Best Texas Roadside Stops

See Texas Travel Talk’s favorite Texas roadside stops.

Texas is a vast state. We are lucky because that means we can travel all around the state, exploring for days, with tons to see and do, and still be in Texas! With so many major highways and larger cities full of fun and history, sometimes the trip can take hours or even days. Below I’ve listed several Texas roadside stops along highways throughout the state. 

Related: Family games to play in the car

 

Texas Roadside Stops Worth Visiting

Besides Braum’s, Dairy Queen, or Sonic for yummy ice cream cravings, below are a few you may not have thought about or known about. Okay, maybe not Buc-ee’s but the others. Take a break from that long road trip and stop at one of these roadside attractions and get something to munch on or to stretch your legs.

Related: Fun Things To Do In Beaumont With Kids

 

North Texas Roadside Stops

A Fun Rest Stop On Highway 30

East of Dallas

There’s nothing better than finding a nice rest stop with clean restrooms while on a road trip. This rest stop is on Highway 30, eastbound of Cumby, about 75 miles east of Dallas. It has a playground, vending machines, walking trails, and air-conditioned bathrooms –everything families want …need. 

Look for this and other Texas rest stops on the Texas Department Of Transportation website.

Texas Travel Information Centers

Speaking of great roadside stops. The Texas Travel Information Centers are the best. They have a beautiful facility, clean bathrooms, a movie playing about Texas, and all the Texas brochures you could ever want or need. Also, look for professional travel counselors inside to answer any questions. Just know that there are only 12 of these centers, and most of them are located on the borders of Texas and adjacent states – ie. Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Mexico.

Buc-ee’s Are Everywhere Now!

Buc-ee’s has become Texas’ treasured one-stop-shop destination. You can get gas (usually cheaper than anywhere else), use the clean restrooms, shop for home decor and Texas memorabilia, get snacks, or even eat a whole meal here. There are several all over the state. Travelers will drive further and farther to stop at Buc-ee’s.

I remember stopping at Buc-ee’s on our way home from Houston to Dallas. It was a must-stop to see all the Buc-ee’s items. Since having Brody, we would stop and buy him anything Buc-ee’s. Fast-forward a couple of years, and there’s now a Buc-ee’s 5 minutes from where we live –we never go. HA! 

Central Texas Roadside Stops

• Czech Stop – West, TX

Czech Stop on I-35 in West, Texas, is a personal family favorite for Courtney’s family! During the fall months, they even have pumpkin-flavored kolaches!

• The Texas Bucket List – College Station

Okay, this is probably not considered a roadside stop, but it’s a stop you may want to know about. Have you heard of The Texas Bucket List TV show every Sunday morning with Shane McAuliffe? Did you know he has a store in College Station? So if you’re in the area or visiting Texas A&M, stop by and pick up a few Texas treasures. I’ve been by twice now. The Texas Bucket List.

• Natty Flat Smokehouse – Mineral Wells

Natty Flat Smokehouse is an excellent Texas barbeque restaurant in Mineral Wells and in Lipan on Hwy 281. If you pass up one, you can catch the other. The restaurant in Lipan has a big huge rocking chair out front that makes for great photos. I’m unsure if the one in Mineral Wells has the rocking chairs.

• Hico – Ranglers Gas Station

When on your way to the Texas Hill Country from DFW on HWY 67, opt to take HWY 220 toward Hico. There you’ll find Ranglers on Walnut and HWY 281. The restrooms are beautiful, very clean, and have a seating area. There’s also a nice gift shop to pick up cute gifts and decor. Oh, and gas was cheaper than most I saw.

• Cooper Farms – Fairfield

From Dallas to Houston or vice versa on I45 is a must-stop for clean restrooms, peach ice cream, and everything else like pecans and other nuts, jams, and jelly. We stopped only for ice cream …and to get this photo (above)!

• Woody’s Smokehouse – Interstate I45

Woody’s Smokehouse is off I45 between Dallas and Houston. The barbeque is excellent, and you can get all kinds of beef jerky here! 

South Texas Roadside Stops

• Hruska’s Bakery – Between Austin & Houston on Hwy 71

You’re in luck if traveling on Hwy 71 between Austin and Houston. Look for small-town Ellinger. That’s where you’ll find Hruska’s Bakery – a convenience store known for its kolaches and cheeseburgers.

South Western Texas Roadside Stops 

• Another Fun Rest Stop – Monahans

Fun Rest Stop on Highway I-20 in Monahans with playground, picnic tables, and air-conditioned bathrooms.

Western Texas Roadside Attractions

• Cadillac Ranch – Amarillo

Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo is an iconic Texas roadside stop that many partake in as it’s a fun place to stop and take photos.

• Buddy Holly Center – Lubbock

Buddy Holly Center is a must-stop if you are near Lubbock. It’s a great stop to take a photo by the giant glasses! 

Eastern Texas

• Giant Dalmation Hydrant – Beaumont

Beaumont has quite of few of them – all great for photo taking. The Giant Dalmatian Hydrant is one that comes to mind – a working fire hydrant.

 

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