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Are you planning to drive to Colorado from Texas but you don’t know what route to take? Although there are many choices, the best way has the most amazing views and has great places to visit while you’re on a road trip, right?
Well, you’re lucky because, in this guide, I will detail for you the 3 best road trip routes when driving from Texas to Colorado.
- Dallas, Texas to Pueblo, CO via Hwy 287, 385 and CO 50
- Dallas Texas to Colorado Springs, CO via I-20, Hwy 87, I-25
- Houston, Texas to Denver, CO via I45, I25 and I-70
Coming from Dallas Texas, your first route is towards Wichita Falls, Amarillo, Springfield, then Pueblo. The second route is towards Abilene, Canyon, Campo, then Colorado Springs. Lastly is towards Lubbock, Canyon, Dalhart, Trinidad, then Buena Vista. Depending on which of these routes you take, driving can take up to 15 hours without traffic.
Considering it’s going to be a long drive, it’s important to know where you can stop over to eat or rest and that’s what I’m going to share with you now. I’ll let you know where you can find a good stopover in each route you’ll take.
So, make sure to keep on reading this guide as it is full of great recommendations. It will help you to make your trip a fun and enjoyable experience.
For other road trip tips and ideas, read our other posts:
- 95 Fun Road Trip Trivia Questions and Answers (Family Car Ride Questions)
- 35+ Yummy Road Trip Lunch Ideas
- How to Rent an RV for an Epic Road Trip: Helpful Beginner’s Guide
Table of Contents
Route from Dallas, Texas to Pueblo, CO
Travel time: 14 hours and 9 minutes drive (with no traffic)
Distance: 842 miles
The route will take you through interesting places in Texas and through the Eastern Plains of Colorado. You will follow highway 287 from Dallas to Amarillo, where you start heading directly north for the border of Colorado. The final stop in this itinerary is Pueblo but I suggest you stay in Pueblo as a jumping-off point to visit southcentral Colorado.
For example, the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve are only 2 hours from Pueblo. Canyon City and the Royal Gorge are less than an hour west of Pueblo. Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods are an hour further north on I-25.
Taking this route will see these waypoints:
- Dallas, Texas
- Wichita Falls, Texas
- Amarillo, Texas
- Springfield, Colorado
- Pueblo, Colorado
First Stop: Wichita Falls, Texas
Wichita Falls is located in northern Texas between Dallas and Oklahoma City. It is known for having natural falls. However, when an extreme flood happened in the 1800s, it was destroyed.
But the locals did their best to preserve their identity and they created falls by themselves. They also made it look as natural as possible.
This city is also known for having the “World’s Littlest Skyscraper”. It is a red brick building that is 40 feet tall and has 118 square feet. Although this isn’t as big as the skyscrapers you’ll see in the city, this has been standing in Wichita Falls since 1919.
The World’s Littlest Skyscraper has already survived many storms, tornadoes, and fires. That’s why even if people are calling it the “littlest” they can’t deny that it’s also the “strongest.”
What to do in Wichita Falls
From Dallas, you have to drive for 2 hours before you can get to Wichita Falls. Driving that long can be a bit tiring especially if you’re driving an RV or towing a trailer. So take it easy and relax along the way.
Although there are lots of places here that you can visit to relax, we recommend one is the River Bend Nature Center
Location: 2200 3rd St, Wichita Falls, TX 76301, United States
Opening Hours:
- Saturday – 10am–4pm
- Sunday – 12–4pm
- Monday to Friday – 10am–6pm
The River Bend Nature Center has Peyton’s Place, the Bryant Edwards Learning Center, the River Bottom Forest Trail, the United Children’s Garden, and the Ruby N. Priddy Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.
This place is perfect if you’re a nature lover or traveling with your family. It’s a great place for relaxation as you can have a picnic at their open-air pavilion or have a walk while seeing birds, butterflies, and trees in the surroundings.
Where to eat in Witchita Falls
Wichita Falls is surrounded by a lot of restaurants that make it hard to choose where to eat. But if you’re looking for something new, Hibiscus Cafe is going to give you a taste of Greece.
Location: 1616 Pearlie Dr, Wichita Falls, TX 76306-2210
Rating: 4.5
Serving: Mediterranean, Greek, Vegetarian Friendly
This cafe is the top-rated in Wichita Falls. It is a “must stop to eat” restaurant by every tourist. Plus, they serve authentic greek food and tasty desserts.
