Texas Gulf Coast

Route description

Leave Houston on I-45 and cross the causeway to Galveston, about an hour south. The Strand and the streets around it keep a remarkable run of 19th-century Victorian commercial buildings, and the Seawall runs for miles along the Gulf beach. Allow time for the historic homes of the East End and a walk out on one of the piers.

From the west end of Galveston Island, cross the toll bridge at San Luis Pass and follow the coastal farm roads and TX-35 southwest through flat ranch land, marshes and small bay towns. At Aransas Pass, TX-361 leads to the free state-run ferry across the ship channel to Port Aransas, a laid-back fishing and beach town on Mustang Island. In summer and on holiday weekends the ferry line can be long, so arrive early or allow extra time.

TX-361 runs south down Mustang Island to Corpus Christi, where the bayfront, the Texas State Aquarium and the aircraft carrier USS Lexington museum are worth a stop. Park Road 22 then continues onto Padre Island National Seashore, the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. The Malaquite Beach area has a visitor center and paved access, and in summer rangers release Kemp’s ridley sea turtle hatchlings on the beach.

Beyond the first few miles, driving on Padre’s beach needs four-wheel drive, as the sand is soft and there are no services. Hurricane season runs from June to November, so check forecasts before you go, and bring shade, water and insect repellent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable seasons for camping along this coast.