A Texas road trip itinerary offers an unforgettable adventure through a state that never fails to amaze visitors with its unique characteristics. From the vast landscapes to the rich culture, there are plenty of reasons why everyone should embark on a road trip through Texas at least once.
Firstly, Texas boasts an incredible diversity of landscapes, ranging from the rugged deserts of Big Bend National Park to the lush greenery of the Hill Country. The Gulf Coast offers beautiful beaches, while the Panhandle features wide-open plains. This geographical variety ensures there’s something to satisfy every traveler’s wanderlust.
Texas is known for its larger-than-life personality and a deep-rooted sense of pride. The people are famously friendly, and the state’s motto, “Everything is bigger in Texas,” holds true in its hospitality, cuisine, and attractions. From authentic barbecue joints to lively honky-tonk bars, the Texan culture is a blend of southern charm and southwestern flair.
History buffs will revel in Texas’s rich historical legacy. The state played a pivotal role in America’s history, from the Alamo’s iconic stand to its cowboy heritage. Museums, historic sites, and small towns provide insight into the past, making Texas a historian’s dream. Moreover, Texas is home to vibrant cities like Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, each with its unique character and attractions.
The Texan cuisine alone is worth the trip. From mouthwatering barbecue to Tex-Mex delights, the food is a journey in itself. Don’t forget to try a famous Texas breakfast taco, and be sure to explore local food trucks for authentic flavors.
Perfect Texas Road Trip Itinerary
The sense of freedom and adventure that comes with a road trip through Texas is incomparable. The wide-open highways, stunning sunsets, and the opportunity to explore at your own pace create a memorable experience. Whether you’re chasing wildflowers in spring or attending a rodeo in summer, Texas offers year-round road trip possibilities.
Begin in Dallas, known for its museums, art and food scenes, and the sports teams! Get your cowboy boots at Fort Worth and then visit the Texas Panhandle. Then head south to Austin, the live music capital of the world! See the State Capitol and enjoy kayaking on Lady Bird Lake. Head west to the Hill Country, famed for wineries and enchanting small towns like Fredericksburg.
See the San Antonio Riverwalk and the Alamo, then drive east to Houston and indulge in some space exploration! If you have the time, drive south to Big Bend and enjoy the vistas of West Texas! Plan an epic Texas road trip using our detailed guide below.
Plan the Perfect Texas Road Trip Itinerary
Dallas – 2 Days
Start your Texas road trip in Dallas. The city is well connected by air and also has rental car companies.
Dallas is a diverse city with plenty of urban attractions including museums, city parks, restaurants, and cultural attractions.
A must visit attraction is the Sixth Floor Museum in Dealey Plaza in Downtown Dallas.
The Sixth Floor Museum is located inside the Texas School Book Depository and is dedicated to the life and assassination of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.
Another great museum in Dallas is the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.
The Perot Museum has plenty of interactive science exhibits including dinosaur skeletons and is a favorite with kids.
The Nasher Sculpture Center has an impressive collection of modern sculptures.
The beautiful street art in Deep Ellum and Bishops Arts District is a favorite for photo ops in the city.
Take a walk by the Trinity River and admire the view of the impressive Dallas Skyline including the Reunion Tower skyscraper at night.
You can also enjoy panoramic views of the city from the observation deck on the top of the Reunion Tower.
More Texas Travel Guides
Best Places to Visit in Texas
Best Road Trips in Texas
Amazing Places to see bluebonnets in Texas
Fort Worth – 1 Day
Wish to experience the wild west on your Texas road trip?
Visit the Fort Worth Stockyards!
The Fort Worth Stockyards is a historic area filled with cowboys, honky tonk bars, and delicious barbecue.
Visitors can watch a cattle drive through the streets as well as see a mock shootout.
In addition to shopping for souvenirs, visitors can enjoy rodeos and ride a mechanical bull at the stockyards.
