Austin and Houston are both popular Texas cities, and a road trip between them only takes a few hours. Now there are two routes you can take if you’re traveling from Houston to Austin or vice versa. This list mentions stops found on both routes, no matter if you take I-10 to 71 or decide to take Highway 290 all the way. Make sure to bring your appetite when you’re traveling from Houston to Austin because there are great bakeries, barbecue joints and southern style eateries along both routes. This list was created as if you were traveling west from Houston to Austin. Make your road trip from Houston to Austin a memorable one by visiting these 10 popular spots found between the two cities.
Schobel’s Restaurant
If you’re traveling on I-10, have a nice meal at Schobel’s Restaurant before heading up to TX-71. Located near the junction of I-10 and 71, Schobel’s Restaurant serves up great home cooked meals like cheeseburgers and country fried steak. Hit up this Columbus restaurant for breakfast too, since Schobel’s serves a breakfast buffet complete with country favorites like grits, bacon and pancakes. There is a reason why this place has been in business since 1979, and its because the food is exactly what hungry Texans like.
Quirky Country Market
Aftering filling up at Schobel’s Restaurant, walk off your meal at the Quirky Country Market located a short drive from the restaurant on I-71. Browse through unique gifts, interesting yard art and other various oddities for sale at Quirky Country Market in Columbus, Texas.
Hruska’s Store & Bakery
Texans love kolaches. These Czech pastries have grown as a Texas breakfast staple, and Hruska’s Bakery is a popular pit stop for those traveling from Houston to Austin. Located in Ellinger, Hruska’s is a bit of drive for those traveling on 290, but it will definitely be worth it. For those traveling from I-10, Hruska’s is only a five minute drive from Quirky Country Market. With 16 signature kolache varieties, everyone in the car will find a kolache to love at Hruska’s. This bakery is also a store, selling food supplies and trinkets. You can even enjoy a burger and purchase homemade jams and sauces here too.
Timeless Texas Classics
If you needed a pit stop and you’re a car junkie, then don’t miss out on Timeless Texas Classics, a car museum featuring a variety of unique classic cars. This roadside attraction along Highway 71 offers free admission and is also a popular spot for buyers hoping to purchase a classic car.
Chappell Hill Bakery & Deli
Travelers on 71 aren’t the only ones who can enjoy a topnotch kolache. If you’re traveling on 290, then hit up Chappell Hill Bakery & Deli for a morning kolache. However if you’re visiting Chappell Hill during lunch or dinner time, this eatery also serves up barbecue too. No matter if you’re getting a kolache to go or eating a loaded baked potato before you hit the road again, you’re appetite is sure to be satisfied after a visit here.
Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory
For those traveling along Highway 290, make a pit stop for Texas’ most popular ice cream, Blue Bell. The Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory is located in Brenham and offers tours of the facility. However you can simply stop here for a great scoop of Blue Bell ice cream from the onsite Ice Cream Parlor. Visitors can even enjoy their frozen treat from the observation deck where you can see the ice cream being made. Along with a visitor’s center and a gift shop, Blue Bell’s factory offers plenty for the traveler.
Bluebonnets
No matter what route you choose to take, you’re sure to see fields full of bluebonnets, the Texas state wildflower, from March to May. Now this iconic flower is beloved by Texans far and wide. Therefore don’t pick the flower, but do pull over and take a couple pictures of the gorgeous wildflower fields. One of the most popular places to view bluebonnets is near the town of Brenham along Highway 290. So after enjoying a scoop of Blue Blue ice cream, remember your time in Brenham through a picture with the Texas state wildflower.
Buc-ee’s
This Texas-sized convenience stores is the perfect place to stop when you need a bathroom break, since Buc-ee’s is known for its clean bathrooms. There are two Buc-ee’s stores found between Austin and Texas. One is in Giddings on Highway 290 and another is found in Bastrop along 71. Don’t leave Buc-ee’s without picking yourself up a bag of Beaver Nuggets, the store’s popular sweetened corn puff snack.
Barbecue in Elgin
For hungry travelers on 290, stop for some Texas barbecue in Elgin at Southside Market & Barbecue or Meyer’s Elgin Smokehouse. Both of these BBQ joints are topnotch, so it’s hard to decide. However since they are both popular eateries in the area, they may run out of food fast. Typically barbecue joints in Texas run out of food by early afternoon. So get your barbecue fix at whatever restaurant is still serving once you come into this part of town. If you’re looking for breakfast, Meyer’s actually has a drive-through window where you can order breakfast tacos and other menu items.
Berdoll Pecan Farm
For those on 290, take 21 to 71 in order to enjoy Berdoll Pecan Farm. Located on 71, Berdoll Pecan Farm is crazy about pecan nuts. The Texas state tree is actually the pecan tree. So this Cedar Creek pecan gift shop couldn’t get more Texan. Here you will find pecan goodies like pecan pie, chocolate covered pecans and even just a bag of pecan nuts. If you happen to pass by Berdoll Pecan Farm during off hours, you can still get your pecan fix, since there is a vending machine out front stocked with pecan goodies.
