8 Epic Road Trip Vacations from Dallas
If there’s one thing we’ve learned since moving to Texas, it’s that you don’t need a plane ticket to take an incredible vacation. Some of the best vacations from Dallas are just a tank of gas away, from desert canyons and beach escapes to mountain cabins and music-filled cities.
We’ve been living in Dallas since late 2020, but our story with the city actually started earlier that year. In January 2020, to kick off what we thought would be a year of travel, we took a nine-day trip to Dallas to attend five in-person Mavericks games. (Jonathan has been a lifelong Mavs fan.)
During that trip, we half-joked, “Wouldn’t it be fun to live here and go to games all season long?!”
At the time, it felt impossible. We didn’t want to give up full-time travel (and Dallas summers are no joke), but by the end of that year, an idea clicked: What if we lived in Dallas for basketball season and traveled the rest of the year?
By December, that’s exactly what we did. We split our years between two rhythms: Basketball Season (November through May) and Travel Season (June through October). While our travel season usually takes us across the country, we’ve spent the past year exploring closer to home, planning road trip vacations from Dallas that deliver adventure, scenery, and plenty of character without the extra mileage.
Below are eight of our favorite nearby getaways, all within a day’s drive of Dallas.
1. Ozark Mountains (about 6-7 hours)
The Ozark Mountains stretch across northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, a beautiful region of waterfalls, rivers, and hardwood forests that burst into color each fall. It’s one of the most scenic vacations from Dallas if you’re craving mountain air, winding drives, and cozy cabin weekends surrounded by nature.
Popular activities include Hawksbill Crag, Lost Valley Trail, and the Pig Trail Scenic Byway through the Ozark National Forest. Farther north, the Missouri side offers more adventure, from the rolling hills around Branson to the blue waters of Table Rock Lake and the scenic overlooks of Ozark National Scenic Riverways.
We’re heading to the Ozarks this year for Halloween weekend, staying in a cabin with friends to hike, discover waterfalls, and soak in the fall foliage. After years of long cross-country road trips, there’s something exciting about finding that kind of peace just a day’s drive from home.
A few years ago, we spent a long weekend in Branson for Christmas. The Ozarks are also a spectacular Christmas destination!
When to go: Mid- to late October for peak foliage. December for Christmas festivities in Branson and Silver Dollar City.
2. Big Bend National Park (about 8 hours)
Big Bend National Park sits along a remote stretch of the Rio Grande. It’s easily one of the most awe-inspiring vacations from Dallas, especially if you love national parks and the quiet beauty of wide-open spaces.
Highlights include the Chisos Basin Scenic Drive, Santa Elena Canyon hike, the Hot Springs Historic Trail, and the scenic Ross Maxwell Drive dotted with overlooks and desert vistas. Nearby, you can explore Terlingua Ghost Town or cross into Boquillas del Carmen for tacos and live music (passport required).
We made the drive from Dallas to Big Bend in February one year for stargazing. The silence, the stars, and the sheer scale of the landscape make you feel like you’re in another world (and definitely no longer in Texas!).
When to go: Late fall through early spring for cooler weather and clear skies.
3. New Orleans, Louisiana (about 7.5-8 hours)
Few places feel as alive as New Orleans. From jazz echoing through the French Quarter to the scent of powdered sugar from Café du Monde, it’s a vacation from Dallas that’s as rich in character as the food is in flavor.
Popular stops include the Garden District, Bourbon Street, the National WWII Museum, Frenchmen Street for live music, and the St. Charles streetcar for a charming ride past historic homes. And, of course, no trip is complete without gumbo, jambalaya, and beignets.
We’ve driven here just for those famous beignets (more than once), and it’s always worth it!
When to go: Spring and fall for festivals, mild temps, and vibrant street life.
4. Guadalupe Mountains National Park & Carlsbad Caverns (about 8 hours)
Tucked along the Texas-New Mexico border, this pairing of Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns makes for an unforgettable national park vacation from Dallas filled with contrasting landscapes—towering peaks above and massive caves below.
You can hike McKittrick Canyon for fall foliage, summit Guadalupe Peak (the highest point in Texas), then head north to explore Carlsbad Caverns’ enormous underground chambers and seasonal bat flights.
When to go: October for foliage in the mountains; spring and fall for comfortable hiking temps. April through October for the bat flight at Carlsbad Caverns.
Read Next: Desert Parks: Texas and New Mexico Nat’l Park Road Trip Itinerary
5. South Padre Island (about 8.5 hours)
If you’re dreaming of sand between your toes and seafood by the water, South Padre Island is the perfect beach vacation from Dallas. This barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico delivers warm waves, colorful sunsets, and a laid-back, tropical vibe without ever leaving the state.
Spend your days walking the shoreline, taking dolphin-watching cruises, visiting Sea Turtle Inc., or enjoying dinner at a bayside restaurant as the sun dips below the horizon. For a little extra fun, rent bikes or a golf cart to explore the island’s scenic side streets.
When to go: Late spring or early fall for great weather and fewer crowds.
6. Memphis, Tennessee (about 6.5 hours)
Memphis sits on the banks of the Mississippi River. For a city break packed with character, it’s one of the best weekend vacations from Dallas you can take.
Must-see stops include Graceland, Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, and Sun Studio, where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and B.B. King once recorded. Between barbecue joints, neon lights, and live blues, you’ll never run out of things to do.
We met Jonathan’s parents here for a vacation many years ago, choosing Memphis as our halfway point. It ended up being one of our favorite city trips—equal parts history and good food.
When to go: Spring and fall offer comfortable temps and fewer crowds.
7. Santa Fe, New Mexico (about 9.5-10 hours)
Santa Fe blends art, culture, and high-desert scenery into one of the most memorable vacations from Dallas. With its adobe architecture, mountain views, and world-class galleries, it’s a destination that feels both timeless and creative.
Spend your days exploring Santa Fe Plaza, touring the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and driving the scenic High Road to Taos. Don’t miss Bandelier National Monument, where cliff dwellings and canyons tell stories thousands of years old.
When to go: Late September through mid-October for golden aspens and perfect sweater weather. Early October for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
8. Route 66 Road Trip: Amarillo, Oklahoma City, & Tulsa (3 hours)
If you love Americana, neon signs, and roadside diners, few vacations from Dallas are as fun as tracing the old Route 66 through Texas and Oklahoma. It’s part history lesson, part adventure, and all road-trip nostalgia.
Stops along the way include Cadillac Ranch and The Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, the Oklahoma City National Memorial, and Tulsa’s Gathering Place and Art Deco District. Between the Round Barn in Arcadia and the soda-filled aisles of Pops 66, the drive itself becomes the main attraction.
We’re planning to drive this loop over Thanksgiving, pairing the Route 66 nostalgia with city stops in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. It’s a perfect blend of classic road-trip fun and modern discoveries.
When to go: Spring or fall for mild weather and colorful roadside scenery.
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Travel Season, but make it local. That’s our motto for our 2025 Travel Season: Texas and the Southcentral. Follow along as we explore our own backyard here in Texas!
👉 Want to plan another adventure? Explore our Free Resource Library for road trip itineraries, planning guides, and stories from the road.
👉 Not sure what to pack? Check out our Road Trip Packing List for the exact things we use and love on every trip.
👉 And if Yellowstone’s on your list, don’t miss our Yellowstone Travel Guide: your step-by-step companion to planning an unforgettable trip to Yellowstone National Park!
