Road Trips from Austin, TX
Austin's surrounding area offers a variety of escapes, from short jaunts to longer treks. You've got several options that are less than a three-hour drive, most featuring flat terrain and a predominantly highway profile, perfect for a quick day trip. For something with a bit more adventure, consider destinations with a higher drive score or those that bring you closer to natural attractions like Waco Mammoth National Monument. These options cater to a range of preferences for a weekend getaway.
Total Routes
242
Shortest
0.3h
With Parks Nearby
203
Under 2 hours
22 total in this range
Rockdale, TX
1h 17m62.8 mi one way
Burnet, TX
1h 8m55.1 mi one way
Thorndale, TX
1h50 mi one way
Kincheonville, TX
16m9.3 mi one way
For the shortest trip from Austin, this 9.3-mile drive takes just 19 minutes. It's characterized by mostly flat terrain and a mixed highway and surface road profile, scoring an 8 for the drive. This is your quickest option if you want to get out of the city with minimal travel time.
Granite Shoals, TX
1h 21m56.2 mi one way
Full-day getaway
52 total in this range
Euless, TX
3h 38m205.1 mi one way
Corpus Christi, TX
3h 49m216.9 mi one way
Bedford, TX
3h 35m201.6 mi one way
Ponder, TX
3h 57m219.8 mi one way
Terrell, TX
3h 52m218.6 mi one way
Weekend trip
158 total in this range
Garland, TX
6h 11m345.4 mi one way
McAllen, TX
5h 39m312.3 mi one way
Weslaco, TX
5h 48m320.9 mi one way
Eagle Pass, TX
4h 6m221.4 mi one way
Electra, TX
5h 49m328.8 mi one way
Long-haul ideas
10 total in this range
Amarillo, TX
8h 54m495.5 mi one way
Shamrock, TX
8h 28m466 mi one way
Spearman, TX
10h 30m584.9 mi one way
Gruver, TX
10h 44m599.2 mi one way
Claude, TX
8h 47m496.9 mi one way
Browse by Mood
Garland, TX
6h 11m345.4 mi one way
McAllen, TX
5h 39m312.3 mi one way
Euless, TX
3h 38m205.1 mi one way
Weslaco, TX
5h 48m320.9 mi one way
Garland, TX
6h 11m345.4 mi one way
McAllen, TX
5h 39m312.3 mi one way
Weslaco, TX
5h 48m320.9 mi one way
Eagle Pass, TX
4h 6m221.4 mi one way
Garland, TX
6h 11m345.4 mi one way
McAllen, TX
5h 39m312.3 mi one way
Euless, TX
3h 38m205.1 mi one way
Weslaco, TX
5h 48m320.9 mi one way
When to Go
Spring
Spring offers pleasant driving conditions across these mostly flat routes. Options like De Kalb, TX, and Gunter, TX, provide proximity to Waco Mammoth National Monument, ideal for enjoying the outdoors.
Summer
The summer heat makes the mostly highway routes appealing for quick travel. Shorter trips like Kincheonville, TX, are good for beating the heat with minimal time on the road.
Fall
Fall's cooler temperatures are perfect for longer drives like the one to De Kalb, TX. The flat terrain makes any of these Texas destinations accessible for scenic drives.
Winter
Winter travel is generally easy on these mostly flat, highway-focused routes. The proximity to Waco Mammoth National Monument on trips to De Kalb, TX, and Gunter, TX, remains a key feature.
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 Austin, TX city hub for all incoming and outgoing routes.