Vernon, TX Road Trips
Sitting in the Great Plains, Vernon, TX is a local road trip base with 7 trip routes mapped and ready to explore. Routes from here tend to cover serious ground — the average trip runs 277 miles, so plan for multi-day adventures. Routes from Vernon, TX spread mainly south and east, covering a wide geographic range.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Trip Routes
7
Longest Drive
386 mi
San Antonio, TX
Quickest Drive
3h 13m
Amarillo, TX
Plan Around Vernon, TX
Popular Incoming Routes
Useful if Vernon, TX is the arrival point and you want the strongest routes into the city first.
Continue From Vernon, TX
Good next legs if this city is only one stop in a longer road trip.
Trips from Vernon, TX
Driving from Vernon, TX
On average, trips departing from Vernon, TX run 277 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 7m. This is long-haul territory. Most routes stretch past the 250-mile mark, so pack snacks and plan fuel stops. The longest mapped route runs 386 miles (7h 25m), while the shortest is just 176 miles.
Popular Destinations
The most popular drives from Vernon, TX include San Antonio, TX (386 mi, 7h 25m), Austin, TX (351.3 mi, 6h 15m), Garland, TX (284.6 mi, 5h 21m), Dallas, TX (188.4 mi, 3h 24m), and Amarillo, TX (176 mi, 3h 13m). Most destinations stay within the same state, perfect for exploring the local region thoroughly.
Planning & Costs
Regular gas in TX currently averages around $3.78 per gallon. For the typical 277-mile trip from Vernon, TX, budget about $41 in fuel one way, assuming 25 MPG. Longer hauls and premium fuel will cost proportionally more.
The majority of destinations are to the south. Morning starts help you avoid the midday heat on longer drives. Most trips take a half-day, so a morning start gets you there in time for lunch or an afternoon of exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are 5 mapped routes leaving Vernon, TX and 2 routes heading into Vernon, TX, covering 7 total connections. Distances range from 176 to 386 miles.
The longest mapped route from Vernon, TX covers 386 miles and takes approximately 7h 25m. Shorter options start at just 176 miles.
The average route from Vernon, TX runs about 277 miles with a drive time of roughly 5h 7m. This includes both short day trips and longer multi-day drives.
At current gas prices (about $3.78/gallon for regular), the average 277-mile trip from Vernon, TX costs roughly $41 in fuel one way, based on 25 MPG. Your actual cost depends on your vehicle's efficiency.
The most popular road trip destinations from Vernon, TX include San Antonio, TX, Austin, TX, Garland, TX and Dallas, TX. Each route page has detailed drive times, fuel estimates, stop suggestions, and turn-by-turn directions.
Vernon, TX by the Numbers
Recent demographic snapshot from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
Population
9,947
Median Income
$48,855
Median Home Value
$89,700
Median Age
37.4
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-year (public domain). See our methodology for details.
Traveler Guide to Vernon, TX
Vernon is a city in the North Central Plains region of Texas. Years ago, the Great Western Cattle Trail passed through here, a corollary of the more popular Chisholm Trail to the east. On a more contemporary note, it was the birthplace and childhood home of Roy Orbison. It is the closest town to the Waggoner Ranch, the biggest cattle ranch in the USA under one fence.
1 Red River Valley Museum, 4400 College Dr. Tu-Su 1-5PM. This museum has, among other things, exhibits on the Waggoner Ranch, sculpture by Electra Waggoner Biggs, and an exhibit on Jack Teagarden, a famous jazz musician of the 1920s, 30s and 40s who was born in Vernon. 2 Wilbarger County Courthouse, 1700 Wilbarger St. Built in 1928.
1 Santa Rosa Roundup, Route 183, south of town. This major national rodeo is held on the third weekend of May.
1 Lupes II, 529 US Highway 287 E, ☏ +1 940 552-2622. Some fajitas and Tex-Mex here. 2 Brown Cow Family Restaurant, 3205 US Highway 287 W, ☏ +1 940 553-3322. 3 Chicken Shack Restaurant, 3901 Wilbarger St, ☏ +1 940 552-6464. 4 Arcos Mexican Grill, 5115 College Dr, ☏ +1 940 274-3197. Serves pozole.
Lone Star Inn, 3110 Frontage Rd, ☏ +1 940 552-2639. Green Tree Inn, 3029 Morton St, ☏ +1 940 552-5421. Watch the freeway traffic zoom by from your chaise at the pool. $74 (Dec 2021). Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 700 Hillcrest Dr, ☏ +1 940 552-0200. $123 (Dec 2021). Hotel Vernon, 1615 US Highway 287 E, ☏ +1 940 552-5417. Some little donuts and coffee for breakfast. $65 (Dec 2021).
Vernon lies on US Highway 287 between Quanah and Wichita Falls. Alternately, you can take US Highway 283 south from Altus, Oklahoma, or US 70 east from Crowell.
Like most Texas towns, you are best off with a car at your disposal.
Travel tips adapted from Vernon (Texas) on Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Content summarized; visit the source for the full article. See our methodology for how we use it.
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