Houston to Myrtle Beach Road Trip Guide

Introduction

Recognized as the world leader in space exploration and one of the best food cities in America, Houston's southern charm appeals to everyone. For families looking for an RV road trip, the city is one of the best starting points in the south. Houston is the fourth largest in the country and is also one of the most diverse, so there is plenty to see and do in this subtropical climate.

Houston is full of green spaces, fantastic museums, and its downtown theatre district is very underrated, so it is the perfect place to start an RV road trip. While it is common for RV lovers to head west from Houston towards San Antonio and Austin, heading east is full of unique activities that you won't be able to enjoy anywhere else in the country.

Spreading the trip over seven days give you the chance to take it slow and explore some areas that might be usually skipped over. You can enjoy the sights and sounds of the south as you travel through many cities, state parks, and wildlife refuges until you reach the seaside holiday destination of Myrtle Beach. Known as a beachside paradise that combines relaxation with activities for all ages, Myrtle Beach is the perfect place to end your RV road trip.

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Details

60'
Max RV length
60'
Max trailer Length
Road trip length: 7+ days
Recommend rig: motorhome
audience: family

Point of Interest

Space Center Houston

While there are many things to see and do in Houston it is an absolute must to visit the Space Center if you are on an RV road trip with the whole family. Known as one of the major tourist attractions in Houston, it is the official visitor's center of the NASA Johnson Space Center and over a million people visit every year.

The Space Center is home to over 400 artifacts that have been in space, numerous exhibitions, and experiences that are suitable for the whole family. You will also have the chance to explore a replica of the Independence shuttle that is perched atop of the NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft.

Plan to spend all day at the Space Center and check out the website before your arrival to see if there are any special events that are happening. Need somewhere to stay? There are plenty of private campgrounds near the Space Center, including the Jetstream RV Resort that is only nine miles away.


Sam Houston Jones State Park

Once you hit the road and drive out of Houston it won't be long until you exit Texas and enter the great state of Louisiana. There are so many great places to visit in western Louisiana, including Sam Houston Jones State Park.

Located off the I-10 East, Sam Houston Jones State Park is the only State Park in all of southwest Louisiana and is home to rivers, lakes, and woodlands that are waiting for you to explore. Encompassing around 1,000 acres, popular activities at the park include picnicking, birdwatching, boating, and hiking. There are also some great ranger-led activities where you and your kids can learn more about the history of the park, its flora, and fauna.

Another advantage of visiting Sam Houston Jones State Park is that you will have a very comfortable night's rest in the campground. There are 38 sites to choose from suitable for RVs up to 75 feet in length, and all of them are equipped with electric hookups. You will also be able to use free laundry facilities, which is a huge bonus!


Acadian Village

Lousiana is known for its Cajun culture, so what better way to experience it then by visiting a recreated Cajun village? The Acadian Village is a private cultural park that is not too far off the I-10 around 80 miles east of Sam Houston Jones State Park.

Originally constructed in the 1970s to provide jobs for people living in and around the city of Lafayette, Acadian Village is a great way to experience how life used to be in the 1800s. There are tours of the village available Monday to Saturday (except on major holidays) where you can explore 10 structures that are associated with this time period. The friendly staff on hand will be able to answer any questions you may have about the buildings or anything else you are wanting to know about relating to Cajuns.

The Lafayette KOA Holiday is the pick of campgrounds within the city, so if you are looking for a place to rest and relax before continuing across Louisiana you can't beat it!


The National WWII Museum

As you continue your RV road trip east you can either stay on the I-10 East or head down the Highway 90 East to the place where the good times roll: New Orleans. Despite not being regarded by many as a place to bring the family, there are plenty of great activities to enjoy off Bourbon Street.

The National WWII Museum is one of the best attractions in the city and is the perfect place for a day of learning. Opened in 2006, the museum contains more than 250,000 artifacts relating to the American experience of WWII. There are multiple pavilions within the museum that contains bombers, galleries, and a 4-D film that gives viewers a general overview of the war. It will take you around three hours to tour the museum and you can purchase tickets before your arrival.

