Road Trips from Abilene, TX
Abilene, TX, is a good launchpad for a variety of day trips. You've got options for quick, highway-focused drives under four hours, including several that offer park access. If you're looking for a longer haul, there are destinations over 400 miles away that boast high drive scores and national park proximity. This list covers everything from short hops to ambitious cross-state journeys, all within a day's drive or less, with a mix of terrain profiles.
Total Routes
12
Shortest
2.7h
With Parks Nearby
4
Full-day getaway
Dallas, TX
3h 16m181.1 mi one way
This 181.1-mile drive to Dallas is one of the shorter options, estimated at 3.3 hours. It's classified as mostly highway, with a drive score of 8. This is a practical choice if you're aiming for a major city without a long travel time.
Fort Worth, TX
2h 41m151.1 mi one way
At 151.1 miles and 2.7 hours, this is the shortest and quickest drive to a major metroplex on the list. It's a mostly highway route with a drive score of 8, making it ideal for a brief excursion.
McKinney, TX
3h 43m207.8 mi one way
This 207.8-mile drive to McKinney takes about 3.7 hours. It's a highway-focused route with a drive score of 8. While it doesn't feature specific parks, it's a solid option if you want a straightforward trip within Texas.
Killeen, TX
3h 32m181.9 mi one way
A 181.9-mile trip to Killeen, this route clocks in at 3.5 hours with a drive score of 8. Like several other options, it's a highway-focused drive that includes park access, making it a convenient choice for a quick getaway.
Lubbock, TX
2h 52m163.5 mi one way
This 163.5-mile drive to Lubbock takes approximately 2.9 hours. It's a highway-focused route with a drive score of 8. It offers a slightly longer trip than Fort Worth but remains well within a half-day's travel.
Weekend trip
7 total in this range
San Antonio, TX
4h 38m258.2 mi one way
Heading to San Antonio covers 258.2 miles and takes about 4.6 hours. This highway-focused drive has a high drive score of 10 and includes access to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Lyndon B Johnson National Historical Park, offering significant points of interest.
Amarillo, TX
5h285.8 mi one way
This 285.8-mile route to Amarillo is a longer haul at 5 hours, featuring a mixed drive profile and a top drive score of 10. It provides access to Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument and Lake Meredith National Recreation Area, making it a strong contender for nature lovers.
Corpus Christi, TX
7h 6m401.5 mi one way
Covering 401.5 miles, this is one of the longest trips at 7.1 hours, with a drive score of 9. This highway-focused drive offers park access, similar to the San Antonio route, but extends further towards the coast.
El Paso, TX
7h 33m453.4 mi one way
The longest trip at 453.4 miles, this drive to El Paso takes 7.6 hours with a drive score of 8. This highway-focused route includes access to Chamizal National Memorial, offering a significant destination on the western edge of Texas.
Rhode Island, TX
4h 28m251.6 mi one way
Browse by Mood
San Antonio, TX
4h 38m258.2 mi one way
Amarillo, TX
5h285.8 mi one way
Corpus Christi, TX
7h 6m401.5 mi one way
El Paso, TX
7h 33m453.4 mi one way
San Antonio, TX
4h 38m258.2 mi one way
Amarillo, TX
5h285.8 mi one way
Corpus Christi, TX
7h 6m401.5 mi one way
El Paso, TX
7h 33m453.4 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers pleasant driving conditions for all routes, with opportunities to visit nearby parks like San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
Summer
Summer heat makes highway drives to national parks like Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument more appealing earlier or later in the day.
Fall
Fall provides ideal weather for the longer drives, particularly to destinations like Amarillo with its national monument access.
Winter
Winter conditions are generally mild, making even the longest drives to El Paso feasible without significant weather disruptions.
Starting Somewhere Else?
Other nearby cities with their own escape planners.
Ready to plan?
Pick any destination above for full turn-by-turn directions, fuel cost, rest stops, and weather. Or visit the Abilene, TX city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.