Best road trips out West from BTR

Grand Canyon. The drive through Texas is miserably long and boring, but it's worth it.

Big bend is incredible.

how much time do you have?

yeah you could take your time over to big bend - stay in austin one way and san antonio one way and still get 3-4 days in the park. Bring a passport so you can go to boquillas. You could also throw in a day or two in south padre for some beach action.

Or you could go for something like this:
Day 1 - BR to Austin
Day 2 - Austin to Big Bend
Day 3 - Big bend
Day 4 - Big Bend to Tuscon
Day 5 - Tuscon to grand canyon (stop by saguaro NP)
Day 6 - GC
Day 7 - GC to Amarillo
Day 8 - Amarillo to BR

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big bend

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My advice is to not go here in the summer. Fall, winter and Spring when the weather is cool is best. You can also drive along River road along the Rio Grande to Big Bend State Park. The drive is really nice....we kept saying to ourselves "we can't believe this is Texas". After the state park hit Presidio for some awesome traditional style enchiladas at El Patio...which is good, or Oasis which is my favorite. From here you can head to Marfa. Marfa is my favorite spot in the region. It has a big arts scene like a small Santa Fe, NM and is full of hipsters who have retired from the Austin hustle & Bustle. Its also at 5000' altitude so its cool and dry in the summer but cold as sh*t in the winter. If you spend a night or 2 you could maybe catch a Star Party at the McDonnell Observatory outside Ft. Davis which is 20 minutes from Marfa.....another 15 to the Observatory.

Summer time drive to Colorado and head north.

Wintertime just head due west from La. Great time to see New Mexico and Arizona. Stop at Big Ben NP.

There is no end to things to see and explore. Depends on if you prefer alpine mountains or desert canyons. Or a mix of both.

While the grand canyon is awesome, I recommend Moab way before it. I personally think Canyonlands is better than the grand canyon, and you get arches. If you can't make the 21 straight hours driving, get to ABQ, grab a hotel and go check out La Cumbre brewing. Wake up early then finish it off to Moab. Spend a day or 2 in Canyonlands, a day or 2 in Arches, rent a side by side and go crawling one day, maybe go rafting the colorado one day.

Best campground in moab and they have cabins if you're not a camper.

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Most people don't get it but I've tried to explain this to people so many times. I find Canyonlands prettier than the Grand Canyon and there is the added benefit of less people to deal with. I could spend a ton of time there.

While it's awesome, I really only need one day in Arches. The hike out to delicate Arch is nice. Most things can be seen by driving and doing really short hikes. Moab is such a cool town too.