The Lone Star State is vast and boasts many spectacular things to explore, with scenic waterfalls, lush forests, diverse wildlife, rolling hills and vibrant cities. However, your itinerary shouldn’t be limited to the state, as there are tons of things to see beyond its borders. Whether you seek natural excursions or an urban vibe, there are plenty of road trips to choose from. Make some playlists, buckle up and hit the road for a memorable road trip from Texas. Here are the 10 best road trips from Texas for you to enjoy.
- San Antonio to New Orleans
- Austin to Oklahoma City
- Austin to Santa Fe
- Fort Worth to Mesa Verde National Park
- Fort Worth to Hot Springs, AR
- San Antonio to Lake Charles, LA
- Austin to Memphis
- San Antonio to Gulfport, MS
- Fort Worth to Albuquerque
- Austin to Kansas City
1. San Antonio to New Orleans
From San Antonio, head east on Interstate 10, through scenic landscapes and cities, all the way to New Orleans. You may decide to make a stopover in Houston or Lafayette, Louisiana, along the way. Upon arriving at New Orleans, you will be greeted by Southern hospitality and unique culture. Whether you are a music enthusiast, foodie or fan of architecture, New Orleans offers something for everyone.
SIXT Pro Tip:
A visit to New Orleans is not complete without a cemetery tour. Take a guided stroll through St. Louis Cemetery in the French Quarter to learn more about the history and culture of The Big Easy.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM SAN ANTONIO: 543 Miles; an 8-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
2. Austin to Oklahoma City
Take I-35 N to Oklahoma City, an often-overlooked city boasting hidden gems that make it a worthy road trip destination. Oklahoma has something for everyone, from a diverse dining scene to scenic views, natural attractions, a budding art scene and rich history.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Drive to the Stockyards just outside the city for a taste of the Old West. Enjoy a Stockyards Stampede with actual chuckwagons and horseback riding exhibitions. If you’re lucky you can catch a gunfight with fully costumed entertainers acting on the street.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM AUSTIN: 388 miles, a 6-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
3. Austin to Santa Fe
If you’re looking for a relaxing destination, head northwest on US-87 N and US Hwy 285 N to Santa Fe, the oldest continuously inhabited city in the county. Boasting over 300 days of sunshine a year, Santa Fe is your ideal destination for intriguing outdoor adventure. You can enjoy the city’s historical charm, diverse culinary scene and art scene.
SIXT Pro Tip:
For a memorable musical experience, go to a performance at the Santa Fe Opera. The open-air theater allows you to enjoy views of the star-studded New Mexico sky. The theater is also a stunning contemporary piece of architecture.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM AUSTIN: 704 miles; an 11-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
4. Fort Worth to Mesa Verde National Park
For an escape to the outdoors, take US-287 N and I-40 W to Mesa Verde National Park. Since this is a long drive to Colorado, grab a bite or stay overnight in one of the towns in a city along the way like Amarillo or Albuquerque, New Mexico. Once you reach the park, you’ll be blown away by the beautiful scenery and interesting cliff dwellings.
SIXT Pro Tip:
To explore the cliff dwellings called Balcony House, Long House and Cliff Palace, you need to get tickets from the Visitor Center & Museum. Arrive at the center early in the morning to beat the crowds and enjoy cooler temperatures during the summer months.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM FORT WORTH: 864 miles; a 13-hour drive
TOLLS: When you arrive at the Mesa Verde National Park entrance, off Highway 160, you will have to pay an entrance fee of $20 for a 7-day pass.
5. Fort Worth to Hot Springs, AR
Head northeast on I-30 E all the way to Hot Springs to relax. Once you arrive in Hot Springs, you will be surrounded by natural beauty and history set against a laidback yet inviting setting. The city is not new to welcoming visitors, thanks to its naturally occurring thermal springs, which in the past were thought to have medicinal properties.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Visit Lake Catherine State Park for its scenic hiking trails winding through about 3.5 square miles of woodland and coastal areas. The park also offers outdoor activities, including fishing, picnicking and boating.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM FORT WORTH: 326 miles, a 5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
6. San Antonio to Lake Charles, LA
Enjoy scenic views of a range of landscapes with a road trip to Lake Charles via I-10 E. The city is famous for its unique festivals and dining scene. However, Lake Charles offers much more attractions to enjoy during your visit, including parks, museums, Southern delicacies, amusement parks and historic architecture.
SIXT Pro Tip:
History geeks will enjoy the horse-drawn Charpentier Historic District Tour where you can explore Lake Charles’ stunning Victorian architecture and learn about its historical significance. If you’re short on time you can also take a self-guided drive tour of the same route by downloading the Historic Tour app.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM SAN ANTONIO: 339 miles; a 5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
7. Austin to Memphis
Drive northeast on I-30 E to Memphis, a vibrant, diverse city. The River City is renowned for its barbecue and blues music. However, Memphis has more to offer including a rich history, fine weather and thrilling nightlife, making it ideal for a visit.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Visit the Memphis Zoo for a close encounter with various animal species. The zoo has a remarkable menagerie with over 3,500 animals depicting over 500 species from around the world. Besides seeing exotic animals, you will enjoy seeing them in ecosystems that mirror their natural habitats.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM AUSTIN: 647 miles; a 9.5-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
8. San Antonio to Gulfport, MS
For a coastal experience, take I-10 E to Gulfport, Mississippi. Sitting on the Gulf of Mexico, Gulfport is a paradise for beach bums. The city boasts water and theme parks and watersport equipment rentals for outdoorsy visitors. Besides the water activities, Gulfport offers museums, fresh seafood and more.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Explore the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies in Gulfport to discover more about the animal species that call the Gulf Coast home. The institute is dedicated to research and conservation in marine ecology and mammal biology.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM SAN ANTONIO: 598 miles; a 9-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls on this route.
9. Fort Worth to Albuquerque
Albuquerque rarely pops up on road trip destinations However, the city has much to offer including picturesque natural scenery, ancient Pueblo architecture, unlimited entertainment, a rich history and chili-based specials.
SIXT Pro Tip:
Albuquerque is a hot air ballooning hotspot, owing to excellent air currents from the Sandia Mountains, favorable weather and vast open spaces. Relive the city’s history of hot air ballooning at the Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum or enjoy the adventure of ballooning at World Balloon and Rainbow Ryders.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM FORT WORTH: 623 miles; an 11-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
10. Austin to Kansas City
Take a long road trip on US-69 N to Missouri. The drive features interesting changes of scenery and towns along the way. Kansas City is a foodie paradise and features a booming art scene, vibrant neighborhoods, museums and numerous shopping opportunities.
SIXT Pro Tip:
For a bit of history, visit the National World War I Museum. The museum is set up in a narrative style, as though WWI soldiers are giving visitors their battle tales through the exhibitions. WWI trenches, propaganda posters and weaponry are all on display in the museum.
SIXT Travel Facts:
DISTANCE FROM AUSTIN: 692 miles; an 11-hour drive
TOLLS: There are no tolls along this route.
