With warmer weather, school almost out for summer, and restrictions lifting — it’s time to hit the road. But, Houston, you don’t have to drive too far to see some spectacular and unique Texas Road Trip Stops.

With diverse cities, incredible natural wonders, and unique attractions, Texas has a lot to share. So forget the Western National Parks and East Coast Parkways, and let’s have a little fun traveling the Lone Star State.

Texas Road Trip Spots, Northwest Auto Center of Houston

Must-See Texas Road Trip Spots

At a little over 260,000 square miles, Texas has a lot of land to explore. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, get your car ready, hit the road, and check out these fantastic Texas attractions.

Route 66 Texas Road Trip

The famous Route 66 stretches 178 miles through Texas’ Panhandle, and it has some sites worth stopping at!

Not only can you cruise this historic route, but you’ll also get a chance to see the Cadillac Ranch and the Glenrio Ghost Town (on the TX/NM border). Or drive a few miles off the highway to check out some natural attractions and nearby towns.

From border to border, Route 66 takes about 3-hours without stops. Making it a fun, short trip or a scenic segment of a longer Texas road trip.

Texas Natural Attractions

Big Bend National Park

No road trip would be complete without stopping and checking out a few natural attractions. Big Bend National Park offers a hundred miles of hikeable trails, winding desert rivers, and beautiful vistas.

Ready to see some stars? Make it an overnight stop on your Texas road trip and check out the night sky. As one of the national parks with the least amount of light pollution, you’ll have no problems seeing your favorite constellations and the Milky Way on cloudless nights.

Cascade Caverns

Located between Austin and San Antonia in Boerne, the Cascade Caverns are among the top Texas road trip stops for those looking for some unique geography.

Tours take folks through three miles of the limestone caves into various rooms, including the Cathedral Room. And with temperatures around 65-degrees, it’s a great summer activity for the family!

Dinosaur Valley State Park

Rivers and dinosaur tracks — sounds like a fun time to us! Long ago, dinosaurs left their footprints next to an ocean, and now you can walk in their steps on the banks of the Paluxy River.

The Dinosaur Valley State Park is a short trip from Fort Worth and offers camping, picnic areas, hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and fishing.

Guadalupe River State Park

A popular tubing spot, the Guadalupe River State Park offers many Texans a way to beat the heat during the summer.

Located between Austin and San Antonio, make a trip of it and stop at the Cascade Caverns in the morning before cooling off with the family.

Jacob’s Well

Located in Wimberly (between Austin and San Antonio), Jacob’s Well is a naturally occurring spring that releases thousands of gallons throughout the day, offering swimmers cool 68-degree water, crystal-clear waters.

Jacob’s Well Natural Area is open for the season and requires reservations for those wishing to swim. Click here to check out their website to see their current hours of operation and to make a reservation.

Fun Texas Cities to Visit

Austin

Texas’ capital city, Austin, is known for its live music scene and for keeping it a little weird. They also boost world-class museums, delicious dining, and a walkable downtown area.

For something a tad on the “interesting” side, make sure to stop at Congress Avenue Bridge at night to catch a flight of bats leaving their home as they fly out for the evening.

Corpus Christi

In search of a relaxing beach town on your Texas road trip? Make sure to stop at Corpus Christi, where you can enjoy fresh seafood, beaches, the Texas State Aquarium, the USS Lexington battleship, and more!

Houston

With its diverse population, Houston offers visitors a plethora of things to do.

Start by trying a few different local restaurants, visit the largest galleria in the county, stop by NASA’s Johnson Space Center for some out-of-this-world exhibits, or schedule your visit around one of the city’s many festivals. Houston has something for everyone!

Car in need of a tune-up after it’s been on the road and seen some sights? Feel free to call Northwest Auto Center at (281) 894-8880; we’ll make sure your vehicle stays in top shape and continues to shuttle you around the state! Or, feel free to call us and make an appointment BEFORE you hit the road and we’ll be happy to look over your vehicle so you remain safe on your trip!

San Antonio

Home to The Alamo Mission (Misión San Antonio de Valero), San Antonio is a must-stop on your Texas road trip. Known for its history and architecture, San Antonio gives visitors glimpses into the past while also offering delicious cuisines and beautiful sites.

As the largest state in the contiguous United States, Texas has several sites to see. Make sure to check out all of these Texas road trip spots together or on a few different drives. See you on the road!