15 Most Exciting Road Trips From Texas

Take a state as big as Texas — 268,597 square miles — and couple it with a pandemic, and you have another meaning to “Lone Star State.”

If you are antsy and in need of travel, we’ve found cities you can visit that are just a road trip away. Some may only take a few hours, but all can be done in a day to get you to a new place to see, explore and shake up repetitive days.

Ready to go? We have the mileage, hotels and attractions already planned out for you on these 15 most exciting road trips from major cities in Texas.

New Orleans

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Let the good times roll in New Orleans, home to the nation’s biggest Mardi Gras celebration and Jazz Fest.

Where to Go: Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World museum, the French Quarter and the Garden District

Where to Stay: Maison de la Luz, the top-ranked hotel in the city

Where to Eat: Cafe du Monde for its famous beignets

Getting There

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From Houston: 348 miles, 5 hours and 15 minutes

From Dallas: 506 miles, 7.5 hours

From San Antonio: 543 miles, 8 hours

From Austin: 564 miles, 9 hours and 15 minutes

Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Go farther afield to the crossroads between the American Plains and the West, where ample skiing and crisp air await.

Where to Go: The Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak and one of many zipline tours

Where to Stay: The Broadmoor, a destination resort dating back more than 100 years

Where to Eat: Salsa on the Rock, the top-rated restaurant in the city

Getting There

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From Houston: 958 miles, 14.5 hours

From Dallas: 724 miles, 10.5 hours

From San Antonio: 862 miles,13 hours

From Austin: 849 miles, 13 hours

Oklahoma City

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You won’t be able to squeeze in all of the sights in OK City in one weekend — there are more than 50 attractions here.

Where to Go: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Bricktown, and the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Where to Stay: Inside a 1920s renovated building at the Ambassador Hotel Oklahoma City, Autograph Collection

Where to Eat: Metro Wine Bar & Bistro, the city’s favorite

Getting There

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From Houston: 445 miles, 6.5 hours

From Dallas: 206 miles, 3 hours

From San Antonio: 466 miles, 7 hours

From Austin: 388 miles, 5 hours and 45 minutes

Shreveport, Louisiana

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Check out the border city offering riverboats, gaming and waterfront entertainment.

Where to Go: R.W. Norton Art Galley, Shreveport Water Works Museum and Shreveport Aquarium

Where to Stay: Try the Remington Suite Hotel and Spa, and get pampered during your visit.

Where to Eat: Leave behind Tex-Mex for Athena Greek & Lebanese Grill.

Getting There

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From Houston: 238 miles, 4 hours

From Dallas: 188 miles, 2 hours and 45 minutes

From San Antonio: 414 miles, 6.5 hours

From Austin: 336 miles, 5.5 hours

Kansas City, Missouri

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Visit the City of Fountains, and enjoy its wide array of music clubs — this is where swing and bebop began.

Where to Go: The National WWI Museum and Memorial, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Union Station and Arabia Steamboat Museum

Where to Stay: Crossroads Hotel, a charming boutique property beloved by travelers

Where to Eat: Devour the barbeque ribs at Jack Stack Barbeque Freight House.

Getting There

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From Houston: 745 miles, 11.5 hours

From Dallas: 508 miles, 8 hours

From San Antonio: 780 miles, 12 hours

From Austin: 702 miles, 11 hours

Santa Fe, New Mexico

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See the oldest continuously inhabited city in the U.S. — a place that inspired artist Georgia O’Keeffe.

Where to Go: Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Museum of International Folk Art and Canyon Road

Where to Stay: Sample the exceptional at the luxurious Inn of the Five Graces.

Where to Eat: Sazon, the city’s best restaurant with a Latin flair

Getting There

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From Houston: 874 miles, 13 hours

From Dallas: 640 miles, 9.5 hours

From San Antonio: 706 miles, 10 hours and 45 minutes

From Austin: 686 miles, 10 hours and 45 minutes

Mesa Verde, Colorado

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Visit the oldest archaeologically preserved city in the country at this national park and heritage site.

Where to Go: The site’s Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Spruce Tree House and numerous hiking trails

Where to Stay: The Far View Lodge is the only lodging within the park’s entrance.

Where to Eat: The Metate Room at the Far View Lodge, featuring park views and fine dining

Getting There

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From Houston: 1,102 miles, 17.5 hours

From Dallas: 912 miles, 14 hours

From San Antonio: 978 miles, 15.5 hours

From Austin: 959 miles, 15.5 hours

Hot Springs, Arkansas

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Step back in time in the town that became a retreat a century ago, due to its naturally heated thermal waters.

Where to Go: Bathhouse Row, Hot Springs National Park, Fordyce Bathhouse and Lake Catherine State Park

Where to Stay: Lookout Point Lakeside Inn will give you the best views of the lake and provide plenty of peace.

