Ready to hit the road and escape the Dallas city limits? Whether you’re craving scenic landscapes, small-town charm, outdoor adventures, or historic gems, Dallas is the ideal launching point for unforgettable road trips.
Thanks to its central location in North Texas, you can reach a wide variety of destinations within just a few hours, each offering something unique. From rolling Hill Country views to quirky roadside attractions, vibrant downtowns, and peaceful nature getaways, there’s something for everyone to discover across the great state of Texas! Whether you have a full weekend or just a day to spare, these road trip ideas from Dallas promise fresh experiences, new discoveries, and plenty of reasons to pack your bags.
1. Austin
Distance from Dallas: 3 hours
Best for: Music lovers, foodies, and outdoor enthusiasts
Austin, the capital of Texas, is also known as the Live Music Capital of the World. The city itself practically sings as you hear music spilling from bars and restaurants across Austin. The city is always brimming with eclectic energy and offers a wide variety of activities for music lovers, foodies, and outdoor adventurers to make your road trip worthwhile.
If you love music, head to famous institutions like The Continental Club or plan your road trip around one of the outdoor music festivals like South by Southwest (SXSW). Whether you’re into rock, country, or indie music, Austin will always have the right musical vibe for you somewhere within its city limits.
For delicious food, try the infamous Franklin Barbecue, which is often hailed as one of the best barbeque joints in town. You’ll also find plenty of food trucks all around the town selling everything from tacos to gourmet desserts.
If you’re traveling with family or outdoor enthusiasts, consider visiting Zilker Park or taking a dip in Barton Springs Pool, a natural spring-fed pool located right in the heart of the city. You could even walk off all that BBQ from earlier and go on a trail around Lady Bird Lake, which is perfect for a scenic bike ride or jog.
Austin is an all-around destination for those seeking to experience the best of culture, music, and cuisine without traveling too far from Dallas.
2. San Antonio
Distance from Dallas: 4.5 hours
Best for: History buffs, culture seekers, and food lovers
If you want to step away from a typical American city to a city that’s full of history, culture, ambiance, and delicious food, you really need to visit San Antonio.
The two famous attractions of San Antonio are the Alamo and the River Walk. The Alamo is where the famous battle for Texas independence took place. To gain a deeper understanding of this moment in American history, book a guided tour. The collection of exhibits at the museum, as well as the musket firing demonstration held every morning, are worth checking out.
After the Alamo, head to the famous San Antonio River Walk, which is lined with vibrant restaurants, shops, and bars. It is the perfect place for a relaxing stroll as well as to sit down, enjoy the delicious food, and maybe chat with a few locals. Food lovers will be delighted by San Antonio’s diverse culinary scene. From its Tex-Mex roots to innovative modern restaurants, San Antonio’s food range is impressive and flavourful.
Additionally, San Antonio is renowned for its blend of Mexican and German influences, which yields a unique culinary experience throughout the city.
3. Glen Rose
Distance from Dallas: 1.5 hours
Best for: Nature lovers, families, and dinosaur enthusiasts
Glen Rose is located just an hour and a half away from Dallas. It is the perfect road trip destination for a quick day trip with family and kids.
Glen Rose is best known for its dinosaur-themed attractions! Dinosaur Valley State Park is a major attraction in the area and a great excuse to come visit if you have a young paleontologist in your household. Here, visitors can see real dinosaur tracks that have been preserved in the bed of the Paluxy River. In addition to its dinosaur tracks, the park also offers excellent camping facilities, picnic spots, and a range of hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty.
During your time in Glen Rose, be sure to visit the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. This wildlife park might just be the highlight of your family’s trip, and while you’re there, you can either book a guided tour through the park or drive your own car around. The guided tour proves to be a better option for those who want to see a wider variety of animals or access areas restricted to the general public. But even just driving around the park in your own car is an exciting experience, as your family spots zebras and cheetahs from the comfort of your car. If you’re lucky, you can even feed a giraffe.
4. Waco
Distance from Dallas: 1.5 hours
Best for: Fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines, shopping enthusiasts, and history buffs
Waco has gained quite a bit of fame in recent years due to the success of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, starring Chip and Joanna Gaines. Its most renowned attraction is the Magnolia Market, which, if you’re a fan of the show, you’d recognize immediately. The shop is a must-visit for anyone interested in home décor, antiques, and a little slice of Texas hospitality (And let’s be honest, it’s probably why you’re visiting Waco in the first place).
The vibrant atmosphere here is the perfect way to spend an afternoon browsing the shops, trying out local food trucks, and enjoying live music. The on-site bakery offers delicious cupcakes and cookies, so save room for one!
While you’re in town, make some time to check out the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum. It’s a fantastic way to dive deeper into the history of this legendary Texas Rangers law enforcement group and satisfy any history lovers you have on your trip with you.
5. Big Bend National Park
Distance from Dallas: 9.5 hours
Best for: Adventurers, nature lovers, and stargazers
If your idea of a road trip is all about adventure, nature, and stunning landscapes, then you should take the time to visit Big Bend National Park. Even though the park is a bit further away than all the destinations mentioned so far, it makes for a truly memorable road trip for you and your whole party.
