Roadtrip with RVshare Phoenix to Dallas

Your road trip from Phoenix to Dallas will last many hours and afford you the chance to see much of the southwestern United States. This area of the west was originally settled by the Spanish and has a rich heritage of many Native American peoples, European explorers, and American pioneers. You will have many options for experiencing the natural beauty and the historical significance of the Wild West.

Nearby National Parks

Your Phoenix to Dallas RV road trip will take you through the states of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. There are two parks in the National Park system that are well-worth taking some time to explore, one of which has historical importance and the other is a wilderness adventure of quiet solitude.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

When you want a true wilderness experience, then Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the perfect place to have just that. This preserve protects the four highest peaks in Texas, the world's largest Permian fossil reef, and a wide variety of plants and wildlife. The park is renowned for the majestic Guadalupe Peak, the tallest point in Texas. Visitors can hike to the peak of this mountain via the Guadalupe Peak trail, which is 8.5 miles round-trip and climbs 3,000 feet to the top. Other trails in the park include the McKittrick Canyon Trail (5-7 mi. round-trip), Smith Spring Trail (2.3 mi. round-trip), and the Devil's Hall Trail (4.3 mi. round-trip). While in the park, you will see diverse landscapes of either white gypsum or red quartz dunes, deserts, mountains, canyons, and stands of junipers and conifers.

This park is somewhat isolated, so visitors need to bring their own food and supplies. There are two campsites for tents and RVs on a first-come, first-served basis, which do not offer full hookups. However, there is water available for RVs from a faucet near the registration board (no hose provided). There are restrooms with running water but no showers. Visitors to Guadalupe Mountains National Park will enjoy the rugged beauty and the peaceful quiet of this Texas jewel.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Although it's not a national park, the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is a celebration of the life of our 36th president, Lyndon B. Johnson. He is most well-known as the driving force behind "The Great Society," a series of legislative acts that promoted and supported social programs that addressed poverty, hunger, education, and civil rights. After his presidency ended, he retired to his home and ranch in Texas. On the deaths of Johnson and his wife, the land and buildings were turned into a National Historical Park. Visitors can tour the museum and learn about the legacies of the president, and there is a walking trail around the ranch.

Nearby State Parks

There are boundless opportunities to see a varied landscape of canyons, mountains, and deserts as you journey along your road trip from Phoenix to Dallas.

Lost Dutchman State Park

Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona is named after a fable of a lost gold mine. The park is located in the Sonoran Desert below the Superstition Mountains and is only 40 miles after you leave on your Phoenix to Dallas road trip. There are several hiking trails that lead into the Superstition Mountains and the surrounding Tonto National Forest. Some of the more popular trails include the Siphon Draw Trail that goes to the top of the Flatiron or the Native Plant Trail.

Davis Mountains State Park

Davis Mountains State Park is a quiet and serene park in West Texas where you can gaze at the stars at night, hike during the day, and utilize the unique bird blind to see many species of birds. Visitors can hike along trails like the 4.5-mile Skyline Drive Trail, which traverses cliffs and valleys, and the 1.75-mile CCC trail that connects to the trail for the Fort Davis National Historic Site. You can mountain bike, and equestrians can camp at Limpia Canyon and ride over 11 miles of trails that ascend to a scenic overlook in the Davis Mountains. The bird blind has an enclosed viewing station, watering and feeding stations, and a shielded outside patio.

Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway

Lake Mineral Wells State Park is a great park to visit for hiking, rock-climbing, swimming, fishing, and boating activities. There is a boat ramp on the 640-acre lake, and you can rent jon boats, paddleboards, rowboats, kayaks, and canoes. There is no skiing, tubing, or jet skiing allowed. There are numerous hiking trails inside the park, and the Lake Mineral Wells Trailway is a 20-mile long trail that is part of the original Weatherford, Mineral Wells & Northwestern Railroad that ferried passengers to the mineral baths of the former Mineral Wells resort. The Trailway has 16 bridges, including one that is 500 feet long and crosses U.S. Highway 180. You can rappel the natural rock formations in Penitentiary Hollow, but you have to register first.

Along the Way

Whether your tastes run to theme parks, museums, historical sites, or the great outdoors, you will find exactly the right place to add to your road trip itinerary from Phoenix to Dallas.

