15 Stops on the Ultimate Texas to Florida Road Trip
It should be no surprise that I love a great road trip. After taking a five-day road trip through New England and a week-long trek across Connecticut, I’ve been itching to hit the road again. This time, I hit the open road and took a memorable Texas to Florida road trip that I can’t wait for you to take too.
Along the way, this road trip takes you to unique spots and charming small towns that are sure to make your journey fly by.
My husband and I both teach, so we have some free time in the summer. I convinced him to take a Texas to Florida road trip with me by promising not to have every moment planned.
On this trip, we stopped (a lot) when we saw something interesting, allowing us to find the best places for a quick break, a delightful meal, and rest for the night.
I have a complete itinerary for you to take this epic road trip using what we discovered. It’s filled with offbeat attractions, lots of food, and delightful encounters with local culture. There are so many things to love about this road trip from Texas to Florida, so pack up the car, and let’s hit the road.
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How Long is the Texas to Florida Trip?
This road trip begins in historic San Antonio, deep in the heart of Texas, and ends in Florida’s gorgeous 30A, between Destin and Panama City.
The total distance is 818 miles, following Interstate 10 the entire trip. I’m not about getting you lost on the back roads; I want you to have the best places to stop between Texas and Florida.
You can easily follow this same route if you leave from Austin or Houston.
If you leave from Dallas or Fort Worth, start along I-20 and join this road trip in Baton Rouge.
This leisurely-paced road trip took three full days and two overnight stays.
It is possible to skip the second night stay in Mobile. You will have a longer second-day drive and might miss stops that close for the evening. The nice thing about this road trip is that it is totally customizable to you.
Texas to Florida Road Trip Stops – Day One
Day 1 – San Antonio to Baton Rouge
If you are flying into San Antonio to begin this trip, use my two days in San Antonio guide to have an amazing time in the Alamo City before hitting the road to Florida.
You will want a hearty breakfast before getting on the road. Nothing beats the breakfast tacos in San Antonio. Stop at popular taco stops on I-10 like Las Palapas or Bill Miller’s for a barbacoa or potato and egg taco. Make sure you ask for the salsa to go on top.
Day 1 Stop #1 – Luling Lavender Fields – Luling, Texas
Luling Lavender Fields is a family-owned agritourism business located outside Luling, Texas. At first, when we pulled into the parking lot, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The quaint shop is in a small building with lavender fields off to the right.
The farm features an incredible twelve acres of land, two acres planted with over 2,000 lavender plants in several varieties. Even if the lavender is not in bloom, you should still visit the store on your Texas to Florida road trip.
The charming store is brimming with various delightful lavender items and distinctive household products. It smells so amazing inside that even my husband commented.
The farm is pet-friendly and perfect for a road trip stop. You can take a leisurely stroll through the fragrant fields as you stretch your legs. Snap some incredible photos if the lavender is in bloom.
Even if it’s inconvenient to purchase a lavender plant for the road, the store has a wide range of lavender-related products, including lavender soda and ice cream.
Luling Lavender Fields is open year-round from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Distance from San Antonio to Luling Lavender Farms – 63 miles
Day 1 Stop #2 – Prasek’s Family Smokehouse – Sealy, Texas
I love stopping at Buc-ee’s on road trips, but sometimes, they are so crowded you can’t even get into the parking lot, which led us to Prasek’s Family Smokehouse.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised by this family-owned shop, which is larger than expected.
They have snacks, cheeses, spices, drinks, and homemade Czech pastries like kolaches. Everything we normally get at Buc-ee’s, we found here, including jerky. The mouthwatering smoked meats and jerky line the back wall in every imaginable flavor.
You can even order a hot lunch at the deli counter, eat inside the dining area, or take it to go.
Not only will you find various foods and literal vats of freshly brewed tea and coffee, but you will also find a women’s boutique, fishing gear, and a complete Yeti collection inside.
Finally, you will be happy to know they sell gas and even have a ton of clean bathrooms.
Distance from Luling Lavender Farms to Prasek’s Family Smokehouse- 87 miles
Day 1 Stop #3 – Louisiana I-10 East Welcome Center – Vinton, Louisiana
You might notice that we pass through Houston on this road trip, but don’t stop. Houston is a sprawling metropolis that requires at least a weekend to explore fully. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the Houston Space Center, enjoy a Houston Astros baseball game, and discover countless other attractions.
Now that your car is full of gas and your belly is happy, zoom through Texas to the Eastbound Louisiana Welcome Center. The welcome center is the first exit after you pass the Louisiana state line.
This stop is a pleasant surprise along the Texas to Florida road trip.
