The drive from Houston to Big Bend National Park is a long one, but it’s worth the trip. It takes about three hours to get there and you can see so many different environments on this route. There are mountains, forests, rivers, plains, and even desert areas.
The austin to big bend national park is a road trip from Houston, Texas to Big Bend National Park in the southwest corner of Texas.
Texas boasts some of the most beautiful flatlands and mountains in the country, so if you’re searching for a memorable experience, take a road trip from Houston to Big Bend National Park – you’ll be amazed at how much The Lone Star State has to offer.
The 600-mile journey from Houston to Big Bend National Park takes ten hours and includes stops in San Antonio, Austin, and Fredericksburg, as well as Castroville Regional Park, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, and Pedernales Falls State Park.
The list of sights to visit along the trip is extensive and fascinating, so keep reading to discover more about the journey.
What is the distance between Houston and Big Bend National Park, and how long will the journey take?
| Route | Distance | Time to Drive |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio is on the way. | 600 miles | 10 hours |
| The Austin Highway | 635 miles | ten hours and thirty minutes |
The journey from Houston to Big Bend National Park is 600 miles long and takes ten hours. You might easily complete the journey in a day if you leave early in the morning, but if you can, you should try to spread it out over at least a week.
Although there are a few different options for this beautiful journey, the quickest way to get from Houston to Big Bend National Park is to drive via San Antonio on your way west.
The first half of the route, which passes through mainly flat southern Texas, is both beautiful and simple to drive. As you reach the Trans-Pecos area, the rough Chisos Mountains appear, providing a welcome change in landscape and topography.
Regardless of whatever route you choose, make an effort to include Austin in your journey; your road trip will be enhanced as a result.
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One of the best things about this schedule is that if you stick to the fast route, you won’t have to deal with much traffic — San Antonio, the route’s second-largest city after Houston, is remarkably traffic-free.
If you decide to take a detour to Austin (which you should! ), you may be in for some difficulty, since the city is renowned for having some of the worst traffic in the country. If you decide to go, be sure you use an app to keep track on the traffic situation.
If you don’t mind traveling via Austin instead of San Antonio, another alternative is to use Interstate 10 for the majority of the journey. This will add approximately 35 miles to your journey, but it will also allow you to detour to view some sights farther north.
The best way to go from Houston to Big Bend National Park is via car.
The ideal road trip route from Houston to Big Bend National Park depends on your goals; the San Antonio route is faster, while the Austin route has more constant monuments and attractions.
San Antonio is on the way.
Take I-10 west out of Houston, going through Cullen Park and across the Brazos River. After seeing Stephen F. Austin State Park and Hatari Wildlife Park, continue on to San Antonio through a series of smaller cities.
You may either detour to Austin on Interstate 35 or take Route 90 west out of San Antonio from here. Make a point of stopping at Castroville Regional Park and taking a detour north to Medina Lake.
Take a stop at Ulvide, then go north on Highway 83 to Garner State Park. Return to the main road and travel via Brackettville before crossing the Armistad Reservoir via Governor’s Landing Bridge, going through Del Rio.
After passing Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site, cross the Pecos River and hug the border all the way to Langtry. Get your bearings here, then continue along Route 90 all the way to Marathon. Once you’re there, take Route 385 south and follow it to Big Bend National Park.
The route via Austin
Take State Highway 71 out of Columbus after leaving Houston via Interstate 10 and continue it to Bastrop State Park. From there, take Highway 21 for a short time to pass through McKinney Roughs Nature Park, then return to Highway 71 and continue it to Austin.
Take Route 290 and follow it through Dripping Springs and past Pedernales Falls State Park. Continuing west, stop by the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site, and rest up at Fredericksburg – from here, detour to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area up north.
Leaving Fredericksburg on Route 290, go through Harper before merging onto Interstate 10. After stopping in Junction, visit South Llano River State Park and proceed through a series of cities and villages until you reach Fort Stockton.
Consider taking a detour north from here to visit the city of Odessa if you have the time. Alternatively, stay on the main road and continue on Route 385 to Big Bend National Park.
Between Houston and Big Bend National Park, the best locations to stop
It’s ideal to do the road journey from Houston to Big Bend National Park over the course of a week, so plan on stopping for a few nights along the route. These are some of the hotels you should think about staying at:
In San Antonio, have a memorable night out.
You’ll often locals refer to San Antonio as the state’s crowning urban attraction, and it’s not hard to see why. You’ll have your pick of lots of great resorts here, but the clear winner is Hotel Emma, courtesy of its chic interior and location by the beautiful River Walk.
