While Austin is packed with personality and loads of things to do, there does come a time when you need to escape the city for a little while.
Consider heading out on a weekend road trip from Austin to Fredericksburg when that time comes!
The drive to Fredericksburg from Austin is so great. This part of the Texas Hill Country is packed with charming Texas small towns, wineries, beautiful scenery, and loads of Texas state parks.
So whether you are setting out on a day trip from Austin or a full-blown Texas road trip, let us show you all the fun options on your Austin to Fredericksburg (or Fredericksburg to Austin) drive!
Let’s check out all the things to do between Austin and Fredericksburg! So you can hop in the car and head out on your next adventure!
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What is the Drive Time and Driving Distance Between Austin and Fredericksburg?
There are 78 miles between Austin and Fredericksburg. 78 miles of gorgeous Texas Hill Country scenery that is!
If you were to drive straight from Austin to Fredericksburg, you could make the scenic drive in about 1.5 hours. I mean, it is a relatively short distance in Texas!
Don’t do that though! There are too many great places to stop along the route from Austin to Fredericksburg (and Fredericksburg to Austin).
So, commit to a mini-road trip and embark on a new adventure as you venture down Highway 290 (also known as Wine Road 290), stopping in the small towns and attractions!
Tips When Driving From Austin to Fredericksburg
Make Reservations in Advance
If you are planning to visit the state parks on your drive from Austin, check and see if you need reservations in advance. Several of the parks reach capacity quickly, and it is safer to have a reservation to ensure entry.
In addition to the parks, the hotels in Fredericksburg fill up on the weekends (I mean, Fredericksburg is a world-class wine region). Because of its popularity, secure your accommodations in advance if you plan to spend a few days here.
Hit the Road Hungry
We mean it. Your first stop is a short distance from Austin, and there are great places to grab breakfast tacos or lunch, so don’t eat before you leave.
Keep Your Eyes Open For Additional Stops
This area of Texas is full of little roadside stands (especially produce) and great little independent shops. Keep your eyes open, and don’t be afraid to drop in if you see something interesting.
This is especially true if you travel during the peach season (summer). The roadside produce stands have delicious fresh peaches, and other produce to enjoy!
These roadside stands often have great salsas and other homemade goods that make fabulous souvenirs from Texas.
Read Next: Weekend Getaways in Texas
Where to Stop on Your Austin to Fredericksburg Road Trip
As we mentioned above, the drive from Austin to Fredericksburg is one of the most scenic drives and is full of great places to stop. This makes the distance between these two cities seem even shorter.
A Fredericksburg road trip from Austin is so great that you might do it repeatedly!
Dripping Springs
As you head west on Highway 290, the “Gateway to the Hill Country” awaits you in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Dripping Spring is the definition of small-town Texas and a great place to make your first stop on your Austin-to-Fredericksburg drive. It offers wineries, a cute downtown, and the infamous Hamilton Pool.
While Hamilton Pool is a bit out of the way for your Austin to Fredericksburg road trip, I highly recommend it if you have never visited. It is one of the best waterfalls in Texas and a great swimming hole.
Make your reservations on their website in advance, as this popular Texas swimming hole quickly fills up!
If you want to stay close to the route, check out the cute Mercer Street in Dripping Springs at this stop.
Mercer Street is located a block off Highway 290 and is full of historic buildings housing cute boutique shops.
If you want to spend more time in Dripping Springs, you can check out the many Hill Country wineries and distilleries.
Our favorites include Dripping Springs Distilling, Deep Eddy Vodka, Duchman Family Winery, and Fall Creek Vineyards.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Visiting Pedernales Falls State Park is a must on your drive from Austin to Fredericksburg. This is a Texas favorite as it is one of the Texas state parks near San Antonio and Austin!
Water falling over the beautiful limestone rocks is a gorgeous sight. When the water levels are low, people love walking along the rocks through the falls.
Speaking of water levels, this area is prone to flash flooding, and the water levels rise quickly. Be sure to watch the weather during your visit to this state park.
Although you cannot swim in the falls, the park has a designated swimming area. This park also has miles of hiking trails and areas for horseback riding, camping, and more.
If you’re hungry, stop in for lunch at Fat Boy Burgers as you enter your next stop, Johnson City. This no-frills restaurant serves up some delicious burgers!
This is also a great area to see the bluebonnets in Texas if you visit during springtime!
Johnson City
A stop in Johnson City, Texas, just makes sense on your Austin to Fredericksburg road trip. I mean, you pass right through this cute little town.
Explore the antique shops and look at the town square while here. If you want to relax for a few minutes, grab a drink at Pecan Street Brewing in the town center.
A short detour from Johnson City on Robinson Road will lead you to one of the great wineries in this area, Texas Hills Vineyard.
You can also visit the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park Visitors Center in Johnson City.
This area features information and memorabilia about the life of Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States.
On the way out of town, you can also visit the Johnson Settlement, home of President Johnson’s grandparents.
Hye
Your route to Fredericksburg will take you through the tiny town of Hye, Texas. And when I say tiny, I mean tiny!