Another good thing about it is that it’s just a 7-minute drive away from the River Bend Nature Center. You can just have a quick drive to have good food after relaxing and sightseeing.
Where to camp or park an RV in Witchita Falls
Of course, to enjoy this first stop you need a place to park your rig. Fortunately, you can safely do that at Wichita Falls RV Park which’s a 5-minute drive from the River Bend Nature Center.
After exploring Wichita Falls, you can still have fun here with their swimming pools, picnic area, and pond.
Location: 2944 Seymour Hwy, Wichita Falls, TX 76301, United States
Price: 1-2 guest stays. Additional guests are $3 per person, per night. (subject to change without notice)
- $45 for Back-In,
- $55 for Pull Thru
Amenities:
- Free parking
- Laundry service
- Family Friendly
- Kitchens (in selected rooms)
- Smoke-free
- Have Wi-Fi connectivity
Rent an Rv:
Second Stop: Amarillo, Texas
From Wichita Falls to Amarillo, you have to drive for almost 4 hours. It must be exhausting when you are driving an RV. However, this city has so many tourist spots and it will be a shame if you won’t be able to enjoy any of them.
Amarillo is in the Texas Panhandle and it’s greatly known for having the second-largest canyon in the US.
On top of that, it is a “go-to” for meat lovers because of its famous Steak Challenge. This city also has rustic-themed parks, historical and musical theaters, nature parks, zoos, and space theatres.
What to do in Amarillo, Texas
The top-rated thing to do in Amarillo is the Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It is where you can see the second largest canyon in the United States.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is the perfect place to have exciting outdoor activities. You can go biking and hiking to its 15,000 acres trail. And if you want a thriller activity, then you should have a zipline across the canyon.
Location: 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015, United States
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8am-5pm
Where to eat in Amarillo, TX
After an extreme outdoor activity, eating good food is a must. Well, your visit to Amarillo won’t be complete without doing their famous steak challenge at The Big Texan Steak Ranch & Brewery. Although it’s a 26 minutes drive from the Palo Duro Canyon State Park, that should be enough to give your tummy some room for a yummy steak.
After a long drive and tiring outdoor activities, You’ll have enough reason to try their 72oz Steak Dinner Challenge. To do this, you don’t need any reservation or registration. Just let the staff know that you’re up for the Challenge.
This steak challenge includes eating Shrimp Cocktail, Baked Potato, Salad, with Roll, Butter, and of course the 72oz Steak. If you are not up for this, you can still enjoy a great steak with the family.
Location: 7701 I-40 East, Amarillo, TX 79118, United States
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10:00am-10:30pm
Where to camp or park an RV in Amarillo
As to be expected, there’s an RV Park inside Palo Duro Canyon Park, the Juniper Park. You can park your RV and have fun with the activities you can do at the campsite.
Alternatively, since you had a long drive, have some rest first then enjoy the fun of outdoor activities later.
Location: Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Price:
- $26 per night with an additional daily entrance fee
- $5 excess vehicle fee
Accommodation: Maximum of 8 people including children
Amenities:
- A picnic table and tent pad
- Water hookup
- 30 and 50 amp hookup
Rent an Rv:
Final Stop: Pueblo, Corado
Pueblo is also known as the “Steel City” since it’s historically been one of the largest steel-producing cities in the US. This multi-cultural town is a perfect place to call basecamp for your south-eastern Colorado adventures.
What to do in Pueblo, CO
As a local growing up in Colorado, I can understand that it’s hard to choose which tourist spot to visit, especially in Pueblo. This city has a lot of interesting places that you’d want to visit if you can.
One of those places is at The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk.
It is a great place to visit with your family. You can walk around the riverwalk while enjoying the place’s amazing view.
Location: 101 N Union Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003, United States
To read more about what you can do in Pueblo, here’s a post about 17 Fun Things to do in Pueblo, CO (7 are Free).
Where to eat in Pueblo, CO
If you’re looking for something different to eat, you should try La Forchetta da, Massi. They serve authentic Italian food and the place has a great ambiance. It is a perfect place to eat with your loved ones and it is just around the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk.
Location: 126 S Union Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003, United States
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 4:30pm-9:00pm
- Friday to Saturday – 4:30pm-9:30pm
Where to camp or park in an RV in Pueblo, CO
There are a few RV parks and campgrounds in Pueblo. But the best place for you is Lake Pueblo, State Park. It has a gorgeous scenery lake that is on the Arkansas River. You can also have fun activities here like, fishing, hiking, and picnicking with your family.
