What’s so great about a Texan road trip?
Texas can often feel like a country in its own right. Bigger, brasher and often misunderstood, Texas has a diversity that’s hard to beat. It’s classic American road trip country, and Dallas is the perfect place to begin your adventure.
With a wealth of urban, historical and outdoor destinations to discover, road trips from Dallas have something for everyone. With easy-to-access car rental for every budget from Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, you can get your Texas adventure underway shortly after landing.
Want to learn more about what Texas has to offer road trip adventurers?
Here are ten of the destinations for road trips from Dallas.
Austin, Texas
With its hip neighbourhoods, thriving arts scene and Spanish-style architecture, Austin is a cultural melting pot in the heart of Texas.
Austin calls itself the ‘Live Music Capital of The World’ and not without good reason. Home to the legendary South By Southwest Festival, the famous Sixth Street is a music lover’s paradise, lined with an array of clubs and bars hosting live performances spanning every genre imaginable.
Austin’s food scene is as diverse as its music. Head to the eclectic Rainey Street Historic District, where bungalows turned into bars and food trucks create a lively, vibrant atmosphere you won’t want to leave.
West of Austin is the Texas Hill Country, where vineyards dot the landscape, producing some of the state’s finest wines.
- Distance from Dallas: Approximately 200 miles (321km)
- Driving Time: 3 to 4 hours
Houston, Texas
Houston is the loudest, proudest and largest city in Texas. This sprawling metropolis is home to world-class museums, a diverse culinary scene, and an upscale shopping experience. Its host of attractions makes it a popular destination on road trips from Dallas.
Nicknamed ‘Space City’, Houston is also home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where visitors can experience space exploration firsthand. From touring astronaut training facilities to marvelling at historic spacecraft, a visit is literally out of this world! The Museum of Fine Arts and The Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston attract culture buffs from across the world.
If you’re looking for more natural charms then Houston has your need for green space covered. The Buffalo Bayou Park offers walking and biking trails, lush green spaces, and scenic views of the city skyline. In Houston Park, you’ll find the Houston Zoo, a family-friendly adventure filled with exotic animals and interactive exhibits.
- Distance from Dallas: Approximately 240 miles (386km)
- Driving Time: 4 to 5 hours
Big Bend National Park
The Big Bend National Park is Texas at its grandest. Located in the remote and rugged landscapes of southwestern Texas, it’s an experience not to be missed. Encompassing the Chihuahuan Desert, the winding Rio Grande, and the majestic Chisos Mountains, a visit to Big Bend is never to be forgotten.
A road-trippers paradise, the park offers a range of experiences, from the geological marvel of the Chisos Basin to the dramatic cliffs of Santa Elena Canyon. Hiking trails like Lost Mine and Boquillas Canyon provide close encounters with the region’s stunning landscapes. Lose yourself stargazing in this International Dark Sky Park, before hitting the road again on your Texan adventure.
- Distance from Dallas: Approximately 550 miles (885km)
- Driving Time: 8 to 9 hours
San Antonio, Texas
Around 80 miles southwest of Austin, you’ll find the diverse melting pot of cultures, culinary traditions and architecture that is San Antonio. Forget skyscrapers and towering office blocks, downtown San Antonio has an old-world, Spanish feel with the San Antonio River flowing serenely through its heart. A walkway by the river allows you to meander through a picturesque urban oasis lined with shops, restaurants, and vibrant flora.
San Antonio is home to the Alamo, where in 1836 a small band of Texan rebels took on a much larger Mexican force. The 13-day siege ended with defeat for the Texans, but it became symbolic of the Lone Star State’s struggle for independence. Admire the historic San Fernando Cathedral at Main Plaza, the oldest continuously functioning religious community in Texas.
- Distance from Dallas: Approximately 275 miles (442km)
- Driving Time: 4 to 5 hours
Fort Worth, Texas
Known as the “City of Cowboys and Culture,” Fort Worth is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the fascinating history of the American West. No longer wild, but no less exciting, Fort Worth combines heritage with contemporary culture to make it a compelling stop-off on road trips from Dallas.
Nothing captures Western heritage better than the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. Watch real-life cowboys herd their cattle along Exchange Avenue twice daily. You can also find Western-themed shops, saloons and the Cowboy Hall of Fame. To learn more about the women of the West, head to The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.
Fort Worth’s Cultural District is home to world-renowned museums, including the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.
