From the Cowboy Church in Waxahachie to the San Marcos River, you’re in for a treat with this Dallas to San Marcos road trip. This beautiful four-hour drive includes classic

Texas

views and surprising stopovers. You can do this drive in one day, but two is better.

Before you pack your snacks, make sure your

car insurance

is up to date and that you have roadside assistance with

Jerry

. It’s easy (and cheap) to add roadside assistance to your coverage. Let’s face it, a breakdown on the 35 in the middle of nowhere is the exact opposite of a great road trip.

Car insurance, check. Roadside assistance, check. Now start your engines and hit play on that road trip playlist! Here are the best stops on your route.

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Key trip details

Distance: 202 miles

Driving time: 3 hours and 28 minutes

Suggested length of trip: 1 to 2 days

Itinerary

Waxahachie, TX

Hillsboro, TX

Waco, TX

Austin, TX

San Marcos, TX

Waxahachie, TX

For the out-of-towners, it’s pronounced walk-suh-HA-chee. The name comes from the indigenous words for "Buffalo Creek." Only 45 minutes south of Dallas, we recommend a quick stopover here purely for the unique architecture and a great cup of coffee.

There are very surprising attractions here for a town most people have never heard of. Waxahachie is home to the Cowboy Church of Ellis County (think baptisms in a trough). The city’s nickname is the Gingerbread City due to the quaint architectural style of the buildings built pre-1900.

Where to eat in Waxahachie

Kika's Grilled Chicken

($): Kika's is a casual spot that, despite its name, offers fresh Mexican specialties as well as chicken dishes.

Two Amigos Taqueria

($): This spot is great if you’ve got quite a hunger. The hefty burritos and other Mexican specialties will be sure to fuel you for the trip.

White Rhino Coffee House

($): Looking for something casual? Stop by White Rhino for a coffee and a bite.

What to do in Waxahachie

Cowboy Church

: You can visit the Cowboy Church for a sermon or a rodeo if your schedule permits. This pairing is certainly something only Texas can offer!

See some Victorian-era architecture: If you’re into cool buildings, head into town and explore the residential areas. You’ll see some cool Victorian homes that have an unmistakable air of history.

The Munster Mansion

: The Munster Mansion is an exact replica of the house from the eponymous 1960’s sitcom show and you can take a tour from an enthusiastic guide.

Webb Gallery

: This museum is another great choice, as it specializes in "outsider art and artifacts of secret societies."

If your tummy’s rumbling, eat at Two Amigos Taqueria or snag a coffee at the quirky Back Porch Coffee House.

Waxahachie to Hillsboro, TX

33 miles, 33 minutes

There’s a lot more to see than just outlet malls in Hillsboro! Visiting Hillsboro is like taking a walk down memory lane.

Check out restored Victorian homes and get a real, small-town Texas experience off the beaten path.

Take I-35E S for Hillsboro.

Where to eat in Hillsboro

A Little Taste of Heaven

($$): Hit this spot for some southern-soul style home cooking. Take your pick of fried catfish, oxtail, or a mighty baked potato among other offerings.

Overflow Coffee Co.

($): Feeling full enough? Stop by Overflow Coffee Co. for a quick shot of caffeine or a small bite.

What to do in Hillsboro

Roadside America Museum

: Hit this museum to see memorabilia from the 1940s-1950s.

Hill County Cell Block Museum

: See some unique historical artifacts from the history of Hillsboro. The building is also a former county jail—if it couldn’t already be historical enough.

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Hillsboro to Waco, TX

36 miles, 36 minutes

Another hour on the road will take you to Waco. DIY designers will especially enjoy Magnolia Market, run by Chip and Joanna Gaines, but there’s something for everyone in Waco.

Take I-35 S for Waco.

Where to eat in Waco

Alpha Omega

($$): Stop here for refreshing and satisfying Greek food.

Jake’s Texas Tea House

($$): This is a great joint for kitschy Texas decor and classic Southern meals.

What to do in Waco

Magnolia Market

: Start at Magnolia Market at the Silos and enjoy hunting for design treasure.

Explore the outdoors: If you’d rather spend time outdoors, head to the urban

Riverwalk

or the nearby

Lake Waco Wetlands

for a more secluded stroll.