Location: Lake Pueblo State Park, 640 Pueblo Reservoir Road, Pueblo CO 81005
Price: Less than $100
Amenities:
- With ADA Restroom Facilities,
- Amphitheater
- Dump Station
- Electricity: 20 and 30 AMP,
- Fire Pit, Grills
- Handicapped Parking
- Laundry Area
- Pet and Family Friendly
- Swimming pool and beach
Rent an Rv:
Driving Dallas, Texas to Colorado Springs, CO
This is specifically for your Dallas to Colorado Springs road trip. You can start in Dallas and head west towards Abilene, Texas. From there you make your way north past Lubbock, stopping outside of Amarillo in Canyon Texas.
At this point, you will be passing through New Mexico and should stop in Raton, NM. This small town in the Rocky Mountains is the highest point along the historic Santa Fe Trail and is known for outdoor recreation. This is also where you join I-25 to head north into Colorado.
This route takes you to Colorado Springs, but don’t stop there! You can head west into the mountains or north another hour to Denver.
Travel time: 15 hours and 18 minutes drive (with no traffic)
Distance: 921 miles
- Dallas, Texas
- Abilene, Texas
- Canyon, Texas
- Raton, NM
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
First Stop: Abilene, Texas
Abilene, Texas is located in the northeast corner of Taylor county and it’s almost 3 hours drive from Dallas, Texas. It also has many historical buildings such as the Wooten Hotel built in 1930 and the First Baptist Church built in 1954.
What to do in Abilene, Texas
After an almost 3 hours drive from Dallas to Abilene, going to museums is one of the best things to do to relax. There are a lot of museums that you can visit in Abilene and one of the best is Frontier.
Location: 625 N 1st Street, Abilene, TX,
79601, United States
Open Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 9:00am-6:00pm
- Sunday – 1:00pm-5:00pm
Frontier is a great place to visit in Abilene as it will give you an extraordinary experience. They have life-sized holograms that you’ll be able to see those who lived and died on the Texas frontier.
It also has a general store so if you can, it doesn’t mean you won’t be hungry. Looking at the artifacts and state of the arts can make you crave tasty food too.
And the best place to eat in Abilene to satisfy your craving is at Belle’s Chicken Dinner House.
Location: 2002 N, Clack St, Abilene, TX 79603, United States
Open Hours:
- Saturday – 11:00am-9:00pm
- Sunday – 11:00am-3:00pm
- Thursday – 11:00am-2:pm
- Friday – 5:00pm-9:00pm
Belle’s Chicken is the top-rated restaurant in Abilene. It serves lunch and dinner American Cuisine and many people keep on coming back here because of the great food and staff.
Where to camp or park in an RV
Although there are a few RV parks available here, Whistle Stop RV Resort is the top-rated one. Plus, it is just a 7-10 minutes drive from Frontier Texas so it’s very accessible. Aside from that, if you wish to stay longer here, you can rent a site daily, weekly, and monthly
Location: 695 E Stamford St, Abilene, TX 79601, United States
Price (including tax):
- Pull-in
- Daily $40
- Weekly $225
- Monthly $575+ Electric
- Back in
- Daily $40
- Weekly $250
- Monthly $625+ electric
- Pull-Thru
- Daily $50
- Weekly $275
- Monthly $625+ Electric
- Premium Pull-Thru
- Daily $55
- Weekly $300
- Monthly $725+ Electric
Amenities:
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Fitness Gym
- An outdoor pool and Hot Tub
- Laundry service
- Family Friendly
- Kitchens (selected rooms)
- Smoke-free
Rent an Rv:
Second Stop: Canyon, Texas
The canyon is part of Amarillo where you can see the second largest canyon in the nation. But it’s also known as the home of the West Texas and A&M University and the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum.
Moreover, this city is where you can see the world’s famous outdoor musical drama Texas.
What to do in Canyon, TX
There are a lot of indoor and outdoor activities you can do here. You can have a tour at the Panhandle Museum, visit the buffalo lake, or go to Honey farm. But since you’re already done with viewing and relaxing at Abilene, why not go physical this time at Canyon? Not too much though, considering you will drive for almost 4 hours from Abilene.
With that being said, you can enjoy a moderate walking trail at the Lighthouse Trail at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. It has just enough terrain so it’s perfect if you just have a little bit of excitement while looking at the nice view.
