The open road awaits you on this Houston to New Orleans road trip through Texas and Louisiana.
A Houston to New Orleans road trip means taking an exciting adventure east along historic Interstate 10. From the space-age wonders of NASA in Houston to the vibrant and colorful streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter, your odyssey will include everything from pancake-flat oil fields to the lush bayou and its mix of Creole and Cajun flavors. Read on to discover for yourself this incredible journey, which we’ve laid out as yet another great American road trip.
Stops
1. Houston, TX
2. Beaumont, TX
3. Lake Charles, LA
4. Lafayette, LA
5. Baton Rouge, LA
6. New Orleans, LA
Info at a glance
- 2-day trip
- Type of route: City
- 6 stops along the route
- 364 miles of driving
Highlights
- Experience America’s exciting Space City.
- Explore the boomtowns and oil fields of East Texas.
- Discover a Pompeiian villa hidden along the Gulf Coast.
- Gaze at the marvelous night sky in Louisiana’s Science Center planetarium.
- Get swept away by the beauty and southern charm of a plantation.
Getting to the start
Your road trip to New Orleans will begin in Houston, the most populous city in Texas. If you’re coming by plane, it’s easy and convenient to arrive at Houston’s George Bush International Airport (IAH). Driving into Houston is also easy, with I-45 serving the city from the north and south, and I-10 bringing visitors to the city from the east and west.
When to Visit
Every season is the perfect season to take a road trip from Houston to New Orleans. If you will be traveling during the summertime, be sure to pack some extra sunscreen and your favorite sunglasses. When traveling in the winter you’ll need a light jacket. And don’t forget to bring along your camera for the beautiful scenery along the way.
Driving tips
There are no special driving laws to be aware of on this road trip. While in Texas, the maximum speed limit is 85 miles per hour, although some highways may have limits of 75 mph, so always be sure to follow posted limits. Once you reach Louisiana, the maximum speed limit will be 75 mph. Your journey will be along I-10, so you shouldn’t have to worry about toll roads on this road trip.
What to know about the route
Your road trip will begin in Texas’ Space City. Here you can explore space-age wonders alongside more down-to-earth attractions like a baseball game at Minute Maid Park. Your sedan car rental will allow for comfortable cruising in the downtown district. Before hitting the road for the 350-mile journey east on I-10, you’ll certainly want to plan for some of the exciting side attractions you’ll find along the way, such as the chance to get up close and personal with some real Texas gators or perhaps exploring the mysteries of a Pompeiian villa hidden along the Gulf Coast. Once you cross into Louisiana, you’ll be in real bayou country, complete with all the festivals, crawfish and Cajun cuisine you could ever hope for. Here, among the land of Cajuns and Creoles, you can tour a plantation, enjoy authentic Zydeco music, and get lost in the history and flamboyance of New Orleans. If you’re traveling during the warmer months, take the drive in a convertible to enjoy the coastal air.
Houston, TX
Houston has the highest population of any city in Texas. Located near both the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay, this modern city is as diverse and exciting as it is huge (of course, everything’s bigger in Texas).
Points of interest
Every visitor to Houston will want to tour Houston’s Space Center, but there’s more to this city than just NASA. Kids will love exploring the Houston Zoo and the Children’s Museum, while visitors young and old will want to experience the Cockrell Butterfly Center. And don’t forget to take in the Houston Rodeo before leaving town.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
For a cool beer, the 8th Wonder Brewery is a favorite local watering hole, while every visitor to Houston will surely want to enjoy a T-bone at the Taste of Texas steakhouse. If you will be staying the night in Houston, the Post Oak Hotel or the Woodlands Resort offer some of the finest accommodations in Texas.
Sixt Insider Tip
It can get hot in Houston, which is why every savvy visitor to town will want to visit Waterwall Park, located close to the Galleria in the heart of town. Here you can wander the paths beneath ancient live oak trees and relax in the cooling mists emanating off of the iconic waterfalls. There’s no “cooler” hotspot in Houston.
