3 classic Southern US road trips to take from Dallas, Texas

The colossal state of Texas may, at first, appear a daunting place to navigate, but as a destination that relies heavily on personal vehicles over public transportation, hitting the gas is unavoidably attractive. More specifically, Dallas is the smart spot to begin any road trip through the South, offering a smooth drive to several big cities and the neighbouring state of Louisiana. Live out those cinematic, open-road dreams with minimal stress, thanks to plentiful convenience stores (look out for Buc-ee’s ) and diverting attractions along the way.

So sling your bags in the trunk and catch a gig in Austin, marvel at a space rocket in Houston, and join the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans. Here are the three best road trips to take from The Big D, and what to get up to when you get there.

Austin, Texas

Austin unofficially takes the “live music capital of Texas” crown, with sounds reverberating from every pocket of the compact capital, from The Continental Club to famed blues hangout Antone’s . To check the pulse of emerging talent, stagger onto Sixth Street (nicknamed “Dirty Sixth”) for a classic Austin initiation. If big names are what you seek, mark your calendar for globally renowned festivals South by Southwest (SXSW) in March and Austin City Limits (ACL) in October.

Congress Avenue Bridge witnesses a daily sky dance between March and November when 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge to feed. The spectacle is best enjoyed alongside tacos from nearby Veracruz All Natural . And since Austin is the most inclusive of all places in Texas, August’s Pride parade bursts rainbows of colour after sunset, when folks come statewide to celebrate “Y'all Means all”, a slogan emblazoned on souvenirs from The Little Gay Shop .  

Other places of interest include the Museum of the Weird and the Texas State Capitol . En route back, make a pit stop halfway at Waco, famous for being the birthplace of Dr Pepper, with its own dedicated Dr Pepper Museum .

Drive time from Dallas: 2 hours and 50 minutes

Houston, Texas

The star attraction of any Houston road trip is the Nasa Space Center Houston , which, in addition to over 400 space artefacts, features three flown spacecraft and a moon rock display. After that, be further intrigued by cultural gems like The Museum of Fine Arts , Houston or even the Houston Fire Museum .

When it comes to food, Houstonians often veer off traditional barbecue. Sample how locals sprinkle a Southern spin to Asian fare with a visit to Crawfish & Noodles , a beloved Cajun-Vietnamese eatery.

Located inside the former postal office headquarters, Post Houston is an all-day hangout with an international food hall, live music space, shopping vendors and an art gallery, plus a rooftop park that regularly brings DJs to soundtrack skyline sunsets.

For a truly memorable experience, stop overnight at Postcard Cabins for glamping. These tiny homes with huge glass windows are social media sensations that, ironically, encourage guests to go off grid.

Drive time: 3 hours and 20 minutes

New Orleans, Louisiana

In the neighbouring state of Louisiana, New Orleans (or Nola) is perhaps best known for Mardi Gras , the famed festival of parades, costumes, music and dance that takes place every March. If your jaunt falls outside the season, revel in colour with a visit to Mardi Gras World , where 80 per cent of the floats are designed and built. It chronicles the history of the 400-year-old spectacle and even gives visitors a chance to don costumes.  

The ideal base for your trip is The French Quarter, the city's oldest neighbourhood with architecture that fell out of a fairytale. Dating back to 1862, Cafe Du Monde still serves some of the best café au lait and sugary beignets outside of France. That's not the only thing to savour: Sazerac is a local cocktail you'll find at every bar in town, and a visit to its museum, Sazerac House , will make you an overnight aficionado.

Venture just outside the city for a swamp tour , sailing the backcountry on a pontoon amid the herons, snakes and alligators that call the tidewater cypress swamp home. Alternatively, visit the Oak Alley Plantation in nearby Carrollton, a historic sugar plantation now dedicated to preserving the story of the slaves it left behind (fun fact: Houston native Beyoncé shot parts of her “Déjà Vu” music video on its grounds). Finally, consider stopping at Louisiana's capital city, Baton Rouge , on your way back to DFW..

Drive time: 7 hours and 30 minutes