You can enjoy the nature trail overlooking the beautiful lake, picnic areas, a large Visitor’s Center with complimentary coffee, interactive exhibits, vending machines, and clean bathrooms.
Check out the interactive exhibits. One lets you take a free photo with Louisiana frames and filters and email it to yourself for a Louisiana keepsake. We weren’t prepared to take pics, but we had fun playing with it.
The Louisiana Welcome Center is open year-round, except for major holidays from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Distance from Prasek’s Family Smokehouse to Louisiana Welcome Center – 169 miles
Day 1 Stop #4 – Horseshoe Lake Charles Hotel & Casino- Westlake, Louisiana
This Texas to Florida road trip is geared toward adults traveling without children, as evidenced by our next two stops.
I don’t mind trying my luck now and then, so our next stop is Caesar’s Horseshoe Casino. You can keep driving if gambling is not your thing.
Stopping at the casino gives you time to get out, walk around, and stretch your legs. Depending on the time and how lucky you are, you can book a room and stay for the night in the casino hotel.
The Louisiana casinos are similar to those in Las Vegas but without as much fanfare.
Not too lucky on this trip; we didn’t stay long!
Distance from Louisiana Welcome Center to Caesar’s Horseshoe – 27 miles
Day 1 Stop #5 – Bayou Rum Distillery – Lacassine, Louisiana
This next stop is tricky since you pass it on the highway and then have to loop back to get to it.
The Bayou Rum Distillery is a pleasant surprise, though. The distillery is as beautiful as the ones we toured on our Kentucky Bourbon Trail trip.
Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, this distillery offers tours and tastings for visitors to experience their handcrafted, pot-distilled, and gluten-free rum products.
The distillery uses locally grown sugarcane from southern Louisiana and molasses from the oldest family-owned and operated sugar mill in the US.
They are open Tuesday – Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
For roadtrippers looking for a unique stop, Bayou Rum Distillery offers a chance to explore the flavors and traditions of Louisiana. It is a great road trip stop to support local businesses and discover the rich heritage of rum-making in the region.
Distance from Caesar’s Horseshoe to Bayou Rum Distillery- 20 miles
Best Place to Stay on Texas to Florida Road Trip – Night One
Baton Rouge, Louisana – Courtyard by Marriott
We chose to stay in Downtown Baton Rouge at the Courtyard by Marriott. It is convenient to I-10, clean, and located near popular Baton Rouge attractions.
On day one of the Texas to Florida road trip, you will travel about 475 miles with five fun stops, making time pass by quickly.
You will also drive over miles of bridges, including the third-longest bridge in the United States, the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, also known as the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge. This two-lane, eighteen-mile bridge crosses the Atchafalaya swamp land and has two exits.
Distance from Bayou Rum Distillery to Courtyard Marriott Baton Rouge Downtown – 109 miles
Texas to Florida Road Trip Stops – Day Two
Day 2 – Baton Rouge, LA to Mobile, AL
Wake up refreshed and ready to hit the road. Grab a coffee from the on-site Starbucks at Courtyard, pack your bags, and start the day. Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, has so many exciting places to visit; you can spend a whole day here, but for this trip, we’ll visit just two.
I recommend you drive along River Road to get to LSU. You will travel along the giant Mississippi River, where you can stop for some fun photo ops.
Day 2, Stop #1 – LSU Tiger Stadium
My husband is a Texas high school football coach. We cannot go to Baton Rouge and not visit “Death Valley,” the nickname given to Louisiana State University’s football stadium.
Known as one of the greatest venues to play football, both pro or college, the 100,000-capacity LSU Tiger Stadium is a must-visit for any football fan. You can take a guided stadium tour for $10, look around the exterior, and visit the Mike, the tiger mascot’s facility and gift shop next door.
Distance from Courtyard Marriott to LSU Tiger Stadium – 3.6 miles
After visiting Tiger Stadium, head to Coffee Call, one of Baton Rouge’s best coffee houses.
The menu isn’t extensive, but you really are only here for one thing, a Louisiana favorite, mouthwatering, powder sugar-dusted beignets.
Day 2, Stop #2 – Houmas House and Gardens
Did you know Mississippi River Road is over seventy miles long, running from Baton Rouge to New Orleans? Along that road, you will find countless sugar plantations, many of which have been restored and are open to the public.
The Houmas House and Gardens is one such plantation.
Although no one will dispute the atrocities of slavery on the plantations, the grandeur of the antebellum homes also cannot be denied.
