14 Great Road Trips To Take In Texas
Texas roads stretch far and wide across amazing landscapes, from sandy beaches to rocky mountains. Taking a road trip through the Lone Star State lets you see everything from small towns to big cities, with plenty of good food along the way.
Grab your keys and fill up your tank – let’s explore some of the best drives Texas has to offer!
1. Hill Country Wine Trail
Vineyards dot the rolling hills between Fredericksburg and Johnson City, making this drive a treat for your taste buds. The winding roads take you through small towns where family-owned wineries welcome visitors with open arms.
Spring and fall offer the best views when grapevines are either blooming or showing off colorful leaves. You’ll find over 50 wineries along this route, each with its own special flavors and friendly folks ready to tell you about their craft.
2. Big Bend National Park Loop
The road through Big Bend takes you into one of America’s most remote and beautiful places. Mountains rise up from the desert floor while the Rio Grande carves its path along the border with Mexico.
Wildlife watching here is amazing – you might spot roadrunners, javelinas, or even mountain lions if you’re lucky! Night skies in Big Bend are among the darkest in the country, perfect for stargazing after a day of driving through this wild landscape.
3. Texas BBQ Trail
My mouth waters just thinking about this meaty adventure through Central Texas! Starting in Lockhart (the official BBQ Capital of Texas), this journey takes you to smoke-filled joints where pitmasters have perfected their craft over generations.
Each stop offers something special – brisket so tender it falls apart, sausages with perfect snap, and ribs that don’t need sauce. The small towns along this route haven’t changed much in decades, giving you a taste of old Texas alongside the best barbecue you’ll ever eat.
4. El Paso to Guadalupe Mountains
Starting in the border city of El Paso, this drive takes you through the western edge of Texas where desert meets mountains. The landscape changes dramatically as you head east, with the flat desert giving way to the towering Guadalupe Mountains.
Did you know these mountains include the highest point in Texas? Guadalupe Peak stands 8,751 feet tall! Along the way, you’ll pass through small towns where time seems to move slower, offering a glimpse into the frontier spirit that still defines this region.
5. Piney Woods Road Trip
East Texas feels like a different world compared to the rest of the state. Tall pine trees create green tunnels over country roads that wind through small towns and past sparkling lakes.
Fall brings beautiful colors to the forests, making it my favorite time to explore this region. You’ll find hidden swimming holes, charming bed and breakfasts, and plenty of Southern hospitality. The pace here is slower, giving you time to stop at roadside stands for fresh peaches or homemade jams.
6. Gulf Coast Cruise
Sandy beaches stretch for miles along this coastal drive from Galveston to South Padre Island. The road hugs the shoreline, offering constant views of crashing waves and seabirds diving for fish.
You can stop at small fishing towns where seafood comes straight from the boats to your plate. Watching the sunrise over the Gulf of Mexico is worth waking up early for! This drive feels especially refreshing in summer when the sea breeze keeps things cooler than inland areas.
7. Dallas to Fredericksburg
From big city lights to small-town charm, this drive shows off the changing face of Texas. Leaving Dallas behind, you’ll watch as skyscrapers give way to open farmland, then to the rocky hills of Central Texas.
Fredericksburg welcomes visitors with German heritage, shown in its architecture and food. The drive takes about four hours without stops, but I recommend taking your time. Small towns along the way offer antique shops, historic courthouses, and friendly diners where locals gather for morning coffee.
8. West Texas Desert Drive
If you’re looking for wide open spaces, this is your drive! The roads stretch endlessly across the West Texas desert, where you can see for miles in every direction.
Marfa sits at the heart of this route, famous for its art scene and mysterious lights that appear in the night sky. The desert sky puts on its own show too – sunsets here paint the horizon with colors you won’t believe are real. Gas stations are few and far between, so fill up whenever you can!
9. Austin to San Antonio
Though only 80 miles apart, these two cities offer completely different vibes, and the drive between them takes you through some beautiful Hill Country scenery. Austin’s quirky energy gives way to rolling hills and eventually San Antonio’s rich history.
Stop in San Marcos to shop at the largest outlet mall in Texas! New Braunfels makes another great break point, where you can tube down the Guadalupe River or explore its German heritage. This short drive packs in so much that you could easily stretch it into a full weekend adventure.
10. Bluebonnet Trail
When spring arrives in Texas, country roads explode with color as bluebonnets carpet the fields. This seasonal drive through Washington County (between Houston and Austin) shows off the state flower in all its glory.
The small towns of Brenham, Chappell Hill, and Independence form the heart of bluebonnet country. Families pull over constantly to take photos among the flowers – it’s a Texas tradition! The best time for this trip is late March through early April, but Mother Nature decides the exact timing each year.
11. Palo Duro Canyon Route
They call it the Grand Canyon of Texas for good reason! This drive takes you to and through the second-largest canyon in the United States, hidden away in the Texas Panhandle.
The road winds down into the canyon, revealing colorful rock layers that tell the story of millions of years of earth history. Summer brings outdoor theater with the musical “TEXAS” performed in a natural amphitheater. Early morning or late afternoon offers the best light for photos as the sun highlights the red and orange canyon walls.
12. Fort Worth to Possum Kingdom Lake
Escaping the city has never been more rewarding than on this drive west from Fort Worth. The landscape transforms from suburbs to ranch land to the stunning blue waters of Possum Kingdom Lake.
The lake’s clear water looks almost tropical against the surrounding limestone cliffs. “Hell’s Gate” – two massive cliffs that frame the entrance to a hidden cove – makes for an unforgettable sight! Small towns along the way offer authentic Texas experiences, from tiny BBQ joints to Western wear shops where cowboys buy their real work clothes.
13. Enchanted Rock Scenic Drive
The massive pink granite dome of Enchanted Rock rises from the Hill Country like something from another world. Getting there is half the fun as you drive through some of the prettiest parts of Central Texas.
Winding roads take you past ranches where longhorn cattle graze under oak trees. Native American legends say the rock makes creaking sounds at night – probably from cooling after baking in the Texas sun all day. The view from the top rewards those who make the climb, showing the Hill Country stretching out for miles in every direction.
14. Route 66 in the Texas Panhandle
A slice of American history cuts across the Texas Panhandle where Route 66 once carried travelers heading west. Though Interstate 40 has replaced much of it, you can still drive parts of the original Mother Road.
Amarillo serves as the heart of this route, famous for its Big Texan Steak Ranch and Cadillac Ranch art installation. Old gas stations, motels with neon signs, and quirky roadside attractions line the way. The small towns along this stretch tell stories of boom times and hard years as the great American road trip evolved.