The apartments have a distinct Mexican flavor to them rather than a Texan one, and the lounge area, with its beautiful lighting and warm fireplace, is sure to calm you like few others can.
The River Walk in San Antonio is only one of the many attractions that contribute to the city’s greatness.
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If the inside doesn’t entice you, a refreshing drink on the sun terrace will, particularly after a workout at the fitness facility. When it comes to drinks, Sternewirth, the on-site bar, offers one of the largest choices of alcoholic beverages in Austin.
This one-of-a-kind resort justifies its somewhat expensive pricing by being located directly next to the famous River Walk and around the corner from every major core attraction in San Antonio.
At Big Bend National Park, take in the breathtaking scenery.
Big Bend is the ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city, and one of Texas’ most gorgeous parks includes some magnificent resorts. Lajitas Golf Resort is the place to go if you want to stay in a historic hotel with a world-class spa.
The rustic accommodations at this resort fit in well with the park’s rough style, but if you want to feel a little more posh, you can always go out onto the pool area and take in the scenery.
One of Big Bend’s most famous views is the Window Trail.
Shutterstock.com/JB Manning
This location provides a diverse range of activities, from golf and horseback riding to learning about local fossils, all while taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Chisos Mountains.
Although the rates are a bit high by Big Bend standards, you’ll be staying in the finest resort within a 200-mile radius, so it’s well worth it.
On a road journey from Houston to Big Bend National Park, there are many sights to view.
Between its two routes, the road journey from Houston to Big Bend National Park will take you to some incredible locations. You should take one route to Big Bend and the other on the way back for the greatest possible experience. These are the locations to keep an eye out for:
- San Antonio, Texas’s most beautiful city, is home to The Alamo and the SA River Walk.
- Castroville State Park is a beautiful hiking location with a pool and campsites.
- Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site – one of the most beautiful parks in Texas’ repertoire and an amazing bird-watching spot
- Marfa is a major creative center and the location of the unexplained Marfa lights phenomena.
- Alpine is a lovely town with a spectacular view of the Davis and Chisos Mountains.
- The beautiful settlement of Fort Davis is named after the Davis Mountains, which are located nearby.
- Austin is the starting point for a Southern road trip. Without its lovely capital city, Texas would be incomplete.
- Pedernales Falls State Park – a swim in the Pedernales River will refresh you and get you ready to do the remainder of the trail.
- The limestone hills of Texas Hills Country make it one of the most picturesque tracts of land in the state.
- Fredericksburg — the city’s German heritage is maintained via the Pioneer Museum, which is a must-see attraction.
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area’s renowned Summit Trail is one of the road trip’s must-see natural wonders.
- South Llano River State Park – Llano River is one of the finest locations for kayaking in Texas, second only to Big Bend.
- Odessa — while being a bit of a detour, Odessa is a must-see for its Meteor Crater and Stonehenge facsimile.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is one of Texas’ most beautiful places.
Shutterstock.com/Paul S. Wolf
When is the best time to go from Houston to Big Bend National Park?
The road journey from Houston to Big Bend National Park is one that can be done at any time of year, but various seasons provide distinct advantages.
One thing to bear in mind is that, due to its non-central position in the United States and its topography, which is significantly different from that of the typical wooded state park, this park is seldom as crowded as many of its northern equivalents.
Big Bend National Park’s mountains are out of this world.
Shutterstock.com/Zack Frank
It’s essential to keep in mind that you’ll be dealing with a desert, so although the days will be pleasant in the winter, the nights will be very cold. As a result, the months of December and February are perhaps the only ones in the Big Bend that are difficult to suggest.
Summers at Big Bend will often exceed 100 degrees, and while that’s far from ideal, you can spend your time by the river and keep cool. Better yet, going up the Chisos Mountains will give you a temperature drop of 10 to 15 degrees if things get too hot.
That leaves spring and autumn, which are probably the finest times to visit — temps are in the low-to-mid 80s, and the park’s colors are at their most vibrant.
The how long is the drive from houston to big bend national park is a trip that many people in the United States have taken. It is a road trip that covers approximately 1,200 miles and takes about 10 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Houston from Big Bend National Park?
Houston is approximately 2,000 miles from Big Bend National Park.
What is halfway between Houston and Big Bend?
The halfway point between Houston and Big Bend is at the intersection of I-10 and US 90.
Is it safe to drive to Big Bend National Park?
I am not a doctor, but I can give you some tips on what to do before driving.
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