The gardens at the Houmas House remind me of the serenity of a Japanese tea garden, similar to the Sunken Gardens in San Antonio. The water features, the Japanese-style garden house, the florals, and the wildlife create a zen-like environment that, if it weren’t for the sweltering heat, I could have enjoyed for hours.
The grounds are free to roam, but you must purchase a Houmas House Plantation Guided house tour to enter the home.
In addition to the home and gardens, the Houmas House also houses The Great River Road museum, a bar, a gift shop, and several restaurants. You can also book a room at the Inn at Houmas House Estates.
Distance from Coffee Call to Houmas House – 26.5 miles
Day 2, Stop #3 – New Orleans Bourbon Street
A Texas to Florida road trip would not be complete without a stop in New Orleans. Although I encourage you to spend at least one day in New Orleans, if an hour or two is all you can spare, make it lunch in the French Quarter.
New Orleans is filled with so many excellent restaurants it will be hard to choose just one.
I recommend Olde NOLA Cookery for authentic Louisiana-style cuisine, the Court of Two Sisters for a full-on jazz brunch, or Gallier’s Restaurant and Oyster Bar for seafood.
Distance from Houmas House to Bourbon St., New Orleans – 59 miles
Day 2, Stop #4 – Mississippi Visitor’s Center & INFINITY Science Center
State Visitor Centers are usually chock full of great information and quirky things you might not find elsewhere. We found that true at almost all of the state centers we stopped, except for the Mississippi Welcome Center. Honestly, it is a bit underwhelming in comparison to others.
However, just behind the Welcome Center is the INFINITY Science Center, which is 100% worth a visit.
Conveniently located just off the interstate, this incredible attraction boasts a range of interactive and immersive exhibits.
Explore the center’s interactive displays and simulations, learn about cutting-edge space research, and experience the thrill of being an astronaut! From informative presentations to exhilarating virtual reality experiences, the INFINITY Science Center offers a nice break along your Texas to Florida road trip.
The INFINITY Science Center offers a self-guided experience for visitors, and they suggest giving yourself at least two hours to see everything.
The Science Center is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 14. Service animals are allowed.
Distance from Bourbon St., New Orleans, to INFINITY Science Center – 45 miles
Day 2, Stop #4 – Biloxi, MS, and Alabama State Visitor Center
By this time on your road trip, you may be ready to head to the hotel for the night; however, if you still have some go, you can make a pitstop in Biloxi, MS, for dinner and some gambling.
After seeing billboards for the “Best Buffet in Mississippi,” we decided to stop at the Palace Hotel and Casino and check it out. Unless you are dying to gamble, I would skip this stop and have a nice dinner in Mobile.
On the way to tonight’s accommodations, you will also pass the Alabama state line, where you can find another state Welcome Center worth stopping for.
You will also find a giant fiberglass-painted oyster shell. These large painted shells represent the importance of oysters to Mobile Bay. There are twenty-five of them in and around the Mobile area. Together, they make up The Oyster Trail, a series of informative shells meant to raise awareness.
Your last stop for day two is the Fort Conde Inn in Downtown Mobile, Alabama.
This charming and historic place to stay will be a highlight of your road trip from Texas to Florida.
Distance from INFINITY Science Center to Fort Conde Inn – 103 miles
Best Place to Stay on Texas to Florida Road Trip – Night Two
Fort Conde Inn – Mobile, AL
Staying at the Fort Conde Inn is like stepping back in time. Each room is elegantly furnished with a perfect blend of modern amenities and timeless decor.
Initially built in the 1800s as a private residence, the inn is now a meticulously restored boutique hotel.
Conveniently located off Interstate 10, the Fort Conde Inn is a peaceful and historic escape where you can soak in Southern charm and a hospitable atmosphere.
It is surprisingly affordable too.
The inn is located in historic Fort Conde Village. I especially enjoyed walking the cobblestone streets at night, led by gaslit lampposts similar to the ones found in Colonial Williamsburg. The inn’s restaurant is conveniently located across the street and serves all meals.
Texas to Florida Road Trip Stops – Day Three
Day 3 – Mobile, AL to Seaside, FL
By day three, you will no doubt be ready to get to the ocean, and you will be rewarded when you see the Emerald Coast this afternoon. But first, head to breakfast at one of our favorites on this road trip, The Ruby Slipper.
Day 3, Stop #1 – The Ruby Slipper
No road trip is complete without a hearty breakfast, and The Ruby Slipper is the perfect destination to fuel up for the day ahead.
You will love its Southern cuisine and homestyle cooking. This popular eatery offers a range of specialty dishes that satisfy any traveler’s appetite.
