marble Falls offers hiking and water activities along the Colorado River. Lastly, one of Texas’s most unique spots, Jacobs Well, a natural spring, is about an hour north of San Antonio. 

Since San Antonio sits in the Texas Hill Country, you may also want to explore some of the surrounding areas, such as Fredericksburg, some Texas wineries, and Natural Bridge Caverns and Wildlife Ranch. Don’t forget, though, to leave enough time to explore San Antonio and it’s lively riverwalk!

Dallas to Oklahoma City

Dallas to Oklahoma City is a popular and one of the best Texas road trips. This 206-mile trip takes about 3 hours and can easily be completed in one day. However, I recommend spending at least two days in Dallas and two days in Oklahoma City. 

In Dallas, there are a wide variety of things to do. History lovers should visit the Sixth Floor Museum, located in the building where President John F. Kennedy was shot from. It is now a museum about his life and assassination. Dallas is also home to George W. Bush Presidential Library. Another popular spot to visit is the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. No matter what there is a ton to do in Dallas during a two day visit. 

Along the route from Dallas, Gainesville, Texas is a popular lunch stop. They have tons of cute cafes and restaurants. If up for a hike, stop at Turner Falls Park in Davis, Oklahoma. This 77 foot waterfall is Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall and you can even swim at the falls! Overall, there are 1,500 acres of land and hiking trails throughout the park. 

Upon arrival in Oklahoma City, make sure to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum that commemorated the people killed in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. The Oklahoma City Zoo and the Myriad Botanical Gardens are other popular stops. No matter what, a Dallas to Oklahoma City road trip connects two super awesome cities and is a great mini road trip to do on a weekend.

Since so much lies in a relatively short radius, this Texas road trip is perfect for couples and families looking to explore diverse Texas landscapes, a few popular cities, and unique gems.

Final Thoughts on the Best Texas Road Trips

Interested in road-tripping throughout the United States? California and Oregon also offer some pretty awesome road trips.

Share this lesson!