Dallas is an attractive city filled with marvelous cultures, history, and great food specialties. If you are the kind of person who enjoys going for road trips, then hop into your car, pack your bag and drive right from Dallas. Luckily, Dallas is a wonderful location to start a road trip. Overall, within a few hours of drive from Dallas, you can find several places to enjoy the beauty of nature. Road trips from Dallas become even more exciting when you plan and align your visit with special events like historical reenactments, guided tours, concerts, and annual festivals. This is a step-by-step trip itinerary of some of the most incredible routes you can take from Dallas.
Road Trips From Dallas
Not sure where to start planning your weekend escapes from Dallas? Begin here!
#1. Fort Worth
Distance from Dallas: 36 Minutes (33 Miles)
Top activities to do: Explore Historical sites and the Art Museum.ย
Best time to visit: March to May and September to November
The Fort Worth Herd offers a unique experience of a “twice-daily longhorn cattle drive,” held at 11:30 am & 4:00 pm in the Fort “Worth Stockyards.” Remember to visit the Stockyards Museum and the Texas Cowboy Hall. The Sundance Square district has some spectacular buildings and places for live music. This place also has different attractive stores and galleries. Kimbell Art Museum is a top attraction of Fort Worth, known for its impressive art containing an assortment of European and Asian art.
#2. Glen Rose
Distance from Dallas: 1 Hour and 18 Minutes (75 Miles)ย
Top activities to do: Fossil hunting, Hiking, Fishingย
Best time to visit: July and January
If you love nature, Glen Rose is one of the perfect places to visit from Dallas. Serving as a place of interest in the Hill Country area, this offers various attractions, including Dinosaur Valley State Park, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, and Big Rocks Park. Big Rocks Park is a calm and beautiful place for spending time in the open air surrounded by great rocks, a playground, and a river. Glen Rose increases optimum interest for any tourist, who is a paleontologist or a lover of the marshland.
#3. Austin
Distance from Dallas: 3 to 3.5 Hours (195 Miles)
Top activities to do: Outdoor adventures and live music.
Best time to visit: September to November and March to May.ย
Austin is the capital of Texas and is a lively city famous for its rhythms, stylish cocktail bars, and rapidly growing population. Dallas to Austin drive is filled with scenic countryside views, and stunning lakes and Rivers. Barton Springs Pool is the natural spring-fed public pool that is situated right in the center of the city and is a place that one can go for a swim and enjoy. Going through South Congress Avenue, which has many art shops, eateries, and bars, is recommended if you are heading to Austin by car. This active area captures the true essence of Austin and gives the tourists a nice feeling about the place.
#4. Tyler
Distance from Dallas: 5 Hours (362 Miles)ย ย
Top activities to do: Visit Rose gardens, Hiking and Fishing.ย
Best time to visit: June to November
The next destination is Tyler, often referred to as the “Rose Capital of America,” a visit here is perfect for gardeners and anyone who would love to spend their time exploring beautiful rural towns. The Tyler Rose Garden is one of the largest rose gardens in the United States filled with thousands of rose types in full bloom. Moreover, there is Historic Downtown Tyler, a place with antique structures, new buildings, cafes, shops, and bakeries. Tyler provides people with appealing and beautifying scenery and atmosphere when searching for serenity.
#5. Texarkana
Distance from Dallas: 2 Hours 40 Minutes (178 Miles)
Top activities to do: Explore Historical sites and Shopping.
Best time to visit: Mid-April to early June.
Texarkana, situated in the eastern region of Texas, is an unusual city since it is situated on the border of Texas and Arkansas; therefore, a group of activities and incidents are connected to both states. The most important among them is the Texarkana Post Office and Federal Courthouse where an address is divided by states. Visitors of these historical places can enjoy both a fun and instructive experience. For theater fans, the Perot Theatre is also an attractive place. This beautiful theatre accommodates various performances, adding to the town’s cultural attraction. Texarkana’s unique geographical location and local attractions make it a worthwhile destination for visitors.
#6. Waco
Distance from Dallas: 1 Hour 45 Minutes (95 Mile)
Top activities to do: Outdoor Adventureย
Best time to visit: March to early June and September to November.