Texas Panhandle – 2 Days
From Dallas, we recommend taking the road north through the Texas Panhandle to Amarillo.
Amarillo is one of the most underrated big cities in the Lone Star State.
Spend some time in Amarillo see the historic district, museums, murals, and restaurants in the city.
Visit the iconic Big Texan Steak Ranch and try their 72 oz steak challenge!
Then see some of the major attractions near Amarillo including the famous Cadillac Ranch.
This section of the Texas road trip will be along historic Route 66.
Cadillac Ranch is an essential stop on any Texas itinerary.
At Cadillac Ranch, you will see 10 Cadillac cars half buried in the ground with their noses sticking up.
It’s a popular location to take fun photos with your family.
Drive to the Palo Duro Canyon State Park from Amarillo on a day trip.
The state park is only an hour away from the city and is home to Palo Duro Canyon, one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Texas.
The state park is famous for hiking, camping, mountain biking, and stargazing.
After seeing the Panhandle, make your way south to Central Texas.
Both Austin and the scenic Texas Hill Country are located here and are popular tourist attractions in the state.
Optional: Waco
On your way to Austin, you can visit Waco.
Waco is home to several attractions including the Waco Mammoth National Monument and the Dr. Pepper museum.
Located on the banks of the Brazos River, Waco is also one of the best places to go kayaking in Texas.
Downtown Waco has the ultimate small Town Texas vibe: here you will find Charming cafes, art galleries, boutiques, and pretty murals.
It makes a great stop on the Texas road trip, especially for kids.
Austin – 2 Days
The modern city of Austin is the capital of Texas.
Must-see attractions in the city include the Texas State Capitol building, Barton Springs Municipal pool, Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake, and Mount Bonnell.
The Texas State Capitol is one of the most beautiful state capitols in America and can be seen on a self guided tour.
Austin is also famous for its live music scene and the diverse culinary options.
The festivals that are hosted here throughout the year include SXSW (South by Southwest), Austin City Limits Festival, and the Pecan Street Festival.
You can easily listen to live music in any of the city’s bars and clubs.
Austin might be famous for its urban attractions but the city is also surrounded by spectacular scenery of the Hill Country and is a heaven for outdoor lovers.
For a relaxed day trip from Austin, visit the famous swimming hole of Hamilton Pool Preserve.
Hamilton Pool is located on the western edge of Austin and is known for its beautiful natural rock pool, sparkling waterfall, and great hiking trails.
During the summers, Hamilton Pool is one of our favorite places to visit to beat the Texas sun.
Optional: Texas Hill Country
If you have more time, then explore the Hill Country from Austin on your Texas road trip.
This region of Central Texas has rolling hills, waterfalls, rivers and lakes.
The Hill Country is most scenic in spring when bluebonnets pop up all over the countryside.
You will find several charming small towns in the Hill Country such as Fredericksburg, Llano, Wimberley, and Marble Falls.
Stroll their charming Main Streets and shop for antiques and local products.
Popular natural attractions in the Texas Hill Country include Enchanted Rock Natural Area, Pedernales Falls State Park, Colorado Bend State Park, Lost Maples, and Highland Lakes.
Enchanted Rock is most beautiful during the springtime when wildflowers are in full bloom.
Float down the San Marcos River, see fall colors on the banks of the Guadalupe, hike to Gorman Falls, see the LBJ Ranch, and admire the dinosaur tracks at Canyon Lake!
Read our post on Best Things to do in the Texas Hill Country for more information.
Make your way south to San Antonio after seeing the Hill Country.
San Antonio – 2 Days
For most people San Antonio is the major attraction of any Texas road trip.
The city is home to two of the most iconic attractions in America – the Alamo and the San Antonio River Walk.
The Alamo is the site where the Texan forces held their ground for 13 days against Mexican troops in 1836.
The Spanish frontier Mission was once an old Church and has several beautiful historic murals inside it – definitely worth checking out!