From Houston to Beaumont (88 miles)
As you head east on I-10 from Houston to your first stop in Beaumont, you will cross over Burnet Bay and will have the chance to cool off at Pirate’s Bay waterpark in Baytown. For a drier experience, you may want to pull over in Wallisville to explore the Heritage Park of Chambers County Museum.
Beaumont, TX
Located on the Neches River just north of Sabine Lake, Beaumont is a lovely little town featuring college campuses and a nearby regional airport. This welcoming community is known as the site of the first big oil discovery in Texas history as well as for its large array of fun attractions and activities.
Points of interest
Visitors will want to explore the recreated Spindletop Boomtown Museum showcasing Beaumont’s history as the location of the first oil boom in Texas. Families will love the Colorado Canyon theme park, and of course, everyone will want a picture with the massive Dalmatian-painted fire hydrant outside the Fire Museum of Texas.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Beaumont offers a number of dining options, like Bao’s, credited as the oldest bakery in southeast Texas. For some local flavor, don’t miss J. Wilson’s restaurant, owned and operated by a local resident. For something a bit spicier, Carmela’s is also a guaranteed hit for those seeking some true Tex-Mex dining this side of the Louisiana state line.
Sixt Insider Tip
If you’re looking for some excitement on this road trip, you’ll certainly want to stop by the Gator Country Adventure Park just outside Beaumont. This park includes “Big Tex,” a nearly 14-foot-long alligator, among its residents, and offers shows and demonstrations featuring an array of local and exotic reptiles and snakes.
From Beaumont to Lake Charles (57 miles)
Your next stop will be in Lake Charles, Louisiana. But a special attraction awaits along the way in Port Arthur, Texas. Nestled along the gulf, Port Arthur features the Museum of the Gulf Coast, which includes a Pompeiian villa, first built in 1900. Visitors can tour the villa, which has been used as a residence and hunting lodge. Other sites worth exploring in Port Arthur include the walking paths at Sea Rim State Park and the idyllic gardens around the Buu Mon Buddhist Temple.
Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, often referred to as the Lake Area, is an important city just across the Louisiana border from Texas, which features the McNeese State University campus as well as various petrochemical refinement centers. As one of the state’s top five cities, Lake Charles is often seen as a mixing pot of Texan and Creole culture and cuisine.
Points of interest
Although Prien Lake Park and Millennium Park offer restful and relaxing afternoons, many visitors to Lake Charles come to try their luck at the Golden Nugget Casino or the L’Auberge Casino Resort. The Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu also offers an exciting and educational experience, while the Charpentier Historical District is a part of town you will surely want to explore before leaving town.
Sixt Insider Tip
Lake Charles is referred to as the “Festival Capital of Louisiana,” featuring more than 70 festivals each year. Be sure to look ahead when planning your road trip to see which festivals may be happening, such as Mardi Gras or perhaps the Louisiana Pirate Festival in May. The Original Downtown Crawfish Festival happens in April, and in December, there’s even a Christmas Lighting Festival.
From Lake Charles to Lafayette (74 miles)
On your way to Lafayette along I-10, you will have opportunities to stop and see unusual attractions, such as the Zigler Museum in St. Jennings. First established in 1963, this museum commemorates a local philanthropist and industrialist. The City of Rayne is another interesting side stop along your way, offering its annual Rayne Frog Festival each May.
Lafayette, LA
This city was named after the French hero of the American Revolutionary War, Marquis de Lafayette, and has seen its population grow continuously ever since it was founded along the Vermilion River. Lafayette is one of the state’s largest municipalities and is home to a University of Louisiana campus in addition to a regional airport.
Points of interest
Lafayette’s most historical attractions include the Acadian Village and Vermilionville. The Lafayette Farmers and Artisans Market provides an excellent opportunity to experience some local flavor, while visitors to the Alexandre Mouton House will be amazed by the center’s insight into Louisiana history, particularly relating to the Confederacy. For something a bit more contemporary, the Cajundome offers some of the best live performances around.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Some of Lafayette’s most popular restaurants include Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro and The French Press. If you would like to share a few drinks with friends, The Pamplona Tapas Bar offers a fun and relaxed atmosphere, while Johnson’s Boucaniere offers some of the best in local boudin and meats.