Dr. Pepper Museum

: If you’re interested in history and manufacturing, check out the Dr. Pepper Museum ($10 admission fee).

Key Takeaway To stay fresh while driving, try to spend some time outdoors in the fresh air on each stopover.

Waco to Austin, TX

102 miles, 1 hour 36 minutes

It’s refreshing to be around people who take pride in their weirdness—and that’s Austin in a nutshell. With live music, art, great food, and natural beauty, you could easily spend a few days exploring this city. But if you’re only passing through, here’s what we recommend.

Get back onto I-35 S for Austin.

Where to eat in Austin

Evangeline Cafe

($$): Cajun food and live entertainment? Nothing could be better than this duo at Evangeline.

The Driskill

($$$): The Driskill is a nice place for an elevated bite to eat in a friendly atmosphere.

What to do in Austin

Hit the outdoors: The two best outdoor activities near Austin are

Butler Trail

and

McKinney Falls State Park

. The Butler Trail takes you near the river downtown and you may encounter bikers and joggers. McKinney Falls State Park is on the southern edge of town and has waterfalls, a 500-year-old cypress tree, and lovely trails (and bathrooms!).

Hope Gallery

: In town, look for the HOPE Outdoor Gallery to experience world-class graffiti and street art.

MORE:

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Austin to San Marcos, TX

31 miles, 35 minutes

San Marcos is situated right smack in the middle between Austin and San Antonio. The city is surrounded by natural beauty and has a burgeoning food scene. In other words, it is the perfect road trip destination!

Take I-35 S once again to arrive at your destination.

Where to eat in San Marcos

Mama Kat’s Restaurant

($$): A great stop for down-home American favorites. Save room for pie!

Wake the Dead Coffee House

($): All that driving got you tired out? Wake the Dead, as the name suggests, has all the caffeine you need.

What to do in San Marcos

Hays County Historic Courthouse

: This landmark is recognized by both the National Register of Historic Places and the Texas Historical Commission. Come here to admire the columns and the building’s history.

Go antiquing: In town, you should definitely set aside time to look for antiques. San Marcos has a storied history and you’re guaranteed to find some treasures left by generations past.

Antique Village

is a good place to start.

Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos

: The Hispanic heritage of San Marcos is prominent. Go to the Centro for a full understanding of the city’s history.

Meadows Center Boat Tours

: If Mother Nature is beckoning, take a glass-bottom boat tour on the San Marcos River. Get up close and personal by paddling, tubing, or even fly fishing. You can rent most of the necessary equipment from a number of vendors on site.

Key Takeaway San Marcos is the perfect road trip destination—kick back and relax!

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Tips for road-tripping in Texas

Texas

is a beautiful place for a road trip. Planning can help you avoid the worst pitfalls, like traffic jams and potholes on poor-quality roads. But it’s important to remember that you can’t plan for everything.

Extreme weather patterns are more and more common, and the combination of wind and rain can lead to unsafe driving conditions. If you find yourself in the middle of a storm, don’t be a hero. Play it safe, drive slowly, and pull over if you don’t feel confident navigating the roads.

Road trips are meant to be fun! With snacks,

games

, and

roadside assistance

on your side, it’ll be hard to go wrong.

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Why you need roadside assistance

Roadside assistance is the second best thing to a crystal ball. It doesn’t let you see into the future, but it does allow you to drive confidently knowing that you have protection just in case anything does happen.

A roadside assistance membership with

Jerry

is only $6.99 and it covers a variety of rescue services. You get towing coverage, fuel delivery, flat tire assistance, lockout assistance, and even Uber credits.

Before you hit the road, get Jerry’s roadside assistance. You’ll be glad you did.

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What's a good amount of car insurance coverage in Texas?

Finding cheap car insurance

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FAQs

How long is the drive to San Marcos from Dallas?

Nonstop, the drive between San Marcos and Dallas will take 3 ½ to 4 hours. With a few stops to explore towns and grab a meal, you can expect to complete the route in 6 to 8 hours.

How do I pack for a two-day road trip?

It all depends on the activities you’ve planned! If you plan to do light walking around urban areas, then a change of clothes and toiletries will suffice. However, if you plan to go rafting or hiking, you may need extra items. Either way, make sure you pack

road trip essentials

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