7 Activities
Road Trip From Dallas to Houston: Southern Charm and Texas History
Starts from
Dallas
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
7
Duration
11 hours
Length
191 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Dallas
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
11 hours
Length
191 mi
Courtney E. Smith
Travel Expert
- See some real Texas history in the historic town of Corsicana.
- Admire the stunningly large statue of one of Texas's most revered leaders.
- And eat some of the most well-known dishes in the state.
From the Texas oil boom to the first president of the Republic of Texas to one of the best plates of chicken fried steak in the state, this drive will help you get to know the state, from one end of I-45 to the other. A lot of people think there isn't much to see or do on this particular stretch of Texas highway, but there are some remarkable stops to make. Learn about the oil boomtown of Corsicana, Texas, when you check out the numerous monuments at their courthouse — one of the few that isn't on a historic square but is grand just the same. You'll also visit the official mascot of Texas.
And visit the much more official father of Texas with a stop at the giant statue. One of the more idiosyncratic stops is at Houston's Art Car museum. If you've never seen the Art Car parade, this collection will catch you up on what you've been missing. For lunch, enjoy a chicken fried steak at one of the gems of I-45, and for dinner, it's Tex Mex at one of Houston's most venerable restaurants.
And visit the much more official father of Texas with a stop at the giant statue. One of the more idiosyncratic stops is at Houston's Art Car museum. If you've never seen the Art Car parade, this collection will catch you up on what you've been missing. For lunch, enjoy a chicken fried steak at one of the gems of I-45, and for dinner, it's Tex Mex at one of Houston's most venerable restaurants.
Categories
From the Texas oil boom to the first president of the Republic of Texas to one of the best plates of chicken fried steak in the state, this drive will help you get to know the state, from one end of I-45 to the other. A lot of people think there isn't much to see or do on this particular stretch of Texas highway, but there are some remarkable stops to make. Learn about the oil boomtown of Corsicana, Texas, when you check out the numerous monuments at their courthouse — one of the few that isn't on a historic square but is grand just the same. You'll also visit the official mascot of Texas.
And visit the much more official father of Texas with a stop at the giant statue. One of the more idiosyncratic stops is at Houston's Art Car museum. If you've never seen the Art Car parade, this collection will catch you up on what you've been missing. For lunch, enjoy a chicken fried steak at one of the gems of I-45, and for dinner, it's Tex Mex at one of Houston's most venerable restaurants.
And visit the much more official father of Texas with a stop at the giant statue. One of the more idiosyncratic stops is at Houston's Art Car museum. If you've never seen the Art Car parade, this collection will catch you up on what you've been missing. For lunch, enjoy a chicken fried steak at one of the gems of I-45, and for dinner, it's Tex Mex at one of Houston's most venerable restaurants.
Courtney E. Smith
Travel Expert
- See some real Texas history in the historic town of Corsicana.
- Admire the stunningly large statue of one of Texas's most revered leaders.
- And eat some of the most well-known dishes in the state.
Day Itinerary
7 Activities
Day 1
191 mi0.5 mi
Oil Towns and Art Cars: Journey Through Texas
How well do you know Texas? This trip down I-45 is a rite of passage for many Texans, that takes them from the plains of north Texas to the piney woods of East Texas to the Gulf Shores near Houston, Texas. There's a lot to learn about the state along the way!
09:0030 min
Navarro County Courthouse
Capitol Building
Open Details
Corsicana is one of the first oil boomtowns in Texas. The town's Classical Revival-style courthouse was renovated fairly recently.
It's a unique building because it's one of the few courthouses not on a square, and stands imposingly on a block all its own. There are memorials on all four corners, so hop out of the car and stretch your legs exploring the courthouse.
The courthouse is closed for business on Saturday and Sunday, but it's free for all to walk around the courthouse square every day.
It's a unique building because it's one of the few courthouses not on a square, and stands imposingly on a block all its own. There are memorials on all four corners, so hop out of the car and stretch your legs exploring the courthouse.
The courthouse is closed for business on Saturday and Sunday, but it's free for all to walk around the courthouse square every day.
0.5 mi
10 min
09:4515 min
Palace Theatre
Theater
Open Details
When you're done with the courthouse, point yourself to the nearby historic downtown Corsicana. The red brick-paved roads will lead you to their gorgeous local theater, the Palace. The theater sits at the heart of the city's historic district. Start here and take a little walk around the block to get a sense of things.
33.8 mi
40 min
11:001 hr
Sam's Original
BBQ Joint
Open Details
Good food that isn't a fast-food chain is hard to come by on the drive down I-45.
Sam's is a beacon of Texas cooking, well known by those who make the trip often. The chicken fried steak is legendary, and the atmosphere is classic roadside Americana.
Sam's is a beacon of Texas cooking, well known by those who make the trip often. The chicken fried steak is legendary, and the atmosphere is classic roadside Americana.
56.5 mi
1 hr
13:0030 min
Buc-ee's
Convenience Store
Open Details
Buc-ee's is an institution in Texas, and stopping at one for gas and their expansive (and extremely clean!) restrooms is a rite of road trip passage. Grab a bag of "Beaver Nuggets" for the ride, you won't regret it.
31.4 mi
40 min
14:1530 min
Sam Houston Statue Visitor Center
Visitor Centre
Open Details
Driving south on I-45, the massive Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas and a former governor of the state, statue sneaks up on you. Some people, afraid they'll miss the giant spectacle honoring one of the fathers of Texas, pull over on the side of the highway to view it. That's not safe or recommended, so make sure you take exit 112 and get yourself to the visitor center. Once there, you can get a better angle for your selfie with Sam (a must!).
64.9 mi
1 hr 10 min
16:001 hr
Art Car Museum
Museum
Open Details
The annual Art Car parade is beloved by Houstonians. But if you can't come to town for the event, you can visit this museum with some of the most eye-catching Art Car entries in history.
You can only visit the museum by making an appointment online or by phone.
You can only visit the museum by making an appointment online or by phone.
5 mi
10 min
17:302 hrs
The Original Ninfa's
Mexican Restaurant
Open Details
Houston, Texas, has some of the best Tex-Mex in the state, and eating at the original Ninfa's is a must to experience it. It all started at Ninfa's with tacos al carbon (meat grilled over coal), so don't hesitate to order a classic.