The Ultimate Road Trip from Texas to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

Texas to Alabama's Beaches Road Trip

Kids Playing on Gulf Shores Family-Friendly Beach

Driving to Alabama Beaches from Texas

If you’re coming from elsewhere in Texas, plug in the numbers and see what the distance and drive time is. Starting in west or north Texas means a longer haul but if you live in those parts of the state, a drive to any beach requires some commitment. However, from most major Texas cities, driving to Alabama's Beaches is an easy (and fun) day trip. In my opinion, the area really is incredible and worth the trip. The water is clear, the sand is white and soft, and there are so many fantastic restaurants and beach activities to choose from in the area.

Houston to Alabama's Beaches: 520 miles and about an eight-hour drive.
Dallas Fort Worth to Alabama's Beaches: 655 miles and about a 10-hour drive.
Austin to Alabama's Beaches: 685 miles and about a 10-hour drive.

How to Get from Texas to Alabama

How far is Texas from Alabama? Not terribly far! Interstate 10 runs east-west across Texas. Starting from near San Antonio, I pick up I-10 just a few miles from my house and ride it all the way through the southeast. I detour onto I-12 to skirt around New Orleans traffic but otherwise, it’s a straight shot until you see the exit signs that take you to Alabama's Beaches - easy peasy!

The only travel tip to keep note of is timing your drive to avoid Houston’s traffic, but once you clear that, the drive is a pleasant and smooth one.

Best Gulf Coast Stops

For me, the drive time to get from San Antonio to Gulf Shores is about 12 hours, and stops can add up to make for a very long day. If we get started later in the day, we’ll usually spend the night in Gulfport, Mississippi and finish the drive the next day. Gulfport has plenty of places to eat and sleep a short distance from the highway.

Our favorite foodie places to stop are Beaumont and Lake Charles. Both have excellent food scenes from locally owned restaurants serving Cajun and Creole delights, as well as a large selection of fast food and quick service restaurants for those who just want to fuel up and get on their way. If you time it right, Insane Sausages in Vinton Louisiana is the perfect place for boudin lovers. Insane Sausages is only open Friday-Sunday so if that lines up with your travel, stop in to see what creative special they have.

Other places for a pit stop that have a good selection of gas and food are Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Hattiesburg, and Mobile. Some of the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama stretches of highway don’t have lights outside of the cities so if you don’t like driving in the dark, plan to leave Texas early in the morning, especially during the seasons where the sun sets early.

My Favorite Alabama's Beaches Activities

There’s so much to do on Alabama's Beaches — literally every beachy thing you can think of. From parasailing to eco tours and sandcastle building classes, the local activities and attractions can keep you as busy as you want to be. It’s also the perfect place for doing anything your heart desires. The area also has the best family-friendly spring break activities. If you’re looking to schedule a spring break beach trip and don’t want to run into the party-hearty college crowds, this is your place.

No beach vacation itinerary is complete with a visit to a few of these places. It’s hard to have favorites but here are a few spots that we recommend.

Kid building a sandcastle on the beach in Gulf Shores

1

Sandcastle Building with Sand Castle University

A sandcastle building class with Sand Castle University is a fun and hands-on activity for the while family. The knowledgeable instructors will teach you step-by-step how to build the perfect sandcastle. If you’re staying beachfront, the class will come to you!

2

Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

The Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo is a true gem and is easy to navigate in half a day. There are elevated animal encounters, such as hanging out up close and personal with lemurs and hand feeding giraffes. The wide, paved sidewalks make pushing a stroller through the exhibits a breeze.

3

The Wharf

Dining, shopping, an escape room, and a very cool Ferris wheel are just some of the activity choices at The Wharf. If you’re traveling without kids or can escape them for a bit, there’s also a really fun speakeasy here. The challenge of finding it and getting in is part of the adventure!

4

The Hangout

Not only is The Hangout a fantastic place to grab food — and you will not find a shortage of delicious things to eat in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach — it’s got fun games, a place for the kids to run around, and even a foam machine. Who doesn’t love a good foam party? Arrive hungry and grab delicious food with waterfront views and stay for the fun.

5

Historic Fort Morgan

Historic Fort Morgan is a former outpost where soldiers protected and watched over Mobile Bay and the best place to learn the history of the area. You can explore tunnels, batteries, and cannons on the battlegrounds. Plus, you can get some fascinating views of the water from the top of the fort!

Plan Your Alabama's Beaches Trip

Public beach lifeguard tower at Little Lagoon Park beach access in Gulf Shores

Knowing the lay of the land before you go makes for the best vacation. Even if you’ve been to Alabama's Beaches before, there might be something new to check out, and even if you’ve visited multiple times, there’s probably something you haven’t done. It’s a good place to get out of your comfort zone and an equally good place to sink into the comfort of enjoying the same beach things you’ve always enjoyed.

Whether you’re going for the first time or the tenth, order a free vacation guide and see what’s new as you begin planning your Alabama's Beaches trip itinerary. You can also subscribe to get email updates, so you’ll be the first to know about specials and new activity options.

Trade in the clay shores and darker waters of Texas for the sugar-white sand and turquoise waters of Alabama!