There’s a certain magic to driving across Texas that’s hard to put into words. One minute you’re chasing the horizon through wind-bent grasslands, and the next you’re winding past cactus and canyon walls that look older than time. Every few miles, the scenery shifts just enough to remind you how enormous and unpredictable the Lone Star State really is.
This itinerary isn’t about rushing from point A to point B – it’s about savoring the long stretches, the roadside cafés with hand-painted signs, and the kind of detours that turn into adventures.
Add in the famous Texan cuisine – from best barbecue in the country to Tex-Mex food like enchiladas and breakfast tacos – you’re bound to have a fabulous time! Here’s how to do Texas right, road trip style.
How to plan your Texas Road Trip
Begin in Dallas, known for its museums, art and food scenes, and the sports teams! Get your cowboy boots at Fort Worth. Then head south to Austin, the live music capital of the world! See the State Capitol and enjoy kayaking on Lady Bird Lake. Visit the Alamo and Riverwalk in San Antonio before going to the Space Center in Houston. These big cities are all essential.
For the rest of your trip, choose one region from the Panhandle, Hill Country, or Big Bend. Panhandle is north west from Dallas and is must for Route 66 fans. Texas Hill Country is famed for its wineries and pretty small towns like Fredericksburg and Wimberley. Big Bend is the Texas many come to see – dusty desert that stretches on for miles, blooming cacti, and stars that shine so bright they feel almost alive.
Dallas – 2 Days
Start your Texas road trip in Dallas. The city is great to fly into plus you can score a good car rental. Dallas area attractions include museums, city parks, restaurants, history, and culture. You obviously need to head to Dealey Plaza in Downtown Dallas – the site of JFK’s assassination.
The Sixth Floor Museum is located inside the Texas School Book Depository where the fatal bullet was shot from on November 22, 1963. It has several exhibits dedicated to the life, legacy, and assassination of John F. Kennedy.
Families love the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The large museum has cool science exhibits and halls including dinosaurs, gems, sports, and space. The nearby Nasher Sculpture Center has an intriguing collection of modern sculptures.
What else to do? Take a walk in Klyde Warren Park, check out street art in Deep Ellum, shop in Bishops Arts District, and explore the beautiful Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. Hike the trails by the Trinity River and admire the Dallas Skyline at night. Looking for something cooler? Get a birds eye view of Dallas from the observation deck on the top of the Reunion Tower.
Fort Worth – 1 Day
Can you really visit Texas without seeing a rodeo, saying Howdy to a cowboy, or watching a cattle drive? The only place to do all this plus see a mock shootout is the Fort Worth Stockyards! This historic area is filled with leather shops, honky tonk bars, and Texas barbecue joints.
The daily cattle drives are held at 11:30 am and 4 pm everyday followed by the shootout. It’s pretty impressive to see the Texas long horn cattle, some with horns 10 feet long! Spend some time exploring other parts of the city such as Sundance Square and the Water Garden if you have the time.
Optional: Texas Panhandle – 2 Days
From Dallas, you can either drive north west through the Texas Panhandle to Amarillo or south to Austin and the Hill Country (see below). Amarillo is on Route 66 and so an important stop for hard core road trippers. The city has plenty of Route 66 attractions nearby such as Cadillac Ranch and museums.
Some of the must dos in Amarillo include dining at the iconic Big Texan Steak Ranch and trying their 72 oz steak challenge, taking photos with the famous Cadillacs at Cadillac Ranch, and taking a day trip to Palo Duro Canyon.
At Cadillac Ranch, you can see 10 spray painted Cadillac cars half buried in the ground with their noses sticking up. It’s a fun photo-op plus you can paint and leave your own mark.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to the 2nd largest canyon in America – it easily rivals the Grand Canyon for its beauty and majesty. The state park is known for its hiking trails and stargazing. After having your fill of the Panhandle’s beauty, make your way south to Central Texas.
Optional: Waco – 1 Day
You can either drive straight to Austin or enjoy a cool pitstop in Waco, Texas. This small city lays claims to many attractions including Waco Mammoth National Monument, the famous Dr. Pepper museum, and Magnolia Silos of Upper Fixer fame. You can see it all in 2 days.
Austin – 2 Days
Time to get your boots on and dance in Austin, the capital of Texas as well as the Live Music Capital of the World! Get on a city tour and see the gorgeous Texas State Capitol, swim in Barton Springs pool, walk around Zilker Park, kayak Lady Bird Lake, and enjoy sky high views from Mount Bonnell.
