There really aren't too many options. It might depend on your final destination in Austin.

Personally, I like the I10 to HWY 71. Its pretty nice, and fast. You can also do 290 from Houston to Austin. Some people like stopping in Breham for the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory, etc. But I usually can't wait to get to Austin so I take the fastest route. I don't know any BBQ places but my guess is there are a few.

What interests you?

Here's the best BBQ in Austin. Take I 10 to Luling and head N to Austin. Stop at Luling or Lockhart.

Black's BBQ @ 215 N. Main St., Lockhart, TX. 512 - 398 - 2712. 29 MILES S OF AUSTIN.
http://www.blacksbbq.com/
City Market BBQ @ 633 E. Davis St., Luling, TX 830 - 875 - 9019. 44 MILES S OF AUSTIN.
http://www.lulingcitymarket.com/menu.html
Franklin’s BBQ @ 900 E. 11th Street, Austin, TX 512 – 653 – 1187. ‎
http://www.franklinbarbecue.com/index.html
Kreuz Market @ 619 N. Colorado St., Lockhart, TX. 512 - 398 - 2361. 29 MILES S OF AUSTIN.
http://www.kreuzmarket.com/index.shtml
Smitty's Market @ 208 S. Commerce St., Lockhart, TX. 512 - 398 - 9344. 29 MILES S OF AUSTIN.
http://www.smittysmarket.com/
Snow's BBQ @ 516 Main St., Lexington, TX. 979 - 542 - 8189. *** I35/EXIT252/253. 50 MILES E AUSTIN.
http://www.snowsbbq.com/

All of those are supposed to be excellent. One thing to know - they are popular and only cook so much, then they close when they are sold out. Might get there at least by 11?

Thanks Austin and Littleman. BBQ places look great, to be honest though lining up for an hour or more to order food is not something that appeals to us at all. I do hope we can find good BBQ food without a queue.

We were once directed to 'the best pizza in Brooklyn', went there and the queue meant there would be at least a 2 hour wait, we opted to go to another place around the corner with a much better view, got in straight away and the pizza was fabulous.

So no real sights to stop for between Houston and Austin?

We always drive 290 between Houston and Austin. Nice drive but nothing really to see except some ranches and stuff. Just do the drive straight through to Austin. It's only 3 hours which is nothing here in Texas.

No need to stand in line for BBQ. There are plenty of good places in Austin. Do not go to the current "favorite" Franklin BBQ. That's one of those stupid places where people wait 2 hours to maybe get BBQ before they run out.

We love Ironworks downtown. Walk-up counter service and really good Q. It's at the corner of Red River and Cesar Chavez (1st Street). People also swear by Salt Lick BBQ although it's never been my favorite. But, I've never had it at their original location in Driftwood (only catered at parties) so I'm sure it's different there. It's BYOB and cash only.

Thanks AustinTraveler. This will be our first time in Texas and only my second trip to the states so 'some ranches and stuf" may be of interest to us and yep 3 hours is a very short drive, that is why we were looking to make it longer by taking a detour or two along the way for sightseeing.

Thanks for the BBQ tip - Ironworks, we ceratainly will not be getting in line for 2 hours, not our idea of a fun way to spend our holiday.

If I was wanting to spend time on the journey, I would drive west on I-10 and get off on Old US 90 as much as possible and drive thru some of the older towns along the way. Take 97 to Gonzales then 183 to Luling.

At Luling, stop at Luling city Market for BBQ then north on 80 to Austin. Lockhart has some nice BBQ as well so you can let timing decide which you go to. (My personal favorite is Luling )

Schulenburg has the Painted Churches.

Here's a link:

http://www.texasescapes.com/CentralTexasTownsSouth/PaintedChurchesTour.htm

Thanks Rich and Jill.

Bwino, any interest in a GTG in Austin or San Antonio?

Hi PM yes absolutely if there are others in the area it would be great. San Antonio is a work conference so Austin would be better. We will be in Austin 22 to 25 August, a lunch or dinner would be terrific if any one is interested. Thanks for asking.

Re: the GTG - i might could make it down.

HOORAY!! As the time draws closer we will start making plans.

Jill H, please do come if you can.

We love the Salt Lick in Driftwood - great BBQ and the atmosphere is hard to beat. I believe they are cash only.

http://www.saltlickbbq.com/pages/Driftwood.html

Bookmarking for all of the great bbq links.

(Ha...just caught my punny.)

I've wanted to do the great bbq roadtrip. How great it is to find
so much info together.

If you drive via 290, check out the divine pies at Must be Heaven in Brenham or Bryan. The chocolate pie reminds me of my grandmother's and we frequently buy the deep dish apple pie frozen to bake at a future time.

Moldy - when I hear the word pie, I think, meat pie, chicken pie etc, I will have to try some sweet pies during my holiday.

PM - thanks for thinking of this, even if it is only a few people it is fine, be nice to have a meal with some 'locals'.

Jill - hope to meet you as well.

BTW - we are staying here in Austin - http://www.heywoodhotel.com/ - it gets great reviews on T.A.

Bwino, give it some thought and please tell me what day works best with your plans for your visit to Austin. You are the guest of honor so I want to make this easy for you. Weekend GTG's usually get the best turnout but you said you are here until Aug 25. Does that mean you are leaving on Aug 25, or that is your last full day? If the 25th is out then please tell us another day that is good for you.

Hi P_M, we are only in Austin for the weekdays, could potentially do the Saturday for breakfast before heading to San Antonio for my conference or even Saturday 25th in the evening in San Antonio if that works better for others as most of my colleagues do not arrive till the Sunday. For Austin - Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are all ok.

Guest of honour - LOL I have never been a GOH before