All road trips

3-day road trip · ≈ 650 miles · Best October–April

Missions to the Piney Woods

Spanish missions, border heritage and cypress bayous.

Visitor tip

The drive to Caddo is long — break it up in Austin or Houston.

  1. Day 1: Laredo

    • 1
      Laredo & the Rio Grande

      Laredo · Seven flags of history, the San Agustín plaza and border food traditions you won't find anywhere else.

    Eat: El Meson de San AgustinSleep: Laredo

  2. Day 2: San Antonio missions

    • 2
      San Antonio Missions

      San Antonio · The Alamo plus four 18th-century missions linked by the River Walk's Mission Reach — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

      ≈ 185 mi, 3.4 hrs from previous stop

    Eat: Mi Tierra CaféSleep: San Antonio

  3. Day 3: Caddo Lake

    • 3
      Caddo Lake State Park

      Karnack · A maze of bayous and cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, best explored by canoe.

      ≈ 445 mi, 8.1 hrs from previous stop

    Eat: The Bakery, JeffersonSleep: Caddo Lake cabins

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

Ask the Texan