Scenic Drives in Texas
Routes
60
Avg Distance
836 mi
Avg Drive
14h 10m
Destinations
23
Texas offers a spectrum of driving experiences, with 60 routes averaging 836 miles and lasting over 14 hours. You'll find drives with scores up to 8, featuring varied terrain from mostly flat stretches to hilly landscapes with moderate elevation changes. While EV charging can be sparse on some routes, the potential for park access is present across the board.
Fuel snapshot for this state
Regular
$3.89/gal
Diesel: $6.18/gal
Typical trip cost
$122–$237
One-way, ~836 mi avg @ 25.4 MPG
CO₂ per trip
~293 kg
ICE vehicle, one-way average
Source: US Energy Information Administration • week of 2026-10-12
Climate through the year: Texas
Texas peaks at around 98°F in Aug and cools to 63°F / 42°F in Jan. Wettest month is May at ~5 in of rain.
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain in | Snow in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 63 | 42 | 2.6 | — |
| Feb | 67 | 46 | 1.9 | 0.2 |
| Mar | 73 | 52 | 2.9 | — |
| Apr | 80 | 59 | 2.4 | — |
| May | 87 | 67 | 5 | — |
| Jun | 93 | 73 | 3.7 | — |
| Jul | 97 | 75 | 2 | — |
| Aug | 98 | 75 | 2.7 | — |
| Sep | 91 | 70 | 3.5 | — |
| Oct | 83 | 61 | 3.9 | — |
| Nov | 72 | 51 | 2.9 | — |
| Dec | 64 | 43 | 2.7 | — |
Source: NOAA NCEI Monthly Climate Normals, 1991–2020 reference period. Sampled at the major-airport station for TX — microclimates along specific routes can vary significantly.
Planning Tips
- Scenic routes often have fewer gas stations and services. Top off your tank before heading into mountainous or rural stretches.
- Budget extra time for scenic drives — pulling over for views, photos, and short hikes is half the point.
- Check weather conditions for mountain passes and high-elevation stretches, especially in shoulder seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Scenic Routes
Editor's pick
Houston, TX → Los Angeles, CA
Through: Loop 1604 North
This route boasts a strong drive score of 8 and reaches elevations of 4,658 ft, with terrain that includes notable climbs. Its extensive mileage and park access make it a significant cross-country option.
Editor's pick
Converse, TX → Indianapolis, IN
Through: Fort Worth → Texarkana → Convention Center +4 more
A long-haul option with a drive score of 8, this trip primarily traverses mostly flat terrain. It offers park access and a substantial distance for exploration.
Editor's pick
Hemphill, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 287 West: Tyler
With a drive score of 8, this internal Texas route covers 862 miles through hilly terrain and reaches a maximum elevation of 3,961 ft, providing varied landscapes within the state.
Buna, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
Milam, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 287 West: Tyler
El Paso, TX → Orange, TX
Through: Loop 1604 East → Austin → Waco
West Orange, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
South Padre Island, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Alamodome
Orange County, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
El Paso, TX → Vidor, TX
Through: Loop 1604 East → Austin → Waco
El Paso, TX → Nederland, TX
Through: Loop 1604 East → Austin → Waco
El Paso, TX → Port Neches, TX
Through: Loop 1604 East → Austin → Waco
Groves, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
Central Gardens, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
Kountze, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
El Paso, TX → Laguna Vista, TX
Through: Downtown → Brownsville
Laguna Heights, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Alamodome
Port Arthur, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
Beaumont, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
El Paso, TX → Cameron Park Colonia, TX
Through: Downtown → Brownsville
Bevil Oaks, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
Pinewood Estates, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
Center, TX → El Paso, TX
El Paso, TX → Laureles, TX
Through: Downtown → Brownsville
El Paso, TX → Los Fresnos, TX
Through: Downtown → Brownsville
Pine Island, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
Olmito, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Alamodome
El Paso, TX → Atlanta, TX
Through: Shreveport → Winona
Rancho Viejo, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Alamodome
Fannett, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
Texarkana, TX → El Paso, TX
Socorro, TX → Brownsville, TX
Through: Downtown
China, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
El Paso, TX → Diboll, TX
Through: Shreveport
Wake Village, TX → El Paso, TX
Tenaha, TX → El Paso, TX
Redwater, TX → El Paso, TX
El Paso, TX → Heidelberg, TX
Through: Downtown
Nash, TX → El Paso, TX
Franklin, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: San Antonio → Loop 1604 North
Red Lick, TX → El Paso, TX
Stowell, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
Progreso, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Alamodome
Rio Hondo, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Alamodome
El Paso, TX → Maud, TX
Winnie, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
Mercedes, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Alamodome
Llano Grande, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Alamodome
El Paso, TX → Linden, TX
Through: Shreveport → Winona
Jefferson, TX → El Paso, TX
El Paso, TX → Redland, TX
Through: Shreveport
Shepherd, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: San Antonio → Loop 1604 North
El Paso, TX → Santa Rosa, TX
Through: Downtown → Brownsville
Scissors, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Alamodome
Daisetta, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Loop 1604 North
El Paso, TX → Midway South, TX
Through: Downtown
El Paso, TX → Hidalgo, TX
Through: Downtown
El Paso, TX → Mission, TX
Through: Downtown
Port Isabel, TX → Amarillo, TX
Through: Alamodome → Menard → Lubbock
Mila Doce, TX → El Paso, TX
Through: Alamodome