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By Huuk Team

Road trip from Houston to Austin

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ITINERARY

3h 6m163 miles17 stops
1
Stages Repertory Theatre
800 Rosine St, Houston, TX 77019-1939
Founded in 1978, Stages Repertory Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre with two intimate performance spaces and deep roots in the Houston community. Stages produces year-round, performing a broad scope of new work, popular entertainment and re-imagined classics. Almost all of Stages shows are rehearsed and constructed on-site in Houston, brought to life by an exceptional community of locally-based artists and craftspeople along with occasional guest directors, actors and designers from around the world. With a mission to advance theatre and enliven community, Stages offers a greenhouse for new talent and ideas and a place for art, artists and audiences to thrive.
2
Houston Grand Opera
500 Texas St (Wortham Center), Houston, TX 77002-2737
Opera house in Houston that features opera presentations throughout the year.
3
Toyota Center
1510 Polk St, Houston, TX 77002-7130
4
The Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77006-4729
Houston philanthropists and art patrons John and Dominique de Menil established the Menil Foundation in 1954 to foster greater public understanding and appreciation of art, architecture, culture, religion, and philosophy. In 1987, the Menil Collection’s main museum building opened to the public. Today, the Menil Collection consists of a group of five art buildings and green spaces located within a residential neighborhood. The Menil remains committed to its founders’ belief that art is essential to human experience and fosters direct personal encounters with works of art. The museum welcomes all visitors free of charge to its buildings and surrounding green spaces.
5
Axelrad Beer Garden
1517 Alabama St, Houston, TX 77004-3935
Axelrad is all about celebrating Houston, being outside, and relaxing. Conceived as a community-gathering place offering beer, wine, drinks, Luigi's pizza, live music, and the city's only hammock grove, Axelrad aims to be a place for all. The bar's interior is housed within a 100-year-old renovated building, originally a grocery store built by David and Gertrude Axelrad. Artists added to the beautiful historic interior with tap handles by Venezuelan-based Maria Rangel, seating by New Living's HTX Made, and textiles by Austin-based Nido.
6
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
5216 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006-6598
The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is a non-collecting institution dedicated to presenting the best and most exciting international, national, and regional art. Through dynamic exhibitions accompanied by scholarly publications and accessible educational programs, the Museum reaches out to local, regional, national, and international audiences of various ages. CAMH is always fresh, always free.
7
Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden
900 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
8
Reliant Park
1 Nrg Park, Houston, TX 77054-1574
9
Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058-3145
Located in the heart of NASA’s spaceflight program, Space Center Houston is a must-visit for fans of space exploration. With more than 400 space-related artefacts and numerous interactive exhibitions, you can easily spend a whole day learning about NASA’s history and current work. Be sure to hop on the tram tour too, which takes you around the real site of the Johnson Space Center, including the original Mission Control room and a behind-the-scenes look at the astronaut training facilities. You might want to join VIP tours by NASA experts to gain a deeper understanding and inside knowledge of the center. – Tripadvisor
10
Mindspark Adventures and Escape Games
2632 Ridgepoint Dr, Austin, TX 78754-5210
Mind Spark is a fully interactive and immersive experience unlike anything else you can do in Austin, Texas. Up to 12 participants will be locked in a room, and they must use their minds and teamwork to figure out their escape. Clues and riddles hidden throughout the room provide the tools necessary to win the game and get out of the room. As the clock ticks down and the pressure mounts, can you stay calm, can you escape?
11
The Frank Erwin Center
1701 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701-1438
12
Elisabet Ney Museum
304 E 44th St, Austin, TX 78751-3813
Sculptor Elisabeth Ney spent the last years of her life working in this building, which still contains some of her most beautiful sculpted pieces.
13
University of Texas at Austin
Guadalupe and I-35 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and 26th St., Austin, TX 78705
Founded in 1883, this university is steeped in history.
14
Big Top Candy Shop
South Congress Ave, Austin, TX
15
Saxon Pub
1320 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704-2387
16
Purrfecto Cat Lounge
2300 S Lamar Boulevard Unit #104, Austin, TX
We partner with local rescues to temporarily house cats. Book a CatXperience and be surrounded by love-able furrballs. You might find your next furry friend!
17
Zilker Metropolitan Park
2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
Home to Barton Springs, the Zilker Eagle, a large playscape, and four hundred acres of sports fields and woodlands, Zilker Park is a popular weekend destination.
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OVERVIEW

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as we embark on a thrilling road trip from the bustling city of Houston to the vibrant capital of Austin! Along the way, we'll discover the hidden gems and charming towns that make Texas so special. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a curious explorer, this journey promises to create lasting memories for the whole family.

Our adventure begins in the heart of Houston, where the towering skyscrapers and vibrant energy set the stage for our exciting road trip. As we leave the city behind, the landscape transforms into rolling hills and lush forests, offering a serene escape from the urban hustle and bustle. Along the way, we'll encounter quaint towns like Brenham, known for its Blue Bell Creameries, and La Grange, where the historic Fayette County Courthouse stands proudly.

As we approach Austin, the terrain becomes more rugged, with the beautiful Texas Hill Country unfolding before us. We'll make our way through charming towns like Wimberley, with its picturesque Cypress Creek, and Dripping Springs, famous for its natural springs and wineries. Upon arriving in Austin, we'll be greeted by the lively atmosphere of the city, where music, culture, and nature intertwine to create a truly unforgettable experience.