Time your trip to the many festivals in the city. The two most famous ones are SXSW (South by Southwest) and Austin City Limits. The city is truly packed and you need to plan hotels in advance. If you’re looking for something to do outdoors, reserve an entry to the Hamilton Pool Preserve.
Optional: Texas Hill Country
I’d recommend exploring the Texas Hill Country around Austin on your trip, especially in spring – the bluebonnet season. Central Texas is so different from rest of the state – it is hilly, has hidden waterfalls, shallow rivers, and plenty of lakes for outdoor recreation.
Texas Hill Country towns such as Fredericksburg, Llano, Wimberley, and Marble Falls are very charming. Stroll the Main Streets filled with friendly locals, family restaurants, and boutique stores. Natural attractions in the area include Enchanted Rock, Pedernales Falls, McKinney Falls, garner State Park, fall foliage at Lost Maples, and the Highland Lakes. Hill Country also has plenty of wineries.
San Antonio – 2 Days
After seeing Austin and the Hill Country, come to San Antonio – the star attraction of any Texas trip. It’s two iconic attractions are also well known throughout America – the Alamo and San Antonio River Walk.
The Alamo is the site of the famous Battle where the Texan forces held their ground for 13 days against Mexican troops in 1836. The Spanish frontier Mission is steeped in Texas history and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
After seeing the Alamo, head to the San Antonio River walk for dinner. This 4-mile linear park follows the San Antonio River and is filled with restaurants, bars, shops, and beautiful landscaping. It feels more European than American – take a cruise to explore its many delights.
Other San Antonio attractions include the Historic Market Square, museums, Pearl Brewery, and the nearby Natural Bridge Caverns. The last is a majestic cave where you can see the geological marvels of stalactites and stalagmites on a guided tour.
Houston – 2 Days
Next up, Houston! Most visitors come here for the Johnson Space Center. On a visit you can see exhibits about space exploration, tour Mission Control Room, and enjoy fun activities. Its really cool place to take the kids and fill their minds with wonder and awe about the universe around us.
Houston is also famous for its museums, including the Museum of Natural Science, which features a dinosaur exhibit and an amazing Butterfly Rainforest. The Downtown Aquarium, featuring underwater tunnels that take you over sharks and stingrays, is also a hit with families as is the Houston Zoo.
Optional: Galveston Island – 1 Day
If you can’t be separated from the beach for long, visit Galveston Island to enjoy some Vitamin Sea. You’ll find many things to do here apart from sun and sand. The Historic Pleasure Pier, Galveston Railroad Museum, and Moody Gardens are all very cool and fun – but can get pricy! For some free fun, hangout around the Strand Historic District and watch the big cruise ships dock at the Port of Galveston.
Optional: Big Bend National Park – 2 Days
Big Bend National Park is one of our favorite places to road trip in the Lone Star State. The park is located in the far West Texas area in the Chisos desert. Big Bend National Park is most popular for its desert landscapes and the nearby mountain range.
Popular things to do in Big Bend National Park include hiking, climbing, horseback riding, scenic drives, kayaking down the Santa Elena Canyon, and observing the desert wildlife. Santa Elena Canyon of the Rio Grande River is one of the most scenic places in Big Bend. Big Bend National Park is a dark sky park and offers excellent sky watching opportunities.
During your road trip in Texas, make sure to take a detour to this national park on the US Mexico border – you can experience amazing culture of both countries! While in the Big Bend region, stop at the charming town of Marathon, stroll the Main Street of Alpine, see the ghost town of Terlingua, and admire the Prada art installation in Marfa.
Optional: El Paso – 1 Day
If you’re going all the way to West Texas, you might as well as see most of it. Frontier city of El Paso is about 4 hours away from Big Bend and a cultural magnet. It has ethnic markets, museums, Mexican restaurants, and Spanish missions.
You can spend a day walking through the historical downtown, explore beautiful murals at San Jacinto Plaza, and admire local artists at the El Paso Museum of Art. Franklin Mountains State Park, located near downtown El Paso, offers some great hiking opportunities.
Optional: Guadalupe Mountains National Park – 1 Day
If you have the time, visit this amazing national park in West Texas. Located near the New Mexico border, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at over 8,000 feet. The park has desert hiking trails, sand dunes, excellent camping, and wildlife viewing.
This Texas road trip is more than a long drive – it’s a week of wide-open skies, good food, and places with real stories behind them. You’ll move from big-city energy to quiet backroads, meet people who still wave at strangers, and taste things you can’t find anywhere else. Texas has a way of getting under your skin, and once you’ve seen it for yourself, you’ll understand why one trip never feels like enough.