Austin to San Marcos drive: Distance, time & best stops
The distance from Austin to San Marcos TX is 31 miles, with a 36m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Austin to San Marcos drive are McKinney Falls State Park, the World’s Largest Shovel and Five Mile Dam Park.
Finding the best things to do between Austin and San Marcos
The Austin to San Marcos drive connects the capital of Texas to a city that loves being on the water.
Austin is renowned for its live music scene, although it has plenty of more conventional attractions too. These include Austin Zoo, the Museum of Ice Cream and the Bullock Texas State History Museum.
Top Austin experiences include ebike tours taking in the city highlights, haunted pub crawl walks and segway tours.
You can also try highly-rated downtown food tours, half day wine shuttles in the Hill Country, brewery-hopping beer tours and sightseeing on a boat cruise.
For Austin hotel recommendations, try band crashpad chic meets rainbow bathrobes at the Hotel San Jose and the unashamed rock star swagger of the W.
The San Marcos River is the unquestioned star of San Marcos TX. Ways to experience it include guided paddleboarding tours and kayaking at night with clear kayaks and glow lights.
The other major highlight of San Marcos is the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Based around a huge artesian spring, there’s a wetlands boardwalk here, but most come for diving, kayaking and the much-loved glass-bottom boat tours.
Good value San Marcos accommodation choices include the Hilton Garden Inn and Residence Inn by Marriott.
Austin to San Marcos distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Austin to San Marcos is 31 miles. That makes for a driving time of around 36 minutes. The quickest route is down the I-35. The best stops to add to an Austin to San Marcos road trip itinerary are McKinney Falls State Park, the World’s Largest Shovel and Five Mile Dam Park.
Austin to San Marcos road trip attractions: McKinney Falls State Park
Just to the south of Austin, McKinney Falls State Park has nine miles of hiking trails. Of these, the 2.8 mile Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail has a hard surface, and is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
Onion Creek is what the park is all about – most notably the two waterfalls where the creek pours over limestone ledges. They create highly appealing swimming holes, too.
Best stops between Austin and San Marcos: The World’s Largest Shovel
A short detour off the I-35 in Creedmoor TX takes you to one of America’s silliest roadside attractions. The World’s Largest Shovel is 40ft tall and stands proudly in a field.
This absurdity is the handiwork of artist Chris Anderson, who made his massive spade entirely out of recycled materials.
Austin to San Marcos drive: Five Mile Dam Park
On the Blanco River in Blanco Vista TX, Five Mile Dam Park is a solid picnic spot, with plenty of picnic tables to choose from. On a hot day, many visitors like to go swimming in the Blanco River here, although swimming alone is discouraged. You’ll also find a few easy-going walking trails here – none that you’ll need hiking boots for, however.
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