1
Start:Stages Repertory Theatre
Houston, Texas·
4.5
(90) review
Founded in 1978, Stages Repertory Theatre is a not-for-profit professional theatre with two intimate performance spaces and deep roots in the Houston community. Stages produces year-round, performing a broad scope of new work, popular entertainment and re-imagined classics. Almost all of Stages shows are rehearsed and constructed on-site in Houston, brought to life by an exceptional community of locally-based artists and craftspeople along with occasional guest directors, actors and designers from around the world. With a mission to advance theatre and enliven community, Stages offers a greenhouse for new talent and ideas and a place for art, artists and audiences to thrive.
800 Rosine St, Houston, TX 77019-1939
2
Houston Grand Opera
Houston, Texas·
4.5
(94) review
Opera house in Houston that features opera presentations throughout the year.
500 Texas St (Wortham Center), Houston, TX 77002-2737
3
Toyota Center
Houston, Texas·
4.5
(913) review
1510 Polk St, Houston, TX 77002-7130
4
The Menil Collection
Houston, Texas·
4.5
(970) review
Houston philanthropists and art patrons John and Dominique de Menil established the Menil Foundation in 1954 to foster greater public understanding and appreciation of art, architecture, culture, religion, and philosophy. In 1987, the Menil Collection’s main museum building opened to the public. Today, the Menil Collection consists of a group of five art buildings and green spaces located within a residential neighborhood. The Menil remains committed to its founders’ belief that art is essential to human experience and fosters direct personal encounters with works of art. The museum welcomes all visitors free of charge to its buildings and surrounding green spaces.
1533 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77006-4729
5
Axelrad Beer Garden
Houston, Texas·
4.5
(90) review
Axelrad is all about celebrating Houston, being outside, and relaxing. Conceived as a community-gathering place offering beer, wine, drinks, Luigi's pizza, live music, and the city's only hammock grove, Axelrad aims to be a place for all. The bar's interior is housed within a 100-year-old renovated building, originally a grocery store built by David and Gertrude Axelrad. Artists added to the beautiful historic interior with tap handles by Venezuelan-based Maria Rangel, seating by New Living's HTX Made, and textiles by Austin-based Nido.
1517 Alabama St, Houston, TX 77004-3935
6
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
Houston, Texas·
3.5
(91) review
The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is a non-collecting institution dedicated to presenting the best and most exciting international, national, and regional art. Through dynamic exhibitions accompanied by scholarly publications and accessible educational programs, the Museum reaches out to local, regional, national, and international audiences of various ages. CAMH is always fresh, always free.
5216 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006-6598
7
Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden
Houston, Texas·
4.5
(96) review
900 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
8
Reliant Park
Houston, Texas·
4.0
(99) review
1 Nrg Park, Houston, TX 77054-1574
9
Space Center Houston
Houston, Texas·
4.5
(9889) review
Located in the heart of NASA’s spaceflight program, Space Center Houston is a must-visit for fans of space exploration. With more than 400 space-related artefacts and numerous interactive exhibitions, you can easily spend a whole day learning about NASA’s history and current work. Be sure to hop on the tram tour too, which takes you around the real site of the Johnson Space Center, including the original Mission Control room and a behind-the-scenes look at the astronaut training facilities. You might want to join VIP tours by NASA experts to gain a deeper understanding and inside knowledge of the center. – Tripadvisor
1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058-3145
10
Mindspark Adventures and Escape Games
Austin, Texas·
5.0
(99) review
Mind Spark is a fully interactive and immersive experience unlike anything else you can do in Austin, Texas. Up to 12 participants will be locked in a room, and they must use their minds and teamwork to figure out their escape. Clues and riddles hidden throughout the room provide the tools necessary to win the game and get out of the room. As the clock ticks down and the pressure mounts, can you stay calm, can you escape?
2632 Ridgepoint Dr, Austin, TX 78754-5210
11
The Frank Erwin Center
Austin, Texas·
4.0
(96) review
1701 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701-1438
12
Elisabet Ney Museum
Austin, Texas·
4.5
(95) review
Sculptor Elisabeth Ney spent the last years of her life working in this building, which still contains some of her most beautiful sculpted pieces.
304 E 44th St, Austin, TX 78751-3813
13
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas·
4.5
(947) review
Founded in 1883, this university is steeped in history.
Guadalupe and I-35 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and 26th St., Austin, TX 78705
14
Big Top Candy Shop
Austin, Texas·
4.5
(96) review
South Congress Ave, Austin, TX
15
Saxon Pub
Austin, Texas·
4.5
(97) review
1320 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704-2387
16
Purrfecto Cat Lounge
Austin, Texas·
5.0
(97) review
We partner with local rescues to temporarily house cats. Book a CatXperience and be surrounded by love-able furrballs. You might find your next furry friend!
2300 S Lamar Boulevard Unit #104, Austin, TX
17
Zilker Metropolitan Park
Austin, Texas·
4.5
(949) review
Home to Barton Springs, the Zilker Eagle, a large playscape, and four hundred acres of sports fields and woodlands, Zilker Park is a popular weekend destination.
2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746

CHECKLIST

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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Houston and Austin?
The distance is 163 miles
What's the travel time between Houston and Austin?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 3h 6m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Houston and Austin?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Austin?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Austin
What’s the weather like in Austin?
The weather in Austin is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Austin in January
Weather in Austin in February
Weather in Austin in March
Weather in Austin in April
Weather in Austin in May
Weather in Austin in June
Weather in Austin in July
Weather in Austin in August
Weather in Austin in September
Weather in Austin in October
Weather in Austin in November
Weather in Austin in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Austin?
Plan your dream Austin trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Austin
A 2-day itinerary in Austin
A 3-day itinerary in Austin
A 4-day itinerary in Austin
A 5-day itinerary in Austin
A 6-day itinerary in Austin
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Houston?
We have a lot of great trip options for Houston! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you