The Top Texas Road Trip Ideas & Sights to See

Key Takeaways

• With a variety of unique ecosystems and attractions, Texas is ideal for a road trip. 
• Top sights include Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Big Bend National Park, Padre Island National Seashore, and more. 
• Some of the top Texas road trip ideas include along the Gulf Coast, through Hill Country, across the Panhandle, and along the BBQ trail. 
• You can find the best vehicles for a Texas road trip at Boggus Tipton in Brownsville, Texas. 

With 268,596 square miles of land, Texas is filled with unique sights, making it perfect for a road trip. Whether you’re after small-town charm, world-class barbecue, or stunning desert landscapes, these Texas road trip ideas will help you plan your trip across the Lone Star State. 

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Top Texas Road Trip Ideas

As the second largest state in the United States, Texas is too vast to be seen in a single trip. When planning your road trip, start by deciding what Texas sights you want to focus on. These Texas road trip ideas will help you narrow down your plans. 

Texas Sights

1. Palo Duro Canyon State Park: Located in the heart of the Texas Panhandle, Palo Duro Canyon is often called the “Grand Canyon of Texas.” This massive gorge near Amarillo offers incredible hiking and biking trails and sunset views like nowhere else. 
2. Big Bend National Park: Big Bend National Park provides otherworldly landscapes and deep canyons carved by the Rio Grande. With mountain, desert, and river ecosystems coming together, Big Bend hosts a unique variety of flora and fauna. 
3. Padre Island National Seashore: With 66 miles of protected shoreline, the Padre Island National Seashore offers opportunities for birding, fishing, and camping. 

Texas Attractions

1. The Alamo: Probably the most well-known Texas attraction, the Alamo is home to the most famous battle in Texas history: the 1836 siege where a small group of Texans held out for 13 days against the Mexican army. The Alamo is located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, which makes it easy to pair with the River Walk, Market Square, and other Texas sights. 
2. Texas State Capitol: Located in Austin, the Texas State Capitol is one of the most impressive capitol buildings in the country. Built from sunset-red granite quarried nearby, the building sits on 22 acres of beautifully maintained grounds with monuments, statues, and a veterans’ memorial. It’s open to the public year-round, and the grounds are especially beautiful in the spring.
3. Space Center Houston: From NASA tram tours to stunning exhibits, the Space Center Houston offers a thrilling experience for space-lovers of all ages. See real spacecraft and mission control, and experience space through VR or motion simulators. 
4. The Sixth Floor Museum: The Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas tells the story of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and legacy. The famous sixth-floor window where Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired shots is preserved as part of the exhibit. The museum is both thorough and thoughtful, providing an interesting experience for history buffs.  
5. Natural Bridge Caverns: Discovered in 1960 near San Antonio, the Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest in the state. Here you can explore two massive caverns, try out zip-lines, rope courses, and gem panning. 
6. Buc-ee’s: Buc-ee’s isn’t just a gas station and travel station. No Texas road trip is complete without a stop at one of their many locations. With Beaver-themed decor and Texas-sized snacks, Buc-ee’s is an iconic attraction that will help you along your trip. 

Texas Road Trip Routes

These popular Texas road trip routes will take you to top Texas sights and attractions: 

• Gulf Coast: Start in Corpus Christi, stop by Mustang Island, South Padre Island, and make your way down the coast to Brownsville, Texas. You’ll find everything from sandy beaches and fresh seafood to the SpaceX launch site. 
• Panhandle: If you’re looking for epic landscapes, wide-open skies, and genuine western heritage, this route along the Panhandle is perfect. Starting in Amarillo, make your way to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Caprock Canyons State Park, and Monahans Sandhills State Park.
• BBQ Trail: BBQ lovers rejoice with this route that takes you to the most iconic smokehouses in Texas. Start at Pecan Lodge in Dallas, making your way to Franklin BBQ in Austin, Snow’s BBQ in Lexington, and Blood Bros BBQ in Houston. 
• Hill Country: Hill Country Texas is known for springtime bluebells, winding roads, vineyards, peach orchards, and German bakeries. Start in Fredericksburg for hiking at Enchanted Rock and some of the best wineries in the state, make your way to Wimberley for the Blue Hole Regional Park, and end at Lake Travis. 