The Mission Trail and Ysleta Mission

The Mission Trail in El Paso is a nine-mile trail that travels through Mission Valley. It is named after three missions that were built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries: Ysleta Mission, Socorro Mission, and San Elizario Chapel. These are the oldest missions in the state of Texas and are still active parishes today. While on the trail, you can visit art galleries, landmarks, museums, restaurants, and other attractions. The highlight of the tour is Ysleta Mission, which is the oldest operating mission in Texas. It was founded in 1660 and originally consisted of an adobe building as its main center, but many of the original buildings are no longer there. The current mission was built in 1908.

Frontier Texas

Frontier Texas is located in downtown Abilene and showcases western heritage by allowing visitors to interactively experience the Old West. This interesting museum features life-sized holographic figures that represent real people who lived on the Texas frontier. You will meet buffalo hunters, explorers, Comanches, and pioneers. Other interesting exhibits are the "Guns of the West" display, which is a collection of historic firearms from the Fort Phantom Hill Foundation, and the "Early Texas" exhibit with artifacts and murals. The Abilene and Forts Trail Visitor Center is also located inside the center.

Six Flags Over Texas

If you're into thrills and exhilaration, then there is no better way to end your Phoenix to Dallas road trip than by staying a day at Six Flags Over Texas. The kids will love hanging out with all the Looney Tunes characters in the children's areas, and everyone else will enjoy riding exciting rides like the rollercoaster Batman: The Ride, the bobsled-style La Vibora, and the spinning and twisting Harley Quinn Spinsanity.

Main Cities You Will Pass Through

Your route from Phoenix to Dallas will take a couple of days of driving. You will undoubtedly take breaks for much-needed rest, dining, and fuel needs. Fortunately, there are many large and fun cities to visit along your travels through Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Tucson

Tucson is the second-largest city in Arizona and is just behind Phoenix in size. It is known for being the home of The University of Arizona and for having a variety of cultural, musical, and dining venues. You will enjoy this warm and dry climate as you walk along the trails in Sabino Canyon and Saguaro National Monument, where you can view that iconic symbol of Tucson, the Saguaro cactus. It is also worthwhile touring the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. You can't go wrong staying at a KOA, and Tucson/Lazydays KOA offers two pools, a game room, two laundries, and plenty of shower areas. There are even lemon, grapefruit, and orange trees with free fruit for the picking. There are multiple options for dump station sites.

El Paso

Spending some time in El Paso, TX, will be a rewarding experience as you take a break from the road. This exciting city is the sixth-largest in Texas and has a multitude of historical, cultural, and entertainment options for you to explore. It is located on the Rio Grande and was founded in the late 1600s by the Spanish. Today, it is a city that takes pride in its bilingual culture, and there are numerous museums, parks, restaurants, and more to explore. If you need a place to stay overnight, El Paso West/Anthony KOA Journey is a great park that combines comfortable conveniences and beautiful backdrops of the Franklin Mountains. When you need a dump station, there are several available around El Paso.

Abilene

Abilene, TX, is more than a hundred years old and was founded by pioneers who helped create the town for the T&P Railway. Later oil strikes and record crop harvests helped usher in a boomtown prosperity in the 1920s. Today, Abilene is home to three universities, an air force base, and multiple oil industries. The city is a leading center of cultural, shopping, and service venues for this area of West Texas. If you have time, be sure to walk around the Commercial Historic District, which preserves many buildings of historical and architectural significance. Abilene RV Park is a Good Sam RV park that will afford you a convenient respite from the road and has a pool, laundry, free Wi-Fi, and other welcome amenities. There are also various options for you when you need a dump station near Abilene.

Find Adventure from Phoenix to Dallas

Find your One-Way Rental

When you follow this road trip itinerary from Phoenix to Dallas, you will enjoy historic locations and beautiful scenery along the way. If you want to travel in comfort and style, consider an RV rental from RVshare. From large motorhomes to compact campervans, there is a rig that will meet your travel and budget needs. Once you hit the road, you are protected by our renter guarantee and 24/7 roadside assistance. Find the perfect vehicle for your travel needs in Phoenix or Dallas.