Location: 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015, United States
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8am-5pm
As you walk along this trail, you’ll be able to enjoy great views and beautiful wildflowers. Just make sure that you have plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated while walking.
Where to eat
Does walking make you hungry? Of course, it does. Well, Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner is there to serve you hot and delicious food. You’ll enjoy eating with the cute decorations of this restaurant. Wherever you look, you’ll see lots of interesting things. Just like the toy train running around the building.
Location: 2100 N 2nd Ave, Canyon, TX 79015, United States
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00am – 9:00pm
This diner is the top-rated restaurant not only because of the ambiance and the food. But also the way the staff serves their customers.
Where to camp or park in an RV
There are campsites and RV parks inside the Palo Duro Canyon State Park, where the Lighthouse trail is also located. Therefore camping or parking isn’t going to be a problem. You can stay at Juniper Camp Area and see the details, I’ve mentioned it at the Amarillo stop on the First Route above.
Rent an Rv:
Final Stop: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Spring is also known as Little London. To know more about Colorado Springs and its wonders, check out our blog series:
- 23 Exciting Things to do in Colorado Springs with Toddlers and Babies
- Exploring Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs (Hiking, Driving, Pictures)
What to do in Colorado Springs
Visiting Colorado Springs isn’t going to be complete without seeing the Garden of the Gods. Whether you are a pro hiker or not this scenic place will give you an amazing experience.
Location: 1805 N 30th St, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, United States
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 8:00am-7:00pm
Where to eat
After a nice view and hike in the Garden of the Gods, eating a nice Mexican meal is another thing you should try at Crystal Park Cantina.
Location: 178 Crystal Park Rd, Manitou Springs, CO 80829, United States
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 11:00am-9:00pm
This restaurant serves authentic Mexican food and the place has a nice ambiance. If you’re in a mood you can also have a drink of beer or margarita.
Where to camp or park in an RV
After a fun and satisfying hiking at the Garden of the Gods, you can now have relaxation in their RV park at Garden of the Gods RV resort
Location: 3704 W Colorado Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, United States
Price: ranges from $5-$70 (you need to visit the site or call to know the price)
Amenities:
- Pool table (with additional charge)
- Hiking off the site
- Bathhouse
- Free WiFi and Parking
- Vending Machine for snacks
- Concierge
- Electric 30/20/15 Amp
Houston, Texas to Denver, Colorado via Aspen
This route is from Houston Texas to Colorado. You will be starting from further south in Texas and follow a similar path through Dallas, and Lubbock. However once entering to Colorado you head northwest from Pueblo or straight west from Colorado Springs to the lovely little town of Buena Vista.
If you are really in for some adventure, you can take highway 82 over independence pass. Just notes that you will need a small RV or campervan as you will need to be less than 35 feet. This route will drop you right into the heart of the famous Aspen Colorado where you can enjoy the Maroon Bells.
From Aspen, you head north to the little town of Glenwood Springs and come back east through the Glenwood Canyon. You wind your way along I70 through the mountain towns of Vail and Breckenridge and on into Denver.
Travel time: 15 hours and 17 minutes drive (with no traffic)
Distance: 941 miles
- Houston, Texas
- Dallas, Texas,
- Lubbock, Texas
- Canyon, Texas
- Dalhart, Texas
- Trinidad, Colorado
- Buena Vista, Colorado
- Independence Pass to Aspen
- Glenwood Springs, Colorado
- Denver, Colorado
First Stop: Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is located in Northwest Texas and a destination for wine lovers. Other than that, this city is also known as the home of the rock n’ roll legend Buddy Holly.
You can also see here the Museum of the Texas University that has the Moody Planetarium.
What to do in Lubbock, Texas
If you’re a fan of Rock music, then going to Buddy Holly Center is perfect for you. It’s a performance and visual art center that’s specially built for the legendary singer and songwriter, Buddy Holly.
Location: 1801 Crickets Ave, Lubbock, TX 79401, United States
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 10:00am-5:00pm
- Sunday: – 1:00pm-5:00pm
Where to eat
Since we’re already into rock, why not try eating at Caprock Cafe? You can have a cold beer and a burger here while listening to great music and it’s only an 8-minute drive from Buddy Holly Center.
Location: 3405 34th St, Lubbock, TX 79410, United States
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday – 11:00am-11:00pm
This rodeo sports bar not only serves beer and burgers but a large choice of menu. You’ll enjoy eating and drinking here at a very affordable price.