Although The Big Easy is dominated by hotels, there are some RV campgrounds in the city, such as the New Orleans KOA Holiday. Here you will be able to stay in sites with full hookups and the campground is open all year round.


De Soto National Forest

After the hustle and bustle of New Orleans, you might be craving an escape back to nature. Thanks to the De Soto National Forest you can enjoy some serenity while continuing on your RV road trip through the south.

De Soto National Forest is gigantic with over 500,000 acres, including around 70 miles of trails that can be used for biking, hiking, and horseback riding. The forest also contains several lakes that you can use for boating and fishing no matter what time of the year you are going on your road trip. Feel like having a picnic? There are seven pavilions that you can reserve in advance that contain grills, picnic tables, and water collection points.

Since the forest is so large there are plenty of places for you to set up your RV for the night. Both the Turkey Fork Campground and Big Biloxi contain sites with electrical hookups and can be reserved in advance.


Civil Rights Memorial

Heading northeast on the I-65 you will travel from Mississippi through Alabama you have the chance to stop into the city of Mobile or continue to Montgomery. If you are feeling up for a longer drive, heading to Montgomery to see the well-known Civil Rights Memorial will be a fascinating way to spend an afternoon.

The memorial was established in 1898 as a response to those who were killed during the time period of 1954 and 1968 in the Civil Rights Movement. Open 24 hours a day and seven days a week, you are allowed and encouraged to touch the memorial and it is a great place to visit with children since it is such a profound moment to reflect and learn about the history of America.

Next to the memorial is the Civil Rights Memorial Center where you can view exhibits about those who were influential during the movement, a theatre, and the Wall of Tolerance digital display. A stop at the Civil Rights Memorial is highly recommended.


Andretti Indoor Karting and Games

Park your RV and start your engines, it's time for some race track fun! Located on the outskirts of Atlanta, Andretti Indoor Karting and Games is a great way to break up the drive with some fun in much smaller vehicles. Suitable for those who are five years old or older, Andretti Indoor Karting and Games features so many fun activities that there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Known for its racetrack, go-karting is a very fun family-friendly activity that you can enjoy all year round. There are three different tracks to choose from, including one that is advanced. Off the track, you can play at the arcade, use the ropes course, or experience virtual reality thanks to the Hologate game. There is also plenty of food choices if you get peckish and you are also only two miles from the Atlanta Marietta RV Resort Park that you can call home for your night in the Capital of Georgia.


Congaree National Park

Welcome to South Carolina! Before arriving in the beachside paradise of Myrtle Beach you need to make the most of the chance to visit Congaree National Park. Located around three and a half hours from Atlanta, the park is very special since it has the biggest section of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest that is left in the southeastern area of the country.

Along with this beautiful natural wonder, the park is also home to 25 miles of hiking trails, two and a half miles of boardwalks, and plenty of great canoeing opportunities on Cedar Creek. The park is extremely biodiverse and features fantastic ranger-led programs where you can learn more about the park.

One thing to note about Congaree National Park is that there are no RV-friendly campgrounds, so you will have to look outside of the park for a place to stay. This is no big deal since there are plenty of campgrounds in the area, including at Poinsett State Park.


Summary

What an epic trip! Since leaving Houston you've traveled through six states, seen some of the best parts of the south, and had a lot of fun. Finishing your trip at Myrtle Beach is a great choice since you will have the option to kick back and relax or have some fun in the sun.

The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk is an absolute must-see, even if you don't want to soar above in the famous Ferris wheel. The city is known for its seafood buffets, but there are some great restaurants to check out, such as The Melting Pot, Cafe Old Vienna, and Thoroughbreds. If the sun is shining you can head to the beach and go for a swim, or just hang out on the beach and do some sunbathing.

The city of Myrtle Beach has plenty of private RV campgrounds to choose from, including the fantasticMyrtle Beach KOA Resort that is only a hop, skip, and a jump from the ocean.

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