- Distance from Dallas: Approximately 275 miles (442km)
- Driving Time: 4 to 5 hours
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Home to the highest peak in Texas, El Capitan, and an ancient fossilised reef, the Guadalupe Mountains National Park is an essential destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.
The iconic El Capitan, a sheer limestone cliff, dominates the skyline and serves as a distinctive landmark within the park. At 8,749 feet, Guadalupe Peak reigns as the highest point in Texas, and if you’re feeling energetic the climb to the top rewards you with panoramic views of the vast Chihuahuan Desert.
McKittrick Canyon is a hidden oasis within the desert expanse and is renowned for its fall foliage. The canyon trail takes you through a lush and colourful landscape that stands in stark contrast to the arid landscape.
- Distance from Dallas: Approximately 600 miles (965km)
- Driving Time: 9 to 10 hours
Padre Island National Seashore
Stretching along the Gulf of Mexico, Padre Island National Seashore is a pristine and unspoiled coastal sanctuary, that feels a world away from the Lone Star State’s bustling cities.
As the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world, Padre Island National Seashore boasts over 70 miles of untouched, windswept beaches. The island is also home to globally important ecosystems, including tidal flats, dunes, and the Laguna Madre. These unique habitats support a wealth of wildlife, from migratory birds to sea turtles. Visitors can find out more about conservation efforts, camp along the beachfront or kayak through the calm hypersaline waters of the lagoon.
- Distance from Dallas: Approximately 400 miles (643km)
- Driving Time: 6 to 7 hours
Dallas to Fort Davis Scenic Loop
When people think of road trips from Dallas they often think of the Fort Davis Scenic Loop. This heads out from the city and takes you through picturesque countryside, charming towns, and natural wonders of this corner of the Lone Star State.
Whether delving into history at Fort Davis, immersing in the natural wonders of Enchanted Rock, or marvelling at the cosmos from the McDonald Observatory, each stop contributes to an
unforgettable journey through the heart of Texas. Discover the uniquely German heritage of historic Fredericksburg before heading westward into the rugged Davis Mountains surrounding Fort Davis. The laidback town of Alpine with its stunning geology is a popular stopping point on the drive back to Dallas.
- Distance: Approximately 550 miles (loop) (885km)
- Driving Time: 8 to 9 hours
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Nature enthusiasts will find paradise at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Just north of Fredericksburg, it’s a hiker’s delight and provides stunning views of the surrounding Texas Hill Country.
The centrepiece of the park is the colossal Enchanted Rock, a massive expanse of pink granite, that rises to an elevation of 1,825 feet above sea level. The rock glows pink and orange at sunset and sunrise making it a romantic place to pause and take in the view.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers a network of trails catering to various skill levels, inviting hikers to explore the diverse landscapes surrounding the granite dome. For those seeking a more hands-on adventure, Enchanted Rock provides opportunities for rock climbing and bouldering. The park is also rich in woodlands, grasslands, wildflowers and birdlife making it an unforgettable destination for anyone with an appreciation for the natural world.
- Distance from Dallas: Approximately 275 miles (442km)
- Driving Time: 4 to 5 hours
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi, which nestles along the sweeping Gulf of Mexico, is known affectionately as the “Sparkling City by the Sea”. This coastal gem provides a rich combination of Spanish-influenced culture, sun-soaked beaches, and a vibrant maritime atmosphere.
A prominent fixture in Corpus Christi’s skyline is the USS Lexington, an aircraft carrier turned museum that explores US Naval History. Next door, the Texas State Aquarium allows you to get up close to the underwater world of the Gulf of Mexico. The historic downtown area is a hub of places to shop, eat and explore. The Art Museum of South Texas, located on the bay, features a diverse collection of regional and contemporary art.
If all that wasn’t enough, there’s a choice of beaches from family-friendly to wild and natural, to a surfer’s paradise with endless waves.
- Distance from Dallas: Approximately 410 miles (660km)
- Driving Time: 6 to 7 hours
Ready For Your Next Adventure?
There are few places on the planet with a bigger sense of adventure than Texas. Whether you’re drawn to vibrant cities, quirky coastal havens or stunning national landscapes, the Lone Star State always has the capacity to thrill and surprise.
Cheaper Than Cars makes it easy to find the right car for your big road trip from Dallas. Buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Lone Star State.
