If you’ve got a full week off and are looking for an unforgettable road trip from Dallas, these five destinations should be at the top of your list. From white-sand beaches and desert landscapes to waterfalls and mountain adventures, each of these trips can be done in about a week and is packed with memorable stops along the way.

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1. Destin, Florida

Drive Time: 10–11 hours (about 700 miles)

Perfect For

Families, beach lovers, couples, and anyone craving emerald water and sugar-white sand.

Don’t Miss

• Henderson Beach State Park
• Crab Island (pontoon rental)
• HarborWalk Village
• Sunset Tiki Boat Cruise
• Dolphin Cruise
• Gulf beaches

Suggested 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Dallas to Destin

Day 2: Henderson Beach State Park

Day 3: Rent a pontoon boat and spend the day at Crab Island

Day 4: Relax by the beach or pool

Day 5: HarborWalk Village, shopping, Sunset Tiki Cruise

Day 6: One last beach day

Day 7: Drive home

Where to Stay

• Sterling Sands
• Henderson Beach Resort
• Pelican Beach Resort

Great Places to Eat

• Boshamps Seafood & Oyster House
• The Back Porch
• Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant
• McGuire’s Irish Pub

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2. Kanab, Utah

Drive Time: About 16 hours (split into two driving days if possible)

Perfect For

Adventure lovers, hikers, photographers, and national park enthusiasts.

Don’t Miss

• Peekaboo Slot Canyon
• Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
• Toadstool Hoodoos
• Moqui Cave
• Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
• Day trips to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park

Suggested 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to New Mexico or Arizona

Day 2: Arrive in Kanab

Day 3: Peekaboo Slot Canyon Tour

Day 4: Zion National Park

Day 5: Coral Pink Sand Dunes and Moqui Cave

Day 6: Bryce Canyon National Park

Day 7: Begin drive home

Where to Stay

• Comfort Suites Kanab
• La Quinta Inn & Suites Kanab
• Best Friends Roadhouse

Great Places to Eat

• Sego Restaurant
• Rocking V Cafe
• Wild Thyme Café

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3. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Drive Time: 11–12 hours

Perfect For

Families, hikers, mountain lovers, and anyone wanting incredible scenery without driving deep into the Rockies.

Don’t Miss

• Pikes Peak
• Garden of the Gods
• Seven Falls
• Manitou Springs
• Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Suggested 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Colorado Springs

Day 2: Garden of the Gods and Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Day 3: Pikes Peak

Day 4: Seven Falls

Day 5: Paint Mines Interpretive Park

Day 6: Cave of the Winds or explore downtown

Day 7: Drive home

Where to Stay

• Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs
• Cheyenne Mountain Resort
• Drury Inn & Suites Colorado Springs

Great Places to Eat

• The Rabbit Hole
• Urban Egg
• Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.
• Colorado Mountain Brewery

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4. Tucson, Arizona

Drive Time: 14–15 hours

Perfect For

Desert scenery, scenic drives, unique hiking, and incredible Southwestern food.

Don’t Miss

• Saguaro National Park
• Sabino Canyon
• Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway
• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
• Mission San Xavier del Bac
• Gates Pass at sunset

Suggested 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Drive toward New Mexico

Day 2: Arrive in Tucson

Day 3: Saguaro National Park

Day 4: Mount Lemmon Scenic Byway

Day 5: Sabino Canyon and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Day 6: Mission San Xavier and Gates Pass

Day 7: Drive home

Where to Stay

• Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
• Lodge on the Desert
• Hampton Inn Tucson

Great Places to Eat

• El Charro Café
• The Monica
• Baja Café
• Seis Kitchen

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5. Fall Creek Falls, Tennessee

Drive Time: 11–12 hours

Perfect For

Waterfalls, hiking, camping, and outdoor family adventures.

Don’t Miss

• Fall Creek Falls
• Cane Creek Falls
• Cane Creek Cascades
• Suspension Bridge
• Rocky Point Overlook
• Kayak or paddle the lake

Suggested 7-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Tennessee

Day 2: Explore Fall Creek Falls

Day 3: Hike to Cane Creek Falls and Cascades

Day 4: Paddle the lake

Day 5: Visit overlooks and enjoy another hike

Day 6: Relax or explore nearby Sparta and Cookeville

Day 7: Drive home

Where to Stay

• Fall Creek Falls Lodge
• Cabins inside the state park
• Nearby vacation cabins

Great Places to Eat

• Restaurant at Fall Creek Falls Lodge
• The Breakfast Barn (Sparta)
• Father Tom’s Pub (Cookeville)

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Which Road Trip Will You Choose?

Whether you’re dreaming of relaxing on the beach in Destin, exploring Utah’s famous red rocks, standing on top of Pikes Peak, discovering Arizona’s giant saguaros, or chasing waterfalls in Tennessee, each of these road trips is worth using a week of vacation.

Have questions about any of these trips? Leave a comment below!