Hoping to ditch the city for a few days and looking for the best weekend getaways from San Antonio? You’ve come to the right place!
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway for two, a laid-back trip with friends or a cool place to take the kids for the weekend, these road trips from San Antonio have lots to offer.
From state parks to small towns to exciting cities, here are the best San Antonio road trips to take this weekend.
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How We Structured This San Antonio Weekend Getaways Guide
We’ve intentionally structured this guide to the best weekend getaways from San Antonio to cover destinations between roughly 3 and 8 hours from the city.
While there are dozens of destinations closer to San Antonio that could certainly justify a fantastic short road trip (hello Texas Hill Country!), we’ve already covered those in our San Antonio day trips guide, so chose not to include them here.
However, for incredible weekend trips close to San Antonio, be sure to peruse that post as well!
Nature-Focused Road Trips from San Antonio
Big Bend National Park (+ Beyond)
Home to some of the most stunning hikes in Texas, Big Bend National Park is a fantastic park to explore–don’t miss the incredible Santa Elena Canyon or the Lost Mine Trail while you’re there!
In addition to the national park, the immediate area surrounding the park has plenty more to see, including Big Bend Ranch State Park and the ghost town of Terlingua.
If you’d like to go a bit out of your way, this San Antonio road trip can also hit up the ultimate Instagram darling of West Texas–the small town of Marfa.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
5 hours, 50 minutes.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Set just south of the New Mexico border in West Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to the four highest peaks in Texas and some incredible hiking trails.
Depending on how long you plan on exploring, you could extend this road trip from San Antonio into New Mexico, as well: just over the border sits Carlsbad Caverns National Park, which features more than 100 caves and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
6 hours, 45 minutes.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Located just half an hour from Amarillo, not far from Route 66, sits the second-biggest canyon in the USA and one of the best weekend trips from San Antonio: Palo Duro Canyon!
There are plenty of hikes and overlooks to choose from, but be sure to prioritize hiking to the lighthouse formation! The trail is scorching and can be a bit grueling, especially during the final ascent, but the payoff is absolutely worth it.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
7 hours, 20 minutes.
Caddo Lake
Located next door to the classic Texas romantic getaway of Jefferson (more on that once we get to small towns!), Caddo Lake State Park is located on the far edge of East Texas and defies expectations of what Texas looks like.
With its towering bald cypress trees, beautiful Spanish moss, and alligator population, Caddo Lake State Park is one of the most unique weekend getaways from San Antonio.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
6 hours, 25 minutes.
Turner Falls Park, OK
Featuring a 77-foot waterfall that overlooks a natural swimming pool, Turner Falls is the biggest waterfall in the state of Oklahoma and a fantastic San Antonio road trip destination for those looking to travel out of state!
With trails, swimming opportunities, beautiful overlooks, and camping on offer, Turner Falls has plenty of things to do to keep visitors busy for a weekend away.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
5 hours, 50 minutes.
Best Cities for Weekend Getaways from San Antonio
Dallas
Known for big hair, big (oil) money, and big buildings, Dallas is a quintessentially Texan city that has a distinctly different vibe than San Antonio. It also happens to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the USA, with an excellent food scene and a plethora of things to do.
Of course, no weekend trip to Dallas would be complete without a somber exploration of the assassination of President Kennedy, whose murder in Dallas in 1963 is one of the most haunting in the USA’s collective memory.
On a lighter note, though, Dallas offers far more than morbid history: with phenomenal shopping, excellent skyline views at Reunion Tower, walkable neighborhoods like the Bishop Arts District, and great gardens and museums (the Dallas Arboretum is stunning), you’ll find plenty of fun things to do during a weekend getaway from San Antonio in Dallas.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
4 hours, 15 minutes.
Fort Worth
Often lumped in with its next-door neighbor of Dallas, Fort Worth is a distinct city all its own.
On short road trips from San Antonio, you probably won’t have time to see both cities–so that’s all the more reason to plan more than one weekend escape to North Texas!
While in Fort Worth, be sure to watch a cattle drive at the Stockyards, watch US currency being printed at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (yes, really–it’s even free to visit!), and check out the beautiful Fort Worth Water Gardens.
Want to get a bit of a thrill during your trip? Hop over to Arlington to ride roller coasters at Six Flags Over Texas!
Driving Distance from San Antonio
4 hours.
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is the furthest destination on this list of road trips from San Antonio, coming in at just over the 8-hour mark–but as one of the most unique cities in the world, New Orleans is worth the drive!
