Travel from Dallas to Fredericksburg when you’re ready to experience some scenic views and roads. A trip to Texas isn’t complete unless you stop in Fredericksburg. The town is centrally positioned just an hour outside of Austin and San Antonio, and it is a lovely trip from almost any place in the state. The Texas Hill Country is a terrific family trip with plenty of places to unwind. Everybody can enjoy Texas Hill Country’s small-town charm and laid-back lifestyle; beautiful countryside views, agriculture, rivers, ponds, orchards, native flora, and rolling hills are available.
This road trip has something for everyone, from country stores to dancing halls to museums. And this is one of the best drives you should not miss! In this post, we’ve prepared a list of gorgeous drives you’ll pass through on your journey to Fredericksburg. It would be best if you allow at least two days to ensure you don’t miss anything along the route.
Highlights
Table Of Contents
- Texas Hill Country
- Devil’s Backbone
- Ranch Road 1
Day 1
437 mi — about 8 hours, 2 mins
Dallas, TX to the Texas Hill Country
Begin your adventure in Dallas. Dallas is a lovely colossal metropolis. There is no shortage of sights to see in Dallas, whether you take a lunch break picnicking along Turtle Creek or spend your weekend appreciating botanical perfection at the Dallas Arboretum. There are many unique spots to see in Dallas. There’s stunning architecture, lush natural settings, lovely water and fountain regions, and breathtaking scenery. Continue to the Texas Hill Country. Spend most of your day traveling along this gorgeous road, taking in the stunning scenery.
The degraded ruins of the Edwards Plateau lie draped across the rolling hills west of Austin. The landscape features stunning limestone cliffs, steep bluffs, gorges, and tranquil lakes, and the possibility of seeing white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, armadillos, and endangered songbirds that call this area home. You’ll also see Mexican, Native American, Spanish, Italian, and German influences on the region’s ranching traditions, architecture, gastronomy, and winemaking.
If you’re visiting Austin for the first time, there’s a lot to see and do. Stop into the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum for an interactive look at the “Story of Texas.” Alternatively, go to the Texas State Capitol Building, built by architect Elijah E. Myers and finished in 1888. The outer walls are “sunset red” granite quarried just 50 miles away. Austin has plenty to offer everyone. Take in a concert, shop at the quirky boutiques, peruse art galleries, or delve into some Texas BBQ in this city known as the “Live Music Capital of the World.”
As you leave the city behind, you’ll see distant views of the Edwards Plateau. The road climbs above the plateau’s limestone cliffs about 19 miles from the start of the drive. Once an ancient seafloor, the brittle limestone is littered with skeletons, marine fossils, and shells. You won’t be able to see everything in one day, so stop in Pipe Creek and continue your journey the next day.
Day 2
172 mi — about 3 hours, 35 mins
Texas Hill Country to Devil’s Backbone
Continue to Devil’s Backbone on day 2. This Loop drives through the eroding Edwards Plateau of the Texas Hill Country. It not only offers spectacular views of the 400-mile-long Balcones Fault, expansive rolling hills, and curvy roads but is also peppered with ghost stories and apparitions of Spanish monks, Native Americans, Confederate soldiers, and others.
From the Texas Hill Country trip, take US-281 south from Johnson City. Turn left onto Farm Road 32, about 3 miles south of Blanco, crossing undulating hills and ranches. For the next several miles, admire the effects of erosion on the limestone hills, which are evidence of the area’s volcanic past. When you reach Farm Road 3424, turn south towards Canyon Lake State Park. Canyon Lake has 80 miles of shoreline and is one of Texas’ deepest lakes. It is a recreation haven with eight public parks.
Return to Farm Road 32 and stop at the Devil’s Backbone Overlook on the north side of the road. Rolling hills and sweeping valleys filled with oak, juniper, and cactus are ideal for a picnic and photography. After a few miles, turn left onto Farm Road 12, which leads to the charming town of Wimberley. The city boasts many historic buildings, art galleries, unique shops, restaurants, and lodgings. Visit one of the many vineyards in Texas to sample the “terroir.”
Head west on Farm Road 2325 from Wimberley for more scenic views. At the end of Farm Road 2325, move left onto Farm Road 165, which will take you back to Blanco and the finish of our magnificent trip. Visit the Old Blanco Courthouse, one of the most remarkable specimens of late-nineteenth-century architecture. Consider stopping at Blanco State Park. Despite its tiny size (110 acres), the park offers swimming, hiking, camping, and fishing for rainbow trout, largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish.
Devil’s Backbone to Ranch Road 1
Still on Day 2 is Ranch Road 1. Ranch Road 1 is a beautiful stroll through the country that follows the banks of the Pedernales River and passes through Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park. It is ten minutes from downtown Fredericksburg and two minutes from Wildseed Farms. Awe is one of the simplest and quickest methods to feel present. If you want to live in the now, Ranch Road 1 provides free and easy access to wonder-making changes around every turn.
Ranch Road 1 to Fredericksburg
The area around Fredericksburg is called “The Texas Hill Country.” It boasts a lovely, diverse terrain with rolling limestone hills, clean rivers and streams, and various fauna. Fredericksburg boasts many things to see and do in a tiny town. Whether you want to explore the incredible beauty of the Texas Hill Country or find the perfect gift in a Main Street boutique, Fredericksburg offers more fun than you have on vacation.
You can also visit the Willow City Loop. The Willow City Loop is roughly 15 miles long and looks spectacular in March and April when wild bluebonnets, Texas’ state flower, bloom. Indian paintbrushes, coreopsis, phlox, sunflowers, Mexican poppies, fire wheels, winecups, yellow and white daisies, horsemint, verbena, and other plants. It’s roughly 13 miles from Fredericksburg, off SR 16. Cows frequently graze alongside the road, so keep an eye out for any crossing livestock. All year, the vistas are spectacular, with undulating hills and deep, craggy gorges visible.
You can also see rugged cliffs and meandering streams. Snacks are available at Harry’s on the Loop. Don’t forget about the Enchanted Rock. This massive pink granite rock stands 425 feet above the earth and occupies an area of 640 acres. The Tonkawa Indians believed it possessed spiritual qualities, and a cave was within it. There have been finds of artifacts dating back up to 11,000 years, and it’s only around 20 minutes from Fredericksburg. Camping is permitted, and many visitors enjoy stargazing or rock climbing. A nature trail, exhibits on the area’s history and ecology, a picnic area, and a park store are all available. Have a wonderful stay in Fredericksburg.
FAQs
Distance from Dallas to Fredericksburg TX
The distance from Dallas to Fredericksburg, TX is about 261 miles if you take the I-35 S. This is about 4 hr 15 min driving time. If you take the US-67 S and TX-16 S/N State Hwy 16 the total distance is 249 miles, which in kilometers is about 401 km.
Dallas to Fredericksburg drive time
The drive time from Dallas to Fredericksburg is between 4 and a quarter hours and just over 8 hours, depending on your route.
