The drive from Texas to Colorado is one filled with crackled desert-scapes and rolling plains. While not traditionally flaunted as one of the most exciting road trips in America, there are quite a few quirky road trip stops to help break up the 11-ish hour drive from Dallas to Denver. The key to the ultimate road trip is always to hit the road as early as possible so that time and (sunlight) are on your side.
The silver lining in this drive? You switch time zones, earning yourself an extra hour. Can't go wrong with the buffer time to explore the unexpected places that strike your fancy. From the outdoorsy to the odd, there are plenty of potential roadside destinations to mix and max along your drive from Dallas to Denver.
VALLEY PECANS
Chillicothe, TX, ~3 Hour Drive from Dallas
Valley Pecans is an adorable little roadside shop and deli, packed with all things pecans, or as they'd say "Dang Good Candy." Stop off to grab a little bite (see: freshly baked quiche and sandwiches) and grab a bag of treats for the drive ahead. Most importantly, there's also a little side yard sitting area under the PECAN TREES. If you're lucky you might just find some rogue fallen nuts to really take this Texas road trip over the edge.
PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK
Canyon, TX, ~5 hours Drive from Dallas
For those interested in dividing up the trip into two days, Palo Duro Canyon is an epic place to stop between Dallas and Colorado. Whether you're camping on-site or staying in Amarillo down the road, this state park is one for the Texas travel bucket list. Shockingly, Palo Duro is actually the second largest canyon in the US, followed only behind the Grand Canyon. There are plenty of awesome hiking trails to explore to help stretch your legs with a terrain that you'd never believe was Texas. Just be sure to check out the website and reserve a day pass for entry in advance. The pandemic has definitely driven bigger crowds looking to opt outside over the recent months. If one thing's for sure, it'll rock your perception of the lone star state.
CADILLAC RANCH
Amarillo, TX, ~5.5 hour Drive from Dallas
A drive through Amarillo will bring you to one of America's most recognized roadside attractions. Cadillac Ranch is just slightly off the main highway but feels like the middle of nowhere. Plopped in farm country, you'll find ten Cadillacs nose-dived and half-buried in the ground. The public art installation is free! and open 24 hours per day - though there are no lights on the land so a stop during daylight hours is recommended. Originally placed by a millionaire back in the '70s along the historic route 66 as a tribute to the golden age of the American automobile, the cars of Cadillac Ranch today are covered in spray paint for all to participate. Don't forget to bring your own spray paint to leave your mark, just be sure to take your trash when your masterpiece is completed.
CAPULIN VOLCANO NATIONAL MONUMENT
Capulin, NM, 8.5 Hour Drive from Dallas, ~4 Hour Drive from Denver
Who knew! An extinct volcano right in the northeastern corner of New Mexico. This way lesser-known national monument is tucked right off the route between Dallas and Colorado and is one you might not even realize is there as you drive alongside it. Capulin Volcano National Monument is one you might never visit if not for this road trip but is a sweet spot for wandering around - you can even walk around the volcano rim which, hello, how cool is that? Plus, you drive by a ton of cute cows, and a couple of abandoned structures bring the desolate landscape home.
GARDEN OF THE GODS
Colorado Springs, CO, ~10 Hour Drive from Dallas, Final Stretch to Denver!
While there are a million and one things to do around Colorado Springs, the top spot to visit in the city is, hands down, Garden of the Gods. You can easily spend hours googling over these incredible red rock structures plunging into the sky. If you've never been to the Springs, consider spending an extra day or morning along the drive to wander around Garden of the Gods. Trust me, you will not regret it. This absolute gem of a city park is one that should make the national park list. Staying overnight in Colorado Springs? Find a cool Airbnb or splurge on a spa stay in the quirky, hippie town of Manitou Springs right outside Garden of the Gods.
Now you’re ready to roll on the most epic road trip from Texas to Colorado. Want to get these spots on the map shown above? Roadtrippers is an amazing road trip planning app for just that. Grab this trip itinerary from Dallas to Denver here.