Big Bend National Park is an excellent place to escape the stress of city life. It is located on the border between Texas and Mexico, with landscapes dominated by rugged mountains and dramatic canyons. Almost every corner and turn inside the park is photogenic.
The best way to explore the vast park is by hiking and backpacking. If you’re an experienced hiker, consider heading to the challenging South Rim Trail. But for an easy stroll, check out the trails near the Rio Grande.
Another reason why Big Bend is famous is for its dark skies. It’s one of the best places in the country to stargaze, thanks to its remote location and minimal light pollution.
6. Fort Worth
Distance from Dallas: 1 hour
Best for: History lovers, art enthusiasts, and cowboy culture fans
Fort Worth, known as “Where the West Begins,” is a short drive from Dallas but is entirely different in spirit and vibe with its mix of history, culture, and cowboy charm.
The Fort Worth Stockyards are a highlight of the city. Here, visitors can witness the daily cattle drive that goes down Main Street, just like the old days. Although it gets crowded on weekends and parking is expensive, the experience is worth it.
In addition to seeing livestock up close, you can also explore the many museums in Fort Worth. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is particularly renowned and honors the contributions of women in the American West.
Fort Worth is also home to the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum, and the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. So, if you’re an art lover how has a love of Western culture, you can easily spend a few days exploring this beautiful destination.
7. Grapevine
Distance from Dallas: 45 minutes
Best for: Wine enthusiasts, families, and history buffs
One of the best places to visit from Dallas for a quick getaway is Grapevine, with its idyllic small-town vibes.
It is primarily known for its historic downtown area, where you can enjoy boutique shopping, wine tasting, and numerous family-friendly activities. Grapevine is one of the best places to visit, especially during the holiday season, as the town puts up a spectacular display of lights. The town is the home of several wineries, and you can take tasting tours at various wineries scattered throughout this small town.
Grapevine also offers family-friendly attractions everyone will have a great time at like the LEGOLAND Discovery Center and the Sea Life Aquarium.
8. Tyler
Distance from Dallas: 1.5 hours
Best for: Nature lovers, rose enthusiasts, and wine aficionados
Tyler is actually known as the “Rose Capital of America,” and it’s a beautiful small town that’s perfect for a relaxing road trip from Dallas.
While you’re in Tyler, start by visiting the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, which is one of the largest rose gardens in the United States. In the spring, it has over 38,000 roses in full bloom!
Tyler is also home to several local wineries where you can tour vineyards and sample wines from some of the region’s best wineries.
9. Lake Texoma
Distance from Dallas: 1.5 hours
Best for: Water lovers, anglers, and families
Lake Texoma is located on the border between Texas and Oklahoma. It is an excellent road trip destination from Dallas for those who love water activities and outdoor recreation.
The lake spans more than 89,000 acres, and anglers love this lake for its diverse fish population, which includes striped bass, catfish, and crappie. For families, there are plenty of parks and picnic areas along the lake where you can spend time hiking, boating, or simply taking in some clean air. You will also find several marinas around the lake from where you can rent boats and explore the beautiful shores on your own time.
10. Amarillo
Distance from Dallas: 6 hours
Best for: Road trip enthusiasts, history lovers, and outdoor adventurers
Although Amarillo is a six-hour drive away from Dallas, it is a great destination for any road trip enthusiast.
It is situated on the historic Route 66 and features a unique blend of quirky attractions, historic landmarks, and breathtaking natural beauty.
Amarillo is home to the highly Instagrammable Cadillac Ranch, a roadside art installation featuring 10 brightly painted cars buried nose-first in the ground. You can add your own fun touch to it by spray painting the cars yourself!
If you are a foodie, you should also visit Amarillo for its Big Texan Steak Ranch. The steak is totally worth the hype, and you can even attempt the 72-ounce steak challenge. It’s a fun stop with a big Texas-sized atmosphere.
For a more disconnected and natural experience, head south to Palo Duro Canyon, the second-largest canyon in the United States. The park has clean camping sites. The hikes are well-marked, and the Upper and Lower Comanche trails offer spectacular views.
11. Shreveport, Louisiana
Distance from Dallas: 3 hours
Best for: Casino and nightlife lovers, culture seekers, and food enthusiasts
Shreveport, located just across the Texas-Louisiana border, is a lively weekend escape packed with Southern charm, entertainment, and surprises. You can stop by Tyler on the way and then head to Shreveport, too, if you want to cover multiple places in a single road trip.
Shreveport is known for its casinos and nightlife. So, if you are feeling lucky, hit the Horseshoe Casino or Sam’s Town along the Red River for gaming, river views, and live shows. After dark, visit the many jazz bars, rooftop lounges, and dance floors in Shreveport.
If you love art, you must visit the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, which has an exceptional American and European Art collection that dates back hundreds of years. The botanical garden outside is also beautifully maintained and worth a bit of your time as well.
If you are visiting with kids, you would love the Sci-Port Discovery Center and the Shreveport Aquarium.