Welcome to Texas!

From the dense forests of the Piney Woods to the Hill Country’s sparkling swimming holes, and the historic San Antonio missions to the vast Panhandle Plains, Texas offers diverse landscapes to explore. With 254 counties and 268,597 square miles, it’s best visited by car. Whether you’re drawn to history, culture, or acclaimed restaurants, the state has something for every traveler. The 2026 Texas State Travel Guide features more than 2,500 attractions in nearly 500 cities—plus an ode to Route 66 as it celebrates 100 years of inspiring road-trippers—with recommendations on the best sites and bites along the way. Gas up, hit the road, and get your kicks.

–The Texas Highways Team

About the covers

The 2026 Texas State Travel Guide and Texas Official Travel Map covers celebrate 100 years of Route 66, part of the original federal highway system that ran through the Texas Panhandle on its way from Chicago to Santa Monica, California. The route was immortalized in “Route 66,” sung by Nat King Cole in 1946 and later by such notables as Chuck Berry and The Rolling Stones. As the road’s popularity grew in the 1950s and ’60s, businesses began creating roadside attractions to draw motorists. The photo is the work of photographer Sean Fitzgerald. More of his photographs can be viewed here.