Roadtrip with RVshare Dallas to New Orleans

The quickest route for a Dallas to New Orleans RV road trip uses three major interstate highways: Interstate 20 East (I-20 E), Interstate 49 S (I-49 S), and Interstate 10 E (I-10 E). The journey takes you from the business-oriented environment that serves Dallas to the laid-back atmosphere of New Orleans. The contrast between the cities illustrates the incredible diversity of the U.S. The road trip allows you to explore varied terrains and cultures that spawn memories to last a lifetime.

Nearby National Parks

There are 58 national parks in the United States, but none of them are near this route, unfortunately. To plan a future trip to a national park, look over this list of national parks from RVshare. There are, however, three national historical parks to add to your road trip itinerary for Dallas to New Orleans.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Before you take off toward New Orleans, travel 250 miles south to find Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. The site tells the story of the 36th President of the United States – his ancestry, upbringing, works, and legacy. The park includes the log cabin built on the initial land claimed in the Texas Hill Lands, the president’s childhood home, and the ranch house he built, dubbed the “Texas White House.” Tours are guided, often on bicycles, to cover the distances between the homes and over the hills. The president’s grandchildren often guide these tours.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

Take some more time to travel to San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Taking a day to walk through the missions, which are still active, gives you an appreciation of the deep Spanish roots in Texas. Before the Texas War for Independence, these missions were the messengers of the advance of European civilization into lands controlled by Native Americans. The Franciscan monks who toiled in these four missions were instrumental in quelling and converting a significant percentage of the indigenous population.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is named after the famous pirate who assisted Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. The park is located around New Orleans in six sections, three of which are dedicated to the Acadian civilization that sprouted the present-day Cajun culture. Chalmette Battlefield, where Andrew Jackson defeated a larger and more experienced British force, is also part of the park. The Chalmette National Cemetery is next to the battlefield. The final section is the Barataria Preserve, which includes the location where Jean Lafitte smuggled his ill-gotten gains. The trees draped in Spanish moss hovering overhead and the shallow canals are the same today as they were when Lafitte and his men lived here.

Nearby State Parks

Lake Tawakoni State Park  

Lake Tawakoni State Park is 60 miles east of Dallas and is easily reached from I-20 E. The park covers 376 acres of forested land on the eastern edge of the 37,879-acre Lake Tawakoni. The lake is home to bass, crappie, and catfish. Trails under the forest canopy assist you in observing the local wildlife. You can reserve an RV camping site within any of the four RV parks near the lake.

Martin Creek Lake State Park

Martin Creek Lake State Park is located just off I-20 E about 120 miles along your road trip from Dallas to New Orleans. The principal feature of the park is the quality of the fish anglers catch. The creek is full of large crappie, bass, catfish, yellow bullhead, tilapia, and sunfish. Anglers fish day and night, often from the lighted fishing pier. Five miles of trails wind through the hardwood forests that hover on either side of the creek. RV campsites are abundant at four different locations along the edge of the park.

Caddo Lake State Park

Caddo Lake State Park is located 151 miles east of Dallas near I-20 E. The park covers 8,253 acres surrounding Caddo Lake. The main attraction is the trophy-size largemouth bass. You can fish from the bank, a specially constructed fishing pier, or your own boat. Hiking trails lead around the park under a canopy of trees that hug the lake’s edge. Choose from among four RV parks to find the camping spot that suits you.

Chicot State Park

Chicot State Park is located just off I-10 S, 168 miles from New Orleans. The park includes 6,400 acres of hill land and water. Set in the middle of the hills is Lake Chicot, an artificial lake stocked with bluegill, bass, crappie, and red-ear sunfish. Fishing boats are available to rent. Trails through the hills attract many hikers and bicyclists. Take your time to choose from the 198 RV campsites available at the park. 

Fontainebleau State Park

Consider ending your Dallas to New Orleans road trip by camping your RV at Fontainbleau State Park. The park is only 41 miles from New Orleans, directly across Lake Pontchartrain. Select from among 23 premium RV campsites. Sailing and swimming in the lake are favorite pastimes, along with sunbathing on the beach. Landing your RV in this park gives you easy access to the attractions of the city.

Along the Way

There are many places along your Dallas to New Orleans road trip where you can stop, refresh, and learn. Each of these places adds a unique taste to your trip.

Discovery Science Place

Take a break from the road and learn something at the Discovery Science Place. The business is located in Tyler, TX, 100 miles along your road trip from Dallas to New Orleans. The Discovery Science Place is dedicated to the education of science, math, and exploration through inventive and imaginative means. They grab and keep the attention of kids and adults alike through exhibits that include subjects ranging from dinosaurs to trains to spaceships. 

Balloon Adventures

Instead of pulling off the road, get above it by taking a hot air balloon ride at Balloon Adventures. The business owns and operates a fleet of hot air balloons with the largest able to take up to six people on a journey above the pine forests and farmlands of East Texas. Balloon Adventures is located in Longview, TX, 128 miles along your road trip from Dallas to New Orleans. Call ahead to make your reservations.

Shreveport Observatory

On the outskirts of Shreveport, LA, 187 miles from Dallas, the Shreveport Bossier Astronomical Society maintains an observatory that holds both a 14-inch Meade SCT and a 6-inch refractor telescope. The organization holds classes for those interested in what is happening in the skies. Call in to reserve a spot for you and your family to enjoy this extraordinary addition to your Dallas to New Orleans road trip.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

On any trip in the United States that covers more than 500 miles, you will pass close to or through several cities. The road trip from Dallas to New Orleans is no exception. Of all the towns and cities that you pass along this journey, three stand out as exceptional places to stop and refresh.

Tyler, Texas

Tyler is the foremost economic and cultural hub of Northeast Texas. The city offers many attractions, including a 14-acre rose garden, the largest in the U.S. Businesses, both big and small, use Tyler as their center of operation, growing its population to over 107,000. Restaurants, theaters, gaming parlors, and other attractions bring visitors to Tyler throughout the year. Several dump stations in Tyler are available for you to clean your tanks. Campgrounds are open throughout the year inside and outside the city.

Shreveport, Louisiana

With a population of nearly 200,000, Shreveport, LA, is the fourth largest city you will see on your road trip from Dallas to New Orleans. The city is a hub of water and highway traffic and is where your trip turns south on I-49 S. Restaurants of every type and hundreds of entertainment opportunities are available for the family on the road. As visitors support a major portion of the Shreveport economy, dump stations are located everywhere in the city, and RV campgrounds also dot the area. 

Lafayette, Louisiana

Nearly 400 miles into your road trip from Dallas to New Orleans is the city of Lafayette, LA. It is the crossroads where you will leave I-49 S and join I-10 E to make the last leg of your trip straight into New Orleans. Lafayette is known as the “Heart of Cajun Country.” The aroma of the Cajun cuisine and the sound of its music permeates the city. Friendliness is the motto of Lafayette. To accommodate the number of visitors, the city offers numerous dump stations. RV campgrounds are everywhere inside and outside Lafayette. 

Find Adventure from Dallas to New Orleans

Find your One-Way Rental

The road trip from Dallas to New Orleans is a long one. The road travels through more than territory; it travels through essential cultures of America as well. Taking this trip in an RV lets you experience the adventures you'll come across along the way. When planning your journey, visit RVshare’s online RV rental page for Dallas to get an idea of the transports available. Those who are considering a drive in the other direction should visit the New Orleans webpage. With the right RV for you and your family, your opportunity to build lasting memories grows.