Texas is an ideal pick if you are looking for a car trip with your family or friends. Or alone in case you are fond of solo tours! In each case, the state offers a wide choice of possibilities to all travelers thanks to its broad geographical territory and multiple car routes. If you decide to cross Texas in a car, believe us, you will get plenty of unforgettable memories!
However, if you have never traveled to Texas or across it, you are definitely curious about how long it takes to drive to Texas. And surely you would like to know how long it might take you to drive across Texas!
So today we have prepared a complete and very informative guide for you on how much time you will need to get through the Lone Star state, as well as how fast it is possible to get there in a car. We will also share a few handy tips with you on what to visit while being there, and what to take into consideration so that your trip turns out to be easy and fun.
How Long Does It Take to Drive to Texas?
The answer to this question will be the following: the number of hours will depend on where you are starting from. For instance, if you are driving to Texas from California, it will take you a bit more than twenty three hours if you will be driving at the speed of sixty eight miles per hour. But if you are starting your trip from, let’s say, Florida, you will spend seventeen hours and forty four minutes to get to the Lone Star state.
If you want to know precisely how many hours it will take you to drive to Texas, we recommend using special online route calculators. These programs can be installed on your mobile phone so that you will be able to figure out the amount of time needed for getting to Texas from where you are now.
Also, another benefit of such apps is that they allow you to figure out what optimal speed you need to drive at, and how many kilometers you need to cover daily to get to Texas. It can be especially handy if you are not just driving there for fun but if this is a business trip and you must be there by the precise time and date!
But in most cases, people are way more interested in how much time it takes to cross Texas rather than how soon you will be able to get there in a car. So below you will find detailed information on the amount of time needed for driving through this state, as well as some useful information regarding the route tips and recommendations.
How Long Does It Take to Cross Texas?
If you need to know how long to drive through Texas, the approximate timing will be from ten to thirteen hours. To be precise, it will take you closer to ten hours to cross the state in a car if you take the shortest route which is along the highway 1-10. However, if you decide to drive more scenic routes, for instance, Route 66 or the Blue WaterHighway, expect to spend nearly thirteen hours or even more on driving.
In case you need to spend as little time on crossing Texas as possible, we would recommend you take Highway I-10 that connects El Paso with Houston. If you drive this road, the time to drive across Texas will be around ten hours for you. But to manage to cover the distance for this amount of time, you will have to drive at the constant speed limit of sixty five miles per hour.
In addition, this is not just the fastest route (and the shortest one at nearly 746 miles), it is also quite rich in historical heritage and interesting locations to visit. So even if you are driving with your family or friends, you will have enough possibilities to enjoy more than just picturesque landscapes!
There are, of course, other ways through Texas that are more lengthy, but it is definitely worth it! If you, for example, drive from Amarillo, and you are going to visit South Padre Island, you might want to take routes 27, 20, 84, 10, 37, or 77. They are longer than the one we described above, but they also have plenty of interesting sights to visit.
Best Texas Driving Route You Should Consider
When thinking of driving across theLone Star state, most of us imagine lone planes, cowboys, and wild horses roaming around. However, Texas has many more things to offer except for that!
However, before you start driving, we strongly recommend you plan your route. First of all, it will help you to make a route that will be optimal for you and for the goals of your trip. Since Texas is known for its vast landmasses, it is almost impossible to drive through it without any obstacles!
So if you are travelling with your family and kids, you might want to choose a shorter way that has plenty of tourist spots and excellent stops on the way. And if you are travelling alone, you might want to take a road that will allow you to fully enjoy the lone ambience of the Wild West. Also, it is important that you consider the capacity of your car. It will influence the choice of the road as well. However, there are a few car routes in Texas that you should consider taking before others!
Route 66
If you decide to drive through Texas and you want to get the maximum out of this trip, our suggestion will be to take the famous Route 66! Most people talk about the feeling of that particular ambience that can be felt in Texas only.
Believe us, if you take Route 66, you will not only experience that incredible feeling, but you will also be able to visit many more interesting spots this state has to offer to its guests! Besides, the Texas part of this road will take you only three hours to drive which is not that long.
When driving Route 66, you will visit the city of Amarillo with its shops, restaurants, and night views. There will also be Glenrio, a ghost town that looks exactly like the setting for the post apocalyptic movie!
