Best Road Trips From San Antonio

If you're seeking the perfect day trip, a weekend drive, or a long adventure through the USA, there's a road trip from San Antonio that'll fit your wildest dreams. You'll get to visit destinations like the urban metropolises of Texas, beautiful New Mexican cities and even Sin City!

Top Road Trip Destinations From San Antonio

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Our rankings are based only on editorial opinion, not any commercial consideration.
Austin, Texas, USA with the city skyline in the evening and blue hour taken as a panoramic shot.
1.

Austin

πŸš— 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.

Waco's Dr Pepper Museum in the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company building.
2.

Waco

πŸš— 190 miles ⏱️ 3 hours

Thanks to Chip and Joanna Gaines, Waco has become practically synonymous with all things homes and dΓ©cor, 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.

Corpus Christi, in Texas, on the seawall overlooking the marina with some boats docket at sunset

πŸš— 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.

Galveston, Texas, USA with a view of the beach umbrellas and Pleasure Pier amusement park in the distance against a blue sky.

πŸš— 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.

Dallas, Texas, USA downtown city skyline at night with the skyscrapers reflecting in the water in the foreground.
5.

Dallas

πŸš— 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.

A beautiful soft and fine sandy beach along the gulf coast of South Padre Island, Texas

πŸš— 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.

Marfa bus stop with famous Marfa water tower in the background on a sunny day.
7.

Marfa

πŸš— 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.

Canoeing on Saw Mill Pond at Caddo Lake State Park in Texas

πŸš— 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.

Santa Elena Canyon and Rio Grande river at Big Bend National Park

πŸš— 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.

The Cadillac Ranch at Amarillo Texas
10.

Amarillo

πŸš— 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.

Street performers playing blue grass style music in the French Quarter district in New Orleans on a sunny day

πŸš— 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.

The sun beats down on the adobe style buildings in Poco Apoco Plaza in the historic Old Town section of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

πŸš— 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.

Candles are lit up on ledges around a traditional southern style building after dark
13.

Santa Fe

πŸš— 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.

City park green spaces circle pattern monument aerial drone view high above Denver , Colorado
14.

Denver

πŸš— 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.

El Paso, Texas, USA downtown city skyline at dusk with Juarez, Mexico in the distance.
15.

El Paso

πŸš— 680 miles ⏱️ 11 hours, 30 minutes

El Paso is also known as the β€œSun 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.

Shreveport, Louisiana showing the downtown skyline in the distance, and a metal bridge crossing the Red River in the foreground at sunset.

πŸš— 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.

Beautiful Pioneer Memorial Library in Fredericksburg, Texas, situated in a green garden, surrounded by trees on a sunny day

πŸš— 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.

Colorful shop with art and artificial plants and an old pickup truck in Wimberley, Texas.
18.

Wimberley

πŸš— 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.

Sunset image over rocks, clear waters and sand with trees in the background

πŸš— 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.

Motorbikes parked in front of a BBQ joint
20.

Bandera

πŸš— 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.

The Beautiful and Ornate Caldwell County Courthouse in Lockhart, Texas. Built in 1894.
21.

Lockhart

πŸš— 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.

Beautiful Bright Orange Autumn Foliage Surrounding the Emerald Green Clear Frio River, at Garner State Park, Texas.

πŸš— 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.

Bronze statue of Wild Bill sitting on a bench
23.

Boerne

πŸš— 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.

Guadalupe River New Braunfels, Texas

πŸš— 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.

Swimmers enjoying the blue waters of Hamilton Pool in Dripping Springs, Texas

πŸš— 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.

White exterior of Spoetzl Brewery on a sunny day
26.

Shiner

πŸš— 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.

Longer road trips from San Antonio

South Gateway Rock formation framed by twisted Juniper Trees at the Garden of the Gods Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA.

πŸš— 1,030 miles ⏱️ 16 hours, 30 minutes

Colorado Springs offers a massive wildlife area teeming with biodiversity, ranging from grasslands to mountains. Make sure to visit stunning landmarks like Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak here.

Havasu Falls, waterfalls in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

πŸš— 1,130 miles ⏱️ 17 hours

The Grand Canyon is a must-see natural wonder unlike anything else on the planet and this road trip will help you tick off one of your bucket list adventures.

Las Vegas, Nevada, USA skyline over the strip at dusk.

πŸš— 1,300 miles ⏱️ 19 hours, 20 minutes

Almost everyone around the world knows of Las Vegas as THE premier destination for all kinds of nightlife. From casinos to clubs, you will find tons of fun in this unique city.

Orlando, Florida, USA at Universal studios city walk with a view of the Lighthouse, entrance to Islands of Adventure.

πŸš— 1,400 miles ⏱️ 23 hours, 15 minutes

There are more than a dozen theme parks, such as Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios, in Orlando so you can expect tons of fun during your visit!

View of the TCL Chinese Theatre and the stars on Hollywood Boulevard, LA

πŸš— 1,700 miles ⏱️ 27 hours

Los Angeles is a city of celebrities, gorgeous beaches, nightlife, and amazing cultural landmarks. Make sure to add the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame to your itinerary.