It’s up to you whether you stop here, but if you haven’t, you might as well check it out.
The cute Hye Post Office has become a restaurant, Hye Market. In the summer, Hye Market serves up delicious peach ice cream. Don’t miss it!
This area is also home to some great wineries and distilleries if you want to explore them also. You will see wineries all along Wine Road 290, including a castle winery!
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is located right off of Highway 290, making it an easy stop on the way from Austin to Fredericksburg.
If you visited the Johnson Settlement we noted above, you have already visited this historical park. The other part of the LBJ Historical Park is the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, Texas.
The LBJ Ranch is a fun and interesting stop. Here, you can tour the Texas White House, see the active ranch, the one-room schoolhouse where President Johnson went to school, his boyhood home, the living history museum, and more.
This is a unique Texas state park worth about an hour of your time!
Luckenbach
Head about 10 minutes off Highway 290, and you will find yourself in Luckenbach, a small town in Texas.
Although it is tiny, Luckenbach is mighty. This town is known for the great country music artists who perform here.
Luckenbach gets very busy when live music plays on the weekends, so plan accordingly.
If you visit Luckenbach during the week, you will have the place virtually.
The town contains a general store, a post office, and a Texas dance hall. There are also great outdoor areas where you can enjoy the live country music hosted here.
Read Next: Lakes in Houston That Are Worth Visiting
What If I Don’t Want To Drive Myself?
If you don’t want to drive your car from Austin to Fredericksburg, don’t worry. There is another option. Granted, you won’t get to stop at all the mentioned stops, but you can stop at a couple.
You can leave the driving to someone else and take this highly-rated group tour.
This tour arrives at downtown Austin hotels and whisks you into the Texas Hill Country. Your stops include LBJ Ranch and Luckenbach, time to explore Fredericksburg and a winery stop.
Book Your Hill Country Day Trip Today!
What to do in Fredericksburg Once You Arrive
Fredericksburg, Texas, attracts many people because it offers so many great things to do.
Outdoor Activities
If you want more outdoor adventure, head to Enchanted Rock State Park and climb the giant pink granite dome.
Enchanted Rock gets busy on the weekends, so make reservations in advance if you want to add this to your list.
You will pass Wildseed Farms on your way from Austin to Fredericksburg, so go ahead and add it to your list as well. They have beautiful fields of wildflowers and even sell wildflower seeds in their gift shop!
If you spend a few days in Fredericksburg, make a reservation to see the bats at Old Tunnel State Park.
This magnificent sight occurs May through October when over 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats make their home in the abandoned railroad tunnel on the property.
Check out Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. This park has over 150 acres of outdoor recreation you will love.
Learn Some History
The Museum of the Pacific War is another popular attraction in the center of Fredericksburg. You might wonder why a national museum is in Gillespie County on the Main St. of Fredericksburg.
Well, Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz was a leader during World War II and was from Fredericksburg. Hence, the National Museum of the Pacific War is located in Fredericksburg.
While visiting the National Museum of the Pacific War, you should also visit the Japanese Garden of Peace and the George Bush Gallery.
Learn about the German heritage of the town by visiting the German Restaurants and the Pioneer Museum.
Fort Martin Scott is a historic Army complex in Fredericksburg. Built in 1848, it helped protect the area’s original settlers.
Today, you can tour the fort and see “live” history reenactments.
Drink Some Wine
Of course, no trip to Fredericksburg would be complete without checking out the best wineries in Fredericksburg, Texas. You passed many of them on your drive-in from Austin on Highway 290.
Texas wine is strong in this region of Texas, drawing crowds from all over the United States, especially from the cities of Austin and San Antonio.
Visit several of this area’s wineries to decide which is your favorite. Just remember: They get very busy on Saturday, so be patient.
During the summer months, be sure to visit Becker Vineyards. They have a great location and delicious wine, and their lavender fields are also amazing when in bloom!
Read Next: Driving From Dallas to San Antonio: Best Stops and Tips
Do Some Shopping
Be sure to shop on Main Street in Fredericksburg, too. The shopping area attracts visitors from all over the state.
You will also find many of the Fredericksburg hotels near Main St.
Indulge in All Things Peach
If you plan your visit in the summer months, you must indulge in all the delicious treats made from Fredericksburg peaches.
There are roadside stands everywhere selling peaches,, so be on the lookout.
At this time of year, the local stores also start incorporating peaches into their cuisine.
You can find peach cobbler, wine, ice cream, and more!
One of my favorite places to sample peach goodies is Das Peach Haus. It is housed in century-old German buildings and has everything made of peaches!
I’m talking peach jams, hot sauce, chutney, and more. The best part is you can sample the products before buying!
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About the Author:
Michelle Snell-Founder/Writer
Born and raised in Texas, Michelle Snell graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Master’s Degree from Texas Wesleyan University. Her passion for travel has taken her all over the world. She has received multiple awards for her writing. She has been featured in numerous publications, including Travel Awaits, Fort Worth Magazine, Fort Worth Weekly, NewsBreak, Voyage Dallas, Ella Inspires Magazine, and more. You can view her complete profile on MuckRacks.