Where to camp or park in an RV
After a long day on the road, exploring Lubbock having a nice and quiet place to stay is a must. Good thing you can have that at Lubbock RV Park. It has a nice and quiet park that is close to town and has 88 RV sites. Aside from that, it’s just a few minutes away from the Buddy Holly Center.
Location: 4811 North, I-27, Lubbock, TX 79403, United States
Price: $40 Daily
(you need to call them to know the price for Weekly and Monthly stay rates)
Amenities:
- Full Hookups
- Have both 30 and 50 Amp
- Both Back-in and Pull-through Sites
- Swimming Pool and Shower
- Pets are allowed
- With Wi-Fi connection
Rent an Rv:
Second Stop: Dalhart, Texas
Dalhart, Texas is situated between Dallam and Hartley Counties. It is located in the northwestern part of Texas. It is also known for doing agricultural business such as farming, ranching, and making dairy.
What to do in Dalhart
After having a cozy and musical stay at Lubbock, you can now have an educational tour at XIT Museum. It is the most recommended tourist spot in Dalhart as it gives non-locals a view of how people there lived in the past.
Location: 108 E 5th St, Dalhart, TX 79022, United States
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 9:00am-5:00pm
You’ll see various exhibits here that are well displayed and can be enjoyed by everyone in your family.
Where to eat
Learning a lot of things about Dalhart is fun and you’ll have more fun eating at XIT Woodfire Grill. This steakhouse has a clean and inviting place. Plus excellent food quality. That’s why it is most recommended by locals and tourists.
Location: 119 Cypress Dr, Dalhart, TX 79022, United States
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11:00am-9:00pm
Additionally, this offers a wide range of American food and they have their very own Homemade Ranch Dressing.
Where to camp or park in an RV
The Coral RV Park is one of the best RV parks in Dalhart. And that is because of its cleanliness. RVers are impressed with how clean and how well-maintained the ground is.
Location: 1202 Liberal St, Dalhart, TX 79022, United States
Price: $29 Nightly.
Amenities:
- Have 20/30/50 Amp
- With Pull Thurs and Full Hook-ups
- With Wi-Fi
- Pet friendly
- Self Service Laundry
The sites here have a nice level and good source of electricity and all of their staff are friendly and welcoming.
Rent an Rv:
Buena Vista, Colorado
Buena Vista is located in South-Central Colorado between the Arkansas River and the Collegiate Peaks. It is also known because of the hot springs that you can find in the area. This is one of my favorite areas of Colorado.
What to do in Buena Vista, Colorado
There are many things to do in Buenavista. You can go hiking, biking, rafting, and fishing. But of course, the most famous thing to do here is to get soaked in the hot springs.
The top-rated hot spring in the area is at Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa.
And since it’s a resort, you can also enjoy
good and healthy food here. They have the Simple Eatery that offers a variety of menus from breakfast to dinner.
Another good thing about this place is it also offers camping sites and RV Parkings. Therefore, you can have all-in-one fun here and enjoy every minute you’re here.
Location: 18999 Co Rd 306, Buena Vista, CO 81211, United States
Price: $45 – $169 per night and needs a reservation
Amenities and Features:
- Tent Sites, RV Sites, and cabins
- ADA Access
- Accessible Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Showers
- Drinking-Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets-friendly
- Family-friendly
- Fires
- Max length of 18 ft for vehicles
- Drive-in Parks
Final thoughts on the 3 best road trip routes from Texas to Colorado
When you go on a road trip, you should always plan before hitting the road. Although a spontaneous trip is good, knowing which route to take is always better.
When you plan and have an itinerary like this every time you travel, no time will be wasted. There’s no need for you to think or ask somebody else what to do, where to eat, or where to stay.
If you’re planning on having a road trip from Texas to Colorado, I hope this guide helped you decide which route to take and try the most recommended and top-rated place in each city or county you’ll drive through.
But whatever road you take, whether the first, second, third, or your route. I hope you find your reason why you should travel and enjoy long road trips.
Here is our road trip series for you to read next:
- 95 Fun Road Trip Trivia Questions and Answers (Family Car Ride Questions)
- 35+ Yummy Road Trip Lunch Ideas
- How to Rent an RV for an Epic Road Trip: Helpful Beginner’s Guide
Hi, I’m Shauna – Welcome to Family Travel Fever. We are a large family, that was bitten by the travel bug! We travel with kids and extended family. I take the kids by myself sometimes because I don’t mind flying or driving solo with my crew to discover the coolest places.
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