Another exciting road trip from Dallas that can be taken with a car is the city of Waco, positioned to the south. Waco is one of the major tourist attraction areas because of attractions places such as Magnolia Market which comprises engaging museums and parks. One of the attractions that can be visited now is the preservation of true giants of the past, namely mammoths and other prehistoric beings, at the Waco Mammoth National Monument. The Waco’s Dr. Pepper Museum displays a variety of soft drinks. This museum also helps the visitors, especially the lovers of soft drinks, by offering historical and evolutionary information about the beverages.
#7. Sherman
Distance from Dallas: 1 Hour 23 Minutes (69 Miles)
Top activities to do: Lake Activities and Explore Historical Places
Best time to visit:ย March to May
Sherman is a delightful tiny town with a rich historical history and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for a relaxed vacation. The Sherman Museum provides a fantastic opportunity to learn about the history and culture of this North Texas community. Furthermore, Heritage Park offers a calm environment where visitors can relax while admiring the park’s well-kept landscapes. Heritage Park, a popular place for social gatherings and festivals, adds to the town’s appeal. Sherman’s historical significance and peaceful surroundings make it an ideal destination for those seeking cultural enrichment and relaxation.
#8. Fredericksburg
Distance from Dallas: 4 Hours 6 Minutes (261.1 Miles)
Top activities to do: Outdoor excursions and Shopping
Best time to visit: December to Februaryย
A road trip from Dallas to Fredericksburg offers picturesque Hill Country scenery. It is the most popular weekend escape from Dallas for those looking for culture, food, Shopping, adventure, and small-town charm. The town is just a short drive away but offers a refreshing break from city life.
It is a beautiful historical city filled with arts and nature. Take a tour to the National Museum of the Pacific War, get acquainted with Main Street’s stores and architecture that resemble German ones, and spend time in the eighteen Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Don’t forget to visit local wineries and the impressive outgrowths at Wild Seed Farms.
#9. New Orleans
Distance from Dallas: 7 Hours 16 Minutes (506.3 Miles)
Top activities to do:ย Cruises, Ghosts and Spirits Walking Tourย ย
Best time to visit: February to Mayย
New Orleans is a city of endless possibilities. Whether you’re interested in history, spooky stories, Shopping, delicious food, nature, delicious food, or just having fun, you will get everything here. It is an exciting city in Louisiana that characterizes itself through the booming warm culture of the United States. Though it’s a quiet, long road trip from Dallas, visiting the city is worth the vacation. Whether you want to explore history or haunts, Shopping or swamps, food, or have fun, there’s a tour with a locals’ perspective. Remember to visit the old city of New Orleans to get the feel and vibe of the town having jazz music in Bourbon Street, and taste the Creole restaurants. You can also take a pleasant walk in Jackson Square or through the beautiful architecture of the Garden District and take a breathtaking ride in the river Mississippi on the steamer.
#10. Wimberley
Distance from Dallas: 3 Hours 26 Minutes (230.1 Miles)
Top activities to do: Swimming, exploring, Shopping and Hikingย
Best time to visit: Mid-March to Mid- Aprilย
If you start early for Wimberley, you will reach during the day on your Dallas to Wimberley road trip. Wimberley, Texas, is well-known as a Hill Country region. Just a few hours’ drive away, this charming town is a paradise for nature and hiking lovers. Check out, swim in the beautiful Blue Hole Regional Park, and do some hiking in Jacob’s Well. You can also visit the Wimberley Market Days for arts and crafts. For the bird’s eye view of the beautiful landscape, do not attend Old Baldy; for a beautiful rural experience, take advantage of the town square. During your trip, remember to check seasonal events like the Wimberley Pie Social or Butterfly Festival.
#11. Oklahoma City
Distance from Dallas: 3 Hours (206.1 Miles)
Top activities to do: Explore Paycom center, visit concerts, Explore Arts placesย ย
Best time to visit: Late March to early June and September to Novemberย
Fort Worth, Arlington, and Grapevine will be your stopovers to Oklahoma City. Fort Worth will give you a Western culture vibe while enjoying modern tourist attractions. Arlington has thrilling attractions like the AT&T Stadium and Six Flags Over Texas, perfect for entertainment and adventure. Grapevine, known for its charming downtown and scenic vineyards, provides a fun atmosphere for Shopping and relaxation. Oklahoma City is one of the active cities in Oklahoma and contains historic and contemporary values. It is recommended to see the Oklahoma City National Memorial and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and entertained in the Bricktown district. If you are on a trip with family, you can go to Oklahoma City Zoo, right, and the more serene Myriad Botanical Gardens.