All road trips

3-day road trip · ≈ 450 miles · Best April–June, September

Gulf Coast Beach Hop

Turtles, ferries and fried shrimp down the coast.

Visitor tip

Grab a beach parking permit in Port Aransas.

  1. Day 1: Houston to the bay

    • 1
      Space Center Houston

      Houston · NASA Johnson Space Center's visitor center — historic Mission Control, a Saturn V and the tram tour behind the gates.

    Eat: Kemah BoardwalkSleep: Galveston or Clear Lake

  2. Day 2: Port A

    • 2
      Port Aransas

      Port Aransas · A laid-back island town reached by a free ferry, with fishing piers, golf carts and fresh Gulf seafood.

      ≈ 218 mi, 4 hrs from previous stop

    Eat: Irie's Island FoodSleep: A Port Aransas beach rental

  3. Day 3: Padre to SPI

    • 3
      Padre Island National Seashore

      Corpus Christi · The longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world — dunes, shorebirds and sea turtle releases.

      ≈ 41 mi, 0.8 hrs from previous stop

    • 4
      South Padre Island

      South Padre Island · Warm Gulf water, sea turtle rescue, birding boardwalks and a front-row seat to Starship launches.

      ≈ 119 mi, 2.2 hrs from previous stop

    Eat: Pier 19Sleep: South Padre Island

Drive times are estimates. Check hours and reservations before you go.

Ask the Texan