From the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Michigan, this Houston to Chicago road trip serves as a grand tour of America’s heartland. You’ll explore some of North America’s most iconic cities, including New Orleans, Jackson, St. Louis, and Nashville. You’ll take in the country’s music history, fine art, and a lot of great food too.
Driving directly from Houston to Chicago takes about 16 hours, but there’s not much to do on that direct route. Little Rock,
are the only big-ticket places worth exploring. So we extended your trip a little bit so that you can take your family on a fun tour through America’s heartland.
For this trip, you’ll need great roadside assistance. With roadside assistance from
is a very cool city to start off an epic road trip adventure. There’s a lot to see and do in Space City, from world-class zoos and museums to some of the best eateries in all of Texas.
($$-$$$): It’s said that Ninfa’s can be credited with popularizing fajitas in Texas — and ultimately, in the United States. Eating here is basically a historical experience.
: The 55-acre Houston Zoo in Herman Park is home to more than 6,000 animals from over 900 species. The cost of admission is around $22, but it's worth a visit while you’re in town.
: You can’t leave Houston without visiting the NASA Space Center, which has served as a hub of space exploration for over 50 years.
Eat here: Like any big city in Texas, Houston has incredible food! Ninfa’s on Navigation Boulevard is said to be the birthplace of the fajita. Eugene’s Gulf Coast Cuisine serves up dishes that are local to the Gulf region. And if you’re in the mood for fine dining, be sure to try State of Grace, Turner’s, and Xochi.
. is a cool little town with some beautiful beaches, as well as some of America’s best Cajun food. If you’re not traveling with kids, the Lake Charles casinos are lots of fun, too. Just make sure you leave with enough money for the rest of your trip!
To get to Lake Charles, follow the I-10 E until you reach exit 29.
: Stop by the Mardi Gras Museum to learn about this Louisiana festival. Get a feeling of what the event is like, even if you don’t happen to be in town for it.
: If you want to try your luck at one of the casinos, we recommend you try out the Golden Nugget.
Stop in—New Orleans, LA
205 miles, 3.5 hours
New Orleans is one of those cities everyone should try to visit at least once in their lifetime. There is no place quite like The Big Easy. Lively music erupts from every corner. The buildings are staggeringly gorgeous. And the food? You’d be hard-pressed to find better eateries anywhere in the United States.
Continue on the I-10 E and take exit 234B to arrive in New Orleans.
: According to the hotel’s website, it’s been said that this location marks the beginning of the French Quarter of New Orleans. Quite the majestic place to stay in town. Cost per night: from $170.
($$): Get your fill of Cajun food at this world-famous eatery, then dance the night away on the dance floor inside.
What to do in New Orleans
Stroll the French Quarter: While visiting New Orleans, it’s only natural to want to B-line straight toward the legendary French Quarter. This is the spiritual home of jazz music, which echoes from every brick your feet touch. And the buildings are some of the most gorgeous structures you’ll find anywhere in North America.
: Hang out among ancient trees for a relaxing stroll through the Mississippi Petrified Forest. It’s bound to smell great there — like honeysuckle or pine and cedar, depending on where you are.
. Memphis is famous for its contributions to popular music, with a long list of globally famous musicians having been born here, from B.B. King to Elvis Presley to Justin Timberlake.
: The location of this hotel — just steps away from the famed Music Row — makes Hutton Hotel a great place for a night of rest. Cost per night: from $208
($): You might also consider paying a visit to Ed’s Fish and Pizza House. Just don’t expect to find pizza on the menu. Strange, we know. But if you don’t mind waiting in line for a while, get yourself a Whiting sandwich to go.
What to do in Nashville
For country music fans: For country music fans, the pilgrimage to Nashville is irresistible. From the
($): You definitely won’t go hungry visiting St. Louis. This city has a bustling food scene with every type of cuisine you can imagine. Try the staple sandwiches at Gioia’s Deli for a casual bite.
: St. Louis is home to the famous Gateway Arch, a 630-foot stainless steel monument. You can actually take a ride up into the arch itself and see a stunning view of St. Louis from the summit. If you’re not afraid of heights, this is something you definitely want to check out.
: Springfield is the hometown of America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. And the city celebrates his life just about everywhere you go, too. You’ll want to see the *Lincoln Tomb if you’re a history buff.
: Not sick of Lincoln-themed historical sites yet? This may be the most impressive one yet — it’s a reconstruction of the town that he lived in from 1831 to 1837.
You’ve reached the final destination on this epic Houston to Chicago road trip: Chicago. The Windy City is the third biggest metropolis in the United States, and it’s easy to spend a lot of time here. But there are some must-see locations every tourist needs to visit.
To get to Chicago, continue on the I-55 N and take exit 293A.
: Sleep in an art deco-style former office building to rest up after arriving at your destination. It’s at an intersection with eateries and shops, and it is a short walk from the L-train if you’re over driving for a bit. Cost per night: from $135.
($$-$$$): And don’t forget to gobble up some classic Chicago deep-dish pizza at Giordano’s! You’re in the land of deep-dish pizza, anyway. At least grab a pie for the road, although it’ll be best eaten fresh.
: Ferris Bueller fans should visit the Art Institute of Chicago and stare longingly at Georges Seurat’s "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte." Daydreaming about how angry your father will be about "borrowing" his Ferrari is optional.
Travel time: Let’s take the scenic route, shall we? This brief three-hour trip concludes on the final stretch of The Mother Road, Route 66. You can take Interstate 55 to get to Chicago a little quicker, but where’s the fun in that?
Why you need roadside assistance
Like with any big road trip, you’ll want to make sure your car is in good shape before you start driving. Check your oil, top off your fluids, and make sure your tires and brakes are in good order. And if a roadside emergency does happen, having roadside assistance you can rely on will really save your whole vacation.
app offers a roadside assistance program that will keep you and your family safe from the Houston bayou to the bay buildings of Chicago. With fuel delivery, tire assistance, battery services, towing, and more, Jerry’s roadside assistance will be standing by 24/7 to help you out of an otherwise nerve-racking roadside crisis.
Finding cheap car insurance
And hey, since you’re downloading the Jerry app and signing up already (it takes less than a minute to register), why not take the opportunity to shop for car insurance? Jerry will gather up to 50 car insurance quotes for you to browse.
And when you find a plan you like, Jerry can eliminate the paperwork and phone calls and even cancel your old policy for you!
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