Best driving roads near Austin

West of Austin the Texas Hill Country erupts into limestone ridges and switchbacks, home to the famous Twisted Sisters near Leakey (just under three hours away) and miles of lakeside curves enthusiasts drive for hours.

1. Ranch Road 337 (the Twisted Sisters)

Ranch to Market Road 337 winding through Texas Hill Country canyons west of Leakey
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Part of the famed Twisted Sisters trio near Leakey, considered one of the best sports-car and motorcycle roads in America for its switchbacks and elevation changes.

Length
56.1 mi
Drive time
about 1 h 20 min
High point
No citable high point
Map of Ranch Road 337 (Twisted Sisters) from Camp Wood to Medina
Route: Camp Wood to Medina, about 58.2 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

2. The Devil's Backbone (RM 32)

A captivating ridge-top run between Wimberley and Blanco with panoramic views over rolling hills, limestone ridges, and misty valleys.

Length
23.2 mi
Drive time
about 30 min
High point
No citable high point
Map of Devil's Backbone (RM 32) from RM 12 south of Wimberley to US-281 south of Blanco
Route: RM 12 south of Wimberley to US-281 south of Blanco, about 23.2 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

3. Lime Creek Road

A twisting Hill Country road running inland from Volente near Lake Travis, with a few lake views, packed with curves and elevation right outside Austin.

Length
about 9 mi as mapped
Drive time
about 20 min
High point
No citable high point

Best time to go: Weekdays outside peak lake season; it gets lake traffic in the warm months and enforcement near the FM 1431 end.

Map of Lime Creek Road from Volente (FM 2769) to Anderson Mill Road near Cedar Park
Route: Volente (FM 2769) to Anderson Mill Road near Cedar Park, about 8.8 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

4. Willow City Loop

A winding country loop near Fredericksburg famous for spring wildflowers lining its narrow, photogenic curves.

Length
13 mi
Drive time
about 35 min
High point
No citable high point

Best time to go: Spring wildflower season, peaking in April; busy on weekends.

Map of Willow City Loop from Willow City (FM 1323) to SH-16 north of Fredericksburg
Route: Willow City (FM 1323) to SH-16 north of Fredericksburg, about 12.8 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length · Best time. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

5. Ranch Road 335 & 336 (the Twisted Sisters)

The other two of the Twisted Sisters near Leakey, completing the roughly 100-mile loop of switchbacks and serious elevation through the Hill Country.

Length
55.4 mi (RM 335 29.0, RM 336 26.4)
Drive time
about 1 h 30 min
High point
No citable high point
Map of Ranch Roads 335 and 336 (Twisted Sisters) from Barksdale (SH-55) to Leakey
Route: Barksdale (SH-55) to Leakey, about 70.7 mi. Map © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

Sources: Length. Drive time is the route time for the mapped route without stops, from Mapbox.

Track your next drive near Austin

Open Road keeps every drive: the route on a map, the time and the distance. On iPhone and Android.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Questions, answered

What are the best driving roads near Austin?
Top picks near Austin: Ranch Road 337, The Devil's Backbone, Lime Creek Road, Willow City Loop, Ranch Road 335 & 336. Each one is here for the drive and the scenery.
How long are the best driving roads near Austin?
Ranch Road 337: 56.1 mi. The Devil's Backbone: 23.2 mi. Willow City Loop: 13 mi. Ranch Road 335 & 336: 55.4 mi (RM 335 29.0, RM 336 26.4).
When is the best time to drive these roads?
Lime Creek Road: Weekdays outside peak lake season; it gets lake traffic in the warm months and enforcement near the FM 1431 end. Willow City Loop: Spring wildflower season, peaking in April; busy on weekends.
What's the best app to track a drive near Austin?
Open Road records your drive and saves it to your drive log with the route on a map, the distance and the time. It is on iPhone and Android.

Famous driving roads