Also, you should not skip the Cadillac Ranch if driving through Texas along Route 66. This historical art piece is an absolutely fantastic place where ten Cadillacs are half-buried! Remember to take a few cans with spray paint with you before going there since you might want to join other visitors and repaint those old cars to give them a new life!
Blue Water Highway
In case you are more into solo trips along the ocean, choose one of the car routes from San Antonio to Corpus Cristi, and Corpus Cristi to Galveston. And don’t forget to take the Blue Water Highway! Believe it or not, even such a long car trip will seem shorter if you drive along the elongated road with the ocean coast at the side.
Route 27
If you are an extremist who enjoys driving or hiking in landscapes, you will definitely appreciate Route 27 to the Palo Duro Canyon State Park! And after you are done conquering the canyon, take Interstate 86 and proceed to Caprock Canyons State Park and Trail.
With these few suggestions on what routes to take to drive your car through Texas, you will already be prepared for an exciting and scenic trip along the Lone Star state.
Speed Limits In Texas You Should Know About!
Whenever we are going to another place that we are not quite familiar with, no matter whether it is another state or another country, we must be aware of the rules that we have to follow there. With driving to Texas it is all the same.
The authorities of this state are quite strict when it comes to speed limits, for example, so you must drive carefully within the allowed speed range. Also, you should avoid parking fines in many parts of the Lone Star state.
As for the speed limits, it is not that easy in Texas, by the way. See, such limitations are not the same around the state! They have different variations depending on what region or road you are driving. When driving through Texas, just keep in mind one simple thing: all routes and roads in this state have their default limits called Prima Facie. So avoid speeding up in order just to make the time you need for crossing the state shorter!
Now, let’s go back to that Prima Facie stuff. This type of limit depends on what kind of road the driver is taking. For major highways and Interstates, a 70 miles-per-hour limitation is implemented. In case you exceed it, it may cost you quite a sum of money!
The driving laws don’t only apply to major roads, but to residential streets and alleys, as well. For example, in Texas you can’t speed up near schools and hospitals.
In case you did break the speed limit in Texas (no matter by accident or not), you will have to pay a fine of 101 dollars. Even if this is your first warning! And if you are unlucky to break this rule for the second time, you will pay up to 1200 bucks for your sins! Yep, Texas police are merciless when it comes to the outlaws who break their rules on the roads.
Handy Tips On Driving Across Texas
The guarantee of a successful and fun road trip is knowing certain useful tips that will help you to make your journey exciting instead of turning it into a challenging survival! As for the road trip across Texas, there are a few such recommendations that every traveller must keep in mind.
- Consider the climate and weather
- Get a car with good air conditioning
- Get proper clothes with you
- Stock up on hydrating fluids and snacks
- Remember to take a first aid kit with you!
And now let’s take a closer look at each of these suggestions. First of all, the weather and climate are very unstable in Texas ranging from dry to semi-arid. Some regions of this state have very severe winters, others are known for exceptionally dry and hot summers.
The northern plains, for example, get only the minimal amount of precipitation annually, while the eastern part of the state (which is a subtropical area, by the way) receives quite a significant amount of rain every year.
This is why, if you are travelling across Texas, keep in mind what months are best to be avoided. We would not recommend you drive there in April and May, and also in June since the suburban areas will be exceptionally rainy during these months. And as you know, heavy rains may increase traffic congestion which will make you spend way more time crossing the Lone Star state.
If you are going to drive through Texas in summer, consider renting a car with a good air conditioning system, otherwise, you will simply not be able to survive there! In summer, its climate can be quite hot, especially in northern areas, having on average 64 degrees.
Also, it will be very good if you stock up some water and other hydrating drinks, as well as snacks since Texas has many long roads where you will have to wait for quite a long time before the next cafe!
And finally, toss the first aid kit and a gallon of gas into your car. Those might become very helpful, especially if you plan to go camping!
So now you are fully equipped and informed for getting ready for a road trip across Texas! This state is indeed a marvelous location for car travellers, but you will be able to fully enjoy it only if you are well prepared for the trip. Luckily, with our tips and suggestions, your car adventure can only be fun and pleasure!
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