A perfect Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip itinerary takes you between two of the most famous cities in the “Lone Star State”.
A 165-mile Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip goes through the most famous region of Southeast Texas. You will travel from a sprawling metropolis on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, through some of the most stereotypical Texan landscapes and towns, and past some truly unique attractions, as you drive towards the Capital City of Texas, “The Live Music Capital Of The World”, Austin.
Read on for help planning your perfect Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip itinerary.
A Houston To Austin, Texas, Road Trip Itinerary: How Far Is It, How Long Will It Take & What Is The Best Route?
A perfect Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip itinerary covers 165 miles (265 kilometres) and takes 3 hours to drive.
The best route for a Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip is also very simple. Begin by joining I-10 and following it west 73 miles to Exit 695 in Columbus, Texas. Take Texas State Highway 71 north 86 miles to the outskirts of Austin, where you will merge onto I-35 and take it north the rest of the way to your destination in Austin, Texas.
Best Time For A Houston To Austin, Texas, Road Trip
The best time for a Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip depends on what you’re seeking, although August and September are best avoided as this is the peak of Hurricane Season in Houston and throughout the Gulf of Mexico.
If you like it hot, mid-June to the end of July is a great option, as it offers the best combination of warm, dry weather you will get in Austin. April and October are also great options, as they are slightly cooler and wetter, but still generally warm and dry. The start of May to mid-June provides lovely warm weather, but this is also one of the wettest periods in the city each year, which will rule it out for many people.
While Austin never gets truly “cold”, the cooler temperatures (daily averages between 11 and 17 °C) the city experiences from November to March mean it is not an ideal time to visit, as it is largely known for its outdoor experience.
Best Place To Stop On A Houston To Austin, Texas, Road Trip Itinerary – Bastrop, Texas
With a Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip taking just 3 hours, many people will drive it in one day. However, for those wanting to make the most of the route’s attractions and spread the drive over 2 days, the best place to stop on a Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip is Bastrop, Texas.
Bastrop is a charming riverside town in Central Texas, with a rich history, relaxed atmosphere, and warm community spirit. Founded in 1832, Downtown Bastrop features a collection of well-preserved 19th- and early 20th-century architecture, alongside boutique shops, local art galleries, live music venues, and cosy restaurants lining the Colorado River. This setting offers visitors an authentic experience of Texas hospitality and culture.
The town also hosts a variety of annual festivals, community events, and flourishing local businesses, creating perfect opportunities for strolls and delightful dining experiences. In addition to its historic centre, Bastrop boasts an array of outdoor and recreational options. From birdwatching in the unique Lost Pines ecosystem to enjoying scenic parks and nearby lakes ideal for fishing, hiking, or paddling, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities.
Only a short drive from Downtown Bastrop, Bastrop State Park offers a vast natural escape nestled within the rare Lost Pines, a distinctive loblolly pine forest contrasting greatly with much of the surrounding Texas terrain. This park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and families, providing ample opportunities to hike along shaded paths, picnic among towering pines, cycle along picturesque roads, fish in peaceful lakes, and observe wildlife.
Visitors can also enjoy camping under a starlit sky in wooded campsites or historic cabins while participating in ranger-led programs that showcase the area’s rich natural wonders and cultural heritage. You put all of this together, and there is nowhere better to make an extended stop on a Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip than Bastrop.
Best Hotel To Stay At In Bastrop, Texas – Hampton Inn & Suites Bastrop
This Hampton Inn & Suites Bastrop is a highly recommended and favourably positioned hotel that serves as an excellent starting point for exploring the region’s attractions and the charming downtown Bastrop area.
It provides cosy yet spacious, well-equipped rooms and suites, complete with coffee makers, desks, free Wi-Fi, and a complimentary hot breakfast each morning, providing a great start to your day of exploration. Certain suites also offer additional space suitable for families or extended stays. On-site amenities include an indoor pool, fitness centre, free parking, and business resources, catering to both leisure and corporate travellers.
Best Things To See On A Perfect Houston To Austin, Texas, Road Trip Itinerary
Katy, Texas
Katy is a dynamic, swiftly expanding city with a small-town charm just west of Houston. It fuses its deep agricultural roots and railroad legacy with a modern suburban atmosphere and a range of contemporary attractions and amenities. Established in the late 19th century around the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (M-K-T), Katy continues to honour its history today, and visitors can begin their exploration at the historic MKT Depot museum.
Meander through Downtown Katy to admire the restored structures and heritage homes that reflect the town's history, search for antiques in the historic area, and dine at local eateries. The recently opened Katy Visitors Center in the centre of Historic Town Square features interactive exhibits and provides valuable information about local events and attractions.
Katy is also known for its family-oriented attractions and vibrant shopping and dining options, with major highlights including Katy Mills Mall, offering a comprehensive indoor shopping experience. For outdoor recreation, venues such as Mary Jo Peckham Park and LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch present picturesque spaces for relaxation, walking, picnicking, or enjoying a community event. Typhoon Texas Waterpark provides aquatic fun during the warm Texas months.
