Best Road Trips From San Antonio

🚗 120 miles ⏱️ 2 hours, 30 minutes

It is time to discover Austin, known for its live music scene, eclectic culture, and great food. Here, you will see the famous Greetings from Austin Mural and enjoy some amazing live music.

On this relatively short drive, you will have plenty of amazing new places to discover, including San Marcos, Gruene Historic District and New Braunfels.

🚗 190 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

Thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines, Waco has become practically synonymous with all things homes and décor, with Magnolia Market and Waco's many antique shops drawing hordes of visitors each year.

There are many places to visit on the way to Waco, such as Sebastopol House Historic Site in Seguin, Lockhart for its BBQ, a detour to Austin and Czech Heritage Museum in Temple.

🚗 470 miles ⏱️ 8 hours

Coming from the hustle and bustle of the city, you will love the laid-back coastal charm of Corpus Christi. Here, you can enjoy beautiful beaches and the Texas State Aquarium.

Instead of directly driving to Corpus Christi, we recommend taking your time on this road trip to visit Houston, Galveston, Lake Jackson and Rockport en route.

🚗 250 miles ⏱️ 4 hours

Houston, famous for its Space Center, sprawls near the Gulf of Mexico and has a long history of music. Nearby Galveston Island is a close and sunny escape from the crowds.

You can extend your road trip to Houston and Galveston to visit Lake Placid, Seguin,Schulenburg, and San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site.

🚗 285 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 10 minutes

Did you know that Dallas has over 12 unique neighborhoods and districts? From enjoying the live performances at the Arts District to the vibrant nightlife, this city has something for everyone.

On your way to Dallas, we recommend taking some extra time to visit Lockhart, make a detour to Austin, as well as discover Temple and Waco.

🚗 300 miles ⏱️ 4 hours, 30 minutes

If you have time for only one beach to see in Texas, then South Padre Island is it. You will love the bright sun and the gentle sound of the ocean. Soft sand, beach bars, and endless ceviche await!

As you drive towards the Gulf Coast, you will have the opportunity to make a stop at Pleasanton to visit the Longhorn Museum and make a detour to sunny Corpus Christi.

🚗 400 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 50 minutes

Marfa is a distinctive arts destination with the renowned Marfa Lights, an eclectic mix of art galleries, and the beauty of old Texas. There are many things happening in this unique desert town.

There are a lot of amazing places to discover on this route, including Boerne Historic District, Kerrville, Caverns of Sonora and Fort Stockton.

🚗 460 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 10 minutes

Visit Caddo Lake, a natural lake peppered with cypress swamps, in a unique ecosystem that supports a myriad of wildlife. This beautiful lake is ideal for kayaking and photography.

On your way to this scenic area, take some time to enjoy the urban offerings of Texas by visiting Austin, Temple, Waco and Dallas en route.

🚗 410 miles ⏱️ 5 hours, 50 minutes

Southwest Texas' Big Bend National Park is home to the stunning Chisos Mountainous Region and a sizable portion of the Chihuahuan Desert. The park also has beautiful clear night skies.

On your way to the stunning national park, you can visit Boerne, Caverns of Sonora,Fort Stockton and Marathon if you have some extra time.

🚗 510 miles ⏱️ 7 hours, 35 minutes

Amarillo, Texas, is known for its Historic Route 66 sights and is the ideal place to experience the Wild West. Don't forget to visit the Cadillac Ranch and try the steak challenge at the Big Texan Steak Ranch.

As you drive north to Amarillo, you will drive past Boerne, South Llano River State Park, and the West Texas Walk of Fame in Lubbock, all of which are worth a visit.

🚗 590 miles ⏱️ 9 hours

Jazz music, Cajun cuisine, and extravagant Mardi Gras festivities are all hallmarks of New Orleans and all of which deserve to be seen at least once in a lifetime and this road trip from San Antonio is the perfect occasion.

We recommend taking your time on this drive, because there are plenty of places to discover en route, such as Houston, Beaumont, Lafayette and Baton Rouge.

🚗 720 miles ⏱️ 10 hours, 50 minutes

Albuquerque, an amazing destination from San Antonio, is home to rich Native American and Spanish cultural heritage, a balloon fiesta, and a stunning desert landscape.

If you have a bit of more time on your hands, you can spend some time at San Angelo, Big Spring and Roswell of quirky UFO fame on this road trip.

🚗 700 miles ⏱️ 10 hours, 50 minutes

Santa Fe is the quintessential New Mexican city. You can shop around at the colorful markets, take part in festivals, or go on an eating tour through the city's top restaurants and food trucks.

