Dallas to Round Top, Texas
3.5 hours south. One of the best weekend escapes from Dallas — the world's largest antique show, legendary pie at Royer's, and Hill Country quiet. Whether you push through in a day or make it a proper overnight, Round Top is worth the drive.
Let's be honest about the drive: 3.5 hours each way is a lot to ask for a single day. Most Dallas visitors who do Round Top as a true day trip leave before sunrise and come home tired. It's doable — but a two-day trip turns the drive into the beginning of the experience rather than an obstacle to it. Leave Friday afternoon, get to Round Top by dinner, shop Saturday, drive home Sunday. That's the Dallas version.
The most common route goes south on I-35 through Waco and Austin, then east on US-290. Be realistic about Austin: hitting the city between 7–9am or 4–7pm in either direction can add 30–45 minutes. If you're leaving Dallas on a Saturday morning during show week, plan to be through Austin before 8am or leave Austin's traffic window before you hit it. The US-77 bypass through Hillsboro and Corsicana avoids Austin entirely and runs about the same distance — a legitimately good option that most GPS apps won't suggest.
Waco is the natural halfway point and worth a stop. Magnolia Market at the Silos is 10 minutes off I-35 and draws a crowd of its own. If your group has any overlap between antique hunting and Fixer Upper fans — and it often does — this is the logical coffee-and-bathroom break on the way down.
Coming from Dallas, you enter the Round Top show corridor from the western (Carmine) end — which means you'll hit the well-curated venues first (Marburger Farm, The Arbors) before the rougher-but-fun hunting fields of Warrenton. That's actually the better order for first-timers: start with a high-production venue to orient yourself, then head into the fields when you know what you're looking for.
Getting There: Two Route Options
Via Austin (I-35 South)
~230 miles · ~3.5 hrs
- 1.Take I-35 South from Dallas through Waco and Georgetown
- 2.Continue through Austin (watch for rush-hour traffic)
- 3.Take US-290 East from Austin through Elgin and Bastrop
- 4.Continue on US-290 East through Giddings to Carmine
- 5.Turn south on TX-237 — Round Top is 12 miles south
Best for: Stopping in Waco or Austin. Most common GPS route.
Via US-77 (Austin Bypass)
~230 miles · ~3.5 hrs
- 1.Take I-35 South to Hillsboro, then US-77 South
- 2.Continue through Corsicana, Mexia, and Marlin
- 3.Continue south on US-77 to Cameron, then TX-36 South
- 4.Take TX-77 South through Giddings to La Grange
- 5.Take TX-159 West to Round Top (20 miles)
Best for: Avoiding Austin entirely during show week or weekend traffic.
Day Trip or Overnight?
The Day Trip Version
Doable, but long. Best for one dedicated shopper who wants maximum time at the show.
The Overnight (Recommended)
Best optionWorth a Stop on the Drive
Magnolia Market — Waco
~100 miles from Dallas
Chip and Joanna Gaines' flagship market at the Silos. 10 minutes off I-35, good coffee, and a natural halfway point. Crowds are manageable on weekday mornings.
Collin Street Bakery — Corsicana
On the US-77 bypass route
Texas's famous fruitcake bakery, open since 1896. The holiday fruitcake ships worldwide, but the on-site cafe has good everyday pastries and a drive-through. Easy detour on the Austin-bypass route.
La Grange
~20 min from Round Top
A historic Fayette County town with a genuine Texas courthouse square. Worth 20 minutes if you arrive early. Several antique shops, a good kolache bakery, and the gateway to Round Top.
Blue Bell Creamery — Brenham
~30 min from Round Top
Tour the home of the state's most beloved ice cream brand. Factory tours run weekdays; the ice cream parlor is open daily. A natural stop on the way back if you're taking the US-290 route home.
Monument Hill State Historic Site
~5 min from La Grange
A small but significant Texas historical site overlooking the Colorado River. The walk up to the monument takes 15 minutes and offers one of the better views in the region. Free admission.
Round Top Brewery
In Round Top
A nanobrewery with rotating taps and live music on weekends. The outdoor space has picnic tables and a relaxed vibe. A good post-shopping stop before the drive north.
What to Do When You Get There
Coming from Dallas, you'll arrive at the western end of the show corridor via Carmine. The first major venues you'll hit are Marburger Farm and The Arbors — both large, well-curated, and a good orientation to the scale of the show before you commit to spending the whole day walking fields.
Marburger Farm is the most recognizable name on the corridor — a 43-acre working ranch with professional dealers who specialize in European imports, serious American antiques, and high-quality vintage. It's ticketed during show week ($15/day or $20 for a season pass). If you only have time for one venue, this is the one.
The Arbors is massive — one of the biggest venues on the corridor — and covers a broader range of price points and categories. Good for groups where people have different tastes or budgets. Fashion tent has vintage clothing, jewelry, and accessories.
Push south to Warrenton if you have time and energy. The open fields feel different from the curated venues — more tents, more hunting, more variation. Zapp Hall is the anchor; surrounding it are dozens of independent dealers with everything from junk to treasure. The prices tend to be more negotiable than the curated venues.
Between venues: Royer's Round Top Café for lunch or dinner (reserve in advance — seriously), Royer's Pie Haven for a morning slice before the fields open, and the Henkel Square area for year-round boutiques and galleries.
What to Budget
Gas (round trip)
$50–70
Show admission
$0–30/day
Lodging (1 night)
$150–350
Food & drinks
$40–80/day
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Round Top from Dallas?+
About 230 miles south of Dallas — roughly 3.5 hours via I-35 South to Austin, then US-290 East to Round Top. The most common route takes you through Waco and Austin. An alternate route via US-77 South through Hillsboro and Waxahachie can shave 20–30 minutes depending on Austin traffic.
Is Round Top worth a day trip from Dallas?+
Yes, but be honest about the math: 3.5 hours each way means 7 hours of driving for a single day. Most Dallas visitors make it a weekend trip — leave Friday afternoon, shop Saturday and Sunday morning, drive home Sunday afternoon. Those who do it as a day trip leave Dallas by 5–6am and don't linger.
What is the best route from Dallas to Round Top?+
The most common route is I-35 South through Waco to Austin, then US-290 East to Bastrop, then continue on US-290 East to Carmine, then TX-237 South to Round Top. Total: ~230 miles, ~3.5 hours without traffic. Watch Austin rush hour — if you hit Austin between 7–9am or 4–7pm, add 30–45 minutes.
Is there a route from Dallas to Round Top that avoids Austin?+
Yes. Take I-35 South to Hillsboro, then US-77 South through Corsicana, Mexia, Marlin, and Cameron to La Grange, then TX-159 West to Round Top. This route is about 230 miles and can be faster than going through Austin if Austin traffic is bad. It's also more scenic — smaller towns, less highway.
Where should Dallas visitors stay in Round Top?+
With a 3.5-hour drive, most Dallas visitors plan at least one night in Round Top. In-town B&Bs and boutique properties book out 3–6 months in advance for show week. If Round Top is sold out, La Grange (20 min) and Brenham (30 min) have additional hotel and B&B options.
What stops are worth making between Dallas and Round Top?+
On the I-35 route: Waco (Magnolia Market at the Silos, Dr Pepper Museum), Georgetown (historic downtown), and Austin (all the usual options). On the US-77 bypass route: Corsicana (Collin Street Bakery fruitcake is famous there), and La Grange (historic Texas town, only 20 min from Round Top).
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