Best Cars for a Road Trip in Texas

Texas is vast, with diverse ecosystems and a mix of wide open spaces and busy cityscapes. These vehicles include the comfort and reliability you need for your Texas road trip:

1. Ram 1500: The Ram 1500’s rear coil spring make it one of the most comfortable full-size trucks for long drives. The ride is noticeably smoother and more car-like than a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado. The Ram 1500 seats up to six, with supportive seats and plenty of legroom. The V6 gets an estimated 20 city / 26 highway mpg, while the 3.0L Hurricane inline-six gets about 18/25. With a spacious bed, optional RamBox trunks built into the bed, and towing capacity of up to 11,600 lbs, the 1500 makes it easy to haul all your gear on long highway stretches. 
2. Jeep Grand Cherokee: If you’re looking for a vehicle that has both off-road capability and on-road comfort, the Jeep Grand Cherokee does better than most SUVs. The seats are plush, the cabin is well-insulated, and the adaptive cruise control ensures a more relaxing ride. The Quadra-Trac 4×4 system keeps the Jeep stable on twisting roads. While the base model provides seating for five, the Grand Cherokee L has three rows and seats up to seven passengers. The 3.6L V6 engine gets an estimated 19 city/26 highway, while the 4xe plug-in hybrid does even better, with an estimated 56 MPGe combined. 
3. Dodge Charger: The Charger is a full-size sedan with a massive trunk and a surprisingly comfortable ride. It’s not an SUV or truck, but for a couple or small family, it’s a strong contender. The seats are wide and supportive, and the cabin is roomy. The V6 models (GT and SXT) get around 19 city / 30 highway, while the V8 models (R/T, Scat Pack) drop to about 15/25. With a big trunk and good highway fuel economy, the V6 Charger is one of the most underrated road trip cars out there. 
4. Chrysler Pacifica: The Pacifica is the practical champion of family road trips, with outstanding comfort and plenty of room. The sliding doors make getting in and out of tight parking spots easy, while the available rear-seat entertainment system keeps kids occupied for hours. The standard V6 gets about 19 city / 28 highway, while the Pacifica Hybrid plug-in gets an estimated 92 MPGe. With tons of interior space and thoughtful family features, the Pacifica is the ideal choice for a road trip across Texas. 

Pro tip: Whatever you drive, make sure the AC is in top shape. Texas heat is no joke!

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Get Road Trip Ready

Whether you’re exploring Texas Hill Country, the Gulf Coast, or one of our many Texas road trip ideas, the best road trip starts with the right vehicle. At Boggus Tipton, we’ll help you get road-trip ready. We offer a huge selection of new and used vehicles as well as tons of accessories–from roof and bike racks to cargo boxes and more. We’re located in Brownsville and serve the entire area,  including McAllen, Harlingen, San Benito, and even places like Austin and Corpus Christi. 

Stop by today to talk with our friendly staff and get ready for your epic adventure across the state! 

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FAQs

What are the top sights to see in Texas?

Some of the top sights to see in Texas include Palo Duro Canyon, Big Bend National Park, the Alamo, and Padre Island National Seashore. 

What are the top Texas attractions to see?

Some of the top Texas attractions include the Space Center in Houston, the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas, the Natural Bridge Caverns, the Alamo, and Texas state capitol building.   

What are the best cars for a family road trip in Texas?

With roomy interiors and optional built-in entertainment centers, the Chrysler Pacifica is one of the best cars for a Texas family road trip. For families who plan to go off-roading, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is another great option. 

What’s the best time of year for a road trip in Texas?

The best time for statewide travel is late October through November and March through April. These months avoid the extreme summer heat and the cold of wintry months. Spring also brings wildflowers in Texas Hill Country, while fall offers pleasant temperatures for hiking and driving. Avoid July and August unless you’re heading to the coast or higher elevations.