While there are several routes that will take you to Santa Fe, we recommend driving through Boerne, Kerrville, Lubbock and Santa Rosa to make the best of your road trip.

🚗 930 miles ⏱️ 14 hours, 20 minutes

Explore Denver, the Mile High City! In addition to being a metropolis, this area is also perfect for outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year from hiking in the Rockies in the summer to skiing in the winter.

This is a fairly long drive, so you will have plenty of places to visit on the way. We recommend spending some time at Comfort, Lubbock and Amarillo.

🚗 680 miles ⏱️ 11 hours, 30 minutes

El Paso is also known as the “Sun City” because it receives an average of 302 days of sunshine every year. This city sits on the crossroads of Mexican and American cultures, being located on the border.

Many amazing places you can visit en route to El Paso include Fredericksburg, Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

🚗 430 miles ⏱️ 6 hours, 40 minutes

Discover the vibrant city of Shreveport, a blend of Louisiana culture and Southern charm. Enjoy its casinos, shopping, and dining along the Red River and spend some time at the State Fair of Louisiana.

Driving northeast to Shreveport, you will get to visit many amazing Texas cities such as Austin, Temple, Waco and Corsicana before crossing into Louisiana.

🚗 70 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 10 minutes

The heritage of Fredericksburg originates from German immigrants who originally settled in the San Antonio area. This charming town houses many State-famous attractions, including wineries and museums.

Even though this is a relatively short drive, there is plenty to discover en route, such as Cascade Caverns, and the charming small towns of Boerne and Comfort.

🚗 60 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 10 minutes

Wimberley, nestled in the Texas Hill Country, is famous for its swimming holes fed with fresh spring water. The most famous among them is the Blue Hole. Enjoy the rows of cypresses lining the swimming hole while floating by.

En route to Wimberley, spend some time in New Braunfels to visit New Braunfels Railroad Museum and Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels.

🚗 75 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 30 minutes

Pedernales Falls State Park is the perfect place to visit from San Antonio for an outdoorsy day trip. In this beautiful park you can ride horses, bird watch, camp, hike, or even search for geocaches.

Before you reach the state park, you will have the opportunity to visit Blanco State Park and Old Blanco County Courthouse, perfect pitstop for any history buff.

🚗 50 miles ⏱️ 1 hour

Experience the true spirit of the cowboy lifestyle in Bandera, the "Cowboy Capital of the World." Here, you will enjoy horseback riding, rodeos, and beautiful ranches just a short drive from San Antonio.

As you make your way out of the city, stop and have some fun at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and admire the scenery in Government Canyon State Natural Area.

🚗 70 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 10 minutes

Officially and legally, Lockhart holds the title of being the Barbecue Capital of Texas, and you will savor some of the best smoked meats in the state. The city's "small town" hospitality will make you reluctant to leave.

You might be in a hurry to dig into some of the tastiest BBQ in the state, but we highly recommend putting aside some time to visit Sebastopol House Historic Site and Downtown Seguin en route.

🚗 90 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 35 minutes

Garner State Park is one of the most family-friendly state parks and swimming holes. You can enjoy camping, hiking, biking, seasonal miniature golf, or even taking a dip in the Rio Frio River.

If you'd like to extend this road trip to Garner State Park, you can add Castroville Regional Park and Ruins of St Dominic Catholic Church to your itinerary en route.

🚗 30 miles ⏱️ 35 minutes

You will fall in love with the charming small town experience at Boerne in the heart of Texas Hill Country. The town features lovely boutiques, beautiful parks, and a lively arts scene.

There is something for everyone on this drive to Boerne, such as Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Friedrich Wilderness Park and Cascade Caverns.

🚗 35 miles ⏱️ 40 minutes

Explore New Braunfels, a delightful blend of German heritage and Texan charm, where you can enjoy water activities on the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers.

We recommend putting aside some time to visit Morgan's Wonderland and Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo on the way to New Braunfels.

🚗 75 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 20 minutes

If you are looking for a scenic getaway from the city, Dripping Springs is the place to visit. Known as the "Gateway to the Hill Country", the town is popular for its wineries, craft breweries, and stunning natural beauty.

One of the best ways to drive to Dripping Springs is by visiting Guadalupe River State Park, Canyon Lake and Blanco en route.

🚗 90 miles ⏱️ 1 hour, 30 minutes

Head to Shiner, the home of the Spoetzl Brewery, where you can tour the facilities and taste the legendary Shiner beer in its hometown along with delicious dishes.

A few great places you can stop and visit on the way to Shiner are Seguin, the quirky Watermelon Water Tower in Luling and Palmetto State Park.