While you’re there, be sure to enjoy Bourbon Street, but get off of it, as well: New Orleans is more than just its incredible partying (though the partying does indeed live up to the legends).
During your weekend in New Orleans, consider visiting the Garden District, taking a ghost tour, visiting the nearby bayou, taking a steamboat cruise, and of course, eating plenty of excellent food, from beignets to po’ boys.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
8 hours, 10 minutes.
Oklahoma City
Sleepier than most major cities in Texas, yet with its own list of fun things to do, the capital of Oklahoma makes a fun road trip from San Antonio for travelers who love to check out cities of all shapes and sizes.
While you’re there, be sure to pay your respects to the victims of the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Building at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, to learn some interesting history at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, to stroll through the Myriad Botanical Gardens, and to visit Bricktown.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
7 hours.
Houston
As the largest city in Texas, the fourth-largest city in the United States, and one of the most diverse cities in the country, it’s safe to say that Houston is packed with enough fun things to do to fill more than one weekend trip from San Antonio!
Be sure to check out the Space Center Houston and NASA–the most famous of all the attractions in Houston–as well as sample some of Houston’s other top museums and parks.
Head to Kemah Boardwalk for a charming slice of Americana, and be sure to enjoy the food scene: Houston’s diversity is perhaps best displayed through its enormous collection of fantastic restaurants featuring cuisines from across the world.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
3 hours.
Best Beach Road Trips from San Antonio
Living in San Antonio means having some of Texas’ best beach towns, such as Rockport, Port Aransas, and Corpus Christi, located within day-tripping distance–but these two classic beach getaways in Texas require longer road trips from San Antonio.
South Padre Island
The only tropical island in Texas is, hands down, one of the best weekend getaways from San Antonio.
Here, you’ll find 34 miles of sandy beaches with calm, beautiful water, dolphins to watch, recovering sea turtles to visit, the opportunity to take a horseback ride on the beach, and some stupendous sunrises.
South Padre Island is one of the most popular beaches in Texas for good reason, and though it is known for its raucous spring break parties during March, outside of those weeks, the island is a far more laid-back escape.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
4 hours, 20 minutes.
Galveston
One of the most popular San Antonio road trips, Galveston is home to some of Texas’ best-known beaches!
With miles of coastline, a small, picturesque theme park on the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, the East End Historic District that features beautiful Victorian-era homes, and tons of family-friendly attractions and parks, Galveston is a favorite for families looking for a quick beach trip in Texas.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
4 hours.
Best Small Town Weekend Trips from San Antonio
Waco
Long known as the home of Baylor University, Waco has become one of the most popular road trips from San Antonio in recent years for a very different reason: the opening of Magnolia Market, owned by Chip & Joanna Gaines of HGTV fame.
Even beyond the immensely popular Silos, though, Waco has plenty to see.
Consider also stopping by the Dr. Pepper Museum, enjoying Baylor’s beautiful campus, or checking out the Wooly Mammoth National Monument during your visit.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
2 hours, 50 minutes.
Jefferson
Known across the state of Texas for its plethora of historic and romantic bed and breakfasts, Jefferson is the quintessential small-town getaway in East Texas, and is absolutely one of the best weekend road trips from San Antonio!
The best things to do in Jefferson include browsing the picturesque Jefferson General Store, going kayaking at Caddo Lake State Park, and learning about Texas railroad history at Jay Gould’s Private Rail Car.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
6 hours, 20 minutes.
Tyler
Tyler may be most famous for the incredible Texas Rose Festival that it hosts each October, but this charming town in Texas is worth visiting year-round!
Driving the Azalea trails in the spring, touring the beautiful Rose Garden, hiking in Tyler State Park, touring historic homes, and marveling at the Hudnall Planetarium are all worth adding to your list of what to do in Tyler.
With a long list of fun things to do in Tyler itself and nearby, Tyler is one of the coolest road trips from San Antonio.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
5 hours, 10 minutes.
Dublin
Drive into Dublin, and you’ll be greeted with a gigantic shamrock-shaped sign that reads “Welcome to Dublin, Texas”, making it immediately obvious that Dublin considers it the Irish capital of Texas!
Home of Dublin Bottling Works, which bottled the original Dr. Pepper, Dublin features a Dr. Pepper museum, a bottling tour, beautiful shops and restaurants, and a historic downtown.
Without a doubt, Dublin is one of the best weekend getaways from San Antonio, and a great opportunity to visit a small Texas town outside of the Hill Country.
Driving Distance from San Antonio
3 hours, 35 minutes.