Today, Alamo is a UNESCO Site and one of the most famous national parks in Texas.
The San Antonio River walk is a fantastic 4-mile linear park that follows the San Antonio River and is filled with restaurants, bars, shops, and beautiful sights.
San Antonio also has many museums for all interests, popular attractions such as the Historic Market Square, as well as amazing culinary scene.
One of the best ways to explore downtown San Antonio is on a Segway!
Natural Bridge Caverns, located about an hour away from the city, is also great to visit.
At Natural Bridge Caverns, you can see the natural marvels inside – spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.
Houston – 2 Days
Houston is the largest city in Texas and one of the most famous big cities in America.
It is an essential attraction on your Texas itinerary.
Houston is famous for its museums, including the Museum of Natural Science, which features a dinosaur exhibit and an amazing Butterfly Rainforest.
The Johnson Space Center Houston complex is another popular attraction in the area.
Nasa Space Center features great interactive exhibits about space exploration and also includes IMAX theaters where you can catch 3D movies about space exploration.
Undoubtedly, Space Center Houston is one of the best things to do in Texas with kids!
Houston is also known for the Downtown Aquarium, featuring underwater tunnels that take you over sharks and stingrays.
Optional: Galveston Island
Galveston Island makes a perfect beach day trip from Houston.
Popular attractions on the island include the Historic Pleasure Pier, Galveston Railroad Museum, and Moody Gardens.
Galveston also features great seafood, shops, and the Strand Historic District.
This city is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon.
Optional: East Texas
If you love exploring hidden gems, then be sure to visit East Texas on your road trip.
Here you will find charming attractions such as Caddo Lake State Park, the Texan Christmas towns of Marshall and Jefferson, and the Rose Garden of Tyler.
Read our epic guide to the best attractions in East Texas to plan this road trip.
Corpus Christi – 1 Day
You cannot really visit Texas without visiting the Gulf Coast beaches and Texas coastal towns.
Corpus Christi is a great place to start.
The city is known for its beautiful beaches and the boardwalk.
Also Read: Best beaches in Texas to Visit Now
Must-see attractions in Corpus Christi include USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, Texas State Aquarium, and North Beach.
The USS Lexington was an aircraft carrier that was vital during World War Two.
The Texas State Aquarium is another popular Corpus Christi attraction for families with kids, featuring several beautiful underwater exhibits.
North Beach features great nature trails and is a perfect place to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.
Mustang Island State Park and Padre Island National Seashore, both featuring amazing beaches, are located close to Corpus Christi.
Other Texas cities to explore near Corpus Christi include South Padre Island and Port Aransas.
After visiting the coast, drive towards the Big Bend region.
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
The frontier city of El Paso is a great addition to any West Texas road trip.
El Paso is located just about 4 hours away from Big Bend National Park.
The city of El Paso is famous for its cultural attractions, ethnic markets, museums, and Spanish missions.
You can spend a day walking through the historical downtown area, 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
If you have the time, visit this amazing National Park in West Texas.
Located near the New Mexico border, Guadalupe Mountains is a must visit for outdoor lovers.
The 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.
If you have time, we highly recommend exploring both these places on your Texas road trip.
If you’re looking for the best places to see on your Texas road trip, this guide should give you plenty of ideas!
Whether it’s adventure-seeking or culture that interests you most, we hope that our list will help inspire your itinerary.
From San Antonio and its iconic attractions like the Alamo (UNESCO site) and River Walk; to El Paso with its historical downtown area, Spanish missions, and art installations; there are so many places to explore!
When planning your road trip through the Lone Star State make sure not to miss Big Bend National Park – one of our favorite spots in the American Southwest.
Our Texas road trip itinerary promises a remarkable journey filled with diverse landscapes, warm hospitality, historical depth, vibrant cities, delectable cuisine, and a sense of adventure. Texas’s unique characteristics and cultural richness ensure that everyone should make the Lone Star State their road trip destination at least once in their lifetime.