La Grange, Texas
La Grange is a quaint, charming, easily navigable small town in Fayette County along the Colorado River. Made famous by the classic ZZ Top song, it is celebrated for its well-maintained historic square and leisurely pace. It centres around the impressive Fayette County Courthouse, a Romanesque Revival structure constructed in 1891, encircled by historical storefronts now home to local boutiques, galleries, cafés, and restaurants where visitors can enjoy traditional Texas comfort food.
The downtown area reflects the rich heritage of La Grange, fostering a welcoming community atmosphere that invites strollers, shoppers, and anyone seeking small-town Texan charm. Beyond the courthouse square, La Grange boasts an array of cultural and historical attractions. The Texas Quilt Museum features a stunning collection of antique and contemporary quilts. The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center highlights the area’s deep Czech immigrant history through diverse exhibits, restored historic buildings, and traditional displays.
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Historic Sites, which offer breathtaking river vistas, memorials to early Texas history, and the evocative remains of a 19th-century brewery. Local bakeries, such as Weikel’s, offer award-winning kolaches that are essential to taste when visiting.
The Gas Station
The Gas Station stands out as a fascinating destination near Bastrop, particularly for horror film enthusiasts and barbecue lovers, as it is the actual gas station featured in the 1974 classic movie "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre." Although it had fallen into disrepair, the site has been refurbished and transformed into a horror museum by Ari Lehman, who portrayed the original Jason Voorhees in the 1980 film "Friday the 13th."
Offering delicious barbecue reminiscent of the movie (although not made from humans), it presents an excellent opportunity for travellers to enjoy flavourful snacks for their journey, purchase souvenirs, and take photographs of the various intriguing horror exhibits on display at this iconic location. Additionally, those with a bit more leisure time can rent one of the cabins on-site to indulge in a unique, overnight horror-themed experience.
Cedar Creek, Texas
Cedar Creek is a quaint, rural community in Bastrop County, celebrated for its laid-back, charming country vibe, local parks, nature trails, seasonal events, and close access to natural settings along the Colorado River. It offers a perfect retreat for those who enjoy outdoor activities, scenic drives through the woodlands of Central Texas, and unique roadside attractions such as Ms Pearl, the world's largest squirrel statue.
Zip Lost Pines
Zip Lost Pines is the premier destination for adventurers in the Cedar Creek vicinity. Nestled in the Lost Pines area, this zip-lining attraction offers an array of side-by-side zip lines that whisk you through the treetops and across the rugged terrain of Central Texas. With options that vary from shorter lines to expansive canopy tours, it promises an unforgettable experience for families, groups, or thrill-seekers looking to enhance their outdoor excursion.
McKinney Roughs Nature Park
Situated just outside Cedar Creek, McKinney Roughs Nature Park is a top outdoor venue, covering over 1,100 acres of diverse habitats, including pine forests, riparian areas, and open paths along the Colorado River. Visitors can engage in hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, or kayaking while observing local wildlife, including over 250 bird species.
The park also has a science centre that hosts educational programs, nature events, and beautiful picnic spots, making it an excellent choice for families and nature enthusiasts on a Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip.
The Dinosaur Park
For an engaging and educational experience, The Dinosaur Park offers a glimpse into prehistoric times amidst the woods near McKinney Roughs Nature Park. This outdoor museum and sculpture park features scale and life-sized dinosaur replicas of various species that once inhabited the area, placed along shaded trails, letting guests envision how these massive creatures might have lived in Texas.
In addition to the dinosaur displays, the park includes fossil-dig sites, countless informative displays, a playground, picnic areas, and a varied, affordable, dinosaur-themed gift shop, making it a perfect spot for families with children or anyone intrigued by the past.
Circuit Of The Americas
Circuit of the Americas (commonly referred to as COTA) is a world-class motorsports and entertainment facility just southeast of Austin. It is notably the first circuit in the United States specifically designed for Formula 1 racing, having opened in 2010. It has hosted many prominent international motorsport events, including the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, MotoGP Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas, and various NASCAR races.
Attracting motorsport enthusiasts from across the nation and beyond, the 3.41-mile track is characterised by significant elevation changes and intricate turns that provide excitement for both fans and drivers, and its location approximately 15 miles from downtown makes it convenient to reach for visitors to the Austin area and anyone on a Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip. However, COTA's offerings extend far beyond just race weekends.
The venue is also home to the Germania Insurance Amphitheatre, one of the largest outdoor concert venues in Central Texas, accommodating around 14,000 fans. Guests can ascend the iconic 251-foot observation tower for sweeping views of the track and the surrounding landscape, participate in driving experiences and karting competitions, camp at the on-site RV park, or attend automotive gatherings like Cars & Coffee.
Final Thoughts On A Perfect Houston To Austin, Texas, Road Trip Itinerary
As we conclude our Houston to Austin, Texas, road trip itinerary, you should now know how to plan it perfectly for when you make the drive yourself. This includes when to go, the route to use, how long it takes, where to stay, and what to see along the way. Our guide to the best things to do in Austin, Texas, will help you plan your stay when you arrive.
All that’s left is to decide what to take with you and start budgeting and booking everything, so you can look forward to enjoying it all for yourself as soon as possible.
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