Sixt Insider Tip
Lafayette’s Acadian Cultural Center offers visitors an invaluable display and description of local Cajun culture and the history of the Acadians as they left Canada’s Nova Scotia to eventually sail the eastern seaboard before settling in modern Louisiana. The cultural center has seasonal boat tours guided by center rangers.
From Lafayette to Baton Rouge (64 miles)
On your way east on I-10 to Baton Rouge, you will pass a truly unusual attraction just before Henderson Lake: Prehistoric Park. This dinosaur-themed park includes more than 20 life-sized sculptures and models of dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts, along with several animatronic displays designed to entertain and inform visitors of all ages. Other stops worth making include the Tiger Truck Stop Petting Zoo in Grosse Tete. Here visitors can meet a gentle kangaroo and other exotic animals on their way across the bayous into Baton Rouge.
Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge (French for “Red Stick”) is the capital of Louisiana, which sits on the eastern shore of the mighty Mississippi River. In terms of size and population, Baton Rouge is the state’s second-largest city. Here visitors can utilize the metropolitan airport as well as visit the campus of Louisiana State University.
Points of interest
Visitors to Baton Rouge will certainly want to explore attractions like the USS Kidd Museum or Mike the Tiger’s Habitat, while there’s nothing quite like catching a game at the LSU Tiger Stadium. You’ll want to note the stark contrast between the castle-like Old State Capitol and the modern State Capitol, and of course, kids will love exploring the Knock Knock Children’s Museum.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
For a good local meal and a cool drink, the City Pork Brasserie and Bar offers a unique experience in Baton Rouge. Another popular location is the Louisiana Lagniappe Restaurant, which is well-known for its seafood and desserts. Another local spot for incredible crawfish and oysters is Parrain’s Seafood Restaurant.
Sixt Insider Tip
The Magnolia Mound Plantation (circa 1790) features one of Louisiana’s oldest wooden buildings. This idyllic property offers tours, workshops, and even festivals along the Mississippi River. This hidden gem is on every true insider’s list of must-see attractions in Baton Rouge.
From Baton Rouge to New Orleans (81 miles)
On the final leg of your road trip, you’ll want to make time for a few stops, such as the Blue Bayou Waterpark just outside of Baton Rouge, or perhaps the Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie. Here, you can tour the beautiful grounds of the plantation, enjoy a delicious Cajun-style meal in the restaurant, and even stay the night in one of the country cottages.
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans has been called the Crescent City for its shape, but it’s also known as the Big Easy, Louisiana’s flamboyant and colorful city of spicy cultures and even spicier foods. This city is home to Louis Armstrong International Airport in addition to campuses of the University of New Orleans and the Xavier University of Louisiana.
Points of interest
Every visitor should explore the historic Garden District or take a selfie at Jackson Square. You’ll want to wander the bright streets of the French Quarter before catching a live jazz performance at Preservation Hall, and everyone will love the Audubon Zoo, while City Park offers the perfect place to unwind after your road trip.
Where to eat, drink and sleep
Dining opportunities in New Orleans are endless with local favorites like GW Fins and Jacques Imo’s Café. Paladar 511 is a great pizza joint, while Mambo’s is a must-see bar. If you’re staying the night, The Old No. 77 and Eliza Jane are two historic hotels.
Sixt Insider Tip
New Orleans can be lively, from boisterous festivals to jazz performances on Frenchmen St. However, there are quieter places to visit, like the Ogden Museum of Southern Art near the National WWII Museum, another peaceful attraction. Looking for something a bit unusual? Then you’ll be amazed by the solemn grandeur of the St. Louis and the Lafayette cemeteries with their gothic gravestones and monuments.
