“Main Street Texas” 4 nights

This is designed as a road trip from the Dallas area that explores several charming small towns along and south of I-10 between San Antonio and Houston, specifically centering around the beautiful “Painted Churches of Schulenburg.”

Recommended time of year is spring (Mar-Apr) or fall (Oct-Nov) as summer (May-Sep) would be brutally hot. Winter (Dec-Feb) could be nice although it could also be cold/windy.

DayStart pointEnd pointDistanceDrive timeSpeedLeave start pointTime at stop 1Time at stop 2Time at stop 3 Arrive end pointExplore end pointComments/stopsLodgingMap
1DallasGonzales261 mi5 hrs52 mph12:00 PM5:00 PM2 hrsDinner at Johnny’s Cajun Cafe in Gonzaleshotelmap
2Gonzales Gonzales100 mi2.5 hrs40 mph9:00 AM 2 hrs1.5 hrs2.5 hrs5:00 PM2 hrsVia Shiner (including Spoetzl Brewery tour), Hallettsville, Yoakum, Cuero. Late lunch at BBQ Shack in Yoakum.hotelmap
3GonzalesRound Top83 mi2.5 hrs33 mph9:00 AM2.5 hrs1.5 hrs1.5 hrs5:00 PM5 hrsVia Flatonia & four painted churches, Monument Hill SP, La Grange. Early dinner at Whitebox II in La Grange.Round Top Innmap
4Round TopBrenham74 mi2.25 hrs32 mph12:00 PM2 hrs0.5 hrs4 PM5 hrsAntique shop & coffee at Round Top Coffee Shop in Round Top in AM. Via Washington-on-the-Brazos SHS, Chappell Hill. Dessert at Jet Set Chocolates in Brenham.Brenham House B&Bmap
5BrenhamDallas221 mi4.5 hrs49 mph11:00 AM2 hrs4:45 PMvia lunch at LJ’s BBQ in Brenham. Takes back roads.map
totaltotal 739 mi16.75 hrs
averageaverage 147.8 mi3.35 hrs39 mph

Total accommodations cost: $480
Total food cost: $150
Total gas/petrol cost: $80
Total cost minus entry fees: ~$700

Obviously, this trip could easily be adapted to start from anywhere in Texas. It would be very doable, with far less driving, if starting in the Austin area. Also, the last day driving back to Dallas deliberately spends some time on SH 75 (the old US 75) paralleling I-45. If you want to get back home faster, you can of course simply drive on the interstate.