Where to Eat: Grab breakfast at the Pancake Shop dinner.

Getting There

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From Houston: 402 miles, 6 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 287 miles, 4.5 hours

From San Antonio: 548 miles, 8 hours and 45 minutes

From Austin: 470 miles, 7.5 hours

Lake Charles, Louisiana

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Don’t miss the Festival Capital of Louisiana, Lake Charles, which gives NOLA a run for its money.

Where to Go: Millennium Park, USS Orleck Naval Museum and Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu

Where to Stay: You don’t need to spend a fortune to get away to the Hampton Inn Lake Charles.

Where to Eat: Save room for the steaks at Ember Grille & Wine Bar.

Getting There

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From Houston: 143 miles, 2 hours and 15 minutes

From Dallas: 342 miles, 5.5 hours

From San Antonio: 339 miles, 5 hours

From Austin: 404 miles, 4 hours and 45 minutes

Memphis, Tennessee

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Visit the home of blues and rock ‘n’ roll — the likes of Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded here and Elvis and B.B. King called it home.

Where to Go: Sun Studio, Graceland, Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the National Civil Rights Museum – Lorraine Motel

Where to Stay: Stay at the iconic Peabody Hotel and watch the ducks parade in the lobby.

Where to Eat: Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken for real soul food

Getting There

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From Houston: 567 miles, 8 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 452 miles, 6.5 hours

From San Antonio: 725 miles, 10.5 hours

From Austin: 647 miles, 9.5 hours

Dodge City, Kansas

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Go back to the Wild West, where Wyatt Earp regained control of the Old West town and Westerns have been filmed.

Where to Go: Dodge City Trail of Fame, Boot Hill Museum and Dodge City Zoo

Where to Stay: Take a pick from chain hotels like the Best Western Plus Country Inn & Suites.

Where to Eat: Central Station Bar & Grill for a taste of home

Getting There

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From Houston: 696 miles, 10 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 466 miles, 7.5 hours

From San Antonio: 658 miles, 10 hours and 15 minutes

From Austin: 628 hours, 9 hours and 45 minutes

Branson, Missouri

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Head to the Ozarks, and enjoy the vacation town of Branson, a four-season resort area.

Where to Go: Sparky Free Downtown Branson Trolley, Historic Owen Theatre and Burbank Jones specialty shop

Where to Stay: There are 15 suites in the award-winning and rustic Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks Lodging.

Where to Eat: The Keeter Center is also the go-to for great food.

Getting There

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From Houston: 597 miles, 10 hours

From Dallas: 432 miles, 7 hours

From San Antonio: 699 miles, 11 hours

From Austin: 621 miles, 9 hours and 45 minutes

Gulfport, Mississippi

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Hit the white-sand beaches of Gulfport and the Gulf Islands National Seashore on the barrier islands, and try your luck at the casinos of Mississippi.

Where to Go: Ship Island, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and the Mississippi Coast Model Railroad Museum

Where to Stay: The area is home to many cozy B&Bs, including the Guest House at Gulfport Landing.

Where to Eat: Seafood is the way to go here, and you’ll find it at Half Shell Oyster House.

Getting There

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From Houston: 528 miles, 8 hours and 45 minutes

From Dallas: 560 miles, 8 hours and 15 minutes

From San Antonio: 598 miles, 9 hours

From Austin: 566 miles, 8.5 hours

Taos, New Mexico

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Heed the calling of the slopes in one of the best ski resorts in the country surrounded by an artistic community.

Where to Go: Taos Ski Valley and the Spa and Wellness Center at the Blake

Where to Stay: The alpine resort, The Blake, puts you in the heart of it all, with its location adjacent to a ski lift.

Where to Eat: Continue the alpine adventure at the Bavarian Restaurant, serving authentic German fare.

Getting There

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From Houston: 893 miles, 14 hours

From Dallas: 658 miles, 10.5 hours

From San Antonio: 737 miles, 11 hours and 45 minutes

From Austin: 723 miles, 11 hours and 45 minutes

St. Louis

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Meet where the East meets West in the Gateway City of St. Louis, well worth the drive.

Where to Go: Gateway Arch, Soldiers Memorial Military Museum, City Garden, and the Thaxton & Speakeasy

Where to Stay: Embrace the arts with a stay at the Angad Arts Hotel in the Grand Center Arts District.

Where to Eat: Pappy’s Smokehouse for St. Louis-style barbeque

Getting There

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From Houston: 779 miles, 12 hours and 15 minutes

From Dallas: 636 miles, 10 hours

From San Antonio: 903 miles, 14 hours

From Austin: 825 miles, 13 hours