7 Ultimate Tips for Your Texas Road Trip
It's every American dream to go on an unforgettable road trip at least once in your lifetime.
If you're lucky enough to be in one of the best cities in America, there are plenty of amazing destinations within driving distance of your house.
From stunning roadside attractions to jaw-dropping natural beauty, there are awesome places to visit in Texas.
Before you start packing your bags, there are a few things you need to take into account first. Read on to discover our 7 ultimate tips for your Texas road trip, including:
- Attractions to check out and when to visit them
- Texas weather and how to prepare for it
- Where to eat and what to remember when you travel
1. Research the Places in Texas You Want to Visit
It's important to know the kind of place you want to visit. Do your research and find out if they have a website that lists what attractions are available at that specific location.
Also, check out any possible outdoor activities you can take part in. Texas boasts some great areas for watersports, so make sure you're prepared for this when you set off.
Whilst spontaneity is fun, it's definitely worthwhile putting an itinerary together for your Texas road trip so that you have some idea of where you are going and how long you will be there.
Failure to do so could leave you without the necessary equipment when you need it most!
2. Figure out How Much Time You Have and Plan Accordingly
If you only have three days in Texas, it might be better to pick one or two places and make them your only destinations. Remember, Texas is a huge state and it is impossible to rush it with a short time period.
You'll probably want to go to the Alamo (the site of the famous battle) in San Antonio. However, if time is limited, consider skipping this and spending more time exploring either Dallas or Houston.
That way, even if you don't make it to the Alamo, there will still be plenty of other things to keep you busy in these two fantastic cities.
If you want to experience the best things that Texas has to offer then give yourself at least a week or more. Let's face it, a Texas road trip requires at least a week anyway.
Although seven days might sound like a lot of time at first, when you add up all the hours you'll need to spend driving, it might not seem like enough.
Of course, if you only wanted to see one city, then that's an entirely different story.
3. Determine How You Want to Travel
You need to decide how you're going to get around.
Road travel is usually much more fun in an RV, especially if you're traveling with a large group of friends. You can check this website for RV rentals.
Many people prefer renting a car due to the cost and the fact that it is quicker. If this is the case, just factor in how much space you'll need to store your equipment, especially if there are several of you and you are planning outdoor sports or activities.
Finally, make sure you have plenty of gas throughout your Texas road trip. Running out of gas at night on the side of the road can be dangerous, especially if you're somewhere remote.
Texas is a huge state and you can drive for miles without seeing other traffic. Don't find yourself in an area with no reception and no gas!
4. Ensure Your Means of Transportation is in Good Shape Before Heading Out
You need to make sure that your ride is in good shape before you leave. If something goes wrong, like your battery dying for example, then you're out of luck until you can find a repair shop.
It's also important to make sure all the equipment is working properly, such as the heater/air conditioner and headlights.
Remember, this is Texas, and you don't want to be driving through the desert without your lights on at night.
There are plenty of places you can go to make sure everything is shipshape before you leave, like a car dealership or independent repair shop.
This way, it's more likely that they'll have the parts and tools necessary for making repairs if something does go wrong with your car or any other vehicle.
Finally, you'll need to have a good understanding of English throughout most of rural Texas. Speaking Spanish is also a bonus. If you are not proficient in either language, you will definitely struggle to communicate in certain situations.
Why not take some time to learn online before getting there?
5. Pack for any Weather Conditions
Texas can be hot, dry, wet, or snowy depending on where you are going and what time of year it is.
Always pack a raincoat or umbrella, thermals if it's going to be cold, and sunscreen if you know the weather will be hot.
There might also be some pretty grotesque insects out there, so make sure you have insect repellent as well.
You might also want to bring along water or other beverages, depending on how long your trip is going to be.
If the weather in Texas is due to be extremely hot, it's probably best not to leave anything in your car that you don't want to get sun-damaged. ð¥ð¥ð¥
This is especially important in smaller towns, where the housing is more rustic and less sophisticated than in larger cities.
6. Keep an Eye on Gas Prices
Gas prices in Texas change daily, and sometimes hourly. So, check them often before leaving town (or use Gas Buddy) to find the cheapest stations near you, as well as along your route.
The best time to fill up is usually in the early morning, but make sure your tank isn't completely empty before leaving.
You don't want to get caught without any gas in the middle of nowhere!
If you know your car's fuel efficiency rating, then hopefully you can figure out how far it will go on a tank of gas.
Take that into consideration when searching for gas stations. If you're driving a diesel, don't forget to get one of those fancy warning lights that tell you when it's time for an oil change. ð
7. Don't Forget to Bring Food With You
If you're driving for hours on end, you might get hungry. ð
You don't want to run out of gas, or worse, your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and there's no one around to help.
This is also something that should be considered if you're bringing along family members on your Texas road trip.
It's always a good idea to have some extra food and drinks on hand, even if it's just candy bars and bananas.
When traveling through smaller towns, you might want to take this one seriously because the chances are that there won't be any grocery stores nearby.
Just stick with the restaurants where you can sit down and relax while drinking something cold! ðº
To make your road trip unforgettable, you should take note of these tips. They'd help ensure that your trip is a memorable one.
You want to ensure that it's working properly and all equipment is up-to-date so there aren't any setbacks on your journey. Have fun and enjoy Texas!