Austin to Fredericksburg Road Trip: Where to Stop + Tips!

Driving from Austin to Fredericksburg is one of the best mini-road trips in the Texas Hill Country, packing in popular small towns, wineries, state parks, scenery, and even a castle along one efficient drive along Highway 290 (or, to use its more official Hill Country name, Wine Road 290).

Whether you’re taking a day trip to Fredericksburg and want to move fairly quickly to your destination or you hope to meander in the Hill Country for a while, the Austin to Fredericksburg drive (or Fredericksburg to Austin drive–these stops work for both travel directions) has plenty to offer.

kate storm holding a glass of white wine in johnson city texas

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

What’s the Austin to Fredericksburg drive like?

Absolutely beautiful!

READ NEXT
31 Best Things to Do in Fredericksburg, TX

No matter how many times we drive from Austin to Fredericksburg and back (and we’ve long since lost track of how many times that is), it remains one of my favorite scenic drives in Texas, packing plenty of small towns, wineries, and Hill Country views into a short 90-minute road trip.

A few things that you’ll spot along the way include central Johnson City, the Johnson Settlement, the 290 Wine Castle, and the Hye Post Office–and that’s barely scratching the surface!

290 wine castle, one of the best things to do in johnson city texas

What’s the driving distance from Austin to Fredericksburg?

Driving from Austin to Fredericksburg takes about an hour and a half each way, and takes place entirely on US Highway 290.

There’s a 78-mile distance between the two cities when measuring from central Austin.

READ NEXT
25 Amazing Things to Do in the Texas Hill Country

Where to Stop When Driving from Austin to Fredericksburg

For the purposes of this Austin to Fredericksburg road trip guide, we’ve stuck to destinations that are more or less right on the way–but venture 15-20 minutes out of your way, and even more of the Hill Country will open up to you.

view of the front facade of the luckenbach post office as seen from an angle, one of the best things to see in luckenbach tx

Dripping Springs

Nicknamed the “Gateway to the Hill Country”, charming Dripping Springs is best known for being the home of the famous Hamilton Pool Preserve–but, it should be noted, Hamilton Pool is a bit out of your way when driving from Fredericksburg to Austin (which is not to say it isn’t worth the detour).

READ NEXT
12 Best Wineries in Fredericksburg, TX (+ Nearby!)

Head one block over from 290 and you’ll find charming Mercer Street, which makes for a fun, quick stop to explore.

On 290 itself, you may want to check out Rolling in Thyme and Dough (excellent coffee with indoor and outdoor seating), or Flores Breakfast and Lunch, a simple but delightful taco stand that serves up some of my favorite breakfast tacos in the area, offering classic flavors done right at affordable prices.

Check out our guide to the best things to do in Dripping Springs!

the station historic gas station in dripping springs texas as seen on the austin to fredericksburg drive

Pedernales Falls State Park

A Texas Hill Country favorite, Pedernales Falls State Park is home to a particularly scenic stretch of the Pedernales River, where visitors can enjoy the (typically) relaxed falls as they make their way over the enormous limestone riverbed.

READ NEXT
13 Stunning Texas Hill Country State Parks to Visit

Restrictions prohibit swimming in the falls themselves, but there is a beautiful swimming area in the park, as well as campgrounds, hiking trails, and plenty of beautiful views!

This area is very prone to flash flooding, so be sure to keep an eye on the weather when setting out.

pedernales falls as seen from above, one of the best texas hill country state parks

Johnson City

One of the easiest stops on the Austin to Fredericksburg drive is charming Johnson City: the route will take you right through the center of town!

READ NEXT
19 Epic Day Trips from Austin

Whether you want to check out the courthouse square, browse the antique shops, stop by the Johnson Settlement (where President Johnson’s grandparents first settled in Texas) and safely say hello to the longhorns, or grab a drink at the 290 Wine Castle, you’ll almost certainly find something to tempt you into stopping in Johnson City.

Check out our guide to the best things to do in Johnson City!

kate storm in a red dress sitting on the porch of a historic building at johnson settlement, one of the best johnson city attractions

Hye

Blink once during your drive and you might miss Hye, a delightfully tiny town (population: 564) that’s well worth a quick look!

READ NEXT
7 Best Austin Pumpkin Patches + Corn Mazes for Fall Fun

Most notably, the charming and historic Hye Post Office building has been transformed into a restaurant and market and is a must-see during an Austin to Fredericksburg road trip.

Hye is also well known for having an incredible number of wineries and distilleries squeezed into its small footprint.

front facade of the hye post office along highway 290, one of the things to do between austin and fredericksburg tx

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is made up of two unconnected parts: the Johnson Settlement in Johnson City, and the LBJ Ranch and assorted other buildings in Stonewall.

READ NEXT
The 16 National Parks in Texas: A Complete Guide

The LBJ Ranch is where you’ll find everything from a still-working ranch to President Johnson’s birthplace to the famous Texas White House and the quirky Air Force 1 1/2 plane, and it’s well worth exploring during your Austin to Fredericksburg drive.

texas white house at lbj national historic park

Luckenbach

Of all the things to do between Austin and Fredericksburg listed here, Luckenbach is the furthest of out the way–by which we mean, a mere 10 minutes or so.

READ NEXT
7 Epic Texas Road Trip Itinerary Ideas

Despite its minuscule population, Luckenbach is well-known as a country music hotspot and is home to a popular dance hall and far more live shows than one would expect from a town of merely 3 people.

Be sure to duck into the historic post-office-turned-shop during your visit, too!

Check out our guide to the best things to do in Luckenbach!

Kate Storm in front of the former post office of luckenbach texas, one of the best things to see in luckenbach

Don’t want to drive yourself?

Want to explore the fun things to do between Austin and Fredericksburg but don’t want to take an independent road trip?

This well-reviewed day trip will show you the LBJ Ranch, Fredericksburg, Luckenbach, and a winery or two, all in one day and without having to worry about bringing a designated driver along!

Book your day trip to the Texas Hill Country today!

front facade of das peach haus, a popular place to go shopping in fredericksburg, one of the best german towns in texas

Tips for Driving from Austin to Fredericksburg

Keep an eye out for produce stands.

The road from Austin to Fredericksburg is littered with produce stands, offering–depending on the season–everything from fresh berries to homemade peach jam to pumpkins–and they’re well worth pulling over for!

READ NEXT
6 Delightful Texas Peach Farms (Pick Your Own!)

Consider adding on a visit to Hamilton Pool or Westcave Preserve.

Hamilton Pool and Westcave Preserve are each home to one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Texas, and they’re only a couple of miles apart!

You’ll need reservations to visit either, but if you have time for a short detour and want to experience one of the gems of the Texas Hill Country between Fredericksburg and Austin, it’s worth planning ahead for.

kate storm standing with her arms spread in front of westcave waterfall

Don’t eat before your Austin to Fredericksburg drive.

… because there are too many opportunities to eat a delicious breakfast, lunch, or snack along the way!

READ NEXT
11 Beautiful Inns + Bed and Breakfasts in Fredericksburg

The food scene is one of the biggest draws of the Hill Country, and any drive from Austin to Fredericksburg deserves at least one food stop.

Kate Storm and Jeremy Storm overlooking the texas hill country on a wooden platform at old tunnel state park

Leave a Comment