But it’s not just the mouthwatering food that makes The Ruby Slipper a must-visit on a Texas to Florida road trip. The bustling and inviting atmosphere, friendly service, and homey decor create a warm and welcoming experience that will make you feel right at home.
Ruby Slipper feels like a family-owned restaurant but is a chain located all across the Gulf Coast. Try the Chicken St. Charles, fried chicken served over homemade biscuits with poached eggs and pork tasso cream sauce, or stick with a proper Southern breakfast that combines the best of the South, including creamy grits and fried green tomatoes.
Distance from Fort Conde Inn to Ruby Slipper – .5 miles
Day 3 Stop #2 – USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park
On a road trip from Texas to Florida, visiting the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is a fantastic pit stop that should not be missed.
The park’s mission is to educate the public about the contributions and sacrifices made by veterans across all branches of the United States Armed Services.
You can explore the impressive USS ALABAMA battleship and other military aircraft and vehicles on display.
With its rich history, educational exhibits, and breathtaking displays, visiting the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is an ideal stop on your Texas to Florida road trip.
Distance from Ruby Slipper to USS ALABAMA Battleship – 3 miles
Day 3 Stop #3 – Fairhope, AL
I absolutely love small towns, so I wanted to make sure we stopped in Fairhope, Alabama. It is a charming and picturesque town that is slightly out of the way but makes an idyllic stop on a Texas to Florida road trip.
Situated on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, Fairhope is a beautiful spot that oozes natural beauty and small-town charm. With its stunning waterfront parks, quaint downtown, and relaxed atmosphere, it’s no wonder that Fairhope is nicknamed “The Jewel of the Eastern Shore.”
Many shops, restaurants, and galleries will be along their flag-flying flower-filled downtown.
If you are ready for lunch, stop at Panini Pete’s Cafe & Market for everything from homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches to classic comfort foods like burgers, pizzas, and pasta. Don’t leave without trying the “Hip-Hip” beignets, a slight twist of traditional beignets but served with lemon. Yum!
Whether looking for a place to stretch your legs, take in beautiful scenery, or experience small-town charm, Fairhope is an excellent stop on a Texas to Florida road trip.
Distance from USS ALABAMA Battleship to Fairhope, AL- 20 miles
Day 3 Stop #4 – Florida Welcome Center I-10
You are approaching the last stop on this Texas to Florida road trip. The Official Florida Visitors Center on I-10 is a must-visit destination. This center serves as the perfect gateway to Florida.
Upon arrival at the center, you’ll be greeted by friendly and helpful staff knowledgeable about Florida’s countless attractions and iconic sites.
As a bonus, you’ll receive a complimentary glass of delicious orange juice, a refreshing pick-me-up that’s a Florida staple. The center also features spotlessly clean restrooms.
One of the center’s best features is the enormous amount of free information available. You can grab maps, brochures, and pamphlets for the top destinations, including its world-famous beaches, lively cities, and theme parks.
The Florida Visitors Center offers a fantastic chance to pause your journey, sip on refreshing orange juice, and explore Florida’s distinctive attractions and culture.
Distance from Fairhope, AL to Florida Visitor’s Center- 40 miles
Day 3 Stop #5 – Arrive in Seaside, FL
Seaside, Florida, is the perfect finale for a Texas to Florida road trip. Nestled on 30A’s Emerald Coast, Seaside boasts pristine white sand beaches, vibrant pastel-colored cottages, and a relaxed atmosphere that epitomizes the best of beachside living.
Seaside’s main attraction is undoubtedly its breathtaking beach. With crystal-clear turquoise waters and sugar-white sands, the beach offers the perfect setting for relaxation after several days in the car.
You will find so many things to do in 30A, the part of the Florida coast that stretches from Destin to Panama City. There are several fantastic state parks, outstanding restaurants, boutique shops, and numerous outdoor activities, including visiting Crab Island in Destin for a fun boating excursion.
You may struggle to think about leaving and returning home on your road trip from Florida to Texas. I know I did!
Distance from Florida Visitor’s Center to Seaside, FL- 111 miles
Plan your Texas to Florida Adventure
As your Texas to Florida road trip concludes in 30A and the charming town of Seaside, you will have experienced the thrill of the open road. But let this be the beginning of your endless adventures.
Beyond the end of your road trip, Florida has so much more to offer.
You can venture across the state to view the glistening Atlantic Ocean, immerse yourself in the tropical paradise of Key West, discover the magic of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or indulge in the enchantment of Orlando’s theme parks.
So, let this road trip be the catalyst for further exploration. Keep driving, keep exploring, and let the road be your guide to new and exciting experiences.
