10 Awesome Road Trips to Take from Houston (4 Hours or Less)
Houston is an amazing place to visit as there are things to see and do to suit all tastes and ages. While there is no need to leave the city during your vacation to this location, you might also like to explore what else is in the surrounding area. There are many other interesting cities, pretty towns, and rural locations that you can enjoy if you take a road trip. Here are the 10 best road trips from Houston that are under four hours from the city.
10. College Station (1.5-Hours)
Located in Brazos County, College Station is a university town that is 1.5 hours from Houston. One of the main attractions in the city is the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, and you should also visit the Museum of the American GI while you are in this location. College Station is known for its wineries and breweries, so take some time to visit some of these during your trip to this town.
9. Texas City (Under an Hour)
An interesting fact about Texas City is that it boasts the longest man-made pier in the world, as the Dike Levee stretches five miles out into the bay. The pier is the perfect place for a stroll, and it is also a popular spot for fishing. In the city, which is surrounded by water, you should visit the Texas City Museum. At the end of the day, watch the sun setting over the pier and the bay before heading back to Houston.
8. Galveston (1 Hour)
Lazy Trips recommends a road trip to Galveston, which is only one hour by car from Houston. It is one of the best places to visit in Texas if you enjoy coastal settings and want to spend some time on the beach. It is a typical seaside resort town with theme parks, a pier, and beachside shops and restaurants. One of the top attractions in Galveston is the Moody Gardens theme park, which has various rides, an aquarium, and a rainforest garden. Next door to this theme park is the Schlitterbahn Waterpark.
7. Port Aransas (3.5 Hours)
It takes just over 3.5-hours to drive to Port Aransas from Houston, but it is worth the drive to visit this beautiful coastal location. The beach is known for being a fantastic place for activities such as swimming, surfing, windsurfing, parasailing, and fishing. It is also a popular spot for bird watchers. Go to the observation tower at Roberts Point Park to enjoy views across the bay or for dolphin spotting. Another interesting place to visit in Port Aransas is Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.
6. Mustang Island State Park (3.5-Hours)
Mustang Island State Park is a beachside park on a peaceful island that is known for being a relaxing place to get up close and personal with nature. It is home to 600 types of fish, 400 species of bird, and the Atlantic green sea turtles. In addition to wildlife watching, other activities to enjoy at this state park include picnicking, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and swimming.
5. Pedernales Falls State Park (3 Hours)
Within three hours of leaving Houston, you can reach Pedernales Falls State Park, says Trip 101. It is a 5212-acre park that has many wooded areas and various swimming holes. It sits along the bank of the Pedernales River, and a highlight for many people is to see the waterfalls. Activities to enjoy in the park include carp fishing, swimming, hiking, camping, and horseback riding. You will find this park just outside Johnson City.
4. Seguin (2.21-Hours)
If you want to spend some time outdoors and have fun on the water, then a great place to visit is Seguin, which is a town just over two hours from Houston. The town is next to both Lake Placid and the Guadalupe River. While the river is the perfect playground for tubing and kayaking over the various cascading water features, the lake has a sandy beach and clear blue waters for kayaking and swimming. In the middle of the lake is Son’s Island, which you can visit by reservation only. Another interesting place to visit is the oldest licensed bar in Texas. Check what is going on in the area before you visit as there are many events and festivals that take place in the town throughout the year.
3. Huntsville State Park (2 Hours)
Houston on the Cheap recommends a road trip to Huntsville State Park, as it is less than two hours from Houston. Huntsville houses The Blue Lagoon, which is a beach and lagoon that is used as a scuba diving training facility. However, visitors can freely swim in the lagoon and do not need to take scuba diving lessons. There is also a swimming hole with a platform, multiple trails through the park, washrooms, a snack shop, and various campsites.
2. Austin (2.5-Hours)
Austin is only 2.5-hours from Texas, and it is regularly voted one of the best places to live in the United States. It is a modern city that is home to many big companies and tech start-ups, and it is a creative and cultural center for the state. There are multiple attractions you can visit in this city, and there is something to suit all interests. The city is also known for its live music and entertainment. Austin has many parks and lakes that are ideal for hiking, biking, swimming, and boating.
1. San Antonio (3 Hours)
According to The Culture Trip, one of the best road trips from Houston is to San Antonio, which takes approximately three hours. This city is close to the US-Mexico border, so there is evidence of heritage from both countries in San Antonio. It is one of Texas’ most historically significant locations, and there are many interesting landmarks and attractions to visit. San Antonio is also known for its food and drink.
